Austin S.

Arachnoboards Username
Austin S.
Previous Review/Report Link
http://arachnoboards.com/threads/austin-s.89256/

Reviews summary

35
 
81%
1
 
2%
0
 
0%
1
 
2%
6
 
14%
Overall rating
4.35 star(s) 43 ratings
Quality
4.49 star(s)
Variety
4.70 star(s)
Communication
4.26 star(s)
Packaging
4.47 star(s)
Price
4.51 star(s)
Good communication and helpful
Purchase Date
12/26/23
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Communication
  • Selection
  • Speed
Cons
  • None
I bought an A. Moorae sling from 03Arachnids and also was given a 3” A. chalcodes female juvenile and a 1” M. balfouri as Freebies alongside the sling. He was extremely helpful as I wanted to use the freebies as gifts to friends as a first easy tarantula and he helped come up with a list of his stock that best fit that description. He was very quick with communication and I received all my spiders very much healthy and alive.
Great prices, communication and service
Purchase Date
2021.08.06
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Great prices
  • Great communication
  • Quickly resolved issues
Cons
  • None
It seems like some people had bad experiences buying from Austin pre-import. From forum posts, it sounds like some issues were outside of his control, and that he had suffered his own bad luck as well, but I could be wrong. Since I wasn't buying pre-import (and it seems like he's no longer doing these due to the problems that occured), I was willing to try his shop out.

I bought some slings and an AF A. Chalcodes, which unfortunately died before shipping due to a stuck molt. I was quickly informed of this and the order was very generously upgraded. Communication was prompt and clear throughout the process, and the spiders arrived well-packed and healthy. Great experience, I'll be buying from him agian in the future.
W
wushiroll
Since someone marked my review as unhelpful: I should clarify that I'm not dismissing the criticisms against this seller, there's no reason to believe that they're untrue, and it sucks that many people had such a crappy experience. I just chose to try him out given his selection and attractive prices, and the risk seemed minimal given I wasn't doing pre-import. But it'd be understandable if other potential customers just refuse to do business with him on principle. Mine is just one experience, so of course take it with a grain of salt.
Purchase Date
2019-11-27
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Great selection, high quality animals, fast and careful shipping, great experience overall!
Cons
  • None
Picked up a few slings during 03arachnids.com's black friday sale and couldn't be more pleased. With the discount, they were wonderfully priced; they were shipped quickly and carefully; and the communication via the 03arachnids.com website was superb. I'd definitely buy specimens from this guy again--THANKS!
Purchase Date
2018-01-25
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • healthy, active spiders - well packed
Cons
  • none
Spiders were all healthy and in perfect condition. Communication was great, any questions I had were answered promptly. I was completely happy with transaction.
Purchase Date
2018-01-11
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Price, healthy animals, freebie, willing to negotiate, pick-up was smooth
Cons
  • none
Very happy with this purchase. Austin's prices were good to start with, and he also gave me a deal because I was buying multiple spiders. I preferred to drive out rather than have them shipped because of the unpredictability of the weather in this area. He had the spiders ready for me at the agreed time (including a freebie!) I would definitely recommend doing business with Austin.
Purchase Date
2017-10-04
Transaction Type
Trade
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Great communication, perfect packing, Good prices, and a nice freebie.
Austin and I recently agreed to a trade. From the beginning, he was very straightforward in what he wanted and offered his slings at a very fair trade value. His communication was great and the packing was perfect. All 21 slings arrived very healthy and active. Don't hesitate to purchase anything from Austin in the future, as he knows what he is doing.
Purchase Date
2017-09-06
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Quality Communication
A pleasure to do business with, good communication and excellent packaging! My adorable Aphonopelma moderatum slings arrived snugly packaged and are now exploring their new homes. Congratulations to Austin for breeding this lovely species!
Purchase Date
2017-07-21
Transaction Type
Sale
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Communication with Austin was superb, packaging was perfect, and timing was well considered due to the weather.
Ordered a fairly expensive order from Austin last week and just arrived this morning. Packaging was flawless and you couldn't ask for better communication. Safety was clearly a concern, as consideration was taken on what day to ship to best beat the heat and a cooling pack was included in the package.

Most important thing for a dealer to have is communication, and Austin has it down.
Purchase Date
2017-02-06
Transaction Type
Trade
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Packing was top notch and the Ts were lively and healthy upon unpacking.
Cons
  • No cons!
This was my first time doing business with someone on the boards and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. I'll definitely be looking to trade/buy from Austin again.
Purchase Date
2016-12-22
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Meticulous wrapping of each tarantula ensured they arrived alive and unspoiled. He also packed in a heating pad to ensure they shipped overnight comfortably during the cold season. Great job!
Cons
  • None
I'm very pleased with this purchase, as it is my first, I have no means of comparison, however, I will definitely be looking forward to purchasing more tarantulas from Austin! He takes great care and puts a lot effort into ensuring each tarantula will be shipped with their safety in mind. The prices were fair and comparable to other sellers, or better! They arrived exactly on time and he was able to provide a tracking number immediately after turning the package over to FedEx.

