US Dealer Involved in Smuggling revealed in court documents

[Kathy]

I've just finished reading pages of documents and posts regarding Sven and Paul. The only comment I want to make is that when Sven was arrested most people came to his defense. When the information on Paul came out, most people were angry. Why is that? They were both operating illegally and they were both abusing the system. Is it because Paul "narced"? If so then the issue isn't really about brown bagging, and prices, and keeping dealers honest. It's about if you get caught, don't snitch. That is messed up in my book.

 

[Fran]

I apologize for repeating myself, Fran, but I'm only responding to what I see as an undercurrent of implying that other dealers are just as culpable when no one actually provides any evidence to back up what they suggest. I've read nothing to indicate hypocrisy among dealers.

But Kirk, Im not talking from whats said on the boards, but from Experience.

Many conversations of how they bad mouth between each other and how they know who is doing what. Thats why, without directly acussing,I pointed out whats out there.

So again, yes, they can be only rummors...After years hearing stuff, I just dont believe only one is the bad one, and the rest are operating under the law.

As I see it, this is a great way to point all the fingers to one person, while also derailing the attention to only that person.

 

[lookerbrian]

But Kirk, Im not talking from whats said on the boards, but from Experience.

Many conversations of how they bad mouth between each other and how they know who is doing what. Thats why, without directly acussing,I pointed out whats out there.

So again, yes, they can be only rummors...After years hearing stuff, I just dont believe only one is the bad one, and the rest are operating under the law.

As I see it, this is a great way to point all the fingers to one person, while also derailing the attention to only that person.

+10!!! Nuff said.

 

[Exoskeleton Invertebrates]

Fran, You bad mouth people that you have never order from.


Jose Berrios
Exoskeleton Invertebrates

---------- Post added at 02:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:52 PM ----------

I've just finished reading pages of documents and posts regarding Sven and Paul. The only comment I want to make is that when Sven was arrested most people came to his defense. When the information on Paul came out, most people were angry. Why is that? They were both operating illegally and they were both abusing the system. Is it because Paul "narced"? If so then the issue isn't really about brown bagging, and prices, and keeping dealers honest. It's about if you get caught, don't snitch. That is messed up in my book.

No one was defending Sven for what he did! Is the fact that Paul Becker snitched to save his own butt so he could get away from been prosecuted for getting caught for illegal importation. And also the fact of GETTING CAUGHT BY THE PUBLIC EYE.
Paul wants to answer any question only by e-mail to the public which to me is cowardless.
Paul this is for you, you post your animals on Arachnoboards for sale publicly, than I suggest you do the same to answer all questions that the public have to ask you publicly. Dont hide behind that computer of yours!!!!!!!


Jose Berrios
Exoskeleton Invertebrates

---------- Post added at 02:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:05 PM ----------

Sven didn't hide, he came out and took all the crap that peolpe had to say about him. It's ridiculous to have other people defending Paul.


Jose Berrios
Exoskelton Invertebrates

 

[Carrot]

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=197417#post1789350

The tone of most of the posts seem a bit different than the ones in this thread.

I also don't get why people who ship/receive tarantulas in unlabeled boxes via USPS are being so harsh on him. Why is it okay for some people to break federal law, but not others? :?

I can see not liking him for how he treated other dealers in the previous topic, but to act like he is a bad person for not following the law and receiving spiders illegally seems a bit hypocritical unless you buy all of your tarantulas from someone with a certified Fed-Ex/UPS account.

 

[Exoskeleton Invertebrates]

Fran, I want you to give me list of what makes a dealer legitamate and also not a legitamate dealer.



Jose Berrios
Exoskeleton Invertebrates

 

[Armstrong5]

This is my last post that I made when I was selling a pair of P.metallica you can clearly see my PHONE NUMBER is on there! I be more than happy to answer to you or anyone that has any question about tarantulas? So please dont include me with your rudeness.
http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=210076

Jose Berrios
Exoskeleton Invertebrates

I didn't say that there wasn't any exceptions...all I'm sayin is I've bought many T's from him and all were in great shape and they were the cheapest out there. I've also spent hrs on the phone with him asking questions and he was very helpful and as long as they are the cheapest and aren't WC that's where I'll be getting mine from. It's his deal how he gets his and I don't really care how he got them if they are CB and cheap. Ok he did something illegal...OOOHHH NNNOOO, it doesn't make him a bad dude or something. I be sorry yo!

