There’s too much here to read, but I had some time this afternoon and had some fun pulling this together…this is all written with humor, not criticism, in mind…
Lessons of the Boa Forum and Classified sites (as far as I can tell):
o No photo has ever quite shown the true glory of any animal’s coloration. How many breathtaking photos have we have seen of Boas accompanied by the disclaimer, “The colors are much better than the photo shows. I’ll try to get a better photo soon”? Hogwash! You already used Photoshop to transform the current photo…it cannot get any better.
o If your snake didn’t sell this week for $275, it is not necessarily going to sell next week for $350. Psychology is of some use to us, but we’re not stupid.
o Always float your soon-to-be sold Boa on the forum…wetting our appetites might make him sell a lot quicker.
o We are all flaky sometimes. Yes, I have shown lots of interest in a Boa and then pulled-out of the deal at the last second…Let’s be patient with each other.
o Attaching a creative name to a mutation often does make an animal more valuable…even if it’s ugly.
My suggestions/thoughts for posting or buying animals:
o Don’t tell folks what they should think of your Boa. (If your post says “Screamer” or “Smoker” and the photo shows anything less, I feel you have misrepresented the animal, and you automatically lose your integrity.) Post an animal with factual info and let the shopper put his own descriptor on it. REMEMBER: For the most part, we are herp hobbyists, not Car salesmen. Why not downplay the attributes of your Boa, and surprise people?
o Each time you re-post an animal for sale, if you can, do a new ad with a new picture, and change the wording.
o Never hold a snake for a photo unless it’s big enough to see the detail…
o An ad or post with a very poor photo is worse than no photo at all. A bad photo makes the snake look bad.
o (I know, this is dangerous…) Buy animals that you like, rather than animals with an impressive pedigree. My best animals never knew their parents (but hope to someday).
o If there’s only one left, I certainly am not going to buy it. I’d rather have some choice.
o If a snake is going to try to bite me every chance he gets, OR if he is actively regurging, please tell me - whether I ask or not.
New Boa hobbyists need to know:
o Most Boas will still eat when they are preparing to shed.
o A lot of animals that act mean will continue to be mean even if you hold them a lot. Just like some people.
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There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8:1