Thank you, again!
Purchase Date
2016-10-24
Transaction Type
Trade
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Fast shipping, great communication, and professional packaging.
Cons
  • NONE
Austin and I came to an agreed trade and everything went as smooth as possible. He did exactly what we agreed on and went above and beyond to ensure that both our specimens arrived alive and well! Mine came super fast, was healthy, and packed to ensure a safe trip. Austin is someone I will continue to work with/buy from in the future!
Purchase Date
2016-10-10
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Fast, friendly and helpful
Austin was helpful and knowledgeable. I had a zillion questiom he was very patient abou answering, even though I am sure I asked a few repeatedly. Provided the tracking numver right away and when the spiders arrived they were secure and comfortable both settled in right away, a very healthy female I. mira and healthy female A. hentzi

I would definitely buy from Austin again

Attachments

Purchase Date
2016-10-07
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Helpful Great deal Shipped with obvious care
image.jpeg
Austin sold me 2 captive bred mature female Aphonopelma hentzi and threw in a mature male to boot. He patiently answered all my noob questions with detail and a sense of humor.

Couldn't have possibly gotten things set up here without his help. They arrived overnight SOOO carefully shipped and in perfect condition. Further, he's continued to provide priceless counsel post arrival. Great seller, great resource, great guy!
Purchase Date
2016-10-06
Transaction Type
Breeding Loan
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Great communication, immediate payment (shipping label)
Cons
  • None
Shipped out a MM GBB to Austin and the transaction was silky smooth.. His communication before and after the transaction has been great.. I look forward to any future projects or sales from him in the future..
Purchase Date
2016-09-22
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
I highly recommend Austin for anyone that is looking for a wonderful looking T! He stayed very professional and polite as well as kept in contact right up to and after delivery of the T. Austin truly cares about what he does and does not take any short cuts. Shipping was through FedEx overnight and the packing was one of the best I have received, you could tell he took his time with every step. I will defiantly be contacting him for more of his wonderful arachnids in the future. Great hobbyist and asset to us all.
Purchase Date
2016-09-01
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Healthy animal.
Austin is a great guy to work with. He maintains communication and ships quickly. His prices are reasonable, and I get healthy animals.
Purchase Date
2016-09-07
Transaction Type
Purchase
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Fast communication, Fast transaction. Top-notch packing. The male was in good condition upon arrival.
Cons
  • None
Everything went smooth as glass, no hold up or delays. I would definitely buy from Austin again. Don't hesitate about purchasing a T from Austin, you are in good hands an so is the tarantula.
Purchase Date
2016-09-01
Transaction Type
Trade
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Very professional and an awesome breeder!!
Cons
  • none whatsoever buy with confidence
On September 1st 2016 I received my end of a trade and purchase with Austin. I sent him a much needed mature male Avicularia metallica in return for ten spiderlings. Five GBB's and five Euathlus sp "Blue" as well as the extra 5 Euathlus sp "Blue' slings I paid for. All were packaged very well and arrived in perfect health. cant wait for the tiny slings to grow in my care.
I only regret not having more monies to purchase some of the other great species he is/has bred. I'm looking forward to seeing my MM's genes being passed on to further his species.
I can only wish Austin good luck in his breeding of all the wonderful tarantulas in his care.
Thanks much Austin!!
Steve
Purchase Date
2016-08-05
Transaction Type
Trade
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • Honorable, great communication skills and very knowledgeable of the trade!
Cons
  • None
Completed my part of a trade with Austin without issue - as one would expected with an experienced veteran in this business. Austin went out of his way to make this transaction go smoothly, to include assisting my with the shipping. Good communication skills are the basis for any successful business, which made this transaction a breeze! I look forward to doing business with him in the future.
Purchase Date
2016-07-08
Transaction Type
Breeding Loan
Quality
5.00 star(s)
Variety
5.00 star(s)
Communication
5.00 star(s)
Packaging
5.00 star(s)
Price
5.00 star(s)
Would you purchase from again?
Yes
Pros
  • INTEGRITY Austin is the BEST Packing was perfect Communication second to none Great pictures
Austin posted pictures of some of his GBBs and mentioned that he had a breeding project ongoing with them. I jokingly asked if he wanted some more ladies for his harem, and, to my surprise, he said he did. I sent him two adult females because I had heard good things about him from other people whom I respect. That was a big risk on my part, but I couldn't have picked a better person to trust.

He kept me appraised of the whole breeding process through messages and pictures, and succeeded with this difficult species in under 3 months. That turnaround time is crazy fast! I received part of my share of the spiderlings today, and every one arrived packed with care and active. He found a buyer for the other slings, and negotiated on my (our) behalf, so I didn't have to go to the trouble of finding someone to buy 100 tiny tarantulas.

I can't say enough good things about Austin's integrity and skill. In addition to his conduct during our loan, he is also very helpful and generous and genuinely cares more about the hobby and success with breeding than anything else. He's truly an asset to us all. If you have the opportunity to do business with him, get on it! You won't regret it personally and odds are you will be benefiting the hobby as a whole in the process.

Thank you, Austin.
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