Crackpots

I could post stories all day of folks that wasted my time no matter how great of a deal was offered. With any type of sales it's a numbers game, lots of inquiries leads to a couple of sales, that's just the way it is. The reality is most folks who contact you really want a snake but they don't have the money so they want pics and ask questions. The ones who really have the money and want it are the bang bang sales, "you still have the reptile, yes, here is the $" done. I have had local folks tell me I'll meet you Tuesday at some location I definitely want it and come Tuesday the won't answer your confirmation calls.

I recently had a guy contact me several times on a Thurs and Friday and wanted to by a large group of adult snakes to ship Monday so I had to buy an insulated box big enough to fit them all in figuring he would paypal the $ over the weekend. Come Monday he wouldn't return my calls emails and texts and then I check his Facebook page and he has made several posts with some trying to sell my animals before he even got them to raise the $, lol. Then when I finally told him I sold a few to other folks that wanted them and sent payment he finally responded and was angry because I sold snakes from his order! I politely told him it's not an order until it's paid for.

Until the cash is in your hand it's just another inquiry, nothing more, nothing less. Welcome to sales:)

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Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

I could post stories all day of folks that wasted my time no matter how great of a deal was offered. With any type of sales it's a numbers game, lots of inquiries leads to a couple of sales, that's just the way it is. The reality is most folks who contact you really want a snake but they don't have the money so they want pics and ask questions. The ones who really have the money and want it are the bang bang sales, "you still have the reptile, yes, here is the $" done. I have had local folks tell me I'll meet you Tuesday at some location I definitely want it and come Tuesday the won't answer your confirmation calls.

I recently had a guy contact me several times on a Thurs and Friday and wanted to by a large group of adult snakes to ship Monday so I had to buy an insulated box big enough to fit them all in figuring he would paypal the $ over the weekend. Come Monday he wouldn't return my calls emails and texts and then I check his Facebook page and he has made several posts with some trying to sell my animals before he even got them to raise the $, lol. Then when I finally told him I sold a few to other folks that wanted them and sent payment he finally responded and was angry because I sold snakes from his order! I politely told him it's not an order until it's paid for.

Until the cash is in your hand it's just another inquiry, nothing more, nothing less. Welcome to sales:)

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HO LY CRAP!! That's Sooo freaking insane! I can't believe he actually got mad at you! Some people are crazy.


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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

One other tip i would add is regarding delivery. If you are willing to deliver, make a certain mileage cutoff. Or, charge a delivery fee. Lets face it, gas aint exactly .99/gallon anymore. Its more than fair to charge at least a small delivery fee.

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Actually I would drive a fair distance on the weekend without charging any additional fee to avoid having to ship, but that's because if I shipped I'd have to factor in time off of work as well, and I'm quite tight with my vacation hours.

My ball python babies aren't even BORN yet and somehow, I'm in a nice little frustrating mess with buyers. I acquired some baby corn snakes from someone who couldn't care for them. Most of the corns were in eggs when I received them. I got then shed and eating and am now trying to sell them (dirt cheap) on several venues. Facebook and Craigslist (surprisingly) have been the best for these babies. I've gotten so many inquiries. However, I've been stood up by 5 different people who have all made arrangements to meet me on X Day. I give a call/text/e-mail that day and most make up some sob story about how they have to see their uncle, they have an emergency bill to pay, etc. I understand things come up...but this is 5 different people and one has stood me up 3 different times!

From now on, I don't hold babies. I require a deposit before I will hold anything. If they aren't willing to pay a deposit, then I'm assuming they don't want the animal. A lot of time I just have to smile and nod.

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Originally Posted by BHReptiles

My ball python babies aren't even BORN yet and somehow, I'm in a nice little frustrating mess with buyers. I acquired some baby corn snakes from someone who couldn't care for them. Most of the corns were in eggs when I received them. I got then shed and eating and am now trying to sell them (dirt cheap) on several venues. Facebook and Craigslist (surprisingly) have been the best for these babies. I've gotten so many inquiries. However, I've been stood up by 5 different people who have all made arrangements to meet me on X Day. I give a call/text/e-mail that day and most make up some sob story about how they have to see their uncle, they have an emergency bill to pay, etc. I understand things come up...but this is 5 different people and one has stood me up 3 different times!

From now on, I don't hold babies. I require a deposit before I will hold anything. If they aren't willing to pay a deposit, then I'm assuming they don't want the animal. A lot of time I just have to smile and nod.

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Why don't you just sell them as a group to a local pet store?

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Originally Posted by Rickys_Reptiles

Why don't you just sell them as a group to a local pet store?

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Most of the pet stores near me want you to be on their "wholesale" list and they already have enough suppliers. The mom and pop shops (I called three that I know of) that sell exotics aren't really giving me a straight answer. Believe me, I tried that a week ago ;) I may have a table at the next repticon so if they are still there, I'll try to sell them that way as well. Tough market around here for corns, that's for sure!

Really?? Cuz my store buys nice corns from local people all the time. I also dont hold any animals unless that person is a friend. Working in a pet store and from personal experience, i learned real quick that a "First come, First served" policy is the best one to have ;)

sent from my incubator

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Originally Posted by Rickys_Reptiles

Why don't you just sell them as a group to a local pet store?

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Would you really sell them to pet store knowing full well they don't take care of them properly???
Sorry I would not

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Originally Posted by Crazymonkee

Would you really sell them to pet store knowing full well they don't take care of them properly???
Sorry I would not

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I beg to differ, crazy....i work in a pet store. I personally take care of all our reptiles. Not ALL pet stores neglect their animals :( ive seen customers neglect their animals AND children far more than the pet stores ive worked in.

sent from my incubator

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

Really?? Cuz my store buys nice corns from local people all the time.

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Aren't you close to me? PM me the name of the shop please!

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Originally Posted by Crazymonkee

Would you really sell them to pet store knowing full well they don't take care of them properly???
Sorry I would not

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There is one shop in my area that I wouldn't sell to at all. I've not even tried to contact them. I don't even look at their table at shows. However...it's getting to the point where I would like them gone so I can make room for all the BP babies that I would rather spend my time on. So who knows? At some point, I have to put away my reservations to do what's best for my hobby.