No picture for you!

[Carlene16]

Today I was hoping to get an email back from a seller with some more pictures of a crested gecko I was looking to buy. I was actually quite shocked, the seller refused to take more pictures because they felt the gecko was priced to sell. Well I don't know about you guys, but I'm never sold on one picture of an animal, especially with crested geckos! They are just so different all the time! I kind of felt insulted, like me paying money wasn't good enough for one photo.

Even with snakes, I prefer a full body shot, and a belly shot depending on the morph. I'm big on quality when I buy my animals so I like to see everything my money is going to!

Now what I'm interested in hearing are people's opinions on this. For those of you who sell herps, is it annoying when a potential buyer asks for more pictures? I understand there are those "picture collectors" out there, but when it may benefit you with a sale, are you willing to take a few extra pictures?

And those of you who buy herps, (everyone on this site ), are you picky like me? I would hope I'm not the only one. I feel it's great customer service to provide potential customers with extra photos of an animal so they are 100% confident with their purchase. Though for big businesses this may be counter-productive. So I understand both sides I guess. Just want to hear some other opinions!

Thanks in advance everyone,

Carly

[SPJ]

I've taken more photos for people even when the animal was listed as free to good home.
IMO, if someone can't be bothered taking an additional photo for a potential customer, then that person does not deserve the sale. Far too many other people out there to deal with other than the "too busy" or any of the other BS excuses they use for not taking another photo.

[joepythons]

If they cant take a minute to get a few pics then they dont deserve your money

[Carlene16]

I've taken more photos for people even when the animal was listed as free to good home.
IMO, if someone can't be bothered taking an additional photo for a potential customer, then that person does not deserve the sale. Far too many other people out there to deal with other than the "too busy" or any of the other BS excuses they use for not taking another photo.

If they cant take a minute to get a few pics then they dont deserve your money

Exactly, this seller even said that they would have to up the price a little if they were going to take more pictures for me. That is when I told them no thanks, but good luck with the sale. This breeder is quite reputable in the crested world, and I was extremely put off by the replies. But oh well I guess, they lost a sale with me, and I probably won't go to them for cresteds again, even though they have wonderful animals.

[j_h_smith]

I've only bought 2 snakes over the internet. Both times, I ask for a specific picture, one that usually isn't taken. This serves 2 purposes. First and foremost, it shows the seller actually has the animal in his possession and secondly if I'm buying, the seller should be able to grant my wish of a particular picture. I usally ask for a picture of the vent area, a picture of the left or right side of the animal's face, if it's a lizard, I ask for pictures of their feet. The tip of the tail or some other strange view of the animal.

Just one man's opinion,
Jim Smith

[Carlene16]

I've only bought 2 snakes over the internet. Both times, I ask for a specific picture, one that usually isn't taken. This serves 2 purposes. First and foremost, it shows the seller actually has the animal in his possession and secondly if I'm buying, the seller should be able to grant my wish of a particular picture. I usally ask for a picture of the vent area, a picture of the left or right side of the animal's face, if it's a lizard, I ask for pictures of their feet. The tip of the tail or some other strange view of the animal.

Just one man's opinion,
Jim Smith

Your post brings up two great points that I haven't really thought of, unless dealing with someone less known.

Making sure the animal is actually in their possession! I've had it happen when I was inquiring about a pastel het clown over craigslist, and the seller gave me pictures of a different ball python every time! I tucked tail and ran from that one of course. But great point.

Second good point is making sure every part of the animal that should be in health is actually healthy. Pictures can sometimes hide things like this, like a kink, stuck shed, a prolapse, missing toes or tail, and that would obviously create a problem between seller and buyer.

Thanks everyone for your opinions so far.

[Cendalla]

I've recently ran into this also. I was looking to buy a female BP and liked the picture that were there but wanted a couple other shots (belly, and being held) and the person wouldn't do it. Said that it would be $15.00 extra. If I'm dropping $700.00 on a snake than I want to be sure I like it from all angels and they should be willing to work with me. I wasn't wasting their time, I was seriously going to buy that snake. Their tone completely put me off. I went to someone who was willing to respond to my questions and sent me all the pictures I asked for. My new male (yeah, I went with something else) will be here Tuesday. Thank you Reptilia Pacifica.

[SpiffyYoshi]

It's shady too. If somebody told me that I'd feel like they are trying to hide something. I'd take my business elsewhere.

[Carlene16]

I've recently ran into this also. I was looking to buy a female BP and liked the picture that were there but wanted a couple other shots (belly, and being held) and the person wouldn't do it. Said that it would be $15.00 extra. If I'm dropping $700.00 on a snake than I want to be sure I like it from all angels and they should be willing to work with me. I wasn't wasting their time, I was seriously going to buy that snake. Their tone completely put me off. I went to someone who was willing to respond to my questions and sent me all the pictures I asked for. My new male (yeah, I went with something else) will be here Tuesday. Thank you Reptilia Pacifica.

Wow $15 extra! That is outrageous. Maybe it's just me, but it takes about 5 minutes for me to take a nice picture of an animal, in my collection for example, and about another 5 minutes to upload it to my computer. Maybe I just have a fast computer?

I completely disagree with charging extra for pictures. I call it good customer service and having return customers!

[Cendalla]

Wow $15 extra! That is outrageous. Maybe it's just me, but it takes about 5 minutes for me to take a nice picture of an animal, in my collection for example, and about another 5 minutes to upload it to my computer. Maybe I just have a fast computer?

I completely disagree with charging extra for pictures. I call it good customer service and having return customers!

I totally agree! I wasn't asking for professional studio grade shots. Just something to get a better feel for the snake. Blah. Maybe she had reason but didn't make it very clear to me.