Great show! I heard even Anthony called and gave him congrads. I bet that meant a lot to Marc. LOL
__________________
Jim Stelpflug
SW Reptile
www.wireptileshows.com
www.swreptile.com

Jim, arent you the one that turned in Bill Schaffer and Linda Merfeld and had his house investigated for illegal animals because of an argument between you 2?

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93798

I spoke to Marc and Anthony called to get his ego stroked!

Brock

Here is part of Jim's response on fauna in another thread Ron. This part covers how he was involved. :yessir:



When I was approached by the City on the subject by a phone call and email, I cooperated with the city. As already stated in a pervious tread. The City of Dubuque had already called on Bill & Linda without a warrant. In what I believe was approximately mid to late august. I was contacted by the city after the visit. The city asked about Bill and Linda and I spoke to them.

I did not send a letter to the city, or even write any letter. Base upon these question presented to me. A written statement was prepared by the city which I indeed signed.



Thank you, for your consideration

Jim Stelpflug
Southwest Wisconsin Reptiles

There is more to this.... I know Jim is banned from the Wheaton show.....

There is a page long response on his thread, just touched base on the allegation of "turning them in".

There is a page long response on his thread, just touched base on the allegation of "turning them in".

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showpost.php?p=519746&postcount=152

There is a page long response on his thread, just touched base on the allegation of "turning them in".

There is a lot fo stuff on that thread but what bothers me is I know Bill and Linda personally and they are good people. Jim did this out of spite in my opinion.... not the kind of person who is BLBC material.....

I guess I can see it from both sides. :devil: I've retyped this 3 times now and still can't get it right. I just don't see what this is going to accomplish. (short version)

I guess I can see it from both sides. :devil: I've retyped this 3 times now and still can't get it right. I just don't see what this is going to accomplish. (short version)

Maybe nothing other than letting people know what Jim is all about. He is willing to trash people however he can if he is pissed at you. Maybe I am wrong in thinking people want to know about this stuff but I certainly do. I dont like doing business with people like this.....

Whether or not they are good people doesn't mean that they were in the right -- I believe Jim is good people as well. I've always found that it's best not to put yourself in the middle of former friends in a pissing match -- let them work it out themselves.

Maybe nothing other than letting people know what Jim is all about. He is willing to trash people however he can if he is pissed at you. Maybe I am wrong in thinking people want to know about this stuff but I certainly do. I dont like doing business with people like this.....

You know I love ya buddy. :lol:

I guess I just don't see the intent, was it convenient timing and an easy poke for him. Yeah, he admitted that. But, the proof they showed the city was replying to neighbor complaints and called on him as a witness. Now, I've only met Jim once and have never met the other couple. But neither one are completely innocent.

So with that I'm outtie, gotta go do my PT thang!!! :lol:

I was told a couple of years ago he was banned from coming to the Wheaton show.
I don't want to post what someone else told me second hand. So I called the All Animal Expo in Wheaton today. I was told he is Banned. Because of complaints from other vendors.
I mentioned Bill and Linda and was told. Multiple vendors, Multiple Vendors.
I asked if I could quote this person. Who I know is one of the three people who can speak for the Wheaton show.
I was told they would like this to stay a matter between Jim Stelpflug and the All Animal Expo in Wheaton.
If you are banned from the largest and oldest reptile show in Chicago.
You've had to of messed over a lot of people. And according to the all Animal Expo he has.

I was told a couple of years ago he was banned from coming to the Wheaton show.
I don't want to post what someone else told me second hand. So I called the All Animal Expo in Wheaton today. I was told he is Banned. Because of complaints from other vendors.
I mentioned Bill and Linda and was told. Multiple vendors, Multiple Vendors.
I asked if I could quote this person. Who I know is one of the three people who can speak for the Wheaton show.
I was told they would like this to stay a matter between Jim Stelpflug and the All Animal Expo in Wheaton.
If you are banned from the largest and oldest reptile show in Chicago.
You've had to of messed over a lot of people. And according to the all Animal Expo he has.

Thanks Buck for posting this. This is what I am talking about. This isnt just "an old pissing match between friends". This speaks of his character. The only thing Bill and LInda were sited for was the indigo because the paperwork wasnt complete yet....

Question -- why is this in Watchdog -- if he's not scamming or market crashing? This appears to be a saloon matter?

Question -- why is this in Watchdog -- if he's not scamming or market crashing? This appears to be a saloon matter?

I don't think Jim has enough posts to be allowed into the saloon... He couldn't respond to it then.

