Professionalism - Lack Thereof

[MichaelJ]

I've done quite a few local sales recently and have gotten repeated notes from my customers that they are being messaged via the forum by another breeder here asking, "why didn't you just buy from him/her instead?"


In my opinion there are plenty of geckos and customers to go around and there is no reason to hound other people to get what you want.

This also makes this person look extremely money hungry and un-professional.

How would you feel if this was done to you?

There is a way of doing things and a way of NOT doing things. This is definitely the latter.

:main_thumbsdown:

 

[mkeg1]

Michael you rock, your geckos are awsome!

btw julia is doing great!

 

[rhino43grr]

why didn't you sell them to me? :furious3: :laugh4: :smartass2:

that does seem kinda shady to me as well, unless it was just their way of joking around, but from the sounds of it it wasn't...:main_thumbsdown:

 

[Grinning Geckos]

I'd suggest those people notify one of the mods here. I doubt that sort of activity allowed or encouraged.

 

[MSMD]

I must say that would definitely be a turnoff for me for that breeder.

And I must also say, Michael, that you and Summer have been wonderful to deal with, VERY professional and helpful :main_yes:, and I am very pleased with my healthy, gorgeous girl from you! :main_thumbsup:

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

If this happens to any of you, please let me or any of the other MODS here at GeckoForums.net know ASAP. Our website rules are clear about abusing the PM and/or email system with unwanted solicitations or harassment.

If you are doing this, STOP NOW. You are running the risk of losing your membership here at GF by this practice.

 

[MichaelJ]

If it was a joke than I'm in the wrong.

But when it happens three times it doesn't seem like a joke.

I'd rather not have to get the mods involved, (unless they want to ) I'm sure at some point the breeder will read this thread and realize that that business is not handled that way.

The sad thing is that I honestly feel bad for airing this kind of dirty laundry on the forum but somehow I don't think the message would have gotten through to them otherwise..



There is just no reason for it..

 

[MichaelJ]

Thanks for the Kudos guys !!

Summer and I do truly appreciate it..

 

[Wezul]

That sucks!!
How is this breeder finding out about the purchases? What I mean is, how does this breeder know your customers are purchasing the geckos...are they contacting this breeder telling them they bought from you?

 

[MichaelJ]

From my guess they're looking through the, "show off your leo", page to see who's buying what and from whom..

or maybe checking my trader ratings for customers in our area..

just my guesses.. i don't know

 

[Double LY]

From my guess they're looking through the, "show off your leo", page to see who's buying what and from whom..

or maybe checking my trader ratings for customers in our area..

just my guesses.. i don't know

You're probably right that it's from the "Show Off Your Leos" section. I have noticed your name on several threads recently. Of course for me that just means I go to your available page and increase my wish list

 

[dprince]

I think that's a terrible, unprofessional way to handle the sales (or lack thereof). I agree, I would be completely turned off by this behavior. It would make me wonder, why are they trolling for customers? A good, reputable breeder would not do that. :main_no:

 

[MichaelJ]

I think it really comes down to something we've all spoken about many times and on this forum there are probably 100 posts about it..

Very few of us got into this for the money, and those that do, don't last long.

We got into this because we love animals and got bitten by the gecko bug several years ago and bought some. Then we bought more, and some were born, and bought more, and some were born, etc. etc..

Now I have a room full of them, more supplies than a petsmart, and spend hours each night caring for each these little guys.. I also spend as much time as possible on this and other forums and reading books and articles to learn as much as I can about them and other species as well. Just ask Marcia and Nancy how often I email them about the most inane things

We truly love each and every one of them.. It is still hard to sell any of them but it's necessary to be able to pay for all of their care and rearing.

We name each one as it hatches and watch it sprout until it's big enough to maybe be in someone's collection.

We think and hope this shows in our animals and our customer service and thats all that matters. Hence me spending several months of my boring life creating our website until I was blind..

anyhoo, i'm rambling.. it's just a bit pathetic and I'm sure it will end after this..

 

[Kimjorg]

That is pathetic...instead of trying to steal someone elses business maybe they should congratulate the new owner for getting a gecko from a more than qualified breeder who has just as much heart as knowledge for the animals. This is crazy and I had no idea that this kind of stuff was even going on. I think you guys deserve all the business you have gotten and will receive in the future. If we have ever had someone contact us about getting a gecko and we didn't have what they wanted we have always recommended other great breeders on this site. The type of thing that you are describing Michael makes me sick! Just my 2 cents.

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

And you know, this goes two ways as well. I was looking to purchase a pair from one of the members (again, they shall remain unnamed), and that person messaged me back, "They're already spoken for, UNLESS you wanted to offer more!?" It then became very clear to me that I not only didn't want that particular pair, but none of the other future geckos they may in the future decide to sell. Why would a breeder make a comment like this? Aparently in an attempt to squeeze every red cent out of the animal that they could. I don't think that's very good business practice either.

But back to your problem Michael, I feel comfortable in saying that you will assuredly be around longer than will they! Best of Luck to you!

 

[GeckoGuru]

My opinion:

That is a very poor business practice. They have too much time on their hands if they take the time to look through the threads and email the following new gecko owners! Honesty is the best policy that anyone needs most of the time. Congrats and more success to those that are honest!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I was looking to purchase a pair from one of the members (again, they shall remain unnamed), and that person messaged me back, "They're already spoken for, UNLESS you wanted to offer more!?" It then became very clear to me that I not only didn't want that particular pair, but none of the other future geckos they may in the future decide to sell. Why would a breeder make a comment like this? Aparently in an attempt to squeeze every red cent out of the animal that they could. I don't think that's very good business practice either.

People who have those kinds of business ethics will not last long in the Leopard Gecko "business". Don't people like this realize that this is a small community and we all talk to each other? Those of us who have been around for awhile have seen a lot of these 'fly-by-night' breeders come and go. I just wish they would all go... Away.

I wish there was a public "DO NOT SELL TO / BUY FROM" list around... I can think of a few names I would add to it.

 

[KelliH]

Yeah, someone needs to take out the trash.

 

[KelliH]

Please keep in mind that it is completely ok to discuss ethics in general but we do not allow other breeders/companies' ethics and business practices to be discussed here. Just a friendly reminder.

 

[supperl]

And you know, this goes two ways as well. I was looking to purchase a pair from one of the members (again, they shall remain unnamed), and that person messaged me back, "They're already spoken for, UNLESS you wanted to offer more!?" It then became very clear to me that I not only didn't want that particular pair, but none of the other future geckos they may in the future decide to sell. Why would a breeder make a comment like this? Aparently in an attempt to squeeze every red cent out of the animal that they could. I don't think that's very good business practice either.

Woah that´s extreme. I mean this is no auction. You name the price you get the price <- the way it was is and should be. Ppl that do like that won´t make a buck with their Geckos as no one would buy from them.
No one would name the ones name but I´m sure everyone already knows the name and no one would buy from them again as you can´t count on their word. I mean if I order a Gecko for Hamm for example from someone who is their and says you can pay at the show and than a week infront I would get a Mail "Dude it´s sold sry, otherwise you bet more" I would not buy their anymore and neither some of my friends.
As said everyone is talking to everyone^^