Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a potential customer that is interested on a boa that I have for sale. He has said a few times that payment is coming but it hasn't showed. How long should one hold a boa for sale before moving on and putting the snake up for sale again? I want to do the right thing and not make it seem like I'm selling the snake out from under him. Opinions are appreciated. thanks in advance.

You need to have a terms page that clearly outlines your process.
Wether it is taking a non-refundable deposit to hold an animal or giving the costumer an amount of time to pay a payment plan, you should have a clear outline somewhere that you can refer yourself and your customers back to.
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www.BetterBoa.com

40 Bci's
3.3 Corn snakes

Contact him/her and tell them something like this:

Just a quick note to let you know I have not received your payment. If you changed your mind that's fine. If I do not receive your payment by (say seven days out with the date) I am going to assume that you have changed your mind. Feel free to call me any time. Thank you for your consideration!

This happens regularly. Few people do this maliciously or without any regard or consideration for you. There are some that do this all the time though. I know a few of them. LOL
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Jeff Ronne Sr
The Boaphile
Director USARK

Originator of Boaphile Plastics
The Boaphile Boa Site

Both Mack1time and Jeff are 100% correct. You should have it spelled out clearly in your terms page. Something like "25% non-refundable deposit required to hold any animal with balance due in 30 days unless other arrangements are made.

Once you are in the situation, you need to contact them, either by phone (IMO best) or by email to find out what's going on and to give a deadline. If by phone, follow up immediately with a email "per our pone conversation we agree......" to have a record of what you agreed on.

I had a couple snakes in the exact same situation this year, sold, no deposit made, told payment was sent and excuses why it was not. Set the deadline as I had another party interested and when the deadline passed, transferred deal to second buyer who basically did the exact same thing. Ugh!! When a third buyer expressed interest, went through the process again and when that deadline passed, transferred deal to the third person who promptly paid for them and shipped them the next week.

Also had other deals where the original buyer never responded (moved to Mars?) and eventually put them back up for sale. Unfortunately it happens a lot and is why I address it in my terms page.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

It happens all the time in the reptile world. I wouldn't worry to much about it and do what Jeff said.
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YOU OFTEN see signs outside churches telling us that 'Jesus Lives'. But these religious folk are always carping on about how he died on the cross for all our sins. Dying isn't much of a sacrifice if you're planning on coming back again five minutes later.. Come on, God botherers. You can't have it both ways. make up your minds. Is he dead or is he alive?

I do the same thing Jeff does when someone new is interested in one of my boas. The few that make payments I tell them up front that there down payments are non refundable.

I don't normally like doing a payment plan as I have had some people back out of the deal last minute. I even had a breeder ( At the time I did not know he was a breeder) one time tell me he wanted to buy most of my baby boas one time. He said he would pick them up on Sunday just so I would not be at the reptile show Saturday. This way he could sell his boas and I would not be there to sell my boas. Needless to say I did not sell any boas that weekend. I am just glad I only do this for a hobby and not for a living as there are a few bad apples in the reptile business.

So that is why I now only do non refundable down payments this way no one can do that again to me. I have had some clients take as long as 4 to 8 months to pay off a boa. They would send me money once a month or more if they have the extra cash. After the boa was paid off I would ship it to them or meet them at a show or my home.

Take care
Tom McCarthy
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McCarthyBoas.com

Ouch, that's really underhanded. I hope the other dealer get's it back in spades. Karma and all!!!

Some other points about payment plans....

Have enough in place up front to keep them in the deal. If only a few bucks it might be worth it to them to let go.

Set expectations for some reasonable rate of payment.

Sadly, even known people in the herp world are guilty of the same thing so the rules apply to all.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Thanks for your feedback everyone. I have worked out a "terms" option ANC I am going to pass this onto the potential buyer now. I really appreciate everyones responses.

I personally don't take anything off the market until I get payment through paypal or a tracking number for payment through the mail. I do give the first person to contact me 24 hours to get either one and then go on down the line.

I agree the written TOS is the best way to deal with everyone fair across the board. Just shoot them a link to it in your first contact. Make sure to include payment options and time frames for payment as well as things like any guarantees you provide or don't provide on live animal sales.

You can check some of the regular sellers websites for some examples of things you might want to include. I wouldn't copy theirs, but you can get an idea of what to include and some good formats to put them in.