A Friendship Dilemma

[revxus]

So a good friend of mine sold me a pair of juvenile Dumeril's Boas, and a pair of adult Coastal Rosy boas for a price of only $335 including shipping. Good deal, right?

I received these snakes and didn't see anything obviosuly, or physically wrong with them. These were the snakes that were going to get me back into herps, after a long hiatus.

Anyway, less than a month later I noticed a mite infestation in my Dumeril's enclosure. I had them in a huge glass tank in my son's room. I was forced to do a thorough cleaning of the cage and its contents and the snakes are being treated for mites now.

At this same time, I haven't been successful at the Rosy's accepting feeder mice either. So I decided to call and ask him, this is when he mentioned they were W.C. and so I thought, "oh, maybe they're just getting into hibernation mode and refusing the feeders."

But, I decided to weigh them, and to no surprise they seemed a bit under-weight. Also, at the time of their arrival I did notice that the female's nose had a scale missing, like it had been rubbed against something and fell off.
I called him and told him about it, but he didn't think much of it and said "well, you got a good deal on four snakes!" as if I shouldn't be complaining about the issue?

Anyway... I kept them. But the Rosy's are still not eating and losing weight fast. I'm breeding my own mice, too, hoping that perhaps darker-colored mice will do the trick, as I was advised from the local herp society.

I'm in a dilemma here, I don't know if I should ask for my refund or what. Can this be justified?

[flynn]

If it were me I would at least ask for a refund. If this person truley is a 'good friend' then they should be understanding about the fact that what you got, wasnt what you were looking for.

"Hi, you sold me some wild caught mites with a snake on the side."

Best of luck.

[Southernshooter]

A refund should be justified if you wanted it, But keep in mind you would be sending them snakes back to such apparently poor conditions, Unless you think the snakes will not make it, I am sure they will have a much better life with you

[BPdude911]

You got yourself in a bit of a tie, huh?lol. I would call and ask him if I could ship them back to him using ShipYourReptiles.com

[revxus]

Ok, so he's offered me a refund, without the shipping, of course. That's just a loss we both take. I accept that.

But... I'm afraid the rosie's in particular may not make it. We're both in California though, so they wouldn't be traveling far, just from SoCal to NorCal on one overnight trip.

[wilomn]

Purchasing wild caught coastal rosy boas.....

Who sold you these animals?

For those who don't know, this is illegal. I'm sure the OP does know this.

What was that guys name at Fish and Game you were friends with again? It may be time to give him another call.

[revxus]

Purchasing wild caught coastal rosy boas.....

Who sold you these animals?

For those who don't know, this is illegal. I'm sure the OP does know this.

What was that guys name at Fish and Game you were friends with again? It may be time to give him another call.

Yes, I know this is illegal. It's in the game code! He didn't disclose this information until after their arrival, and after I complained about the "missing scale" issue and the apparent refusal of feeder mice.

And unlike you, I'm not a "snitch" so call F&G all you want, Wes.

My only concern here are the animals being unhealthy, and doing the right thing for them. They are here now, and they cannot be released as this is also illegal to do.

[wilomn]

Turning in smugglers, which is basically what you've done as you've recieved animals that were illegal for you to purchase, which you knew, yet did anyway, is snitching? I think not.
Perhaps your time behind bars was not long enough. Perhaps you are longing to return. Don't know, don't care BUT, once again, AGAIN, you have flaunted the laws that those of us who care, abide by.

I'd like to know who is engaging in the illegal trade of Native Ca. species. If you won't share, you're just as guilty, especially since you know that without a permit and the ever important number that goes with it, you CANNOT sell Ca. Rosy Boas in Ca.

You know that.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

And unlike you, I'm not a "snitch" so call F&G all you want, Wes.

Actually Wes is right, people like your “Friend” and anyone selling or shipping animals illegally are what is wrong with this hobby and what put this hobby in jeopardy.

Anyone that is honest, and responsible and caring about this hobby and our right to keep reptiles should report those that break the law, and not support them by being silent and failing to report them.

[wilomn]

So a good friend of mine sold me a pair of juvenile Dumeril's Boas, and a pair of adult Coastal Rosy boas for a price of only $335 including shipping. Good deal, right?

I say flat out you are a liar.

There is no way someone as smart and well versed in reptiles as you yourself have claimed to be, would purchase Coastal Rosy Boas without asking about them, without wanting to know the history, what they were eating, how they were kept and, most importantly, as a law abiding citizen and stalwart upholder of the law, a shining beacon to all to see, what the guys permit number was so that when you went to sell them later down the road you would be able to do so legally.

You weren't planning on selling the babies of poached parents illegally, were you?

I mean, you weren't planning on breaking THAT law as well as the others, were you?

That's not good petey, not good at all. People won't like that you're putting their ability to keep these slithery friends of ours in serious jeopardy. That's not very neighborly of you, narcissistic as all get out, but not neighborly at all.

So, who'd you get them from? You've already admitted to being the receiver of poached snakes, who poached em?

And one final question, have you been arrested for beating up any girls lately or have you just gotten away clean?