Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought a Boa on KS classifieds, and received a horrible suprise. I won't give out the name as I think I'd get in trouble for doing so on this Forum, but I bought an '03 female het for albino, and received my 1st Glacier Boa. I wasn't familiar with the person but he gave me pics and I sent them off to the person who produced her to verify (reputable veteran here). The pics showed a seemingly healthy Boa, including some pics of her eating. Talking on the phone, the guy sounded A-OKAY by the vast info and husbandry blabber. He said that He'd ship overnight delivery in the AM with heat packs. It was sent via USPS and showed up in the afternoon without any heat packs. It was in the low 40's that morning. When I opened the box, the snake had defacated , so I got a tub of luke warm water. Then picking her up, I realized she was in terrible shape. She kept her mouth open to breathe and clear goo was oozing from her mouth. She was around 4 ft, but there was no muscle tone at all. So , I put her in a quarantine cage in a room (not the snake room) and she hasn't hardly moved. I waited two days and tried to feed her a fresh killed rat pup (small size for a 4 footer) and she wouldn't even look at it. I emailed this person the same day that I received her letting him know my disappointment, and again after refusing a meal, and I have not heard from him yet. I'm giving him the benefit of a doubt that he may be out of town for the holidays, but if he doesn't respond this week you'll see this guy on the BOI. To those newer to buying animals online, be careful and do as much research as you can about the person, and hope it works out. Overall, I've had good experiences with buying, until now. Happy Holidays all, David/Morgans Boas
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--aka DMOG68

I have had the same thing happen, Mine arrived dead, passed on during transit, and when I received them, I Ran to the phone and called the guy, he had the nerve to say I was lying, so I said I would take pics and e-mail him in 10 mintues with proof, so I did, and then he had the nerve over e-mail to say I probably put them in the freezer for 10 mintues and fliped them upside down just to try and rip him off, he said that lots of people do that, to fake DOA's ...I was sooo pissed. I got so pissed off, Its so hard to know if they are good or not, I have been using the BOI quite a bit since then. Wish this forum had one..Good luck, and keep us posted. Have a good weekend
David
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"Life is a Safari"

it was hard enough spending any amount before Christmas. Lesson learned.
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--aka DMOG68

Is the Het still alive? You think she will live? I hope the guy gets back to you, I have heard that sending a snake USPS is a federal offense? Did he say he was sending it another way? If he does screw you I will be looking on the BOI for his name, I don't want to possibly get something from him. Good luck and keep us posted on what happens.
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"Life is a Safari"

.
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--aka DMOG68

Hopin' for the best for you in this. I'd be sorely tempted to hunt him down. Got a habit of holdin' a grudge . I've only dealt with the classifieds twice. Both times were no sweat. Take care and keep us up on the condition of the newbies.

Quig

Wow, that is horrible. I've had that happen a lot, not with boas with other material, and it really really sucks. I hope the animal gets out ok and becomes healthy, at least you'll get something out of it. Best of luck.

BTW, what is BOI?

- Ali

BOI stands for Board of Inquiry, if you go to www.faunaclassifieds.com there is a section that has posts of peoples dealings with other breeders and sellers. Its a good place to read up on other peoples opinions and details of transactions. If someone rips someone else off and they post on there, other people who have also been ripped off can also post, then hopefully people check that person out before they do business with them. Some have good responses and some have bad, but it sounded like the person he did business with was not on there. Its not a for sure thing, but it never hurts to check it out. I have almost done business with people and before I did check out the BOI and quickly decied to not do so, and I am glad I did. I think its a great thing, it helps keep scammers out of the industry and hobby. And if you a good, honest, seller, then it comfirms to weary people that your legit. I think Kingsnake.com should have a forum like that. But they are really against hurtful/slanderus posts and comments.
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"Life is a Safari"

I hope she snaps out of it. It sounds like she has a chance in your care. We need to tie all these crackerjacks (I'll keep it clean) up and give them a proper punishment. I'm thinking maybe they should be kept in the conditions they keep these snakes. We could keep them cold, not clean their cages, and not feed them. Then they could catch each others nasty diseases, which is just what they are; a disease to this industry/hobby. The BOI is a great source. Obviously sometimes things can be taken out of context and sometimes a good name can get thrown in the filth, but overall, it is a great concept. Maybe we need an Angie's list for reptiles. Of course, I'm sure that would be corrupted with politics as well. Ah politics! Even with reptiles, you just can't escape them. I'm done now.

Phil Goss

The BOI is a great tool for outing these scammers. I have used it to mine and everyone elses benefit twice. One guy who ripped me off is out of business completely and the other is on the way. Even though I am out thousands I feel good about warning others before they fell for the same scams.

I hope everything works out for you but if not don't be afraid to warn others in the community!

Good Luck and I hope the snake pulls through!
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Matt Lerer
'Ghi Reptiles'
'Ghi Arboreals'

I know that I'm not the 1st, but this was my 1st time like this. I did check the BOI, and there was nothing on him, but after he sent pics and the name of who he bought it from, and it was confirmed a het, I felt less vulnerable. I talked for a lengthy time to the seller prior to sending money, and he sounded friendly and educated. I'm waiting a couple of more days for a response from him in case he's out of town for Thanksgiving, or buying Christmas presents with my money --LOL.
Please , if you buy from someone , post your experience on the BOI, good or bad. It helps out other to make good desicions. Take care,David
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--aka DMOG68