Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Any advice from all of your that make internet transactions. What types of things should a buyer ask for to protect himself during an internet transaction? Whats expected from sellers, and whats not???

Ive bought most of my collection from one person, and the rest of the animals from shows...so Im really not up-to-date about internet sales, contracts, and online payments.

Any help will gladly be appreciated!

I've purchased a lot of nice animals from the internet and met some great people that way. I was also scammed, badly, once.

Do your research on www.faunaclassifieds.com before contacting the seller and check out his/her reputation. It helps if you know of the person via other internet venues or have been seeing their ads for years. Even so, I always try to get a sense of the person, and that starts by seeing how responsive he/she is to inquiries. It helps to browse their website, but websites can be misleading so read for content and keep in mind that a lot of terrific breeders don't have a website. Finally, I always call and talk to the seller. If I don't get a good feeling, I know there will be plenty of other nice animals for sale elsewhere.

Documentation helps, but keep in mind that it is only as good as the seller. I do believe that there are more good than bad out there, but do beware. Good luck!

references and not from the lady down the street. only from company's and larger breeders that you know you should be able to trust. ask for a list and call any name that you have seen a lot of I also stick to kingsnake I've hear alot of people getting ripped off on all the other herp and fauna classifieds In cluding myself don't trust reptile auction sites either unless they have references you know or know of and all ways call once to make sure its not a young kid cause getting money out of parents for a scam that there child pulled is next to impossible. and there is a lot of kids doing just that cutting copying pics from one site on to there ads for snakes or whatever "baseball cards, speakers,video games" and selling animals that they never had to begin with.

One good way to lower the risk is to ask for a pic of the animal on top of todays paper . That gets them good most of the time.

"One good way to lower the risk is to ask for a pic of the animal on top of todays paper . That gets them good most of the time."

that is a good way to go about it. I am to try that if I buy online.
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2 Gray-Banded kings
1 bull snake
4 cal kings
1 long-nose
2 black rat-snakes
1 ball python
2 bearded dragons
4 boxers

What I have done in the past, if I have a buyer that is scepticle, I tell them to pic a card out of a deck and I would get that card and take pics with the snake. I take a few different shots and send it to the buyer. It would be pretty hard to fake that if the buyer picks a 4 of clubs and they receive a pic of the snake they want to buy with a 4 of clubs in the pic with it.
I like the today's paper idea also.

just my $.02

Shawn
Twisted Constrictors

You've already received from great advice from the other posters. I especially like the suggestion of asking for a pic on today's newspaper.

The biggest problem I've encountered with internet sales is that some times the weight of the animal is not represented accurately. Not a big deal if you're buying a hatchling or a juvie, but if you're paying more for a larger sub adult or adult, weight is a factor. I've bought and found upon arrival that the ball is 300 grams lighter than advertised! Now I ask for a pic on a scale so I can read the weight.

All in all, I've had great expereicnes over the net and met some really fine large and small breeders. Good luck!
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Alice Cobb
Florida Reptile Room

Sorry -- I am going to have to disagree with people here -- if you have to ask for a picture of snakes on todays newspaper - just move on and find someone with a good reputation that you know you'll be getting what you are buying. Find yourself someone that's been around the business a while and let them mentor you through your purchases and all that.

PS: There have been a lot of scammers that have found their ways around the "todays newspaper" trick. And a lot of breeders now days won't send out pictures on todays newspaper because people are using them to scam other people.

Be smart use your head and if it doesn't feel right move on - there are a lot of snakes on the market.
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Tosha
JET Pythons
Toshas Blog

Herp Medicine does not equal a bottle of Baytril - Dr. Scott Stahl

I agree with Tosha. I'm only buying from the medium to large breeders who have a solid name online already....if not I'll wait for a show to roll around to buy from someone else. I have a couple local pet shops that have their own breeding programs as well so thats always an option too.

I'm not going to go round and round with pics, phone calls, emails, references, etc, etc, etc I'm going to feel comfortable with the seller up front or I'm not buying online with them.

Jason

I have bought from a few hobbyists/"smaller breeders". If everyone only bought from the medium/big breeders, no one else would have a chance to sell their offsping. Personally, I like the idea. I talk to them and ask them where they acquired the parents of the animal I'm interested in. You can get some nice, strong genetic mixing that way.

Don't get me wrong. Most of my collection has come from the well-knowns. But the little guy needs a break. Ask for references. My favorite male came from a hobbyist. He was gorgeous, I really wanted him and I talked with the breeder. He answered all of my questions and offered referrences. He also ended up being one of the few sellers that contacted me after I had the animal for a few weeks to see how he was doing!

Enough rambling. Best wishes!
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Cheers,
Jessica Gibbs
Ball Pythons; Corn Snakes; Green Tree Python; Jungle Carpet Python; Bci; Bcl; Bco
3.0 Crazy Dogs and 2.0 cats
Some Tropical Fish
...........and growing!

Small breeders are not to be turn away.

They will easily be more easy to contact and answer your questions fast.

