Mail Order Snakies

[Redtail4Me]

Im a curious if anyone in here has ever experienced my issue with mail order reptiles. Its been 5 years now since this incident occured, and I still havent regrouped from it. About 5 years ago i was browsing my way through some classified ads for reptile in an unamed website. I came across a breeder that was selling ball pythons CB for 10 dollars. Being a beginner wanting to get into the reptile hobby, and at the time BPs where around 60 dollars at my local pet stores. I decided to email this person and request information about the babies. The person sent pics of these beautiful just weeklings that hatched recently, they looked healthy, shinny, and robust and alert. So i was sold. I sent him the money which came to around 40 dollars for next day air. About 4 days later I recieved the package. The contents was inside the typical shipping materials, newspaper, a plastic container with holes. When i opened up the container, there lay a motionless, scrawny, dehydrated, and unforutunetly dead baby Ball Python. I was shocked and upset of the condition of the snake. So I emailed the person for about the issue. Several emails later no response. So I went to the site that was advertising the snake for help. They informed me that the user was banned for misrepresentaion, and other matters. I was confused. They stated that they were nto responisble , yet they banned the breeder !!!!. So month went by and I got mad, and contacteed my local magistrates office about the matter. Gave all teh information, and waited. Well 3 years went by and no answer to the situation until one day in the mail, I recieved a letter from the local magistrates office. The only information they found that the emial address of the breeder was a hoaxed address from a Library in the area he originated,and that he sent severral other reptiles that died or was in poor health to other people around the area, and that there was no more informtion about the incident, and therefore it was closed. I mean 40 dollars isnt a big deal although it was in a way theft. Its the idea that this person possibly scammed many people, and the idea of the inhumane condition that the animals under his care are inolved with. And a poosibility that he or she is still doing this today. Sad issue. Since then I never have oredered an animal on-line.
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[Stormyva]

First off..... If I have not said it before welcome to RH!
Anything and anybody you buy online from should be researched! That goes for ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING! It is so easy to be scammed online and it is virtually impossible to chase that person down after the damage is already done. I have been very lucky (knock on wood) I do all of my christmas and birthday shopping online as well as all of my computer purchases and have not had any problems. (knock on wood again for good measure [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] )
You are very lucky that you only got burned on $40.00.
There are several good stores, dealers, breeder, and other retail services online but you have to know who you are dealing with and what you are buying. Typically if you find the dealer through a reputable service such as ebay or amazon you can see the buyers feedback. As for reptiles I have purchased several online and have yet to have any problems. But I check here and other sites to see it others have had dealing with particular breeders or dealers and I also check on of the most useful resources out there for the reptile world.... the BOI. Faunaclassifieds.com has a Board Of Inquiry where you can go and find out about or post information about reptile dealers. Check it out before making any online reptile purchases!

Good luck and take you loss as a lesson learned and move on... there are good guys out there so dont stop buying on the internet, just take your precautions!
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[JuliusSqueezer]

Just like anything else you deal with online, you have to do a little background check and know who you are dealing with before you pay. Had you been dealing with someone who is established and would like to remain an online seller that people will trust, then your problem likely wouldn't have happened in the first place but had it somehow happened, you would have gotten replacement or refund immediatly. Before you make a deal...do a search on the person and his business on board of inquiry...make certain that they are who they say they are. Get phone number and address or stick with people/dealers you already know and trust. The online herp community is a good thing overall and few bad dealings occur if you stay on the main path and don't jump on some add from some noname-noface classified add with a hotmail address.

Also, why would the website be responsible? We have over 3000 members on this site and anyone can join and start posting at any time without being screened. Should Shane, the owner of this site, be legally responsible for what all we say and do here or cover bad snake deals? no way. It is your responsibility to know or find out who you are dealing with before you make the deal.
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[eddie]

What Stormy said..
And here's the link to the Board of Inquiry.
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[najaboy]

Yep, the BOI is an invaluable tool. Of course, I'm a bit biased in my opinion. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[John_White]

As long as you learned from it, $40 in the grand scheme of things is pretty cheap lesson. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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[SteveP]

I've had very good luck mail ordering snakes, but have ordered only from breeders that specialize in specific groups, have been around awhile, have a vested interest and reputation in the reptile world and stand behind their product. Many will post their 'Terms and Conditions' of a sale and want your satisfaction (so you buy more snakes!!!). As John pointed out, it was a pretty cheap lesson at $40, but don't let it discourage you from considering buying mail order from a reputable breeder. In some cases it may be the only way to get an unusual morph or rare species. But always ask around if you have any doubts! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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	Morph A morph is a color or pattern variation that is proven to be genetic. Common morphs include albino, anerythristic, gentically striped, Hypomelanistic, and many others. Morphs also include combinations of simple traits such as "Sunglow" which is Albino and Hypomelanistic. These traits may be recessive traits, co-dominant traits, dominant traits, or created through selective breeding (ie Pastel).

[Stormyva]

To add to my previous post......
There are several good ones out there, actually more good ones than bad. It is the occasional bad one that gives everyone a bad name though.
A few that I know right off the top of my head that are good....
http://www.reptilebasics.com
http://www.boaphile.com
http://www.redtailboas.com
http://www.eastbayvivarium.com
http://www.rkreptiles.com
http://www.nsreptiles.com
http://www.ritchiereptiles.com
I could go on and on and I am sure that everyone here could add at least ten links each and there are several people here on this site that dont have web sites that could be make fora great source.... Simply put you have come to the right place for information about reptiles as well as sources for them!


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[herp_chick]

I can personally vouch for Rich at www.reptilebasics.com. I have bought many animals and supplies from him over the last several years, and probably wouldn't buy from anyone else. Fortunately, I live close enough that I can go in the shop, so I don't have to order online, although there are several good posts about his shipping and dealings on the BOI. I can say that his shop is clean, his animals are clean and in excellent health, and he's fair. Also, he is easy to work with. If he doesn't have it, he can probably get it or tell you where you can get it from a reputable dealer. I'm sorry for your bad experience, and I hope next time you deal with someone who truly loves the animals they represent.

Also, welcome to RTB!
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