Probably nothing I can do

[Jay_Bunny]

A while back, I sold my 07 pastel female (dumb!) because she was aggressive and I didn't have any plans for her during my first few breeding seasons. I sold her to a friend of a friend for $150. (she was still really small) Well the woman only paid part of it (She was doing payments and she was going to pay me the last $60 the week after she took her home. I figured, I see this woman all the time and I trust her, right? Wrong! I got a few messages from her saying she was trying to get the last payment to me, and then nothing. Finally today I sent her a message saying I'd be willing to pay for her back, but she says "I love her and won't give her up."

I don't have any receipts or any emails/IMs since the entire transaction was done verbally. I know I'm screwed. I can't do anything legally and there is no way I can make her sell me Jora back. And since have no evidence of the transaction, I can't really make her (legally) pay the remaining $60.

I suppose this could serve as a word of warning to people selling to "friends" and giving them deals and trusting them money-wise.

.....I miss that little python. I miss her a lot.

[Dave Green]

Too many deadbeats...not enough integrity, sad.

[dnnsfam]

I am sorry you had to learn this way, I do not even really trust family when it comes to sale (money matters). I had to learn the hard way too, with a family member, like they could hide from me. lol

[Jay_Bunny]

Mostly, I just want her back. I'm even willing to offer her more than she actually paid so she'd end up making money on her. Even my husband misses this little girl and he doesn't even mess with the collection at all.

[Danounet]

I'm pretty sure you can still do something if you have witnesses, in most states a verbal contract still a contract. Look into your state laws depending on where you live.

[Jay_Bunny]

The only witnesses I have are my husband and two friends. One of those friends lives in another state now and the other is the friend that introduced me to this woman, so I'm pretty sure he would not want to be in the middle of it. I sent her another email, offering her money for the pastel. We shall see what happens.

[dnnsfam]

Hope you can get her back

The only witnesses I have are my husband and two friends. One of those friends lives in another state now and the other is the friend that introduced me to this woman, so I'm pretty sure he would not want to be in the middle of it. I sent her another email, offering her money for the pastel. We shall see what happens.

[NightLad]

I don’t know the laws of your State, but it is free to find out if you have any legal grounds to stand on. Phone your local police department, or better yet, visit in person, and ask to speak to a detective that deals with fraud. They might be able to give you some idea about where you stand.

Don’t settle for talking to somebody working the desk.

I know that in my neck of the woods, when money has changed hands regarding a property sale it is considered fraud for the other person to stop payment. Contract or no contract. Don’t forget to tell the detective if you have any communications from this person (phone messages, texts, emails) in which she mentions outstanding payments. That's proof. Your friend knows that you sold the snake, so if you need a witness s/he can be compelled to give testimony (although ideally they would volunteer an affidavit).

If you contact her again, perhaps a bit of terseness in your tone might help. For example, if she loves the snake so much than why can’t she finish paying for her? After all, you have bills too.

I don’t know if you can get the snake back, but at the very least you will take a valuable life-lesson from this experience.

I wish you the best.

[mpkeelee]

maybe u can trade her a snake??

[Jay_Bunny]

Well I can understand how someone can become attached to a particular snake. I know I could never sell or trade away several of my snakes. I'm just going to try and convince her to sell her to me.