Really disappointed with some people's integrity...

Sorry, this is a little long to explain....

Okay, so I have been dealing with this person on Craigslist regarding his Ball Python he has for sale. Well, he sent me and other phone # a group text photo of his snake this morning, and I replied inquiring of the hatch date. The other mystery number replied to me, confused why he got a text from me. I replied that it was a group text and we both must've gotten the pic *xx* sent and that I was a potential buyer and was I quoting about the hatch date of the snake. He then said 'good luck dealing with him...' to which I asked what he meant. He asked me to call him, and I did. This 'gentleman' and fellow breeder named John warned me that the guy I was dealing with was a scammer, a shady individual, and a liar with no documentation on his snake that he claimed to have purchased from a big name breeder. He said that he had washed his hands of the individual the evening before, and wasn't going to deal with such a shady person, and warned that I not possibly get scammed by him too. I thanked him for the heads up and got off the phone. Something told me to contact the seller and ask for a pic of the documentation that he claimed he had, which he then provided a legitimate, clear receipt from the breeder to him for said snake! We agreed that I would purchase the snake from him, and shortly afterward I got a text from him (seller) saying 'no I've sold the snake to another individual who is picking up soon.' I sent ?? back, and he said 'oh sorry, that was meant for someone else who was asking for the snake, not you.' Curious, I said 'would it, by chance be John?' And he said 'yes, how do you know him?'

So John told me that the seller was a scammer and a dishonest, untrustworthy person just to get me out of the picture so that he could get the snake, for less. He said he wasn't going to deal with him because he was a scammer and then clearly inquired about buying the snake after speaking to me! Am I totally naive - is this how people work?? Is honesty not the best policy anymore, and is me being nice and fair only going to get me back-doored in this industry? I don't know, I just would never do something like that!! Am I the only one?!

Short answer, yes, the world is FULL of shady individuals. I hear exactly what you are saying. I wouldn't worry about the snake, the country is full of 'em! CL is like playing Russian roulette.

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Originally Posted by 33rpm

Short answer, yes, the world is FULL of shady individuals. I hear exactly what you are saying. I wouldn't worry about the snake, the country is full of 'em! CL is like playing Russian roulette.

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I got the snake :) she is MINE! :D he tried to undercut me, and was dishonest - that's what bugs me! But he failed :P

When dealing with anyone on CL you have to watch out & have your guard up.

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Originally Posted by jedidiah578

When dealing with anyone on CL you have to watch out & have your guard up.

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I totally hear ya.... I had no idea I would have to keep my guard up against other buyers/breeders though!

I've met some really shady people and some really awesome people in this business. Keep your guard up, but from personal experience, it's pretty easy to pick out the bad ones. I am a firm believer in karma and honesty is the best policy, but there's a lot of people that you have to watch out for unfortunately.


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Originally Posted by cschneider

I've met some really shady people and some really awesome people in this business. Keep your guard up, but from personal experience, it's pretty easy to pick out the bad ones. I am a firm believer in karma and honesty is the best policy, but there's a lot of people that you have to watch out for unfortunately.


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I am a firm believer in karma too! Which is why I always try to do what's right. I dunno, I would just never do what that guy did to me.... It's just bad business and shady. I hate shady!

I know what you mean. It really bugs me that people can be that horrible. I couldn't even imagine doing something like that. It's sad really.

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I'll just copy and paste what I posted recently because it applies here too

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Originally Posted by Deborah

It's CL......enough said :rolleyes:

That's what you get when you look for a cheap deal, you deal with the drama, BS and headache, in other words you get what you pay for. ;)

Personally I chose quality animals, customer service and professionalism over cheap deals that's why I buy from reputable breeders. :thumbup:

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You are not gonna find customer service and professionalism on CL, why? Because those people don't care they are here one day gone the next.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I'll just copy and paste what I posted recently because it applies here too



You are not gonna find customer service and professionalism on CL, why? Because those people don't care they are here one day gone the next.

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It gets really crazy when the seller isn't the one you have to worry about when it comes to professionalism or honesty... It's the other breeders that want the snake!

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Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

I know what you mean. It really bugs me that people can be that horrible. I couldn't even imagine doing something like that. It's sad really.