On the original question though, I've bought snakes from both parties and thought they were ALL nice people, although Jim did threaten to 'hunt me down' if my check was no good. But at least he did let me pay with a check.

This thread does smack of damning a person on hearsay evidence though.
'multiple vendors'? Who are these 'multiple vendors'?

I don't think Jim has enough posts to be allowed into the saloon... He couldn't respond to it then.

On the original question though, I've bought snakes from both parties and thought they were ALL nice people, although Jim did threaten to 'hunt me down' if my check was no good. But at least he did let me pay with a check.

This thread does smack of damning a person on hearsay evidence though.
'multiple vendors'? Who are these 'multiple vendors'?

Wow... I guess this industry watchdog section now is only for market crashing and scamming. I thought was the section we posted about the industry in. Guess I was wrong. Being banned from a show is not hearsay, its fact.....

Well these always seem to turn into he said she said thing. I have worked for years with animal control in their city. After several complaints from neighbors. I was emailed and asked to come in to talk about them. They had already had a post on the internet of raising animals that they were not allowed to have in their city. I signed a statement that I saw the animals in question at a show in Des Moines Ia. By them breaking the law it put ALL of us in danger. That last statement was my own opinion. They were cited for having 4 animals that violated the laws on the books. From city to federal.
As for being banded at Wheaton? Well, I did not know that until just recently. There maybe more to this. All vendors were handed a yellow paper from the show promoter Lee Watson. It stated that if we were to attend another show that was starting in the area. We may not be welcomed back at Wheaton. Being this is still America, and that I think no one can tell me what shows to attend, or not to attend. I elected to do the show at Lake County IL. Now when one of the biggest producers, and vendors leaves a show. If I am a smaller vendor I maybe happy. I think a lot of this maybe jealousy? So now I have Lee, and what I like to call his followers hassle me on the net. Lee was banned for 30 days on the Wisconsin reptile web page. Also keep in mind a host a show that is 2 hours from his.
Now if you think I belong a watch dog list. I guess that is your opinion. I do not know of any posts were I scammed anyone on false hets, or animals that have died. I did respond to a post from someone who does Lee`s show. He said I sold him a pair of hets that turned out to be two males. This person did not contact me about the matter, but blasted me on the internet. As the thread went on he admitted to having them for two years. Before he noticed the problem. He wound up getting banned for a few days there. Now he then later posted a thread about if anyone had hets that did not prove out from me. I am not sure how he is going to eggs from two males, but I bet I see a post this year how hets did not prove out from me.
If I was going to come here and blast people. I would not post my name. I noticed the person starting this thread did not sign their name. Being new to this maybe I missed it.
Or maybe a All animal expo supporter? I have been messing with snakes for over twenty years. I produce a lot of animals. I had 101 clutches of ball python eggs last year. I am not a broker, but a breeder that tries to offer a good product at a fair price.
I own 800+ animals and do not have a lot of free time to post here. I am sorry I did ot respond sooner. I was called and told about this by a friend that was watching another thread here. I hope this tells my side of the story.

My name is Ron Sims. I am not an anything supporter. I havent been to that show in almost a year. My original question was if you were the person that turned Bill and Linda in. You answered my question and thats all I need to know about you.

Wow... I guess this industry watchdog section now is only for market crashing and scamming. I thought was the section we posted about the industry in. Guess I was wrong. Being banned from a show is not hearsay, its fact.....


Without anyone having any real evidence of anything it's just a "I don't like this guy cause he done my friend wrong" thread. If you want to pursue the whole banned from the show as evidence of wrong doing - find out exactly why he was banned and who filed the complaints and what their grievances are - invite them to share it here. Just as the other posts in this section you need to provide the proof, screen shots, etc. of the wrong doing. :yessir:

If you are banned from the largest and oldest reptile show in Chicago.
You've had to of messed over a lot of people. And according to the all Animal Expo he has.

Sorry but I do have on last thought. If someone produced a few thousand colubrids, and several boas and pythons. If you were a vendor there? Would you want one of you competitors out of the picture?

Lets use BHB only as a example here. Would it be easier to sell ball pythons at Tinley Park (which is Chicago`s largest show) if Brian was not there?

Wow... I guess this industry watchdog section now is only for market crashing and scamming. I thought was the section we posted about the industry in. Guess I was wrong. Being banned from a show is not hearsay, its fact.....

