Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So, what is the standard practice for trading snakes long-distance (via FedEx), especially if you don't know the person who you're trading with?

Thanks for any input.

Dusty Rhoads

In that situation it is standard practice to "bend over" and prepare for the inevitable.
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Herp Conservation Unlimited
Mexicana Group Directory
Photography by Joseph E. Forks

Amen forky, just grab your ankles and hope for the best Dusty. Its a two way street allot of the times though.You can always research the other party but its best to just go with your gut feeling.

Shannon

p.s. and like a breeding loan, if you aren't willing to never see the snake again then don't do it!

if someone initiated a trade with me, I would find a well known, respected, trusted member of the hobby/business who knows me well that would vouch for the fact that when i receive the trade animals accuratly represented, then i would then reciprocate and send them my trade animals. if there was a misrepresentation I would return their animals at my expense. to make the other party feel more comfortable, i would not only have the person vouch for me, but make a monetary guarantee if i failed to send my trade animals or return their trade animals. regards, rusty

I learned the hard way myself.I took someones word on trust and lost my entire Vipera collection and to this day I still don't know were my animals are.Its been over seven years.

Have him put a deposit down then just refund it. Do it with a wire transfer so paypal does not take its cut. Did it once and both of us just sent each other said amount then refunded it when we both got the snakes that we traded.

Thats a great idea.Getting things in writing is good too.

>>Have him put a deposit down then just refund it. Do it with a wire transfer so paypal does not take its cut. Did it once and both of us just sent each other said amount then refunded it when we both got the snakes that we traded.

I appreciate all the suggestions...it seems that the consensus is that it's easy (and common) to get taken advantage of...anyway, his name is Steve and his e-mail is under the alias of "Hardcore Herps". That's all I know so far...if anyone knows anything, I'd appreciate if you dropped me a note.

Thanks,

Dusty

His last name is Bozsik and he's from Colorado. Anyone here know him?

Thanks,

DR

I have never heard of him.Doesn't mean he isn't gold though.
Just check him out best you can and go with your gut also.Let him ship first since you are known.

L8r Shannon

that snake is a pain in the ass Shannon. It ate a frozen thawed adult mouse right away. Kept it down, and took a nice looking turd. It hasnt eaten since. Ive got a moist hidebox, several different shelters, sustantial temp gradient, lots of cage space, and tons of ventilation. Ive tried frozen thawed quail, chickens, field mice, spiny pocket mice, dear mice, domestic mice, and rats of various sizes with no luck. She still looks the same, but itd be real nice if she'd start eating.

probably allergic to "smokin' pyros" ahaha
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Herp Conservation Unlimited
Mexicana Group Directory
Photography by Joseph E. Forks

she likes live fuzzies the best.If you put 3 or 4 in she will eat 2 usually.
I told you she was a pain.LOL...

L8r Shannon

Trying to remember if he was a guy I met out in Lajitas back in like 94?
Not that it would make much difference now I guess, if it was him then I only knew him a couple of weeks and have had no contact beyond that for fourteen years. On the other hand if this was the same guy, at the time he seemed like somebody to trust in this kind of deal at that time.

One thing you can try is if you have his phone number and address you can verify those back to his name. If that checks out for you score one point for trust the guy. If he owns property tax records are public, if he rents somebody pays utilities (he can send a copy of an old electric bill or something else with his name and address on it).

Also, looking back I can seem some old forum post etc from 2002 and 2003 from him, nothing stands out from those use of his name as anything but honest. You can just google that up.

What it comes down to is you are the one taking any risk in the deal and will ultimately have to shoulder the burdon of decision. Nobody here can really do that for you.

Lance
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Herp Conservation Unlimited

watch out if they have lots of toyota pickups and suzuki samari's in there yard!

ROTFLMAO.......You kill me jon.That was classic man.
L8r

If they initiated the trade then I would have them ship first. If everything arrives ok, then you are safe to ship. If you initiated the trade then you must check them out the best you can and hope for the best.

That is my suggestion.

dc

I used to due some trading long distance. I was burned by a guy that used to post online. Just learned that not everyone's word is good. He got my snake it ate for him then he lost it somehow.
Not dead, escaped, this justified in his mind not keeping his end of the bargain. I only trade or buy in person now. Buddy.