 

[Exoskeleton Invertebrates]

http://www.arachnoboards.com/ab/showthread.php?t=197417#post1789350

The tone of most of the posts seem a bit different than the ones in this thread.

I also don't get why people who ship/receive tarantulas in unlabeled boxes via USPS are being so harsh on him. Why is it okay for some people to break federal law, but not others? :?

I can see not liking him for how he treated other dealers in the previous topic, but to act like he is a bad person for not following the law and receiving spiders illegally seems a bit hypocritical unless you buy all of your tarantulas from someone with a certified Fed-Ex/UPS account.

This has been said over and over again, it has nothing to do with him being a bad person it has to do that he cheated the system by DOING ILLEGAL IMPORTATION and trying to cover his tracks. Get it!


Jose Berrios
Exoskeleton Invertebrates
it has to do of him b

 

[lord lionheart]

Wow , lot's of drama and self-righteousness. I'm so glad I live in a country where no-one cheats on their taxes, takes illegal drugs, obeys all the driving laws, treats co-workers with civility, don't cheat on their spouses and generally lead a completely wholesome honest life. There's 18 pages of wonderful honest people.

My first significant purchase was from Ken The Bug guy. He answered my questions with a one sentence e-mail

My second purchase was from Paul, he spent about an hour on the phone, telling me all about the hobby and various T's. I followed that with a visit to his facility where he spent another hour showing me around and how to sex T's. Money didn't seem to be a major factor as I only bought one spider.

Guess he fudged the law to give himself an edge, that's unpresidented by business owners and employees. I'm shocked as most decent Americans always do what's right in all walks of life.

Think of the children and all things decent before you buy another tarantula

 

[Carrot]

This has been said over and over again, it has nothing to do with him being a bad person it has to do that he cheated the system by DOING ILLEGAL IMPORTATION and trying to cover his tracks. Get it!


Jose Berrios
Exoskeleton Invertebrates
it has to do of him b

Okay, so he cheated the system. People are cheating the system here every day in the classifieds and advertising that they ship illegally. I guess I just don't get why it's okay for sellers to cheat the system when shipping/receiving state to state illegally, but when they do it internationally it's suddenly a big deal and makes them an unethical seller no one should buy from.

 

[Exoskeleton Invertebrates]

<edit>

---------- Post added at 03:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:14 PM ----------

I'm waiting for my list and please do it publicly.



Jose Berrios
Exoskeleton Invertebrates

 

[PhobeToPhile]

The problem is, our hobby is already ill-looked on in the eyes of the public. This is pretty much common knowledge. Doing what Paul did only makes it look worse. So actually, I do think it's fair to "jump on him" in that respect. The reptile hobby was probably better looked on than our hobby is, and look at it now. I really don't want to see this hobby go down that road, but if we get more cases like this, then it may very well do so anyway. Did Paul have excellent customer service? From what people are saying, he did. However, it doesn't change the fact that what he did brought us into the public eye, in a most unfavorable position. And to support someone who knowingly broke import/export laws when you know they have done so makes you an irresponsible hobbyist.

We need the borders open, so we can get new species to breed in captivity and import genetic stock on a periodic basis to maintain the genetic diversity of the captive populations. For in a sense, our hobby also doubles as a conservation effort, as the effort to breed these creatures in captivity helps to ensure that these animals remain even if attempts to protect them in the wild fail. And so long as the hobby exists, these "backup" populations will exist. But when someones does something like what Paul did, we run the risk of tighter restrictions on the hobby which then could make it more difficult to keep, breed, and maintain said populations. And that, my fellow forumites, would be a shame. What is a convenient price isn't the issue. Just because you cannot pay it right now, doesn't mean you can't save up to pay it later. And this is the difference between being responsible and irresponsible as hobbyist.

 

[AF Exotics]

The problem is, our hobby is already ill-looked on in the eyes of the public. This is pretty much common knowledge. Doing what Paul did only makes it look worse. So actually, I do think it's fair to "jump on him" in that respect. The reptile hobby was probably better looked on than our hobby is, and look at it now. I really don't want to see this hobby go down that road, but if we get more cases like this, then it may very well do so anyway. Did Paul have excellent customer service? From what people are saying, he did. However, it doesn't change the fact that what he did brought us into the public eye, in a most unfavorable position. And to support someone who knowingly broke import/export laws when you know they have done so makes you an irresponsible hobbyist.

