Big Apple Herpetological - Low Quality Merchandise - Shipping and Sales Tax Overcharges - Return Hassles - Happaugue, New York
I recently placed an order with Big Apple Herpetological, an online pet supply company specializing in reptile (herpetological) related items. I ordered some lighting equipment for my snakes from their online catalog, but when I received these items, I discovered that they were misrepresented in the company's online catalog, as they were of inferior quality. Since the lighting equipment was cheaply made and not worth what I had paid for it, I decided to return it for a refund. As per the company's return policy, I called up the company for a return authorization number, but I was given a hard time by the person who I spoke with.
They tried to talk me into keeping the items, and when I told them no, I was told that I would have to pay for return shipping, and a 10% "restocking fee" would be deducted from my order. I told them that I would accept their terms for the return of the item, and I sent the item back to them via UPS.
The company received, and signed for my return 2 days later, but after two weeks had gone by and my credit card still had not been credited for the return, I once again called the company. At first, they told me that they had not received my return, but when I told them that I had proof that they had received my return, they told me that they would have to "look for it".
Well, I gave them two days to "find" my return, and when I called the company again, they said that they had located my return, but there was a problem. They claimed that the item was returned "incomplete", and was not in "re-sellable condition". This is untrue, as I had returned EVERYTHING which they had sent to me, including all packaging and paperwork. They said that they could not issue me a refund, and they would send the return back to me if I would like (at addition cost to me, of course).
I told them to keep the return, as I would pursue other means to obtain my refund. I submitted a chargeback to my Citibank Visa card, and I have been issued a provisional credit pending the outcome of their investigation.
Jack
Red Bank, New Jersey
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Steven
Hauppauge,New York,
U.S.A.
Report and Consumer Suggestion Written by Joseph H. Erskine, Jr. residing at Plattsburgh, NY not the fictitious name and address entered
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Fri, December 03, 2004
The customer in question, Joseph H. Erskine, JR. who claims to be Jack from Red Bank, NJ actually resides at ((REDACTED)) in Plattsburgh, NY 12901 with a separate shipping address of 11 Azalea Court in Staten Island, NY 10309.
This person wrote all 4 reports and 2 rebuttals/consumer suggestions on dates within a week of each other complaining about Big Apple Herpetological, Inc. The reports and rebuttals are unfounded and absolutely untrue and all of the reports were written by him under assumed names and addresses show what type of person he is (especially his absolutely untrue but never the less bigoted consumer suggestion above).
We expect that he will write more reports or rebuttals under assumed names. However, please see our rebuttal under the 11/28/2004 report that Joseph H. Erskine, Jr. submitted.
Regards,
Steven Spitz
President
Big Apple Herpetological, Inc.
http://www.bigappleherp.com
Leonard
Worcester,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
Big Apple Herpetological - A bunch of lying, thieving York scumbags!
#3Consumer Suggestion
Wed, November 17, 2004
I had some prior dealings with this disreputable company a couple of months ago, and I have to agree that that this company overcharges and misrepresents the quality of its merchandise in its online catalog. They overcharge on shipping and handling, and they charge (and probably pocket) New York sales taxes on out of state orders. They try to jerk you off when it comes to returning items, and they have to be forced (by threat of legal action) to refund your money!
After getting ripped off by this company, I discovered that they are owned by Orthodox Jews. Had I known this beforehand, I would have never dealt with this company. Learn by my mistake: AVOID DOING BUSINESS WITH BIG APPLE HERPETOLOGICAL!!!