I am looking for some advice from fellow herper’s and breeders.
Currently I work for a reptile breeder with whom I have noticed quite a few unethical business practices…. in general, with the customers he deals with, and the way in which his animals are treated.
In a nutshell, this breeder (who has been around for a while); quite often mis-represents the hybrids he sells; lies to the customer(s) in order to make a sale, and rarely honors any type of warranty when it comes to his animals.
Many times, when his animals are sick, he will not seek advice as to the problem, but conducts what I call “Frankenstein Medicine”…using whatever medication is at his disposal to “treat” the infected/sick animal. NEVER will he disclose to a customer if an animal he sells has been medicated (moreso because he isn’t sure what it is it was treated for).
I have personally witnessed this breeder having harsh words when a customer calls to complain about an animal, which always results in his hanging up on them, and then telling the staff that if this customer calls back to tell them he isn’t available.
Among other things, here are what other staff members and I have noticed with this breeder:
• Selling other peoples’ stock as his own
• Selling Boa’s with respiratory infections; and then telling the customer that their warranty has expired when they complain. (His warranty is good for 48 hours only).
• Refusing to refund customers in the case of late deliveries…. although they paid for a specific service.
• Mis-representing the Hybrids he sells…if it looks like a Pyro, he sells it as a Pyro, etc.
• Selling wild-caught animals as either CB or stating that they have been treated (neither being the case).
• Urging customers NOT to take their snakes to a local (and well-respected) reptile vet; rather they let him “treat” it.
• If an animal he is “treating” dies, he will not refund any monies to the customer….but offers a 50% discount if they purchase another.
• Feeding many of his omnivorous & herbivorous reptile’s food items that he “fishes” out of a local supermarket trash pile. We have had to wash coffee grounds, cigarette butts, tissue paper, rotting food, etc. from the greens before they can be used to feed animals.
• Not providing heat sources for many of his desert-dwelling lizards. “It costs too much” is his reply.
• Does not allow staff members to clean display cages (bedding) between animals….as soon as one sells, he places another in the same cage (although the water bowl is changed out).
• Sells “donated” animals without quarantine periods….in today, gone tomorrow; and represents the animals as having been at the shop for quite sometime.
• Telling customers who talk to staff members for too long of a period that they are “Wasting his employees’ time”. Regardless if they are asking questions about care, husbandry, etc.
The truly sad part of all this is that the owner is quite knowledgeable in reptilian care and husbandry, as well as breeding. Unfortunately, his quest for a buck blinds him to the quality of care that these animals deserve; and not being fair to the customers.
My quandary is this:
This particular breeder has been around for quite some time (although his ethics, or lack thereof, are known by many other breeders); and he is my boss.
Although he is my boss, I also feel compelled to inform others about this person and his lack of ethics. Would doing so expose me to a “slander” lawsuit, even though ALL staff members agree on this mans business practices and can confirm the above statements?
How would doing so affect my future in the reptile industry as a breeder myself?
Any feedback on how to handle this situation greatly appreciated.
