Advice, anyone?

[Marla]

I have been offered an adult female ball python by a guy I don't know. He offered photos and I asked him to send, which he did, but I could not open either one as valid jpg images (and tried renaming to see if they were actually gif, tif, or bmp as the most common formats used).

According to him she is 4' long and 2200 grams, which would give me at least one breedable female for next season (Snyder won't be big enough). He also claims she's healthy and is willing to give a 7 day guarantee.

I don't know him from a hole in the wall, have never heard of him, and nothing comes up on the BOI. It seems this snake was his pet and he is desperate to get rid of her because otherwise his wife gets her in their divorce. He actually seems emphatic enough about it that I am concerned he might do something dumb (like set her free or something) to make sure his wife doesn't get her.

Even though he's not asking a lot for her (just over $100 shipped because he wants the money sent W.U. which would cost me money to send him), it still represents hours of work for me and I am not wealthy.

So, take the risk and pay for the snake, knowing he may just take off with my money, the snake may be ill or other than advertised or a male? Or play it safe and risk losing out on a big breedable normal female?

Thanks for your input! I'm going to have to answer him soon one way or the other.

[beaglegod]

How did this guy find you Marla through the forums?

I wouldn't do it. The guy is claiming the Ball is Axanthic....theres no way in hell even the dumbest of people would sell an Axanthic Ball for $100.....they go for LOTS more. If you can't find anything on him, I'd personally not feel comfortable doing the deal. I've been burned a couple of times and I guess its made me more wary and cautious of who I deal with.

[Marla]

That's true, David, but I figured that's more than likely just him trying to make the snake look more attractive to potential buyers. I'm not really looking at it as anything but a potentially breedable normal.

Paul, through another site. It doesn't really matter how, though, as I have never had any conversations with him on any topic other than this possible snake deal.

Well, if he is lying about the color of the animal how do you he isn't also lying about the size/age of the snake as well? You might end up with a 1/2 dead baby imported snake. Don't get caught up in emotions when it comes to things like this....I've heard of much more elaborate and believeable schemes to rip people off than what this guy is claiming. If it was me, I wouldn't do it.

[Marla]

OK, I just sent him an email saying if he will send me a photo of her that I can actually open or a scan of his driver's license that I can view or if he's willing to ship COD we might still be able to work it out. I also offered references in case he'll consider COD but is worried about sending his animal to an unknown person as I would be. I assumed I could probably get a couple of y'all to vouch for me on husbandry, and Alan and Chad to vouch for me as a customer. If he's not willing to do one of those 3 things, then I guess I'll just need to let this deal fall through.

[Smynx]

Marla, just make sure you get a clear bill of sale from the guy if you do decide to do this. You don't want an angry soon-to-be ex-wife dragging you into what seems like a nasty divorce. Not to mention, if she contests the sale and a judge decides the sale isn't valid, the snake could be taken from you after you get it.

[Marla]

And that, ladies and herpers, is how Smynx got her title.

[Smynx]

LOL. Well I do work in a law firm.

Sounds like too much trouble if you ask me.