Deals that seem too good to be true?

I was wondering what everybody's opinion was on deals that seem too good to be true. I was cruising faunaclassifieds and found somebody selling a female bee and male spider for $300 plus shipping. He was selling them fresh out of the egg, no feeds, no shed, nothing. The prices sounded awesome, but I would be nervous buying animals from a guy who sells that way. I am passing on the deal, but was wondering what you all think about this sort of deal/seller?

The old saying goes "if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is". I would be reluctant to purchase a snake under the circumstances you describe. I would rather purchase from a breeder/seller who cares enough about the animals to make sure they are healthy and eating before shipping them out the door.

That sounds like a very irresponsible breeder looking for a quick buck. I would pass on that deal and maybe send a "very polite" email to him about his procedures. There are some deals out there to be had. I think Mason2k (or something like that) started a thread a while ago about the best deals that people have got, and some people have got killer deals! However, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Yeah, I know a few shady breeders that do that crap. It never ends well.

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Originally Posted by brobertson

I was wondering what everybody's opinion was on deals that seem too good to be true. I was cruising faunaclassifieds and found somebody selling a female bee and male spider for $300 plus shipping. He was selling them fresh out of the egg, no feeds, no shed, nothing. The prices sounded awesome, but I would be nervous buying animals from a guy who sells that way. I am passing on the deal, but was wondering what you all think about this sort of deal/seller?

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IMO any respectable breeder will not sell their hatchlings without their first few feeds.
I myself would never give my business to a breeder like that.

I think its better off that you passed on the deal.

At least the seller is upfront about why the prices are reduced. They could have easily listed them without alerting prospective buyers that the animals were fresh hatchlings. They're giving their due warning and leaving it up to the buyer to decide. Now, if a few weeks pass and they have the same animals listed as unstarted hatchlings I would consider this bad practice. After the snakes have their first shed they should start offering food and adjust their ads accordingly in my opinion.

Hi,

These deals aren't always terrible but they generally have a catch or condition in there somewhere.

Ask if both have a bad wobble.

Ask yourself if you are confident in getting a new hatchling settled and eating.

Check the forums for feedback on the seller and always remember to check for threads the seller has been in that set of warning bells.

That last tip has saved me buying snakes from people with current mite infestations, mystery illnesses and, in one case, IBD.


dr del

I've seen and heard of deals that are too good to be true, actually being true.

If I could pick up, and see the animals before paying, AND the back-story was plausible...I'd consider it.

Remember....this is life...people get into financial jams, and need to get out in a hurry. If I was sitting on a bunch of babies, and I NEEDED cash....

It's always a risk however.

X2 what Dr. Del said. At some point, we have to take responsibility for our own decisions as a buyer. If the seller is up front with you and answers you questions, it ultimately up to you to accept the risk of the purchase or not.

I've purchased something like this before but it was also from someone that I've purchased from in the past. There is some additional work that may is needed for hatchlings that you purchase prior to their first shed or meal but if that information is provided to you up front, and you're confident in your own ability to get them eating, then go for it.

Why does this make the seller irresponsible for selling them this way? You, as the buyer should be aware of your own abilities and whether or not you are willing to accept the risk of getting the snake eating or not. The prices is low for a reason, if they get the snake started, the price may double.

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Originally Posted by bkelley02

X2 what Dr. Del said. At some point, we have to take responsibility for our own decisions as a buyer. If the seller is up front with you and answers you questions, it ultimately up to you to accept the risk of the purchase or not.

I've purchased something like this before but it was also from someone that I've purchased from in the past. There is some additional work that may is needed for hatchlings that you purchase prior to their first shed or meal but if that information is provided to you up front, and you're confident in your own ability to get them eating, then go for it.

Why does this make the seller irresponsible for selling them this way? You, as the buyer should be aware of your own abilities and whether or not you are willing to accept the risk of getting the snake eating or not. The prices is low for a reason, if they get the snake started, the price may double.

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Agreed. I just sold a 2 day old pastel to someone. Would I advertise one that way? Nope. This was a friend who breeds and has experience with starting new hatchlings himself.

He asked if he could take him right away and assumed the risk. I was willing to hold him until I got him started myself.

Would I let a 2 day old go to someone with no experience starting hatchlings? BIG fat no!

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

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Originally Posted by rabernet

He asked if he could take him right away and assumed the risk. I was willing to hold him until I got him started myself.

Would I let a 2 day old go to someone with no experience starting hatchlings? BIG fat no!

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Pardon my ignorance. So how do you get them started? Is that more of getting them eating?

- Rich

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Originally Posted by covah-pariah

Pardon my ignorance. So how do you get them started? Is that more of getting them eating?

- Rich

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Getting them started is to get them to eat and make sure they are established feeders before you sell them.

An animal out of the egg can be risky for anyone including someone with experience.

While the majority will eat on their own within 1, 2 or 3 weeks after their first shed some will not it will take longer, some will not start at all and will need a little extra help by being assisted and sometimes worse being force fed than assisted, while in those cases they usually come around within 3 meals it is a stressful procedure.

Than you have the rare case that fail to thrive.

