Allerca, Where's My $4,000 Hypoallergenic Cat?
Would you pay $4,000 for a hypoallergenic cat? One reader did and he's still waiting for his cat, or a refund, from the Allerca corporation. Allerca founder Simon Brodie garnered lots of press a few years ago after he claimed to be able to sell genetically engineered cats that wouldn't trigger any allergies, a designer pussy called "Ashera." Our reader isn't alone, you can find a slew of complaints online from people who say they've that they've forked over thousands of dollars to Allerca, and never gotten a hypoallergenic cat, or a refund.
One complaint among over 270 comments on one blog says that it took them two and a half years to get a cat, and when they did, it wasn't hypoallergenic at all. It was just a cat, and a sick one at that.
Some sites have probed Brodie's background and allege a history of fraud. When the Sand Diego Union Tribune investigated they found lots of skeptics, that Brodie had a history of failed companies, had been evicted from the Allerca headquarters (where he also lived), and that he owed ex-employees thousands, but no hypoallergenic cats. Also, that he had ripped off the photos from another photographer. When questioned, Brodie had lots of excuses, but again, zero hypoallergenic cats.
Now the sites say Brodie has renamed himself Simon Carradan and is on to a new business venture, selling $19,000 skis.
Felis Enigmaticus [The Scientist]
Franchised felines? [San Diego Union Tribune]
The Murky Background Of The Ashera And Allerca [MessyBeast]
Allerca Lifestyle Pet Rip-Off
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Comments:
This again proves that cats are evil.
Boo for fraud, by yay for cat pictures. Was anybody scammed by a cake company?
Is there even such thing as a hypoallergenic cat?
270 complaints on the blog? I can see only a couple. One of those is from a woman who bought cats and looks like her husband gave her a hard time over it and she then decided to ask for a refund (the terms and conditions are very clear – non refundable!!!). And the "reader" who reported this is one Mike Sela, who was not only offered a bargain price (regular pricing is $8,000), but then REFUSED to take delivery stating he wanted his money back “in time for Christmas”. The company has over 350 clients, with 5% ordering a second kitten. The blog you mention is run by a couple of crazed animal activists calle Bob and Tanci Mintz form Alaska who thought they could order and then cancel and make a big fuss.. more to follow on them soon. Even so, their blog DOES have people on there who confirm they got their cat and that it really worked… The Consumerist, looks like you have been duped by your “reader”.
@pecan 3.14159265: A couple of breeds are close, but there's no 100% hypoallergenic cat. We have a "hypoallergenic" Siberian, which my allergic husband is able to tolerate, but it still gets to him sometimes.
Also, I got my cat from a breeder (home-based cattery) and paid nowhere near $4,000!!!
why is this guy not in jail.
My Bengal cats are close to hypoallergenic. Apparently they have pelts, which are closer to human hair, rather than fur. I've never been allergic, but my friends who have strong allergies to cats have played with my two kitties and never had any problems... and they cost a small fraction of what these alleged hypoallergenic cats cost.
Quick, more people buy hypoallergenic cats so we can have more posts accompanied by cat photos!
Ben - what part of "Sela REFUSED his cat and wanted the money back for Christmas" isn't clear? He ordered in November, we went out fo our way, and he then wouldn't take the cat when it was offered. We have expenses and costs the moment we confirm an order and Sela was very aware of our temrs and conditions. And you still haven't commented on the 270 complaints you state are listed. Are you prepared to retratc or provide accurate information?
Anyone want to see what a company like Allerca has to really deal with in addition to the likes of this guy Mike Sela deciding to turn down a cat because he needs the money for Christmas? Check the Read Now page on the Allerca website and listen to some of the messages that the loons have left. Scary stuff!
By the way, Bob and Tanzi Mintz, the loons form Alaska who run the "rip-off" website have been offered a refund THREE times, but won't take it - strange? So the fun now begins with them... and as for hilarious, what is really funny is that anyone would use this site to make "consumer decisions"...
I'm holding out for a cat that fires laser-beams from her eyes.
@calchip: One of mine is a rescued Bengal/mix. Words can't describe how playful, lovable, smart and just darn cute it is.
Paired with a long-hair, so I have no idea of the hyopallregenic nature of them (I'm too chicken to take turns licking them to find out).
@Frank Murphy: Only if Brodie turns out to be a cat wearing a human mask.
Which, when you consider it, would be well worth $4,000.
@SamsonSurtur: Most company reps who post on here have the decency to do so under a single name that clearly identifies their affiliation. Of course, your blatant astroturfing also clearly identifies you.
Oh, and your skis are butt-ugly.
