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So you want to buy a snake?
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by Buzztail1 on March 12, 2003
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It is becoming obvious, to me at least, that the world of reptile marketing is one fraught with pitfalls and danger.
So, I thought I would point out some of the things that seem so obvious to me.
1) You see an animal listed in the classifieds that looks like something you'd be interested in. After all, that IS the purpose of the classifieds.
2) You click on the seller's name to find out a little something about them.
3) Do you really suppose that some of these people are the kind of people you would trust to ship you an animal after you send them money?
Some blatant examples:
How about someone who can't spell the name of the state that they live in?
Sure everybody can make a slip of the finger but your profile is editable! That means if you make a simple mistake, you can go back and correct it. However, do you really think that someone who can't spell M-a-r-y-l-a-n-d really is going to send you a top notch Dendroaspis or will you wind up with a sickly Trimorphodon?
Or how about buying a high dollar reptile from someone who lists their occupation as "professional bum" or even better yet "street pharmacist"? While these things may seem funny, your profile is your opportunity to let people know something about your character.
Equally questionable, to me, are the sellers who only list their first name and no other contact data. That seems so much like buying things from the back of a truck pulled into a dark alley. Certainly not someone you are likely to be able to locate if you discover problems later on after money has changed hands.
One more thing of note. Check for a location of the seller. Are they trying to sell an animal from a place where it is illegal to keep or to a place where it is illegal to keep or an animal that it is illegal to keep. Certain animals are protected on a federal level and some others are protected on a state level. Not everyone is smart enough to know that Crotalus willardi are protected in every state that they come from. While there are certainly rare circumstances that would make the purchase of such an animal possible, it won't be from "billyjoebob the professional bum from Orkinsaw".
If you are interested in buying an animal and not getting ripped off, find out something about the person selling it. If they don't want you to know about them, maybe the animal is not what you think you want. There have been an awful lot of complaints lately about scams and rip-offs and poor quality animals arriving instead of what was promised.
Caveat emptor! Buyer beware!
Just my opinion and in no way binding on anyone. It is certainly your money to throw away as you see fit.
Karl H. Betz
PS If you are a vendor who takes issue with my statements because you find yourself in some way described by them, consider them to be a good business consult and fix your profile accordingly. You are losing business because anyone in their right mind would not buy anything from someone who won't admit who they are. KHB
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RE: So you want to buy a snake?
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by snakecharmer on March 12, 2003
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I am listed as a professional goof off in my profile due to extensive damage to my left leg. It was folded over backwards in an on the job attempt to prevent the shop where I worked from continuing burglaries. I was fired because my former employer said " WE don't pay workers' comp claims".
I see your point and it is valid. Because of my inablities and a bum leg, I listed myself as a goof off. That's all I can do for now. Goof off at this 'puter. It does not look good in my profile, what else could I put??
Your point is well taken and valid. I agree 100%. Profiles should be filled out entirely. And verified.
But, since I am a goof off, and I hide nothing, let me state this: everything else in my profile is 100% correct, true and accurate. I live in Brunswick, Ga. 2.2 miles from I-95 and hwy 341, behind the gator farm.
Anyone wishing to contact me may do so. 912.554.1737 is my phone number.
I have nothing to hide. I am honest to deal with and can provide references.
Want to send email? fischefather@yahoo.com
"Fische" is my beagles name. {no, not his father!}
I know your post did not single me out and was not offensive. Just showing why I am a pro goof off.
I do ask that anyone with an incomplete profile update it.
Thanks, Karl. It was a post that needed to be said. And maybe, we'll get some updates.{?}
Michael
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RE: So you want to buy a snake?
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by sierra on March 12, 2003
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Hmmm, well for the most part I agree with Karl, and I might add that another good indicator of someones credibility is to check thier posts in the forums, if you follow the forums and get a feel for the regulars and how serious one is in reguards to thier herps and how they respond to questions it can help...I would never make a purchase from someone that I havent heard of before, not without good references.
On the other hand, I will not share all of my personal info in the profile either, its just too risky, for example, more than one decent person in this forum have had a "heated dispute" with someone, only to have that someone call the game commission and either make a false report so that they will be inspected or just to harrass them. I had something like that happen as well a few years ago(someone overheard a conversation about some of my herps while I was having a discussion with my husband at work, and the New Smyrna police dept. was waiting in the driveway when I got home) but we are always perfectly legal with our herps so it mearly amounts to a pain in the butt. People tend to way overreact when they hear you have hot herps and advertising it with exact names and locations can cause a few inconveinces to say the least even when you are legal. Another friend of mine who posts here was bitten at home, and the hospital called children and youth services...because he has children... They could certainly cause you a great deal of grief even if you are following the law. Be quite cautious what you put in your profile.
However, we are not "vendors" and that would be alittle different, but we occasionally sell off a few extra animals from time to time at the herp meets or even here in the classifieds. And we too have been burned purchasing herps over the internet.(in fact 250.00 just a few months ago) but if you use paypal they can recover your money at times. So use them they are great. I also recently ordered several animals from someone here in the forum who I have never talked to, only emailed, but I have seen this person in the forum for a while, I respect him and trust him...I sent him the money for the animals without ever even speaking to him, a real first for me but my schedule has been killer.... Like Karl said, use your common sense really. But do get the persons personal info from them when your serious about a purchase and verify it before your purchase(again paypal can do this and its all free!!)
LOL...I did check my profile for misspellings, its a good thing I used the abbreviation for Pennsylvania, I was worried...LOL, however I did update my photo to one that I hope will stop the men who have tried to convince me that they would really love a herping woman(another reason I dont use all of my personal infoor email address)
WOW...did that turn into a much longer post than it should have been..LOL, but really I do agree with Karl, well mostly.
Hey Karl, how are those demographic numbers coming? Just curious....
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RE: So you want to buy a snake?
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by fizzbob7 on March 20, 2003
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i spend a lot of money of car modifications, and having a complete, positive, somewhat overly cheerful profile usually means you're dealing with someone who would also be good at telemarketing....that sell all, know nothing demeanor......why not just ask good questions and get references.....being responsible, patient and knowledgeable about what you're wanting to purchase helps me the most.....on here one time, i was looking to buy a het for albino and after the guy explained to me his version of what that was, i immediately knew he was full of it.....
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