I found this company online through google, when you type turtles for sale, its the first company that comes up. I thought they were ligitimante, and their website was convincing to me. Boy was i wrong, I ordered two mississippi map turtles from this website, and added regular shipping. Two days later I get a phone call that you can only ship the turtles over night which is $30 not the 7$. I agreed and gave my card number to upgrade the shipping, but what they don't tell you is that you don't get back your 7$ for flat shipping. So first off I was charged 37$ dollars for shipping. I can deal with that. The next day I receive my turtles and guess what they are not mississippi map turtles, they are western painted. I call the company as soon as i receive them. The operator on the phone, I believe his name was Jim, told me that they were Map turtles and they just looked like western painted turtles because they were babies, also the box that they arrived in said western painted turtles on them and he told me it said that, because turtles other than western painted were illegal in Oregon and told me not to tell anyone that they sent them to me. Well I still did not believe him, and I went to a local reptile shop and they confirmed that the turtles I had were defiantly not mississippi map turtles. SO i sent them is email.
Here is my Invoice No.: 60060 and Order No.: 74959245 Date: 01/16
Attached are photos of the turtles that I did receive, the canister that I received them in said western painted on it, and the turtles did not look anything like Mississippi map turtles. I took them to a local reptile / turtle store where I typically purchase my turtles and they confirmed that they were western painted turtles. I already have a painted western turtle and was looking for Mississippi map turtles to add on to my collection, and I am not willing to accept these turtles instead of my Mississippi map turtles. Attached are photos of the turtles I did receive and photos taken from your website of a Mississippi map turtle and a Western painted. When I called your hot line, I was informed by a man that (very rudely I might add) I had received the right turtles and that the reason the container said Western Painted on it was because Mississippi map turtles were illegal in Oregon, what he told me was baloney, because the only pet turtles that are illegal are Red-Eared Sliders. Please address this issue quickly or I will contact the proper bureaus to resolve this issue.
Here is what I got in response.
Dear Aleksandr,
I apologize for not replying sooner, I have been out of the office for the last few days. I have reviewed your email, regarding the receipt of Western painted Turtles as opposed to the Mississippi Map Turtles that you originally selected. The shipment that you received was due to the strict regulations that are currently on the books in the state of Oregon. The stance taken by the State of Oregon is that only native Turtle species may be imported into the state. The only two species of turtles that are currently native to the state of Oregon are the Western Painted Turtle and the Western Pond Turtle. Turtlesale.com must make every effort to stay in compliance with state regulations. I work closely with the Department of Fish and Game in Oregon to make sure that I remain up to date with their changing regulations. Nevertheless, at this time they prohibit the importation of the species that you selected. If you should have nay additional questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Clark
Turtlesale.com
And here is what I replied
I have checked with the oregon fish and wildlife department and the only turtles that are not legal to own as a pet are the red eared slider. I have bought many different turtles from local pet stores that were not western painted including my African sideneck any ways I would have liked to be informed that my turtles were going to be swapped then I would have canceled my order because I have no use for two more western sliders. Also you say that you are trying to follow the law by not selling anything but western sliders to Oregon, but as I'm sure you know its illegal to own turtles under 4 inches. I either would like my money back or the right turtles I ordered. If you have such a problem sending map turtles to Oregon, I also have an address in Washington. We need to resolve this asap.
And here is her final email what she wrote to me
A claim was never made that it is illegal to posses Mississippi Map Turtles in Oregon. The claim made was that it is illegal to import them into the state of Oregon. According to the statement that you made in your previous correspondence, makes one presume that your intent regarding these Turtles is not within the realm of law. As you previously referred, A Turtle with a carapace length of less than 4" can only be used for Scientific, Education, Exhibit or Export Purpose only. When you placed your order with Turtlesale.com, you agreed to the terms and conditions. Those terms and conditions clearly state that you will be held to the applicable laws and regulations. If your intent is beyond the legality of the law, Turtlesale.com must refrain from engaging in any further business transactions with you. Hopefully, I am mistaken by the claim that you have made. As for the question involving Washington State, It is not illegal to import Mississippi Map Turtles.
She still has not contacted me on how we can resolve this issue.
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