Sellers Rant

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Over the years I have see the same things happen time and time and time again when selling snakes...

1.) Don't offer to buy a snake until you have the money in hand to do so! Seems like common sense, but this happens more times then not. "I will pay you in 2 weeks when a check comes in" This almost never works. Either something happens causing the check to be late... or something happens and you have to spend the money on something else. Or a combination of both. I have agreed to this kind of arrangement probably 10 times over the years, and maybe one of those transactions was actually completed.

2.) Don't text or call a seller late at night unless he/she specificly says it is ok to do so! Lots of us in this hobby are middle aged adults. We have spouses, and children. We have jobs. I have all of the above. Don't call and text at all hours of the night. It is RUDE.

3.) Don't blow up my phone with inquiries. Don't get me wrong... there is nothing wrong with asking whatever questions you have. But do it in a way that is not bothersome. Take some time to write an email that asks all the quesitons you need to ask at once. Write down your questions so that you can ask as many of them as possible in one phone call. Don't constantly call or text many times at all hours of the the day and night. I shouldn't have to field 50 text messages / calls after you agree to buy an animal requesting more info, more pictures, more etc.

3.) If someone says in a for sale ad that they are willing to meet up to 3 hours away, that does NOT automatically mean that if you live 3 hours away they will be delivered to your door for free!

4.) While I appreciate your interest in buying whatever I am selling, it does not give you the right to treat me like crap. If you are a prick to me, what would make you think I would be interested in selling my animals to you? They aren't used cars. I actually care about the kind of keeper they go to.

5.) Don't contact me telling me that my snakes, or whatever else I am selling, are not worth what I am asking for them. If you would like to offer less then I am asking, no problem... If I want to accept the offer I will. If I don't, I won't. But don't tell me what I am selling is over priced... ESPECIALLY when it's NOT over priced!

My many years of corporate customer service have taught me that the customer is always right. Well, my snake collection isn't a corporate business. If I don't like you, you aren't getting good customer service! In fact, I won't even let you be one of my customers.



Sorry for the rant. I do feel better now though...