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Yes, it is sad! And really disappointing. I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees this as a problem :)

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Originally Posted by nimblykimbly

It gets really crazy when the seller isn't the one you have to worry about when it comes to professionalism or honesty... It's the other breeders that want the snake!

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True, but not all that surprising if the other person builds their collection of CL as well...there is a lot of craziness on both sellers and buyers part. ;)

CL cause a lot of drama and headache.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

True, but not all that surprising if the other person builds their collection of CL as well...there is a lot of craziness on both sellers and buyers part. ;)

CL cause a lot of drama and headache.

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Too true :) sometimes CL can yield decent rewards.... albeit rarely.... But be prepared to deal with the drama and headache for sure! I'll be glad when things are final for this transaction :) I'll be pleased with my CL purchase and done with the drama. And as for John Ellison, he can kiss my honest, God-fearing booty! :D

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I'll just copy and paste what I posted recently because it applies here too



You are not gonna find customer service and professionalism on CL, why? Because those people don't care they are here one day gone the next.

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Not always true! ive met awesome honest people on CL. and also the worse scum on the planet. I can say the same about breeders that i've met at my local expos also! I sell normals on CL all the time. I give the same warranty, customer service, and level of professionalism to them as I would another hobby breeder or anyone on here.

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Originally Posted by H.o.F.R

Not always true! ive met awesome honest people on CL. and also the worse scum on the planet. I can say the same about breeders that i've met at my local expos also! I sell normals on CL all the time. I give the same warranty, customer service, and level of professionalism to them as I would another hobby breeder or anyone on here.

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I had thought about potentially selling on CL in the future... like you, I thought maybe that'd be a decent outlet for Normals maybe.... It's good to know that there can be a professional and honest standpoint to this too. I'm in this from a hobbyist perspective, but know there is still always a selling perspective to it too, and want to do it the right way :)

You have to weed out the scammers, people that have no clue, and the ones that know just enough to be dangerous. It's pretty easy to spot a breeders ad. I normally have a lengthy phone convo before ever going to see an animal. I just posted a simular thread about CL scum a few days ago. I talked to the person for almost an hour and they flat out lied to get me there. When I got there I found out The boas were sick. I sell most of my normals and ocassionaly a low end morph or two on CL. Most of my CL sales are repeat customers buying my surplus of feeder rats when I have them. I always put my #, name, email, and the link to the care sheet on every container I sell. I still get updates from people that purchased snakes via CL a year or more ago. I can't say that about anyone who bought from me anywhere else. I know as much as most people on here hate CL there are good people out there using that site. You just have to screen heavily and always have your guard up. Good luck but be careful.

I will certainly be careful. We are on our way now to see the snake. This guy got her from BHB Reptiles a little over a month ago with plans of breeding her, but then decided he couldn't afford her price tag. I'll admit I'm a little nervous going to meet some stranger with so much money and everything at stake, but my husband is with me and he also carries, so I feel a bit safer :) I'll just be super disappointed if we drive all this way and the snake isn't healthy or something. However, Mr. John who was so kind to lie to me, went and saw the snake in person just a few days ago, and is obviously still interested in her, so she must be alright :P Hoping to be able to share pics of this beauty soon! :)

I always feel better when I have someone else with me. Just don't hesitate to walk away if anything seems off. There are good people but also just as many scammers. Do a health check! Make sure to get the animal moving a good bit. Sometimes you will notice the start of an ri quicker when they are active. Also ask to see the caging just to get a feel for how the animal was kept. If the husbandry is shooty that's a red flag to me and ill keep checking the animal until I'm certain its not ill. I will often ask for a q-tip and open the animals mouth too. Best of luck and hope you have the best possible outcome.

I know a person that always trying to cut the price ( for him to get a better deal, but he wants the top dollar when he is selling something.( example)


was selling my pinstripe male since i had replaced him with a lemonblast. I was asking about 125 for him. The guy contacts me and says I only give you 50 bucks for him. and trys to claim he picks pinstripes up all day long for 50 bucks. I laugh at him and say prove it. I know pins htchling were still going for 150 + at the time . I was only sellnig him cause i had a better male for later use.
they guy is a total noob too. It taken 3 of us to get him to listen to advice we give him when he starts asking questions. and if stuff not eating in 2 weeks he wants to sell/trade it off cause he wanting instant results. ) we told him time after time even with larger BPs it not writen in stone they will lay the same year you picked them up cause they may be confused with all the changes, that they just gone though ( specially this close to breeding season ) but the guy won't listen.

