How I got my white tip reef shark. A cautionary tale on who not to buy from

[Conner]

Seems like you had it coming. When you smelled something fishy you should have backed out on the deal. You didn't. You had several opportunities to do so, especially when he was trying to sell it to someone else. But instead of doing so, you asked that person to back out. It sounded like you were desperate for the fish and willing to gamble. After knowing he was a scumbag you kept the deal going. That makes you a sucker. It takes two to tango and I feel whining on the internet and playing the victim is no better than a scumbag himself.

So you're saying that being out $1,500, you'd have just walked away from the deal, rather than managing to actually find a way to get the shark from him? Never mind that he overpaid, for both the shark and the shipping. Don't bother to say he should have tried to get a refund, because there's no way he would have. This guy ripped him off for $1,500 for a shark he didn't even have in his possession!

And the whole selling to someone else deal, was someone he knew and trusted PRETENDING to be interested in the shark, just to see what the guy would do. If it weren't for that friend, he most likely wouldn't have gotten the shark in the end.

If nothing else, this provides a solid example for people to NOT deal with this scumbag. The shark is healing, and if it survives will probably thrive in his care. It's most likely better off, even if it had to take a terrible journey to get there.

 

[TheCanuck]

Seems like you had it coming. When you smelled something fishy you should have backed out on the deal. You didn't. You had several opportunities to do so, especially when he was trying to sell it to someone else. But instead of doing so, you asked that person to back out. It sounded like you were desperate for the fish and willing to gamble. After knowing he was a scumbag you kept the deal going. That makes you a sucker. It takes two to tango and I feel whining on the internet and playing the victim is no better than a scumbag himself.

How is he whining?

He's making others aware of a seller and is providing usefull info you ass.





Good save on the shark. Hope it heals up.

BTW i just lost my BB grouper (LFS killed it)

If hes a hassle for you i will totally take him off your hands

1200g pond
or 12x2x2 tank.

 

[Scorponok]

So you're saying that being out $1,500, you'd have just walked away from the deal, rather than managing to actually find a way to get the shark from him? Never mind that he overpaid, for both the shark and the shipping. Don't bother to say he should have tried to get a refund, because there's no way he would have. This guy ripped him off for $1,500 for a shark he didn't even have in his possession!

And the whole selling to someone else deal, was someone he knew and trusted PRETENDING to be interested in the shark, just to see what the guy would do. If it weren't for that friend, he most likely wouldn't have gotten the shark in the end.

If nothing else, this provides a solid example for people to NOT deal with this scumbag. The shark is healing, and if it survives will probably thrive in his care. It's most likely better off, even if it had to take a terrible journey to get there.

I never said walked away, and there are legal channels to back out the deal, refund or otherwise. As far as getting his friend to PRETEND or not, if the scumbag is exposed, only a sucker would keep playing the game, calling the bluff, rolling the dice, going with the flow, however he puts it. Yes, I agree his example is how to avoid end up like him. This should be in the lessons learned section.

And yeah, every time a buyer gets ripped off we need to read a diary of what transpired, it's pretty much whining. The title suggests a story of adventure or journey but instead it turned out to be a bashing of his vendor, and one or two paragraph is already more than suffice in making a point, Dean is a scumbag. I don't see how the rest of information provided is useful unless you're planing to drag out your transaction for five months, like the OP.

 

[Conner]

I never said walked away, and there are legal channels to back out the deal, refund or otherwise. As far as getting his friend to PRETEND or not, if the scumbag is exposed, only a sucker would keep playing the game, calling the bluff, rolling the dice, going with the flow, however he puts it. Yes, I agree his example is how to avoid end up like him. This should be in the lesson learned section.

And yeah, every time a buyer gets ripped off we need to read a diary of what transpired, it's pretty whining. The first paragraph is already more than suffice in making a point. I don't see how the information provided is useful unless you don't have a problem dragging on your transaction for five months.

Its his story of what happened, if you don't want to read it, don't! But don't be an inconsiderate ass, blaming someone for getting caught up with a scammer, but managing to get something out of it anyways. Most people probably would have just walked away from it, and ended up being out $1,500 (or more) without anything to show for it. He at least ended up with a shark, and a good cautionary tale for other people to learn from. Plus, by involving his friend, he exposed the guy for the fraud he is, rather than being stuck with just having to take his word for it over the phone.

And good luck with whatever "legal channels" you want to try to get the money back. Who's going to bother from across the entire continent? The costs incurred in fighting him for a refund would total much much more than he lost in the first place.

Maybe the piece of crap will get what's coming to him no matter what, but every story like this that surfaces just makes it harder for people like him to operate, regardless of whether or not the law does jack about him.

 

[gomezladdams]

Seems like you had it coming. When you smelled something fishy you should have backed out on the deal. You didn't. You had several opportunities to do so, especially when he was trying to sell it to someone else. But instead of doing so, you asked that person to back out. It sounded like you were desperate for the fish and willing to gamble. After knowing he was a scumbag you kept the deal going. That makes you a sucker. It takes two to tango and I feel whining on the internet and playing the victim is no better than a scumbag himself.

Dont pull any punches,tell him how you really feel!

Cant decide if it was ballsy or stupid to send him more money at that point but at least you got the fish you wanted.Should have just contacted that store in the first place.Probably would have got it for a fraction of the price and in better shape.

 

[Delhezi B]

WOW I cant believe that you actually got the shark I would have bet money on dean disapearing off the map. That sounded like quite an adventure (it still is i gess lol). I gess everyone know's to stay away from this dean scumbag now.

I hope the shark heals up for you man. best of luck with him

 

[kjfan1]

Too much slam talk from other mfk members towards you man. We are a group of friends here(sounds fruity I know) But there is no reason to be flaming him for past mistakes. I'm sure he will agree he made a mistake. But the end result was worth it and that is the point of the story. Not to sound like an idiot, to share his experience.

Just don't comment unless is is constructive. not destructive. toidi

 

[turbo253]

Seems like you had it coming. When you smelled something fishy you should have backed out on the deal. You didn't. You had several opportunities to do so, especially when he was trying to sell it to someone else. But instead of doing so, you asked that person to back out. It sounded like you were desperate for the fish and willing to gamble. After knowing he was a scumbag you kept the deal going. That makes you a sucker. It takes two to tango and I feel whining on the internet and playing the victim is no better than a scumbag himself.

I paid him $1500 for the shark before I felt something was fishy. Also I am not whining. just warning people. trust me I am more than able to fix this shark. you are the only one who has had something negative to say. what are you in bed with Dean or something? SCREW OFF PAL!!!

 

[Zoodiver]

I for one am happy to see posts (good or bad) about people's transactions in regard to sharks/rays. So many scammers out there.


As for two pages ago (and my nitro thoughts)... baytril @ 10mg/kg will do the trick. Just something to help keep him clean. Sometime when I have more time, I'll PM you before and after pics of white tips to show you how they can recover.

 

[turbo253]

I asked the store about shipping back in sept but they didn't ship and it was there display shark
Dean got them to sell it buy telling them it was going to a public aquarium.
Yes I was gambling a little but you as I stated it was to get solid proof of this guy ripping people off. I did call the cops but they were really not interested. they told me to file a complaint with my local sheriff and they would talk to them. I was just going to get the run a round with the cops.

I am sorry if you didn't like the way I told the story. It was long and I though it was better to tell it like this than just put out bunch of dry facts so people would get bored and not read it.

everyone else thank you for your support