We need the borders open, so we can get new species to breed in captivity and import genetic stock on a periodic basis to maintain the genetic diversity of the captive populations. For in a sense, our hobby also doubles as a conservation effort, as the effort to breed these creatures in captivity helps to ensure that these animals remain even if attempts to protect them in the wild fail. And so long as the hobby exists, these "backup" populations will exist. But when someones does something like what Paul did, we run the risk of tighter restrictions on the hobby which then could make it more difficult to keep, breed, and maintain said populations. And that, my fellow forumites, would be a shame. What is a convenient price isn't the issue. Just because you cannot pay it right now, doesn't mean you can't save up to pay it later. And this is the difference between being responsible and irresponsible as hobbyist.

EXCELLENT POST:clap:

 

[pocock1899]

I think it took 18 pages (and 30 minutes of reading I'll never get back), but this post summed it up:

... as long as they are the cheapest and aren't WC that's where I'll be getting mine from. It's his deal how he gets his and I don't really care how he got them if they are CB and cheap. Ok he did something illegal...OOOHHH NNNOOO, it doesn't make him a bad dude or something. I be sorry yo!

What is wrong with this hobby is people who only care about the next animal they can acquire. Not where it came from, or how it got here. "Just as long as I get mine!"

I think it's funny that someone with no moral convictions about the legality of the spiders they buy would have any qualms about whether they are WC or not.

If he'll break federal laws as a general practice, then turn on his friends when things start to south, ...what makes you think he'll honor a deal with you if something goes wrong? What makes you think the CB or WC behind the species name has any meaning whatsoever for him? If you don't know how are where they come from, how do you know they aren't WC. What if the parents were WC and smuggled into Germany, ...does that make it okay? Why do you care if the $$ is that's important?

I've noticed in myself and others, when the collection grow so big, that sometimes you lose sight of the individual spiders, and then only numbers, species and dollar signs matter anymore. I try to remind myself that when it comes to my spiders (as well as the rest of my life), money is not the most important thing.

There is nothing I can't live without until I can afford it. Paying $5 or $10 more for a spider is nothing for an animal that you really want, especially one that should live a decade or two, or give you an egg sac.

I've never dealt with Paul, and it's likely now that I never will. Bad dealers are bad for the hobby.

...and I just don't like buying things from people that lie, cheat and steal as part of their business model.

 

[wesker12]

I agree with lord lionheart to be honest I understand brown boxing may be a giant issue to dealers as it a cheap way to get decent prices but on the other hand paul is probably the best tarantula seller in all of LA. Why? Because he treats his customers with respect, tries very hard to make sure we are happy with the purchase and has a lot of very useful firsthand experience. Its not as if he scammed other people, sold sick Ts, overpriced Ts, or weak/old Ts so please people calm down. Many people around LA who have sick spiders go to him and he immediately helps for free, puts in icu, water drip if its dehydrated, whatever the T needs. Shipping fraud is not the end of the world. I agree its a cheap business tactic but business is cutthroat competition.

 

[Fran]

Defending someone who has been cauight doing something ilegal is not gonna help matters, really.

The laws, wether stupid or not , are there to respect them. Becker has been always quite nice to me, and unfortunately that has nothing to do with the topic of this thread.

 

[patrick86]

I didn't say that there wasn't any exceptions...all I'm sayin is I've bought many T's from him and all were in great shape and they were the cheapest out there. I've also spent hrs on the phone with him asking questions and he was very helpful and as long as they are the cheapest and aren't WC that's where I'll be getting mine from. It's his deal how he gets his and I don't really care how he got them if they are CB and cheap. Ok he did something illegal...OOOHHH NNNOOO, it doesn't make him a bad dude or something. I be sorry yo!

Man I do not want to live in a world where this is the prevailing attitude of people.

This kind of attitude encourages people to break laws and disregard the rules. If the buyer doesn't care where I get my animals and is only concerned with the price then why am I bothering to breed tarantulas? Why do I encourage friends to breed sacs? Why am I contacting other breeders to buy or trade for stock? Heck I can sneak over to Ken's place, break in and steal his spiders and sell them for 10 cents on the dollar.

