Scam?! advice needed...

[Nic]

I have been looking for BRBs. I got in contact with a 'breeder' who had good prices on a juvi pair. I contacted him, and he sent me a pic. It was a great looking snake, so I e-mailed the guy to see them (I don't want to buy anything with out seeing it). the guy wants 25% down to hold, as they won't be 'ready to go' for two weeks. He emailed back saying this:

"Nothing aganst you i don't have people over hear just because that is are rules besides that they are not ready to leave for noter 2 weeks sorry about that not trying to be a ******* but
we have had problems bring people in and out and it never works let me knowif you still want a pair."

Am I right to think that something is fishy? I don't Understand...the guy wants me to give him money, but he won't let me see the merch in person?! I'm not sure how to handle it, as the guy is posting on this forum. I don't want anyone (including myself) to get scammed.

Thanks for your advise.

[wyz]

You should arrange to meet..

If i hade a huge and expensive collection I wouldn't wnat anybody at my house either... for many reasons..

As for the 25%.. it's a common thing, but I wouldn't do it myself.

When the snakes are ready, ask to meet with him and the merchandise..

WYZ

[boa]

nic i sent pics to you so you did see the brazilians in the pics.i just don't like people here i like to meet with people in the area's i choose sorry nic you took it the wrong way alot of people i know don't want the public at there house either bad ones wreck it for the good ones.hope you understand.i have no problem meeting with you. i won't bring the brb out because they may get stressed they have only had 1 meal so they are not even ready for homes.
THANK-YOU

[Lisa]

It's a common thing for breeders to not allow access to the physical site, it's often due to health reasons (health of the breeding colony, not your health). Many request 50% down to hold, shows you're serious about getting the snake, as many people say "i want that snake" and so you hold it for them telling people "sorry it's taken" only to have the buyer back out. It's all the bad apples that have ruined it for everyone.

[lordkovacs]

hey, i was gonna buy off him too, but money is so tight until september anyway. he seemed like a very cool guy, and was even willing to bring them by. perhaps I'm just a very trusting person (perhaps naively so...) but I personally would have trusted him. His snakes looked pretty good by the way... too bad I don't have the cash or you woun'd t have the chance to buy off him! haha...j/k. cheers, and good luck with the BRB's, should you choose to buy.
MIKE

[boa]

mike i told you the same thing 25% to hold them i was even going to hold them for you till september 15 for you and yes the pair he is interested in was the pair you where going to get since i only have 1 pair left like all the other people some even paid in full so i am not out there trying to scam people.
THANK-YOU

[marisa]

I don't believe boa is trying to scam anyone. Everything you mentioned in your post is somewhat standard when it comes to buying snakes.

TONS of people don't invite buyers to their house to see their "collections" Like wyz mentioned its a risk bringing people into your house even if you just keep a moderate collection. Snakes are a VERY easy item to steal as they have no serial numbers and are worth a good chunk of change even the more common species. Also health reasons are another issue. You have someone who has mites in there collection come over and chances are the mites will move to your place LOL. Lots of reasons. I let people come to my house when I am buying, or selling but not everyone and I prefer to meet them. And I only keep low end colubrids. I just don't want *everyone* seeing exactly how.what and where I keep my stuff. You never know who is a punk.

And a deposit is more than reasonable. IMHO.

Marisa

[Nic]

I can understand the dilema of having people over, for many reasons. It just seems hard for me to get a handle on the idea of giving you money with out actually getting to see the snake. How do I know if snake is going be the one in the picture. The internet is pretty anonymous..it is very easy to be taken (both buyer and seller).

I am not trying to get any one to break their rules, or to cause trouble. I am very interested in picking up a pair of beauty BRBs. The picture was great, but there is nothing like seeing these guys up close. I realize a commitment is needed by the buyer, but I have never heard of anybody buying something with out seeing it in person.

What would happen if i give you money beforehand, then after two weeks, I go to pick up the snakes and they are: too small, sick, hurt, or unsatisfactory in some other way? I have now lost my cash for 'backing out'... yet it was not a good snake to begin with.

It sounds like this is how everyone does it, so I guess I am being somewhat paranoid. Thanks for your input guys!

Boa...I will be getting in touch with you again. I hope you are not affended by my question.

[boa]

I understand.i have even looked at a pic and like it and deposited money into accounts that they are half way around the world and then they ship that snake to me.this is a small world you f*** somone the word get's around quick.and people on this site are great they are all here for the same reasons.

[marisa]

I am buying something this weekend sight un-seen! LOL seriously I am.

When it comes to animals like snakes you can easily tell what stock you are purchasing by knowing the breeder and what his animals look like. Its actually extremely common to buy sight unseen although not a "rule" of course and many people take pictures beforehand. But not always.

You can always ask Boa if he is willing to meet you for a look at them, and if you want them, purchase them but let him know you may want to turn them down if they aren't exactly what you are looking for.

Good luck. And its GOOD to be sceptical and paranoid when purchasing anything but you can normally easily tell if someone is shady or not.

Marisa

[lordkovacs]

boa...i know...i'm saying you are reputable, and your practices are great. I appreciate what you were willing to do for me. if there is any way i can possibly get the cash I will def. make an offer you can't refuse! haha...

[Linds]

In addition to the risks to your collection, there are also risks to yourself when bringing in strangers around your animals and home, such as insurance should anything result.

Holding deposits are pretty standard practice in the industry, if it doesn't state, ask whether or not it is refundable. Either are acceptable, and its up to you whether you want to accept the risk of putting down a non-refundable deposit until you can view your snakes upon pickup.

As mentioned above, there can be an even greater deal of faith involved when it is not possible to view snakes before purchase. Such as importing animals overseas, or even just from province to province purchasing.

Its all your call, if you don't feel comfortable with those terms, then move on, if not go ahead, nothing is out of the ordinary in terms of standard industry practice

[lordkovacs]

i put down a deposit to Mardy for a snake to be brought down in a couple weeks. i know he has a good rep. and I know people that know him on a personal level. I don't think it's uncommon, especially when everyoen seems to know one another. again, the advantages of a community type forum like this shines through...
MIKE

[RaVeNo888o]

also, dont forget, everyone knows who you are buying from and his reputation is on the line, if he give you 'bad' snakes, ppl here will know, and that wouldnt be good for his business, so i doubt he would do anything that was against his best interest, and yours

[lordkovacs]

raven... exactly... you get a good rep by having good bus. practices. it's in his best interest to remain ethical. I know him though, and can say he's got ethics. i don't think you'd be dissapointed with buying from him. cheers,
MIKE