Do you care who you sell to?

More for the smaller scale breeders... though I'm sure some of the larger breeders care too.

After seeing all of the abuse threads (as in deliberate abuse/neglect), I have to wonder if breeders should also take responsibility for who they sell to.

Last year I screened my buyers. I insisted they know basic care of the animal before pick up. I was willing to sit on my hatchlings until I found good owners.

So one woman insisted that she could pick up the baby ball python, but didn't have the money for the UTH. O.o; I'm like, well, then, how are you going to feed it adult mice (was up to mice) once a week? No sale.

Teenager e-mailed me that his father kept making him get rid of his large pythons/boas and wanted to know if he could buy mine. Uhh... no. I don't need it to sell and then bounce to another home. I need it to get to a good permanent, or at least near to permanent home. If you want to raise a ball python for a year, go ahead, not one of mine. No sale.

Another person wanted to buy it with a heat lamp, another a heat rock, another refused to look up instructions on care... uhhh... yeah, like I'm giving up my precious snakes I waited a year for to the likes of you guys. Mass buyer wants snakes. (I do not trust mass buyers, because I don't know if they are going to feed them properly and also they probably won't care for them properly.) No sale.

I screen my potential owners and make sure they understand that they will grow, need feeding once a week, etc. Also cite if they had previous problems. (Like slow to start eating.)

I also make sure to let the buyers know that they can contact me with questions, problems and sell back the snake at what I sold them for. Snake first over money. And I sent off both with a meal in their bellies because I knew they were going straight to their new homes and probably wouldn't be eating for a few weeks.

There is no guarantees, but at least I try to screen out the idiots...

That's my thought anyway.

I plan to do something similar when i start breeding. Maybe not AS strict with screening. I plan to include a bp.net care sheet with every purchase. And some sort of buy back gurantee for the first X weeks. Not positive on everything yet though.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

I plan to do something similar when i start breeding. Maybe not AS strict with screening. I plan to include a bp.net care sheet with every purchase. And some sort of buy back gurantee for the first X weeks. Not positive on everything yet though.

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x2

Unsure as to how to go through screening though. :/ like how do you bring that up haha

I refuse sells to minor without parental consent.

I provide a caresheet and I am available to answer any questions pre and post sale as for the rest all I can do is hope for the best because once you sell an animal there is no way to predict how the animal will be cared for (they might say one thing and do another)

If someone really sounds off yes I do reserve the right to refuse a sale.

I think letting people know that you're available for questions, help, etc is very important and is something I do for my customers. I usually ask what their reptile experience is and am sure I've lost a fair share of customers after explaining the right way to set up a ball python. I've had a couple younger people make inquiries this year and requested they bring a parent when they come pickup their snake so I could be sure everyone is on board and knows that I'm available if they have questions.

I have before and will continue to refuse to sell any animal, snake or otherwise to certain people. That is my right.

Most people who contact me are at least somewhat knowledgeable. They understand the basics at any rate. Perhaps I am fortunate that way. But yes, certain people will sometimes rub me the wrong way, or even just give off a bad vibe to me, and I won't sell to them.

I've done it since my bird breeding days. And I will continue to do so if I feel the need. For example, if you ask me what my snake is eating and how often, I look at this as a good thing. If on the other hand you ask how often you have to feed it, that throws up a red flag. It sounds to me like you want to know how little you can care for my animal and it still live.

Or if you ask me if I think your puppy/kitten will get along with the snake, that is also a big no-no to me. With all of the horror stories out there about snakes eating peoples pets, you should not even consider letting them be near each other.

If you ask me if a snake is a good pet for a kid, that's a yellow flag to me. If it is an older child, one who understands the responsibility of caring for a live animal, then I'll consider it. But if your screaming 5 year old is running circles around your legs while we talk, the answer is no.

I make it a point to talk, really talk with potential buyers. Have they ever owned a snake ? What species ? Do they already have an enclosure set up, or do they need to get one? Can they answer basic questions for me: Are ball pythons climbers ? Are they dangerous ? What do they eat normally ? Do they have fangs? If they hesitate before answering, or don't know the answer, I ask what research they have done, and gladly point them in this direction.

