| The Rest of the Story: JC Purchase and Problems |
| February 16th, 2003: I drove from AZ to CA to purchase the Spencer Acre's Bred mule JC. I had seen both JC's sister Angelina and JC advertised on Blue Mountain Donkey, and had inquired about Angelina. I was told that for my stated purposes -- a first-time equine owner who wanted to do search & rescue (SAR) with a mule -- that JC would be much more appropriate for my needs than Angelina. Subsequent emails about JC led to my asking how much he would cost. Marge Spencer quoted $3500 for the unbroke 4 year old 13+H mule. I wrote a return email thanking her for her time, but that was out of my budget, and she dropped the price to $2500 -- still 10% of my income that year as a public high school teacher, but I figured that I was getting what I paid for -- a quality animal for a quality price. I did think it was rather peculiar that the mule's front teeth appeared to be completely filed down to his gums -- is this normal for a four year old mule, to have his front teeth absolutely level with his gums? |
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| JC in his 2001 ad on BMD |
| JC's Peruvian Paso Dam: Santa JC |
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| JC's younger sister Angelina, in 2002 ad on BMD |
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| JC February 2002, Norco CA |
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| JC in 2000 - pic from breeder |
| Feb 2003 - June 2004: At his Arizona home, JC had his own acre pasture, received regular health care and shots. He was not ridden until Spring of 2004, and even then, just around the pasture or neighborhood. |
| JC's health records |
| June 3rd, 04: JC and I arrived in Tularosa, NM for month-long professional training clinic by Howdy and Yahooskin Fowler. I figured that if I had a quality mule, I should get quality training to last the years we'd have, working together. |
| June 22nd, 04: JC has a Vet Examination by Dr. Franklin in Riudoso, New Mexico. |
| End of June, 04: I contacted Marge Spencer by phone, explained problems and that mule was very possibly lame from birth, and that I thought I was essentially taken advantage of, as a first-time equine buyer. Requested refund of purchase price, and that she take JC back at their own expense. She assured me that they were good people, we'd work out a refund, she'd talk to her husband and call back. |
| July 2nd, 04: Marge Spencer called back, spoke to Yahooskin Fowler, and said that Marge's Vet had requested ALL of JC's health records -- shot records and everything, to be FAXed to him. Marge Spencer repeatedly gave this number as her Vet's FAX number, and refused further discussion: 909-278-2359. I called back and was told exactly the same thing, with emphasis that I was to FAX ALL of JC's health records to her vet, at that number, in order that he could do a complete analysis. She was to call me back, when this was done. This is the last that I ever heard from the Spencers (as of 10/18/04). |
| July 5th-15th, 04: I collected and FAXed various records to the number given. |
| August 1st or 2nd, 04, I Google the FAX number Marge Spencer gave me, 909-278-2359. It brings up an order form for CM Equine Products, run by the same Spencers of Spencer's Acre. I contact Norco Equine (who Spencers had said was their vet) and FAX some of the information and receive a FAX in return, requesting the other information; they'd never received the information.. |
| September 1st, 04, I file a complaint with the BBB that covers Norco, CA |
| UPDATE 4/11/06: I check on the BBB website for status of the complaint. Posted is this response:: 1/18/05: Company states that the customer did not buy the mule from the company. It was a private sale from Spencer's Acre. This customer signed a agreement and it stated that the mule was in good health. Customer did not take care of the mule. Intital Response Summary: Company states the customer did not buy the mule from the company. It was a private sale from Spencers Ranch. |
| Cover Letter to Norco Equine Page 2 |
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| JC has a marvelous temperment and is reasonably easy to handle, as long as you are not messing with his teeth or his feet. Unfortunately, due to several genetic problems -- long, weak pasterns, roach-back and a spinal problem that may have been present when he was a foal -- he has been diagnosed as permanently crippled, unridable and unusuable. Having his hind feet handled is very painful for him, and he is dangerous to trim. He needs to be sedated for teeth floating. He does make a nice pasture-mate. Unfortunately, he does not fulfill my needs, which was for a mule to use in my volunteer SAR work. I was told by Dr. Franklin that it is possible that he could fall and sever his spinal cord, and he would be dangerous to ride or work. |
| Wendy & JC, before diagnosis |