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Ethics
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by Buzztail1 on October 6, 2008
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Yesterday I took a call from a woman who wanted some help with a snake in her car.
She had a brand new Prius and was driving it when a small snake crawled out of her dashboard. She called the Police and they were less than helpful, finding the whole situation amusing.
She then called a very well known local "snakeman" who has been on National TV several times spouting all kinds of questionable information.
He told her that he recently took a HABU out of an imported car like her Prius! You can imagine her state of mind by now! He went to her home and only managed to see a small portion of the snake. Apoparently not enough to rule out a HABU for this knowledgable snakeman! He charged $40 for the visit and told her to have the dealership tow the car back to their facility and tear down the dashboard to get out the snake!
She made a few more calls and wound up with me.
I took directions to her house and told her, based on her description, that the snake was definitely NOT a HABU and that I would be over as soon as I could get there (75 miles from my home).
Before I left the driveway, she called back and said that her son had caught the snake which was out sunning itself on the top of her dash and that she was sending me a picture for identification.
Imagine my surprise (SARCASM inserted here) when the picture turned out to be of a juvenile Black Racer.
She was very happy with the outcome - the snake not being hurt and that she could release it on her property.
I guess maybe I am the only one who feels this expert was WAY OUT OF LINE and definitely a poor representative of the venomous community overall. Although I have had people insist on paying me for removing snakes for them, I have never charged anyone for a snake removal, let alone charging them for NOT removing the snake.
Just disappointed in the whole situation.
Karl
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RE: Ethics
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by pictigaster1 on October 6, 2008
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I would never charge for a snake removal.Tho I would most likely want the option to keep the snake.I was in ftDavis visiting buz 15 years ago and a person called him to remove a snake and it was a lep.I hunted all weekend and never found one,. I have got some burms and a retic over the years being asked to remove a snake.Once a lady came over to my house and said her 3year old girl saw a snake in the small pile of wood beside there front door.So I walked across the street where the kids were playing ,lo and behold a four foot atrox fat as my forarm under the first piece of wood I lifted.We should be happy to do this for people,and for the safety of the snake.The guy you speak of embelishis to promote fear and drive up his price what a D###.
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RE: Ethics
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by earthguy on October 6, 2008
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I have a buddy who is the 'expert' listed on the DNR page for our area. He charges for calls. I went with him on one call to rescue a small horridus. I did all the work, and he STILL CHARGED THE WOMAN. I let him know what I thought about that, and we still managed to stay friends.
It's wrong, but what can we do about it (other than make our opinions known)?
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RE: Ethics
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by tj on October 6, 2008
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"I guess maybe I am the only one who feels this expert was WAY OUT OF LINE and definitely a poor representative of the venomous community overall."
I wouldn't consider this person any representative of the venomous community, but rather a person of only poor ethics and one hell of a business scheme.
He's actually quite brilliant in his ploy. Every snake found in or near a car is going to be a habu or venomous snake now. Now he'll be getting more and more calls at $40 a pop everytime a snake is seen.
Not a bad strategy, it's too bad he's all brains and no b@lls. I wouldn't have left the car til I found that snake....some expert. I also would have taken a homemade chocolate chip cookie before I took the money, and be happy with the experience in finding the snake, and helping the woman out.
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RE: Ethics
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by SwampY on October 6, 2008
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I don't "charge" anything, but since I take 911 calls for the county a couple of times I've ended up going out of my way to look for non-existent snakes and once even a delusional drunk woman who saw snakes crawling over her couch, and she threw the couch out into the yard before calling 911.
When I get the call, this is what I tell them. "Look, can you see the snake right now? keep your eyes on it till I get there so you can show me where its at... I don't get paid and several times I've gone out and the people werent sure if there was even a snake there. If I get there and the snake is there I don't want anything. If I get there and don't find a snake it would be nice if you would give me a little money to cover the gas."
So far all have readily agreed, and I've never quoted them a "fee" and they've mostly always given me more than I expected. One very nice gentleman even gave me a 100 bucks just for crawling around under his house and telling the direct tv guys there was no snake to go with the skin they found.
I don't think its a bad thing to ask someone to at least cover your gas if they aren't able to point to the snake and say "there it is"
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by tj on October 6, 2008
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And, hopefully this clown isn't anyone that posts in here. I'd hate to lose respect for someone I know.
And, how could you take money from someone when the job wasn't even finished?....I betcha his significant other isn't a very satisfied female....I'll stop right there
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by kacz on October 6, 2008
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I see nothing wrong with charging for the service. But, if you charge you are being a professional with commensurate responsibilities. You better be incorporated, bonded and insured. You should have a set price listed for calls and be prepared and able to handle the tough ones (dashboards included). Oh yeah, don’t forget to pay your taxes! To do less would be “fly-by-night” at best or a scam artist at its worst.
A more appropriate agreement would be to accept a donation if it is offered, or a handshake if it is not.
Paul M. Kaczmarczik
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by Cro on October 6, 2008
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With $4.00 a gallon gasoline, a 30 mile drive to rescue a snake could wind up costing you $25.00 for the round trip.
I think it is reasonable to tell someone that you want to be paid for your gasoline expenses. Heck, by the time you get there, the snake might be long gone. Way too many calls turn out to be wild goose chases. People are not very good about keeping an eye of a snake like that until help arrives.
You always have the option to refuse the gas money once you get there, if the snake turns out to be worth the effort. But if the trip turns out to be nothing, at least you have not spent anything but time.
Best Regards John Z
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