Most people who are just getting started are very willing to learn, and I have had a few people who agreed to do some homework here and then get back to me on purchasing a baby. Only a couple have flat refused to even try to learn, and they got no snake from me.

Gale

I always ask questions of the seller to check their knowledge of BPs and include a care sheet with each purchase. I always tell them to contact me with any questions. I also never sell to minors and make the parents hand me the money directly to make sure the parent cannot say they were not involved in the transaction. Of course, if they pay by Paypal then they must be over 18.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I refuse sells to minor without parental consent.

I provide a caresheet and I am available to answer any questions pre and post sale as for the rest all I can do is hope for the best because once you sell an animal there is no way to predict how the animal will be cared for (they might say one thing and do another)

If someone really sounds off yes I do reserve the right to refuse a sale.

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This x2. I had someone interested in one of my snakes. But they started asking what they eat, how often and if a 30 gallon tank was large enough... I did not like this at all, thankfully they stopped asking about it.

I had one person who told me they were going to house the two ball pythons he was going to buy off me in a cage with 3 other ball pythons he already had living together, which i already knew from seasoned keepers this is how many bred snakes 1.4 groups like 30+ years ago. I explained to him how there was plenty of new information available that was both more successful and better for the snakes, even giving him a link to the caresheet here and a breeding info page. Still said he was going with what someone else told him, I refused the sale then. then I never ran into a problem for a couple years....until last week.

I got an email inquiring about a breaded dragon my girlfriend put up for sale. Already odd because besides a website link, there really no other way to link her to me as far as a fauna ad goes. Asks a few questions, agree on a price. The person seemed a little off, but hey aren't we all? He asked about shipping and I asked him for his address. He then emails me his email address.....*face palm*. I'm thinking about refusing the sale, right now based off of this alone. Giving him the benefit of a doubt, I explain to him I need a shipping address to get a price for shipping. So then he sends me a number and a street. No city, state, or zip. Giving I might of been able to find it still with a little google search, but the incompetence of this guy, I don't think he is ready to take care of an animal. Then to add icing to the cake, I let the girlfriend know she is refusing a sale lol and before I even got a chance to tell the guy, he emails my girlfriend. Asks her if she will take less money for the same animal... any ad she put up would of been the exact same picture, I have no idea why this guy thought he was asking about a different animal. He's a great haggler.... lol

LMAO OWAL^

That guy sounds like he was a bit simple lol...

No idea if I will screen or not, but after reading this I may.

I've sold a snake, singular. He was/is a male corn and the first reptile of any kind I ever owned. I did my utmost to help the person get him set up properly and directed her to this web-site along with providing her a months worth of f/t rat pups, a book on keeping corns as well as his habitat setup. Needless to say, I lost money on that deal but for my peace of mind, it was worth it. I'll screen each and every person who inquires about an animal I have for sale and will absolutely refuse a sale to anyone I get a bad vibe from or don't think is ready, not to mention no sales to minors. I like the offer of a buy-back guarantee and intend to incorporate that into my sales when/if my animals ever get to size, lol! I caused that animal or animals to be brought into the world, I'm responsible for it/them, even if ownership did transfer at one point or another.

Hey I'm a kid lol! I always get help when I'm out of my league and store the info in my toolbox! But I get what you're all saying. In fact, most kids I know would let their pet rock die! Now explain to me their competency lol. Or how that last statement made any sense :rofl::rofl::rofl:

Haven't sold any animals yet but I will absolutely screen my customers. Whenever I buy a snake I always let the seller know I have experience with these animals and I ask all the appropriate questions so they know I'm not a dummy :p

As for having to be 18 to use PayPal, I don't know if this is true unless they changed the rules. I started using PayPal when I was 14..not to buy animals tho!