Well I picked her up! :) the guy wasn't shady, or a drug dealer, or a liar or a scammer :) she was cozied up in her hide when we got there, but immediately started exploring and flicking her tongue once we got her out. She appears very healthy, no odd sounds when she was breathing, no signs of mites, and the receipt shows she was bought from BHB last month :) I am VERY happy with her, and the price I got her for. She's just under 1100 grams and nice and alert, friendly, not even head shy. I couldn't be more pleased with my pick up! His husbandry looked just fine, good temps, nice clean rack. :) http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/03/yne5udep.jpg she's a beauty! I should send a pic of her to John! :D

CL is full of shady people. I recently sold a Butter to a guy and gave him a REALLY good deal because he seemed cool, and well, I'm just a nice guy. :D A few days later, I see a CL ad for a Butter, and sure enough, it was the snake I had sold him. He was asking over double what I sold him for, or would trade for a game system or some other crap. It was his snake to do with what he wanted, but I still felt offended that I gave him such a great deal and he turns around and tries to flip the snake or trade it for some junk. I thought I was hooking up a fellow breeder/hobbyist, but apparently it was just a way to make some quick cash or get a new game system. Lovely...

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Originally Posted by sho220

CL is full of shady people. I recently sold a Butter to a guy and gave him a REALLY good deal because he seemed cool, and well, I'm just a nice guy. :D A few days later, I see a CL ad for a Butter, and sure enough, it was the snake I had sold him. He was asking over double what I sold him for, or would trade for a game system or some other crap. It was his snake to do with what he wanted, but I still felt offended that I gave him such a great deal and he turns around and tries to flip the snake or trade it for some junk. I thought I was hooking up a fellow breeder/hobbyist, but apparently it was just a way to make some quick cash or get a new game system. Lovely...

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I totally hear ya - that is a bummer! That was really nice of you to give him a good deal, and I know what you mean about trying to do a nice thing for a 'fellow hobbyist/breeder' only to have them turn around and not appreciate what you did! You're right, it was his snake to do as he pleased, but it's still just disappointing. It makes good people not want to go out of their way for others. It's okay, karma has a funny way of working ;) you will receive good because you did good.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I'll just copy and paste what I posted recently because it applies here too



You are not gonna find customer service and professionalism on CL, why? Because those people don't care they are here one day gone the next.

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i dont agree . i sell on craigslist alot in my area and i make a point to answer all questions honestly.
and i back every animal that i sell. I have met alot of return customers through craigslist(and get alot of updates on animals that i have sold).
i have met shady breeders at shows and met great breeders at shows if a person is shady they are shady it doesnt matter where they put ads at.
i have met good and bad folks on cl but its is all the same people are going to be people(good or bad) everywhere.
If thats the case you would never have any bad guy threads on fauna or anywhere else if the shady people are on on craigslist(they are everywhere fauna,ks,cl,facebook,etc) just ask as many questions as you can until you are satisfied.

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Originally Posted by buddha1200

i dont agree . i sell on craigslist alot in my area and i make a point to answer all questions honestly.
and i back every animal that i sell. I have met alot of return customers through craigslist(and get alot of updates on animals that i have sold).
i have met shady breeders at shows and met great breeders at shows if a person is shady they are shady it doesnt matter where they put ads at.
i have met good and bad folks on cl but its is all the same people are going to be people(good or bad) everywhere.
If thats the case you would never have any bad guy threads on fauna or anywhere else if the shady people are on on craigslist(they are everywhere fauna,ks,cl,facebook,etc) just ask as many questions as you can until you are satisfied.

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I think my only problem in this CL case was the crazy other potential buyer for this snake. The guy in question (John Ellison) even went so far as to personally threaten the seller because he sold the snake to me and not him. I offered a higher price than John who wanted to low ball the seller. Sorry for your luck, John.

The seller, Billy Wilson (I believe he's a member on here as well...?), has done nothing wrong and wasn't shady in the least. He sold me a perfectly healthy female Kingpin with documentation, and we plan to keep in touch :) great CL pick up for me, aside from the crazy other buyer! :)