Think I'm in the process of getting ripped off...

Started a trade last week with a guy on FB. I checked the BOI first, nothing, looked over his page and saw positive comments from others that had done business with him. He also had several animals for sale. We agreed to send at the same time, he sending immediately after getting confirmation from me. I sent my end out last Tuesday. He received it Wednesday and acknowledged that everything arrived as expected and was alive and well. Then the excuses started.

First it was life problems. Finally on Thursday he claimed he was going to the FedEx office to drop the package off. I didn't hear anything for several hours, finally he contacted me via FaceBook and claimed that FedEx wouldn't take his package because he wasn't authorized to ship, that he needed to go through SYR, and it would go out today.

I sent him a gentle reminder at 10AM this morning. No response. Tried again at 3:30, 5:45, 7:15... Finally a few minutes ago I brought up going to the BOI about it. He claims that he's in the process of getting a business running, but to me this is just unacceptable. His communication has been terrible throughout the entire thing, and the litany of excuse are just maddening.

Any opinions on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to take it up to making a public complaint yet because that's where all semblance of politeness starts to disappear and no one walks away happy. I also can't just bend over and take it. I scrimp and save to afford these animals and it's a big hit for me to get ripped off like this.

Ugh..thats a tough one, cuz its a trade through the mail. Personally, I would never do a trade through the mail unless I was friends with the person. To me, its just too risky on so many levels. Have you saved all "written" communication such as emails, texts and such? If the agreement is "written" somewhere, you may be able to take him to small claims if it doesn't get resolved. And whats the value of the snake you are supposed to get? If it was just a snake you were purchasing through Paypal, youd be ok, cuz theyd help you get your money back. But this is a trade....whole different situation. Id (politely as you can) give him a deadline ultimatum. Tell him if the animal promised does not arrive at your door by a certain date, you are taking the situation further, and WILL be reporting him negatively on the BOI. That's what Id do. Hope you get it all sorted out.

I definitely have all communications with him saved. I also have his phone # (I've tried texting him to no avail. A call will be next.) and home address. I know that stuff sometimes happens, and if it wasn't for the string of excuses I've already gotten I'd be much more understanding and patient. If I'm unable to contact him in the next day or so I'm going to have to post the whole thing, including all the communication, on the BOI. I'll also probably have to get in touch with the police in his town to see what I need to do to file a fraud complaint.

I hate not being able to trust people. I felt like I did my due diligence looking into his profile, feeling him out in chat, etc, but this may be a case of me not being as good a judge of character as I think I am.

Wait for a little bit, and see if he follows through. Either way this way shakes, a BOI is in order. If he completes its a "was slow, lack of communication, subpar business practices" and of he rips you off its a "scammer alert". It's his choice, the BOI is unavoidable since he missed the first try.

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Careful with the phone call, because any promises or deals made on the phone can turn into a he-said/she-said sort of fiasco. If you do try to speak with him and get some solution worked out over the phone, immediately send an e-mail or other written communication that "thanks" him for the phone call and repeats, in detail, exactly what was agreed upon on the phone. While the "good feelings" from the phone call are still being felt (or pretended), they are likely to respond and acknowledge the deal. But even if they don't, the lack of argument ("What phone call?" or "Wait, that wasn't our deal...") can be looked at as an acknowledgement of the agreement.

Good luck.

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Originally Posted by JLC

Careful with the phone call, because any promises or deals made on the phone can turn into a he-said/she-said sort of fiasco. If you do try to speak with him and get some solution worked out over the phone, immediately send an e-mail or other written communication that "thanks" him for the phone call and repeats, in detail, exactly what was agreed upon on the phone. While the "good feelings" from the phone call are still being felt (or pretended), they are likely to respond and acknowledge the deal. But even if they don't, the lack of argument ("What phone call?" or "Wait, that wasn't our deal...") can be looked at as an acknowledgement of the agreement.

Good luck.

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I just called, got voicemail. Left a message stressing how concerned I was and asking him to contact me via text or facebook. I definitely want to keep a paper trail of this.

that really sucks, as stated above, i really hope he pulls through on his end. been burnt on a trade deal in the past myself. wont be doing that again.

The worst part of it is this was my first experience doing business with someone in the herp community. Does not leave a good taste in my mouth.

Who is he and where does he live? Start a thread on the BOI and do it NOW.

Seriously. Now.

BOI definitely. And did you initiate the trade or him?

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