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I haven't started selling yet as i'm just starting breeding corns but I will absolutely screen! I don't want some person buying it who doesn't know their basic care. My snakes matter very much to me. I won't sell to minors either, even though I am one. Most kids I talk to don't really ever know what they're talking about! I had one kid who wanted a corn from me once I had hatchlings and he thought ball pythons and corns were "poisonous". That's a red flag enough for me.

Making sure the buyer is capable of caring for the animal is more for me about wanting them to have an enjoyable experiance with their new pet. I like to know that they understand the basics of keeping snakes before they buy simply because it'll be a better all around expierance for both them, me and the snake.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I refuse sells to minor without parental consent.

I provide a caresheet and I am available to answer any questions pre and post sale as for the rest all I can do is hope for the best because once you sell an animal there is no way to predict how the animal will be cared for (they might say one thing and do another)

If someone really sounds off yes I do reserve the right to refuse a sale.

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More or less the same for me; I understand that not every animal I am going to produce is going to live out the entirety of it's lifespan. I at least do what I can to make sure new owners are well informed, and that minors have consent so that I don't end up with snakes at my doorstep being held in my face by angry parents.

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

I got an email inquiring about a breaded dragon my girlfriend put up for sale.

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Am I strange that this made my mouth water?



I'll definitely be screening. I could go the whole 'I want what's best for the animal' route and I wouldn't be lying. The more motivating reasons to me are the selfish ones, though. I don't want someone coming back to me with thousands of questions or a dead or sick animal demanding refunds and restitution. I'll probably ask a few basic questions about the setup they have planned and give a care sheet and direct them to a website like this one for further issues. Sure I'll be available and answer their questions if they have them, but I'd much rather sell to someone that's a big kid and can handle it on their own.

I like selling on here because I know they have good ifo here, I like selling at shows because I an see them face-to-face. I like to only ship snakes 700 bucks and above. If some shills out that kinda cash to kill their snake? Probably not gonna happen

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Originally Posted by Ridinandreptiles

I like selling on here because I know they have good ifo here, I like selling at shows because I an see them face-to-face. I like to only ship snakes 700 bucks and above. If some shills out that kinda cash to kill their snake? Probably not gonna happen

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So if the snake was 699.99, it has less chance of being killed? I have customers that take better care of normals than Ive seen some 1000.00 dollar animals taken care of on here

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Originally Posted by iCandiBallPythons

So if the snake was 699.99, it has less chance of being killed? I have customers that take better care of normals than Ive seen some 1000.00 dollar animals taken care of on here

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No youre right thats not always the case, but i would generally tend to agree with what he is saying. People who buy a ferrari or a porsche usually take care of it better than if they were to buy an 88 corolla.

It all depends on the person, not the price! If you don't want to ship an animal below a certain price, that is completely up to you! There are no rules that say you have to ship any animal regardless of price. You can sell in whichever way makes you most comfortable.

I have never asked how a person was going to care for a snake they were buying online but I have refused to sell to locals who share with me how unprepared they are to care for one.

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Originally Posted by MrLang

Am I strange that this made my mouth water

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I should be ashamed it took me a few seconds to get it, but after i did.... lmao!

Believe it or not, some people take offence when you ask them if the snake they are about to purchase is their first, or they know how to care for it effectively *cough* ..Liv.. *cough, cough*

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Originally Posted by TJ_Burton

Believe it or not, some people take offence when you ask them if the snake they are about to purchase is their first, or they know how to care for it effectively *cough* ..Liv.. *cough, cough*

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http://i.imgur.com/zmbrt.gif

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Originally Posted by liv

http://i.imgur.com/zmbrt.gif

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Lol...

I have never been asked anything by any of the people I have purchased snakes from. But on the flip side, I probably come into the deal with enough of my own questions that the seller knows I have a clue.

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I don't sell any BPs yet, but when I do, a care sheet will be included with every single snake.

Personally, I think a lot of the issues we see with poorly cared for animals are due to lack of information.

I mean, nobody buys an animal thinking to themselves "Gee, I want this thing to have a miserable life."

