Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Whenever I sell an animal, I make every effort to reply to ALL email messages - even when the animal is sold. Last month I even placed a long distance call (cost me) to a guy to let him know the reptile he was interested in was sold. I find it annoying and unprofessional when people do not reply to email that is sent for their ad. In some instances, it makes me think the ad is a scam. And don't tell me you are too busy. To me, it's what good customer service is all about - positive communications. You never know who is going to be a customer or who you may buy from in the future.
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Jay A. Martin

and just bounces back to the sender for whatever reason. It is very frustrating to try to reply several times and it just won't go - and I KNOW the person thinks I am ignoring him. Please always put a phone # in your email so the person can at least call you if your email bounces back. Otherwise you will never know whether they really tried to reply or not.

I can understand that. But when I send email, my default sig adds my phone number. But I suppose a lot of these people get tired of the "I'll buy for sure" and never come through.
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Jay A. Martin

My auto sig also has my phone #, address, wesbite, everything for people to get in touch. It is so easy and then I am sure they have whatever info is needed.

Yes, I get a lot of people who sound really sure, but I usually don't write up the invoice until I get payment, although I will make a few notes on scrap paper (and I am talking about $50 corns, not $1,0000 balls!) to jog my memory if they sound pretty sure. But it doesn't take long to write a quickie email reply to at least let potential customers know you received it and want to help. Even if they don't buy, they may recommend you to others.

Exactly! I recommend other breeders myself but they have to work for the recommendation because their behavior reflects on me. Oh well, I guess we are in the minority.
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Jay A. Martin

I was recently in the market for a 100% het. albino male (not a huge purchase to many breeders; however, it was my first investment into morphs) and I sent out at least 10 e-mails. I recieved replies from 4 people and they were the ones that I began to honestly concider. I would feel uncomfortable buying from someone who cannot take the time to reply to an interest in a sanke they are selling (even more so when the snake is a Het.) Basicly what it comes down to is you will not lose customers by replying; however you have the potential to gain several.
just my .02
-Alex
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1.0 100% het albino ball python
0.1 normal Ball python
0.0.1 uromastyx (Styx)...he is a rescue

I agree fully!
I have written to several people when looking to buy an expensive morph, and I actually had several people not write back! A simple "no, we don't ship to Canada" or "he/she is sold" would be fine but I got nothing, it was very frustrating. Do they not want my money? fine by me!

Jessy

That's exactly what I'm talking about!

Thank you!
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Jay A. Martin