Cyndi Epplin Puppy mill rip-off Pinckneyville Illinois
Cyndi Epplin of Lil Maltese/Lil Poodles ripped my husband and I out of $1500 +. We purchased a Maltese in February 2007 that was "not supposed to get over 4lbs." Additionally, we had a contract against "congenital defects" that was good for 1 year from the date of purchase. Two days after we purchased the puppy, it was admitted to the ICU for "Puppy Mill" syndrome - kennel cough in addition to being "way too young to have been taken away from his mother." (quote from 2 vets)
I contacted Cyndi immediately and she said to do whatever we had to do to keep that puppy alive and she would reimburse the vet bills 100%. Two weeks after that, the puppy ended up back in the ICU for a hole in his heart -- a congenital defect as diagnosed by a cardiologist who specializes in small dogs. After contacting Cyndi yet again, she said she would reimburse us the entire $1500 and she felt bad.
That was the last I heard from Cyndi for over 6 months. Finally after tricking her and calling while I was away on business from a different area code, she answered her phone. She said she would immediately send the money when she had it. I received a letter from her stating she owed me the money but did not have it. Times were tough for her and she had three weddings and two funerals to attend.
After consulting with an attorney (I want a guilty verdict so they will investigate her for being a puppy mill), I was instructed to file a small claims case against her. I did and after she was served the papers, I received a money order for $500 stating "1/3 reimbursement for maltese." She has missed our last two court dates and if she does not appear next week, she will be held incontempt of court and a warrant will be put out for her arrest. However, because of court costs -- she know owes me well over $1500. If she can sell $1500-$3500 dogs, she can afford to reimburse when congenital defects arise. I will not stop until the issue is resolved. Moral of the story: Do NOT buy from Cyndi Epplin as she has terrible business ethics.
Dana
Edwardsville, Illinois
U.S.A.
8 Updates & Rebuttals
Unknown5
Pinckneyville,Illinois,
United States of America
New Phone Number!!!
#9General Comment
Wed, September 12, 2012
Cyndi has moved to Idaho. She always goes by Tia. There is a 18 year old daughter with them and her name is Kelsi. There is also another woman whose name is Kimberly Collins. They have a dog business that is a scam called Simply Teacup. The number to that is 208-446-9615. Their cell phone number is 678-895-6956. Cyndi has two other children that she just left. A boy and a girl. The mysterious man who married tried to take just Kelsi and the younger girl. But that did not happen. These people are in some kind of cult. They don't realize they are hurting other people.
Concerned person
Pinckneyville,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Latest Known Address
#9General Comment
Sat, December 19, 2009
259 Robin Hill Rd., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
This is the latest known address for Cyndi Epplin, aka Cynthia Epplin, Tia Epplin, Tia Collins.
She is in the company of a John Collins who sometimes says he is a minister. He also goes by the names John Cartwright and John Charles. They are accompanied by a 15 year old girl, a 3 year girl and a woman going by the name Kimberly Collins.
The lived at this address for several months before leaving in early Dec 2009.
Concerned person
Pinckneyville,Illinois,
U.S.A.
New Mobile Number
#9
Sat, August 15, 2009
Cyndi Epplin aka Cynthia Epplin and a John Collins aka John Cartwright , John Charles are in teh Nashville, TN area now and have a new mobile number. 615-974-9866
Me
Las Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
A note
#9Consumer Comment
Fri, January 16, 2009
I am sorry about your loss michelle, but would like to give some advice on situations similar to yours for others. Seizures can be caused by many, many, things (poisoning, hypoglycemia, illness, ect.). It does not necessarily mean it can be attributed back to the breeder. So, if this is what you believe, do the neccesary medical testing to show difinitive cause. In the event of a death, do the necropsy and any other testing necessary to find a DEFINITIVE cause of death. A vague result will likely get you nowhere. This way the breeder or seller can be reasonably sure they owe you (or whomever you are holding responsible). Do this in any case you intend to hold someone responsible for the death of a pet.*Just my opinions*
Michele
Levittown,Pennsylvania,
U.S.A.
She did not offer me a replacement!
#9Consumer Comment
Fri, January 16, 2009
I am sorry to hear about your situation. I purchased a puppy from her which died three days before her first birthday during a seizure. I contacted Cindy and she didnt offer me anything so I offered her a small amount for one of the last puppies she had left and she wouldnt even give me one at a reduced price. I really dont want to go through the pain of losing a puppy again, so i really didnt want another dog from her, but i asked anyway.
Michele in PA
Me
Las Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
Pretty sneaky
#9Consumer Comment
Wed, January 14, 2009
Anybody whom reads the animal posts is well aware that you sold dogs other than the ones you bred. So, even though you did not breed the dog, you brokered it, and you are the seller, and the one with the contract and the obligation to these people, and therefore the one whom agreed to be responsible. So, it was pretty sneaky to try and make it sound as if you were the poor victimized party who was trying to help them out, from the kindness of your heart. And obviously, you did not COMPLETELY shut down if you offered them a replacement puppy. No one in their right mind would replace or offer money without documentation if they did not absolutely believe they were wrong. I also learned long ago not to trust in the least those whom work so hard to impress on people how godly THEY are. I keep my religion to myself, and try to live the way god intended. People whom use their religion to gain others trust so they can benefit themselves, and screw the other guy are depicable. I truly hope you are making an attempt to make it right with all the people you hurt. 'Do unto others'. *Just my opinion*
A Tree is Known by Its Fruit
(Luke 6:43-44)
15Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are savage wolves. 16You will know them by their fruit. Grapes aren't gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles, are they? 17In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a rotten tree produces bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a rotten tree cannot produce good fruit. 19Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into a fire. 20So by their fruit you will know them.
I Never Knew You
(Luke 6:46; 13:25-27)
21Not everyone who keeps saying to me, Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom of heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name, drove out demons in your name, and performed many miracles in your name, didn't we?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Get away from me, you evildoers!
Concerned Person
Pinckneyville,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Latest Contact Information
#9Consumer Comment
Tue, January 13, 2009
New Address for Cyndi Epplin, aka Cynthia Epplin, Cindy Epplin
Cyndi Epplin
4997 Fox Hollow Dr
Denver, NC 28037
Mobile (828) 335-1791
Cyndi Epplin
Pinckneyville,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Business under new ownership
#9REBUTTAL Individual responds
Tue, November 04, 2008
I tried to resolve this problem when it first occurred. I was not the breeder of the dog although I did try to replace the puppy with a healthy one. The buyer refused and I refunded well over $1000 to her. I never received any documentation stating that any of this was true and still sent her the money out of trust. I am trying to deal with this in a christian way. This business was shut down over a year ago and NEVER has had anything whatsoever to do with the LilPoodles company which is a LLC. Also, the LilPoodles company is now under new ownership and the new owners are NOT responsible for any business dealings prior to November 2008!