No, but I still don't understand why this thread was started. I have no issues if the guy in question DID turn someone in for having illegal reptiles. Quite frankly, people that do break the law when it comes keeping herps shouldn't be supported in any way. THAT is something that will hurt the industry as a whole. I'm not saying that the couple was doing anything illegal, but if they were, then they were in the wrong.

Yeah, he was banned from a show, but without the context it means nothing. I've read a number of allegations being thrown at Jim in this thread, without a single piece of evidence backing any of it up.

Either way, this is just a he said/she said personal matter, and will only degenerate into more mindless drama then when a high school girl flirts with a guy her best friend likes.

If someone's selling fake hets, bring it up. If someone's ripping people off, bring it up. If someone's mislabeling animals, attempting to scam people, or crashing the market, bring it up. Personal BS? just let it go.

I've talked to Jim on numerous occasions over the last few years, and have an animal from him, and my friend has animals from him. He's a good guy in my book, has great quality animals. And with me he's been nothing but honest, he'll tell you like it is. If he's banned from that show for vending at other shows that are competition, that's just silly.

I'm not real sure about that situation with the couple in Iowa, but it sounds like Jim did was he thought was right, when asked to do so.

I'll see you in May at the WIRE expo Jim, it was good chatting with you at LCRS.

Jason

This thread does smack of damning a person on hearsay evidence though.
'multiple vendors'? Who are these 'multiple vendors'?

This is the view of the All Animal Expo in Wheaton.
If they ( Wheaton Show) tell me some guy isn't fit to be a vendor
at there show. Had multiple complaints against him.
That's enough for me . What he did they wouldn't say.
If you think it's still hearsay here is the number for the Wheaton show
1-630-213-6050

I have never met the man. Never dealt with him.
I have vended at Wheaton and the Lake county shows and you hear plenty. But that is hearsay. I don't know if those stories are true or not. But being banned from Wheaton holds more weight with me.
That's way I mentioned it.

As for being banded at Wheaton? Well, I did not know that until just recently. There maybe more to this. All vendors were handed a yellow paper from the show promoter Lee Watson. It stated that if we were to attend another show that was starting in the area. We may not be welcomed back at Wheaton.
When I vended at Lake County there were alot of Wheaton vendors there. They are still vending at Wheaton. Not banned
I think someone isn't being entirely truthful. Come on Jim try again.
Why were you really banned for the last 2 plus years?

This is the view of the All Animal Expo in Wheaton.
If they ( Wheaton Show) tell me some guy isn't fit to be a vendor
at there show. Had multiple complaints against him.
That's enough for me . What he did they wouldn't say.
If you think it's still hearsay here is the number for the Wheaton show
1-630-213-6050

I have never met the man. Never dealt with him.
I have vended at Wheaton and the Lake county shows and you hear plenty. But that is hearsay. I don't know if those stories are true or not. But being banned from Wheaton holds more weight with me.
That's way I mentioned it.


Unless they (people who run the Wheaton Show) are your best buds -- why would you take their word as gospel? Anyone that's anyone in this industry has their share of friends and haters - certainly submarining competition runs rampant. That being said I would think it would take more than someone you don't really know saying something as illusive as "there have been complaints" without elaboration to make a judgment - let alone perpetuating rumor as fact. If there is more to it feel free to bring it to the board.

let alone perpetuating rumor as fact. If there is more to it feel free to bring it to the board.
__________________
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tosha
Jet Pythons The Blog

Tosha I am a big fan of yours. Your info is accurate and well thought out.
But I have not stated any rumor. The Wheaton show banned him . Fact
Want to verify that fact. Call 1-630-213-6050 Wheaton Show
Again your the best. Love the WIR:yourock:

Unless they (people who run the Wheaton Show) are your best buds -- why would you take their word as gospel? Anyone that's anyone in this industry has their share of friends and haters - certainly submarining competition runs rampant. That being said I would think it would take more than someone you don't really know saying something as illusive as "there have been complaints" without elaboration to make a judgment - let alone perpetuating rumor as fact. If there is more to it feel free to bring it to the board.

SO why even sponsor a show if you are going to ban people who come there to sell? Doesnt make sense to me. I vended both shows and was not banned... I ahve witnesses. Buckskin shared a table with me everytime I vended there expect once. I also vended the Grays Lake show... still wasnt banned... I vended the Tinley show with BUckskin... neither one of us was banned.....

I moved the thread to the business talk section, seemed more appropriate.

Not saying this is the case as I haven't had more than a minute to look over the thread and do my own homework to form an opinion on the matter but a member calling out another member is our job as responsible keepers. Keeps honest people honest and keeps the rift raft from just floating in and starting shit without being noticed.

