Have any of you ever refused to sell a reptile to a certain person?

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Originally Posted by Jessica Loesch

Not to derail the thread, but if you did research then you know that you DON'T need this...?

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Oh trust me I know. I was using it as an example. :) 1 of those opinionated things.

Great stories! Keepem comming!

Would I and did I? Yes

I recently canceled a transaction due to the location of the buyer, the buyer in question was living in the Bronx and I will not ship knowingly to a state or a city where owning the species I am selling is illegal.

I will also refuse to sell to a minor without parental approval.

That's for my general rules there are also some specific people to whom I would never sell to.

I'm surprised at the hostility a lot of you have demonstrated towards your customers. Is it a wonder why people generally look down on reptile owners?

I can understand frustration, or even not wanting to sell to someone, but wouldn't it be better to educate potential customers instead of calling them names? A guy wants a snake to ride in his truck? That's a bad idea, but maybe he doesn't know any better. Instead of calling him an idiot, why not explain to him why it's a bad idea? Maybe point him in the direction of a caresheet or a good book to read?

I don't know, it just seems like bad business to be rude to customers. I can't see someone who was insulted by a business owner telling his friends "hey, that guy called me stupid, you should definitely buy from him." Somehow I don't think he'd recommend you.

Remember, we all got interested in herps in different ways, and we were all ignorant about proper care at some point or another.

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Originally Posted by joepythons

I will not sell anything to anyone under 18.I have refused to sell a burmese python to a guy who wanted a big snake to ride in his truck with him.I told him he was a idiot and dont ever call me again.

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I don't like selling to minors either, however, there are exceptions. Parental consent is a must, of course. I have sold/traded several snakes to a kid that lives about an hour from us. He should be 15ish now, but he takes amazing care of them and I would not hesitate to deal with him again.

You should have told the guy to get a pit bull if he wanted a road companion to make him look tough.

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Originally Posted by CapeFearConstrictors

I'm surprised at the hostility a lot of you have demonstrated towards your customers. Is it a wonder why people generally look down on reptile owners?

I can understand frustration, or even not wanting to sell to someone, but wouldn't it be better to educate potential customers instead of calling them names? A guy wants a snake to ride in his truck? That's a bad idea, but maybe he doesn't know any better. Instead of calling him an idiot, why not explain to him why it's a bad idea? Maybe point him in the direction of a caresheet or a good book to read?

I don't know, it just seems like bad business to be rude to customers. I can't see someone who was insulted by a business owner telling his friends "hey, that guy called me stupid, you should definitely buy from him." Somehow I don't think he'd recommend you.

Remember, we all got interested in herps in different ways, and we were all ignorant about proper care at some point or another.

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I'm not entirely convinced that these people are actually being rude. I believe that what they post here is probably what they implied or subtly meant in their transactions (or lack there of), but I'm sure most of them were far more polite in actuality. I always try to be polite when dealing with bad customers.

That said, some people simply will not take a hint and you are forced to be rude to them. I've had people come unglued on me before for whatever reason and I had no problem telling them where to shove it when they crossed that line.

A lot of people feel that we are obligated to serve them. This is not true. I won't cave in and sell to some jerk/idiot just so I can make a sale. If this hurts their feelings, so be it! We owe it to our animals to make sure they go to good homes where they will be taken care of. That is far more valuable than a little extra paper in our wallets.

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Originally Posted by AK907

I'm not entirely convinced that these people are actually being rude. I believe that what they post here is probably what they implied or subtly meant in their transactions (or lack there of), but I'm sure most of them were far more polite in actuality. I always try to be polite when dealing with bad customers.

That said, some people simply will not take a hint and you are forced to be rude to them. I've had people come unglued on me before for whatever reason and I had no problem telling them where to shove it when they crossed that line.

A lot of people feel that we are obligated to serve them. This is not true. I won't cave in and sell to some jerk/idiot just so I can make a sale. If this hurts their feelings, so be it! We owe it to our animals to make sure they go to good homes where they will be taken care of. That is far more valuable than a little extra paper in our wallets.

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It's just bidnas. $$$$$$

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Originally Posted by nock

It's just bidnas. $$$$$$

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I rest my case. Thank you, your honor. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by AK907

I'm not entirely convinced that these people are actually being rude. I believe that what they post here is probably what they implied or subtly meant in their transactions (or lack there of), but I'm sure most of them were far more polite in actuality. I always try to be polite when dealing with bad customers.

That said, some people simply will not take a hint and you are forced to be rude to them. I've had people come unglued on me before for whatever reason and I had no problem telling them where to shove it when they crossed that line.

A lot of people feel that we are obligated to serve them. This is not true. I won't cave in and sell to some jerk/idiot just so I can make a sale. If this hurts their feelings, so be it! We owe it to our animals to make sure they go to good homes where they will be taken care of. That is far more valuable than a little extra paper in our wallets.

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I think all of us realize that how we act/ what we say is reflected on our sales, even here on the forum. But gee... I would definitely tell someone to shove it if I felt like they were being completely unreasonable and I (or others) have had multiple similar run ins with that person.

I will never feel obligated to make a sale, especially if I feel like my animals are not going to be taken care of properly. I am going to sleep a lot better at night knowing that animal is using a space in my rack and eating my rats than in a bad situation.

"We owe it to our animals to make sure they go to good homes where they will be taken care of." This, and the fact that every single one of them are MY babies.


I had a guy get upset with me for asking if he got his A/C problem fixed. Heat spike killed most of his frogs. He wanted to buy one of my frogs and yet he didn't want to be "Quizzed about it on every PM."

Yes ive turned down A LOT of people this year, by how they conducted themselves in emails and PMs. And I also dont sell to anyone under 18 without parent present.

Too many people trying to get snakes and i weed them out to stop the potential stress that snake will have in its life.

Recently had a person want me to spoon feed them all the info on how to care for a snake. Told them no do your own research like I had to online. Boy did that set them off, needless to say they didnt get anything

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Originally Posted by AK907

I don't like selling to minors either, however, there are exceptions. Parental consent is a must, of course. I have sold/traded several snakes to a kid that lives about an hour from us. He should be 15ish now, but he takes amazing care of them and I would not hesitate to deal with him again.

You should have told the guy to get a pit bull if he wanted a road companion to make him look tough.

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Well i did a trade with a kid and parents were involved all the way.Then kid killed snake and they blamed me and it earned me a thread on fauna.So i am picky on who i deal with now.Oh the guy all ready had a pitbull and wanted the snake to boost his appearance :rolleyes:.