HELP: My Panther Chameleon Set Up

Looks good, i would get a few more vines personally because both my chams go crazy for those fake vines! But eventually get a bigger cage, other than that not bad!
 
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Called first time today around 4:40pm. Asked if manager was there yet.

Amanda said she would call back when she gets a hold of him because she didn't know he was out of town in Carmel. Also she said she's helping a customer and would call back when finished.

25-30 minutes went by And we heard nothing. So we called back, and we asked about the manager. She said he's on vacation and can't get ahold of him. So we said we filed a dispute to our bank for fraud.

My girlfriend was on the phone at the moment. I took the phone from her and started asking questions.

I asked, So there's no way we could get a refund? Cash? She said she would have to take money out the register and get permission from her manager. But she's on the edge of losing her job, and her job was on the line.

I also asked some really straight to the point questions. I asked, So I went in the store yesterday, and asked for a MALE panther correct? And you said it was a male correct? She replies yes, and I also said, So I knew about the no return policy right, but I didn't care cause I wanted a MALE panther that you told me you had right? She also said yes.

So then I said, So I paid for him thinking it was a male correct? And knowing he was what I wanted, I didn't care about the no return policy correct? She didn't say anything.

So lastly I said so I had my girlfriend go in today to pick him up and it turns out its a female, correct? She said yes, but I'm on the edge of losing my job. My manager isn't here right now. I really can't return your credit card payment. Saying it with an attitude.

So I said, well you mean to tell me it's my fault? For buying a female chameleon thinking it was a male chameleon the entire time then show up the next day to pick him up and you say it's a female!? How's it my fault? She replied with "it's not my fault".

Basically she kept tellin me she would lose her job and she can't do anything even though she admitted it was her fault. I could tell she was nervous and didn't know what to do. She just caught herself knowing she was wrong. It's messed up that I spent my hard earned money on a panther and a large cage suitable for his size, aswell as food and other feeder foods.

She eventually hangs up on me saying I'll be sure to let my manager know about this with an attitude.

I know for a fact she knew she was wrong and will most likely lose her job. I really didn't want to get to this point but if she wants to be like that when I'm over here down a chameleon and $400 for her mistake then we can take it to the next level.

Again, I'll let you guys know what happens next. I pray I get my refund. Also recording all this for evidence. Yelp will def get a review after this is over.
 
Threaten the owner with a report to the BBB and that you'll do everything you can to thwart business. He'll have 3 options: 1. Refund the money :) 2. Order you a male panther of your liking. :D 3. Tell you to eff off :mad: At least you'll have a resolution! ;)
 
Threaten the owner with a report to the BBB and that you'll do everything you can to thwart business. He'll have 3 options: 1. Refund the money :) 2. Order you a male panther of your liking. :D 3. Tell you to eff off :mad: At least you'll have a resolution! ;)
had no idea what the BBB is, i'll def be bringing that up if he trys to get over on me.

Thanks bro! Looking into it, so far this already justifies my argument "To be accredited by BBB, a business must apply for accreditation and BBB must determine that the business meets BBB accreditation standards, which include a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. BBB Accredited Businesses must pay a fee for accreditation review/monitoring and for support of BBB services to the public." - taken from http://www.bbb.org/tucson/business-reviews/reptiles/reptile-specialists-in-tucson-az-13364

maybe California has the same laws, i hope. I def did not deserve this!
 
This is obviously a mom and pop shop, correct? Word of mouth is key and you'll jack him up! Get a picket and march up and down as customers enter and exit! Force his hand!! :D
 
Latest News:

Called first time today around 4:40pm. Asked if manager was there yet.

Amanda said she would call back when she gets a hold of him because she didn't know he was out of town in Carmel. Also she said she's helping a customer and would call back when finished.

25-30 minutes went by And we heard nothing. So we called back, and we asked about the manager. She said he's on vacation and can't get ahold of him. So we said we filed a dispute to our bank for fraud.

My girlfriend was on the phone at the moment. I took the phone from her and started asking questions.

I asked, So there's no way we could get a refund? Cash? She said she would have to take money out the register and get permission from her manager. But she's on the edge of losing her job, and her job was on the line.

I also asked some really straight to the point questions. I asked, So I went in the store yesterday, and asked for a MALE panther correct? And you said it was a male correct? She replies yes, and I also said, So I knew about the no return policy right, but I didn't care cause I wanted a MALE panther that you told me you had right? She also said yes.

So then I said, So I paid for him thinking it was a male correct? And knowing he was what I wanted, I didn't care about the no return policy correct? She didn't say anything.

So lastly I said so I had my girlfriend go in today to pick him up and it turns out its a female, correct? She said yes, but I'm on the edge of losing my job. My manager isn't here right now. I really can't return your credit card payment. Saying it with an attitude.

So I said, well you mean to tell me it's my fault? For buying a female chameleon thinking it was a male chameleon the entire time then show up the next day to pick him up and you say it's a female!? How's it my fault? She replied with "it's not my fault".

Basically she kept tellin me she would lose her job and she can't do anything even though she admitted it was her fault. I could tell she was nervous and didn't know what to do. She just caught herself knowing she was wrong. It's messed up that I spent my hard earned money on a panther and a large cage suitable for his size, aswell as food and other feeder foods.

She eventually hangs up on me saying I'll be sure to let my manager know about this with an attitude.

I know for a fact she knew she was wrong and will most likely lose her job. I really didn't want to get to this point but if she wants to be like that when I'm over here down a chameleon and $400 for her mistake then we can take it to the next level.

Again, I'll let you guys know what happens next. I pray I get my refund. Also recording all this for evidence. Yelp will def get a review after this is over.

