Glad that he found a good home with someone experienced! Whether that guy was misinformed or trying to scam you (and I think he knows there's no vanilla in that boy, which is why he was trying to claim it was recessive... he probably figured it would take you a few years to find out he was lying... unfortunately he has never heard of the internet???? ), sounds like he shouldn't be caring for snakes at all.
Good luck with him!