So, hopefully including a care-sheet would help with that. Include a phone number and return policy.

Encourage questions from the buyer and ask plenty of them as well to make sure the BP has a good home.

That's my strategy, but I'll probably be adding more components as I learn more.

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instanc...x/28188999.jpg

Whose care sheet?

90% of the ones out there are imo outdated and wrong.
Do I write my own with my knowledge of care or do I pass on someone else's poorly written care sheet.
There is many many ways to care for ball pythons, who is to say my way jives with other peoples ways?

Many new people to the hobby throw ball pythons into tanks.
In my opinion tanks are for fish not nocturnal snakes that need good humidity.
Do I tell people this or?
That's just one example...

Be careful what you push on others :gj:

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

Whose care sheet?

90% of the ones out there are imo outdated and wrong.
Do I write my own with my knowledge of care or do I pass on someone else's poorly written care sheet.
There is many many ways to care for ball pythons, who is to say my way jives with other peoples ways?

Many new people to the hobby throw ball pythons into tanks.
In my opinion tanks are for fish not nocturnal snakes that need good humidity.
Do I tell people this or?
That's just one example...

Be careful what you push on others :gj:

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BUT snakes can be properly cares for in tanks if set up right

I like to talk to people before I sell them any kind of animal . I refused to sell a puppy to a guy because he gave me the impression she was going to be in a puppy mill . As far as far as refusing a sale just because a person doesn't know everything . No I like it when somebody asks a lot of questions . It shows a genuine interest in the housing of the animals . The point is you never really know what kind of a person they really are. Maybe they are good at BS'ing. Maybe the first time buyer doesn't want to buy a pile of crap from a chain store so they go to a breeder. Better to ask the question than not. After all they gotta start somewhere .

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Originally Posted by iCandiBallPythons

So if the snake was 699.99, it has less chance of being killed? I have customers that take better care of normals than Ive seen some 1000.00 dollar animals taken care of on here

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Ditto.

I knew a guy who bought a poodle puppy for 900 dollars. He had no money left over for food, toys, leash nor shots and didn't spend time doing the research into training, and did zero research on how to buy, so bought the puppy from a pet shop.

So a friend of his was constantly caring for the puppy, but she had exams, so the poor puppy bounced to me. I was the one that ended up getting it better quality puppy food, taught it how to walk on leash, taught it to potty train, sit, lay down, roll over, stop barking at the door, come, play fetch, and play with toys. It was one smart dog. Loved its short little walks, and loved to learn tricks. I was slowly socializing the dog with other dogs, but it was slow because it hadn't really seen other dogs.

The dog eventually liked me so much that it would sleep next to me at night instead of in its bed and once made a trail of treats from it's bed to me. Touched my heart, it did. Also liked to run from the bedroom to me and back.

In a period of three days I had that puppy eager to learn new tricks. What's sad, though, is that once I raised my hand to give a hand signal to sit and the puppy cowered. My heart broke... I think that poor puppy had been getting hit by its owner. My friend never hit it.

So I trained my friend on how to care for the puppy, gave her a write up, and she followed, but when the guy came to care for the puppy again, he refused to use the toys we'd both bought for the dog and was purposefully putting his hand into the dog's mouth as a chew toy. My friend and I were both powerless what to do with the guy--I asked for advice from other dog owners and the alternatives weren't much better. The puppy bounced to the guy's mother eventually.

Him and another woman (woman was worse... and my heart broke for the poor animals) basically solidified in my mind that I would screen all potential buyers.

Just because they have all that money, doesn't mean they have the money left over to care for the animal. A ball python cage set up takes money. Rats takes money. If they burned it all on the purchase of the snake and don't care any more, then what?


BTW, I have my female in a 40 gallon long glass tank, she did *not* like the rack system idea one bit and I have it covered with a towel to keep in humidity, and monitor it pretty much every day. She's kinda odd though, since she likes roaming around outside of her hides, and climbs up things, etc. She does fine.

Rest are in large under bed containers with snap on lids and I cut out some space for screens, also covered with a towel.