Unbelievable.

I know for a fact that Paul isn't always the cheapest out there.

 

[Bill S]

If you can provide no evidence of illegal activity, then leave your rumor mongering at your neighborhood playground or dinning room.

Kirk, I don't know if you are being deliberately naive, but nobody is going to take you up on your challenge to "out" anyone here. If you're moonlighting for the feds, don't quit your day job. (No, I don't seriously think you are trying to gather info for the feds, but that is what you are asking for in demanding that we give you proof of other illegal activities.)

The closest I'll go is to state that I'm aware of a number of cases in which spiders or other arachnids have been "unofficially" brought into this country. The interesting thing is that it wasn't done by dealers, or even hobbyists, but by scientists and conservationists eager to get good IDs on things. Nothing rare or endangered, nothing in commercial quantities, but "under the radar" never the less. I'd imagine that other people posting here coulld also call to mind specific examples of arachnids coming in through unapproved and uninspected channels - but only fools will give you the proof of that activity just because you demand it.

Sorry if this sounds rude. I guess in a way it is - but I think there's an important truth in it as well. Not all the proofs to support our arguments will be presented, and it's not because they don't exist.

I'll add here that there are many levels of law breaking, and to an extent we need to interpret the reasons behind the laws to determine if real crimes have taken place. "Intent of Law" is an important concept. We all speed, fail to come to complete stops at stop signs, etc. But the intent behind traffic laws is safety - so we cheat a bit as long as we feel we are safe. I don't think a purely black-and-white interpretation of law is realistic or healthy. And I'd have to extend this into the realm of arachnid importation as well. Yes, we should respect the law. Yes, violaters should expect to get caught and pay penalties. But I think politics and personal agendas got mixed into this case far more than they should have.

 

[Kirk]

Kirk, I don't know if you are being deliberately naive, but nobody is going to take you up on your challenge to "out" anyone here. If you're moonlighting for the feds, don't quit your day job. (No, I don't seriously think you are trying to gather info for the feds, but that is what you are asking for in demanding that we give you proof of other illegal activities.)

The closest I'll go is to state that I'm aware of a number of cases in which spiders or other arachnids have been "unofficially" brought into this country. The interesting thing is that it wasn't done by dealers, or even hobbyists, but by scientists and conservationists eager to get good IDs on things. Nothing rare or endangered, nothing in commercial quantities, but "under the radar" never the less. I'd imagine that other people posting here coulld also call to mind specific examples of arachnids coming in through unapproved and uninspected channels - but only fools will give you the proof of that activity just because you demand it.

Sorry if this sounds rude. I guess in a way it is - but I think there's an important truth in it as well. Not all the proofs to support our arguments will be presented, and it's not because they don't exist.

You've not been rude, Bill. My intent hasn't been to provoke anyone to name names. My point is that I believe the subject isn't relevant to the matter at hand. We have an instance in which a dealer first asserted that they operate within the law when it comes to international shipments, and they not only make a point of emphasizing that on their website, they also imply a conspiracy of price gouging among dealers. When the rather substantial evidence is presented, this dealer then provides a mea culpa. I have good reason to then feel reticent to purchase from them in the future. But this unfortunate instance doesn't mean I have reason to summarily doubt the credibility of anyone selling tarantulas, and I don't think it fair to other dealers to imply in this thread that they engage in similar practices if I'm provided no way to evaluate the claims. I appreciate that you and others might have such incriminating evidence, but I suggest that casting a blanket of suspicion over all dealers solves nothing.

 

[Carrot]

Man I do not want to live in a world where this is the prevailing attitude of people.

This kind of attitude encourages people to break laws and disregard the rules. If the buyer doesn't care where I get my animals and is only concerned with the price then why am I bothering to breed tarantulas? Why do I encourage friends to breed sacs? Why am I contacting other breeders to buy or trade for stock? Heck I can sneak over to Ken's place, break in and steal his spiders and sell them for 10 cents on the dollar.

Unbelievable.

I know for a fact that Paul isn't always the cheapest out there.

I don't think shipping tarantulas illegally is comparable to breaking into someone's house/facility and stealing their property.