I would try to look around. How long have he been around, does he post some pictures here and there or stay in his basement ?

I would also try or ask for pictures of his installation. I wouldn't want to buy from someone who's installation is dirty etc... Being medium/big breeders doesn't mean it's clean. I have seen some booths at show from bigger breeders that just turned me away.

Ask for a picture of the snake on a scale when buying older animals. That way you won't be fooled. If they can't, there is a problem IMO.

Good luck !
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love this world, don't hate it.

I have purchased from private hobbyists, well established places, and big time breeders. The only time I have ever been screwed in any way on a deal was from one of the better known places. As far as customer service goes, it varies from place to place. I purchased animals from a big name whose customer service, in my opinion, sucked. I've also got the same service from little breeders. Email or call the person you are looking to buy from. Ask them questions. Do they sound like they know what they're talking about? Do they seem like they just want you to send them money and get off the phone? Communicate with them for a while and if something seems fishy, take your business elsewhere. Trust your gut. Remember that if it weren't for small time breeders, big time breeders wouldn't be in the position they are in now, and if not for internet sales, the reptile industry wouldn't be where it is now.
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Snakes:
1.1 gray banded kingsnake
1.1 california kingsnake
1.1 kenyan sand boa
1.1 western hognose snake
0.1 albino checkered garter
1.0 florida blue garter
1.1 het anery red sided garter
1.1 reverse oketee corn snake
1.1 blood red corn snake
0.1 amel striped corn
1.0 amel 66% het striped corn
1.1 het albino ball python
1.1 het ghost ball python
0.1 spider ball python
1.0 pastel ball python
1.1 mojave ball python
1.0 butter ball python
0.1 ringer ball python
1.0 African dinker ball python
0.3 normal ball python
1.0 piebald ball python
0.1 het piebald ball python
0.1 Genetic Stripe Ball Python
1.0 Het Genetic Stripe Ball Python
0.1 Mystic Ball Python

Turtles
1-eastern box turtle
2-spotted turtle
2-eastern/midland painted turtle intergrade
1.0-common musk turtle
1-Pink bellied sideneck
6-Northern red belly

Invertebrates
0.1 southern black widow
1-Tanzanian Giant Tailless whipscorpion

Amphibians
0.1 Ornate Horned Frog

Birds:
1.1 red avadavit
2-blue breasted cordon blue
1.1-black cheeked waxbill
0.1-star finch
1.0-Java rice sparrow
2.0-owl finch
1.0-hybrid munia
0.1-White bellied caique

Fish
2-corydoras cats
1-African upside down cat

normal stuff
0.1 black lab

well im kind of against all these other folks. i only buy from small to medium sized breeders. i have always been able to find excellant animals for a better price than buying from big breeders with high overhead. i dont buy from just anyone though. i ALWAYS check the b.o.i. i wont buy unless they are on their with good reviews from more than one individual. i also have a lot of friends who are in the biz and if i cant find anything i will ask them if they know anything.
always ask for pics, ask about lineage and if you send them an email, they should reply quickly and promptly. many people have lost my biz just do to poor communication or complete lack their of.
adam jeffery
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" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

Hello,

Personally, I like to speak with the seller on the phone.
Of course, you should get them to email a synopsis of the agreement to you....so that you have documentation.

But, by talking with someone on the phone you can often pick up on certain things that you might possibly miss in an email.
Talking one on one... person to person can help to give you a feel for whom with you are considering dealing.

The sellers reputation is important.
I have dealt with some new people who were really great.
But, it can pay you to check their reputation out BEFORE dealing with them. Ask for references.
Check the BOI.(sometimes this may or may not be helpful.)
Ask who they purchased their breeder stock from.
Then, call THAT breeder and see if they had a good experience selling to this person.
Knowing a little of the history of your potential seller's dealings can be very helpful when you are trying to make a decision about working with them.
Above all, make sure you feel comfortable about the deal.
If you have that little voice of skepticism nagging at you and you feel a bit uncomfortable.....DON'T IGNORE YOUR INTUITION.
Usually people are pretty good at picking up on ques that should make us uncomfortable....the problem is that many times we fail to listen to that little nagging voice of skepticism.
It is easy to get caught up in a "great deal"...only to later regret listening to our own intuition.
Avoid anyone who seems pushy.
Most of the people in this hobby/business are genuinely of good nature. Keep that in mind...but keep your antennae up!

Go over all the sticky questions about the sellers guarantee policies and the "what happens if".... before you send a dime.
Get it in writing (email is fine)...then proceed, if you feel right.

Most good sellers understand that the most valuable item they can ever offer is a positive reputation.
It can take years to build such a reputation...and only moments to destroy it. Working with a seller who has built a solid and well deserved reputation can be very rewarding.

Use a credit card via paypal...this can serve as a double firewall for you. You are afforded some protection from your card's policies...as well as paypal's protection policies.

Best of luck to you.
Take care.

Your friend,
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!
970-245-7611
970-255-9255