Reptile & Amphibian Forums

GOT THIS REPLY TO CLASSIFIRD AD JUST NOW. I KNOW YOU GUYS MENTIONED THESE CONS BEFORE. DO YOU THINK IT IS?
JSC

Am willing and interested in buying your reptile, get back at me via my email if it is still available for sale. Are you the owner? What are the conditions ??? send me recent pictures if available. What is your last offer?Im interested in making immediate payments to you WITH MONEY ORDER for the asking price of your reptile.
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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

"WITH MONEY ORDER"--RED FLAG!!!
I don't have any experience selling snakes (yet), but the wording of this response sounds suspicious. When selling on ebay, I've gotten emails like this. Never panned out.
Make sure you CASH the MO and it is clear before sending anything. Good luck.

The odd grammar and lack of detail (pet) is a dead giveaway...I can guarantee you the money order will be counterfeit...

He would have wanted to send you a money order for far more than your asking price...he wants you to cash it, and send him the remainder of the money...when the money order bounces, the Feds will come after YOU!

Whenever I receive an email, that does not, at a minimum, contain the species/morph of the reptile I am selling, it immediately receives the delete button...I strongly suggest you do the same.

These morons use 'pet' so they can send the same email to many sellers of various animals...
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Heather Martin
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I meant to put 'reptile' instead of 'pet'..., LOL I get many of the 'pet' versions of this scam, sorry for the typo..

Just 'Reptile' is waaaaay too vague...a big red flag
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Heather Martin
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The ad did seem all encompassing and rather generic for sure.

The language seemed rather unnatural and contrived for U.S. speak.

Then there was the Money Order thing.

I specifically said the photos were taken that day, so the recent photo question seemed a bit odd.

I forwarded a copy to classifieds at pet hobbyist dot com, like they suggest.

Thanks guys,

jsc

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"As hard as I've tried, just can't NOT do this"
John Crickmer

If this is the only communication you've had with this potential buyer, then it's hard to tell if it's a scam, "yet".

If they really are a legitimate buyer, then insist on a Postal Money Order for the amount of the snake plus shipping. Then if they send you the money order for the proper amount. Make sure it clears before you send the snake.

If they send a money order for more than the amount and expect you to send them the, "change".....Then it's a scam.

There are lots of people out there who will try to scam you and will us money orders to do it.

Of course, there are also people out there that perfer to send money orders, because they don't have a checking account or credit card. Not everyone has PayPal either.

The only way you're going to get scammed is if you let them. Take the proper precautions and you won't get scammed.

I received the same email this morning and the first thing that went through my head was "SCAM". The email asked questions that were specifically addressed in my ad. I sent a reply just in case, but noted that the MO MUST be for the asking price of the animal and nothing more. I'm not holding my breath for a reply
jb
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Jonathan Brady
"Sarcasm is angers ugly cousin" -Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson) in "Anger Management".

rw

content and includes no specifics calling a snake a reptile, hell call it a boa at least you retard
Bob

It's a form letter, saying "your reptile", that alone should make you can it.
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Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com
http://slitheringserpents.com

I got the same exact email one day earlier for a ball python ad...I knew it was a scam...but i sent this response anyway:

Yes, it is still available,and i am the current owner...

Very healthy specimen.

Price is firm....(and i will not transfer any excess funds.)

Note, that i can only ship with the 48 continental United States.

Please send me your full name and telephone number.

Of course,there was no response after that.
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Charles Glaspie