Again ZERO guarantee for something strait out of the egg and not something I would recommend to someone that never hatch snakes and get them started before.

I have a girl I produced years ago that was assisted for 6 months it's extreme but it can happen so it's not to take lightly.

I am not a fan of this style of sale at all, at least to your typical buyer. Selling to another breeder or expert keeper with understanding is a different set of circumstances than just placing an ad for the general buying public for newly hatched, non-feeding snakes.

Do you have a link to this ad?

I always wonder about ads like that. What is the rush? If you have bred your animals responsibly you should have the room and means to house them and care for them. Why risk selling these animals to someone just hunting for a smokin deal only to have them fail to thrive and the buyer be stuck with an animal he/she has no idea how to care for. Sure its up to the buyer to understand the terms but I just question why? How about caring about the hard work you put in as the breeder to get the eggs through the whole process to hatch.

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Originally Posted by HerpIsAhobby

I always wonder about ads like that. What is the rush? If you have bred your animals responsibly you should have the room and means to house them and care for them. Why risk selling these animals to someone just hunting for a smokin deal only to have them fail to thrive and the buyer be stuck with an animal he/she has no idea how to care for. Sure its up to the buyer to understand the terms but I just question why? How about caring about the hard work you put in as the breeder to get the eggs through the whole process to hatch.

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I agree and also what about the animals themselves? Is there any responsibility for breeders to make at least the smallest effort to give the animals we create the best shot at a good, healthy life?

I understand selling ball pythons out of the egg or a hatchling lizard to another breeder or a knowledgeable friend but putting a public ad up like this shows complete disregard for the animals' welfare. The ad states they are being sold "as is" so clearly the seller isn't too concerned.

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i have a nice male spider and female bumble bee for sale. they just hatched out 6/20. they will be sold as is no first shed or meal.

no trades
no payments
no holding

only $300 for both ( they will not be split)

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Getting them started is to get them to eat and make sure they are established feeders before you sell them.

An animal out of the egg can be risky for anyone including someone with experience.

While the majority will eat on their own within 1, 2 or 3 weeks after their first shed some will not it will take longer, some will not start at all and will need a little extra help by being assisted and sometimes worse being force fed than assisted, while in those cases they usually come around within 3 meals it is a stressful procedure.

Than you have the rare case that fail to thrive.

Again ZERO guarantee for something strait out of the egg and not something I would recommend to someone that never hatch snakes and get them started before.

I have a girl I produced years ago that was assisted for 6 months it's extreme but it can happen so it's not to take lightly.

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I guess I have a bit of experience then. When I bought two (11" babies) together from a pet store (instead of breeder, dumb choice but ended up with two amazingly awesome snakes I wouldn't trade for anything) that said they ate for them, I couldn't get them to eat for the first month and ended up taking one to the vet. I had to inject 4cc of baby food and 1cc of Flagyll down their throats every other day for a couple weeks until they fought me and I offered pinkies again. I ended up having to help them still by pk'ing the pinkies and "force feeding" them into my pb's mouths for them to swallow until they finally started eating on their own.

I guess they were both extremely comfortable and trusting with me because they both only ever fought me twice, the first time and the last time lol

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Originally Posted by Robyn@SYR

I am not a fan of this style of sale at all, at least to your typical buyer. Selling to another breeder or expert keeper with understanding is a different set of circumstances than just placing an ad for the general buying public for newly hatched, non-feeding snakes.

Do you have a link to this ad?

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http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...ghlight=spider

Here's a similar ad from someone trying to ditch normals at wholesale pre established:
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=325335

BTW, I only posted the ad the OP was talking about because it is apparently already sold.. Otherwise I wouldn't do you like that in case you were pondering the acquisition. :D

Just weighing in... we have sold a couple hatchlings before shed to friends that know the risk, and who we know will come to us with any questions, and are close enough to ask for help. These are people that listen and follow directions well. They will set up a tub exactly like we say, and start exactly as we would.. and if something doesn't work, we know they'll be diligent about seeking help.

We would never sell a snake that hasn't been started to a random person we've met only for the purpose of selling a snake, because I don't trust the average person to get them started properly. There are also several people/friends we know in person, who are great people, but who hear what they want to hear, and I wouldn't chance giving any snake that hasn't eaten a minimum of 3 times. We also have sold a couple normals to the pet shop that reopened down the street ... and I made certain to only give them snakes that have eaten in a variety of settings and who never refuse even in shed. (We've also become much closer with them, and they now ask us for help with their reptiles, have asked me to help a customer with tarantula Qs, and trust us to reach into tanks and adjust husbandry as necessary :P)

Point being, we adjust our sales accordingly, to provide the best chance at success for both the buyers and the snakes themselves. I don't however condemn a breeder for selling hatchlings pre-shed/meal, if the buyer is made clearly aware of the risks involved. If they know the risks, it is their responsibility to get the animal started, and to ask the appropriate questions when necessary. I am a micro-manager when it comes to selling the snakes... while I will refuse sales to people I know have a bad reputation for proper husbandry, and this may lose me money short term, I'm also of the mindset that healthy animals and accessibility as a seller will results profit.