A couple of days ago, I received my two adult African Fat-Tailed geckos from Zoological Imports in the mail. Before ordering, I asked if the animals were in good health, eating, and active. The guy told me "yes" and also told me they were w.c. I knew that w.c. animals have a price that you might have to pay in purchasing one, but I want to breed afts, so I took the chance.
When I opened the box, the female was in good condition, bright-eyed, alert with a tail that was regenerated, but obviously healthy and fat. I then proceeded to look at the male and noticed a rather large bump on the side of his mouth, and called Zoological right away. They told me that it was probably from rubbing up against the side of the petri dish (which I thought was kind of fishy)
After looking at it closer, I noticed that he had stomatitis (mouthrot) and for the next couple of days cleaned it with hydrogen peroxide, Betadyne, and neosporin. I called Zoological and told them what I had found, and they told me that I could a.) send him back and get a replacement, but only if I payed shipping, or b.) they would send me two new AFTs, required that I also pay shipping. Shipping for choice "a" would cost almost $70 and shipping for choice "b" would be around $35.
After only little progress on the treatment, I decided to take him to the vet today. That cost me $90.
How fair is it to me that they sent me an obviously sick animal and that in order to fix the problem, I have to pay almost double what I spent on him!?! I bargained with w.c., only thinking about parasites. But mouthrot that was inflamed and stuck out of his mouth anywhere from 1/4" to 1/2" from his lip was not what I expected. Should I be able to get my refund, at least for the price he cost? Or am I owed the cost of him PLUS shipping? Please help me out...as a herp consumer, I feel appalled and that I was taken advantage of!