@SamsonSurtur: "One complaint among over 270 comments on one blog" It's 270 comments, not complaints. I'm not picking sides here. This blog is obvious in the interest of the consumer, but it's more favorable to see ANY source act fairly to show capability for trust.
Why would anyone pay 4 grand for a cat?
Seems@whitespider: The site was changed just a few minutes ago - it clearly stated 270 complaints. I have the PDF that proves it.
It's not the cat itself, but the dander from the fur.
If you keep your cat well-shaved, or even waxed (except in New Jersey), it should be no problem. But upkeep is essential. Nothing more irritating than a cat that was shaved last week. Worse than most totally unshaved cats! Love the thread, we need more pics of the shaved/unshaved debate! And don't forget, no matter what, even a bad Kitteh is better than no Kitteh at all.
If you want a cat which won't trigger your allergies check out a thoroughbred Persian. I thought it was a nonsense rumor until I took my parter, at the time, who was incredibly allergic to cats, out to see some fourth-generation Persian kittens. She was able to handle them without any trouble so we got one after a few days' discussion. The cat became her best friend and could even sleep on her face.
Flash forward to today. I'm living with my brother who is also incredibly allergic to cats. He's able to visit with our Persian cat without any trouble at all. In fact, none of the people who have cat allergies that have come over have received more than a hint of the allergies that normally would have plagued them.
Save yourself $3,200.
@dabofug: It is not the dander from the fur for the vast majority of people. It is something in the saliva which the cat licks onto its fur.
@dabofug: Who would want a shaved cat? The poor cat's just missing its fur because its selfish owner just wants a pet?
@wcnghj: Not sure about Visa/MC, but you only get something like 90 days with AMEX. I went through similar crap during that Zakk Wylde guitar scam. AMEX made good though. :)
I have bad allergies but my Bengals definitely bother me less then other cats. I never really thought about it until now. I bought them for their looks and personality. They are more like dogs then cats, so playful and intelligent.
a smart conman with great ideas.
I still wonder why he aint in jail yet
@XianZhuXuande: @pecan 3.14159265:
Way to miss the double entendre!
Liked the New Jersey/Brazilian Wax story reference.
There's always a cornish rex, about 1-2k at a breeder.
They only have the short layer of fur, so some allergic folks can tolerate them.
My mother has raised purebred cats (CFA registered) for over 20 years.
1) There is no "hypoallergenic cat". Period. Some breeds are more likely to disturb the allergic than others. Many people with severe allergies buy the Sphinx, which is a hairless cat, but they require special care.
2) Nobody charges $4K for a pet-quality cat of any breed. NOBODY. DUZ NOT HAPPN KTHX. Purebred cat breeding by a reputable breeder is a hobby that maybe breaks even. Pet kittens are sold for a price that covers their raisin' and helps insure the owner is darn serious about owning a cat.
Is it Caturday already?
tip that this might be a scam if the cats name is Ponzi
@Ben Popken: Why do you think those people are Simon? Look, they CLEARLY have different usernames from each other, neither of which is SimonBrodie. So they're OBVIOUSLY not Simon Brodie, and neither are OliverGebian and LancelotGaia. They're merely COMPLETELY INDIVIDUAL concerned citizens who are defending an unjustly accused man!
@lordargent: We were looking at Devon and Cornish rexes first but couldn't find a breeder who could offer us an "allergy test" visit. Then I found a Siberian breeder nearby who let us visit a few times before we ended up rehoming one of her retired breeders. Interestingly enough, Siberians have a triple coat of very think, long fur! But rexes are really darn cool. I love their otherworldly ears!!
@The_IT_Crone: Person wants cat, pays money, does not get cat. It was the siren song of a cat that caused this.
@Heather Russell: Love Bengals. I wish that breeding them was more ethical, but it's sadly not all on the up and up. Exotic/hybrid cats do tend to have pelts instead of fur, which is great for those of us who love cats but are allergic, but they also have some very worrying issues to consider in their breeding to consider. Of course, you can't give back cats you are bonded to, nor should you! But please think about it before getting kittens again.
four grand does seem like an awful lot for some pussy. But 19 grand for some skis?? Hells Yes! they must be really good skis to cost that much. I'll take two sets please.
Keeping with consumerist tradition, if you're allergic to cats, take antihistamines or don't get a cat?
If you were allergic to peanuts, you wouldn't try to buy hypoallergenic peanuts, you'd just stop risking your life and stay away from peanuts. That's a crazy example, but....
Also, does a company breeding hypoallergenic cats for sale seem like some crazy eugenics version of a puppy mill?
@Astroturf: First off, kudos on the screen name.
If Simon didn't waste so much time trolling web sites for mention of his company, maybe he could actually run his company.
I assume it was paid with a credit card. Chargeback for non-delivery of goods?