If it is completely unfounded then we will find that out also.

SO why even sponsor a show if you are going to ban people who come there to sell? Doesnt make sense to me. I vended both shows and was not banned... I ahve witnesses. Buckskin shared a table with me everytime I vended there expect once. I also vended the Grays Lake show... still wasnt banned... I vended the Tinley show with BUckskin... neither one of us was banned.....



Seems like there was a discussion not to long ago about Pete Kahl not being allowed to vend at some show because of some issue with a boa - I don't remember the whole story but that was the gist. He likely would have been the biggest name in the show and a huge draw for the small show - but the person putting on the show thought ill of the boa incident and didn't want him vending at their show. Does that mean that he is a bad guy that no one should buy from? You don't know why Jim was banned - find out otherwise it's not really a big deal.

I moved the thread to the business talk section, seemed more appropriate.

Not saying this is the case as I haven't had more than a minute to look over the thread and do my own homework to form an opinion on the matter but a member calling out another member is our job as responsible keepers. Keeps honest people honest and keeps the rift raft from just floating in and starting shit without being noticed.

If it is completely unfounded then we will find that out also.

Thanks Jeff. This was my intention to begin with. If there is not truth to it, so be it. If it is true, then I dont want anything to do with the guy. And just for the record, I wouldnt say I am a friend of Bill and Linda's. I spoke to them a few times at the shows but thats about it.

Seems like there was a discussion not to long ago about Pete Kahl not being allowed to vend at some show because of some issue with a boa - I don't remember the whole story but that was the gist. He likely would have been the biggest name in the show and a huge draw for the small show - but the person putting on the show thought ill of the boa incident and didn't want him vending at their show. Does that mean that he is a bad guy that no one should buy from? You don't know why Jim was banned - find out otherwise it's not really a big deal.

And how many "big names" have we all seen go to the darkside? More than I can count...... I dont know what you are talking about with Pete Kahl and it isnt the issue here. If it walks like a duck....

If it walks like a duck....

Must be wearing it's shoes backwards? :p

What I would like to know is where this thread came from? The incident with Jim, Bill and Linda took place quite a long time ago. It is all totally spelled out over on Fauna. I don't understand why just because Jim recently started posting here someone has to try and dig up some dirt on him. I mean do you not have anything better to do? Sure Jim may have missexed a pair of Ball Pythons in the past, everyone has done that before whether it was purposely or accidental. Ask any "big breeder" they'll all admit that they are not perfect in this regard. I'm yet to see a post made about Jim where he is being accussed of selling false hets, sick animals, or anything else that is something more than just an honest mistake. Come on people, was this thread really neccessary?

Travis Whisler

Seems like there was a discussion not to long ago about Pete Kahl not being allowed to vend at some show because of some issue with a boa - I don't remember the whole story but that was the gist. He likely would have been the biggest name in the show and a huge draw for the small show - but the person putting on the show thought ill of the boa incident and didn't want him vending at their show. Does that mean that he is a bad guy that no one should buy from? You don't know why Jim was banned - find out otherwise it's not really a big deal.

That was a member here who was starting a show and I dont think she said he was banned and the person she thought was Pete was not him! I dont think Pete is banned from any show that I know of...

Wow... I guess this industry watchdog section now is only for market crashing and scamming. I thought was the section we posted about the industry in. Guess I was wrong. Being banned from a show is not hearsay, its fact.....

Ron, it may be fact. But it still doesn't mean anything unless the motives are known... Jim certainly wouldn't be the first person banned from a show because the promoter didn't like him.

Ron, it may be fact. But it still doesn't mean anything unless the motives are known... Jim certainly wouldn't be the first person banned from a show because the promoter didn't like him.

That would be 100% fact....

I vend at shows that Jim also vends at. I also sell at the All Animal show.
This does not make me an expert on this subject nor do I have inside info.
All I can say is that Scott seems to be an all-right guy from our brief discussions.
I would like to comment on Jim however- he has helped me out more times that I can remember. From great advice on selling at shows, to providing supplies when I was all out, Jim has been nothing short than a friend to me in this hobby.
My point is that while this is a business for some and it is easy to make posts like this, I don't think this does the hobby any good whatsoever!
Whatever the issue is (or is NOT), my feeling is that it is between Jim and Scott and non of my business.
If I ever had a bad experience with either, I would go to them DIRECTLY and address it personally- not that I anticipate this with either Jim or Scott.