I love that feeling of knowing you were right lol good way to confront the girl and get to the point. I bet you will win this battle
 
I love that feeling of knowing you were right lol good way to confront the girl and get to the point. I bet you will win this battle
I really just wanted my money back for something that was misinformed. I pretty much got scammed, period.

I also filed a BBB report to the Reptile Room in Hayward, CA. Here's a screen shot of the document sent. Hopefully this will resolve something. I'm also considering calling the Hayward Animal Control Services for untrained workers and unsanitary living conditions of the animals. This is valid by the Yelp Reviews, not just me.

ScreenShot2012-08-20at74937PM2.png
 
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I really just wanted my money back for something that was misinformed. I pretty much got scammed, period.

I also filed a BBB report to the Reptile Room in Hayward, CA. Here's a screen shot of the document sent. Hopefully this will resolve something. I'm also considering calling the Hayward Animal Control Services for untrained workers and unsanitary living conditions of the animals. This is valid by the Yelp Reviews, not just me.

Good for you! Good luck and def keep us posted! :)
 
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Could you take down the image? if possible, i don't anyone to be making moves behind my back haha. I censored it, but you beat me! lol
 
Good for you! Good luck and def keep us posted! :)
Thank you so much! appreciate it!

heres a little discussion forum about the shop from others, i guess this shop has had a bad rep for awhile. Even someone related to the shop started to comment in defense haha.

http://www.calris.org/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=4439

Also read their yelp reviews, Some are really bad such as a man/woman who bought a sick snake, which they brought home and killed 2 other snakes due to mites. http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=GaBuVwBO2_irAeDPfxziIQ
 
Well with all this information you found it should be easy to win this one, if they really do have that bad of a rep it will be not a problem for you. THey should have just made things right and let you win. Customer is almost always 99.999% of the time correct. And especially in this case you were 100% correct and they didnt handle it correctly. Shame on them.
 
never thought of it that way, but in this case i'm def 100% right. Thanks for the chats, I'll let you guys know the details if anything happens.
 
Haven't heard anything back yet. But i did write some terrible yelp reviews, also thinking about posting it on other reptile forums throughout the Bay Area.
 
Hi! I'm late to the thread but I have read it all.

I'm so sorry it didn't work out. It has happened to a number of us. Don't let it get you down--this just wasn't meant to be. I have had that slapped in my face quite a few times. Let that business have it. This will be quite a big deal for them. And spending nearly $400... that is also really frustrating. Keep us posted on how it's going. I'm sure it will all work out great :D
 
Wow you should keep calling everyday. Not be pushy but let them know you didn't forget
Def won't let them forget.

My BBB was sent out to the shop today. Got an email from them this morning.

Also my payment for the chameleon has been processed so i'll give my bank a call tonight to figure the dispute out. I'll let you guys know what happens.

Also spoke with some of my family and they said i'm on the right track about getting my refund. But i also need to get a hold of the owner, Aaron Dickey which is damn near impossible to let him know whats going on. I figured the chick who sold me the chameleon never told her manager...yet.
 
Hi! I'm late to the thread but I have read it all.

I'm so sorry it didn't work out. It has happened to a number of us. Don't let it get you down--this just wasn't meant to be. I have had that slapped in my face quite a few times. Let that business have it. This will be quite a big deal for them. And spending nearly $400... that is also really frustrating. Keep us posted on how it's going. I'm sure it will all work out great :D
Thanks for the kind words Swayne8998,

Really sucked that i was so anxious to get my little guy then i got slapped in the face. I have everything ready for a chameleon, just need a chameleon. And almost $400 down right now i don't think i'll be getting one soon :( . I bought a large cage specifically for the size of the panther i was getting, so getting a baby i would have to get a smaller cage. Plus i was planning on getting a mistking, and that doesn't look too promising right now either. Also sucks that others been through the same situation, you would think everyone would have the same respect who enjoys reptiles. Especially store owners/workers.

If anything i could find a veiled chameleon or a Jackson and raise him with the money i get back, hopefully.

Might take a trip to the EastBay Vivarium!
 
A no refund policy doesn't allow them to lie to you.

You paid for a male, either have them get you a male or they should be giving your money back.

It's clearly the employee's fault that was excited for a sale, and was telling you what you wanted to hear. Then she was corrected by the owner.

The employee is simply to scared to tell the boss that she screwed up, and probably made up some lie to him to cover her ass.

I would probably ask the employee to ask the owner for permission to contact him to resolve the dispute personally, instead of trying to tip toe around everything.

Failing that, the store is just a waste and you got screwed.
I would suggest posting information about the business on faunaclassifieds to get the word out on them.

Good luck!
 
I hate to be negative but I have had dealings with the BBB and all the manager at the other store is say "the customer is wrong, we have a no return policy clearly stated" and they are off the hook for it. Your most likely going to have to work through other sources to get this situation fixed.
 
just my opinion

I'm suprised this place is still around... Many years ago it was under a different name and it was pretty bad back then.

Just some advice I would not buy from a store unless I really had to I believe that the animals bred & raised by hobbiest are generally better quality. They are pricey but shopping around is not all that bad. You're in the bay area and there are TONS of hobbiests here, you just need to look around and ask questions.

My first cham I purchased was a Veiled from a guy in redwood city (wish I could find him again). What you get when you purchase like this is a resource that a reptile store cannot be.

I also dont think the BBB will do much, unless the store is a paid member. So you might be just getting lip service from them.

The only exception to all of this is EBV, I would shop here if I need to.

Gabe - I really hope it works out for you.
 
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