Ballbids.com

[Dawn Michelle]

Please you can all help if you call the report line I posted. it is the Kentucky fish and wildlife federal div. They are interested in this case and the more people that report the faster they can make it important. Its very easy. They will ask a few questions and here is what you need to know.
The business is ballbids.com
They are operating out of Louisville Kentucky
They are auctioning exotic ball pythons presumably with out the proper license. The "company" states that they are exempt from needing that license to operate their business.

They will ask for your name and number in case the agents need any more info. Please please call. It only takes a few sec.

Call 800-25-ALERT to Report a Law Violation

[Egapal]

I don't think it's a scam, I actually think it's genius. If these snakes are really given away, how is it a scam? A scam is someone who robs you of your money by pretending to offer something you want. If you read the FAQ and how it works you fully understand everything. I can't guarantee that a lot of those auctions won't make it to retial price and that not even the buyer will spend that in bidding points. If you setup a system to know exactly how much you're spending each bid, you can come out winning.

And props to the guy who's doing it all. While the bidder may end up paying $5.35 for a snake, he made .55 x 535. Whose fault is that? The bidders. Nothing illegal there. So if you're going to get all pissy for paying $5.35 for a snake while the guy giving it to you made approx $270 off everyone bidding, then you're just a hater for not thinking of it first. Because I'll tell you what, if I would have thought of this first, I would have done it too.

There is so much wrong its not even funny. Auctions work because the sellers only make money when an item is sold. This system removes the incentive for actually selling the items. You can easily setup fake accounts that can place bogus bids going to keep the timer going until you make the money you want to make. If you don't make the money you want you just create a fake user name who won the snake and no one is the wiser. For that matter many sites then turn around and take forever to ship your winning item. Why? Because they can take the money they made on the auction to buy the item they were selling then send it out to you once they get it.

[Dawn Michelle]

There is so much wrong its not even funny. Auctions work because the sellers only make money when an item is sold. This system removes the incentive for actually selling the items. You can easily setup fake accounts that can place bogus bids going to keep the timer going until you make the money you want to make. If you don't make the money you want you just create a fake user name who won the snake and no one is the wiser. For that matter many sites then turn around and take forever to ship your winning item. Why? Because they can take the money they made on the auction to buy the item they were selling then send it out to you once they get it.

Which is what it seems they are doing. That and they do not have the proper licenses nor quarantine process, by their own admission. Adding a snake from them to your collection could potentially wipe out your hobby. Not to mention that they are extremely unprofessional, and have been caught STOPPING the clock and resetting the time because of glitches. Also there is proof that they may have been the winner of 4 of their big items. That is also illegal and sketchy. If any other penny auctions did this the same issues would arise. So you might as well just send them your money if you think they are that great.These guys are not peddling laptops and x boxes, these are live animals, exotic as well and there are strict federal laws that they must follow that they are not.

[Dawn Michelle]

they are in Jefferson County when reporting to the number

[mr.spooky]

is there any news asto how far the law has gotten involved?
thanks
spooky

[Dawn Michelle]

They are breaking a local ordinance, despite whatever license loop hole they are hiding in, the Kentucky states attorneys are aware and the metro animal control is checking up on it.

The Kentucky local ordinance for Jefferson County.

§ 91.096 OFFERING ANIMAL AS PRIZE OR AWARD.

(A) No person shall offer any live animal as a prize or award in connection with any raffle, protest, demonstration, promotion, or as an incentive to participate in any game, promotion, or otherwise.


I will share updates as I get them.

[zeion97]

is there any news asto how far the law has gotten involved?
thanks
spooky

None that I know of yet Spooky.
To add something, there "programmer" Marty added some comments which were deleted, stating that "it's business to have a license and do it somewhere else" basically self incriminating ballbids and admitting they don't abide by state of Kentucky laws. Sadly it got deleted some tine within the last 3 hours. I'd love to know, did anyone get a picture?

[JLC]

At the rate that they are deleting things from their site...you'd think there would be a rather massive collection of screen shots by now...taken by people who want to capture all this incriminating evidence. If you see it...better screen shot it...because it'll probably disappear next time you refresh.

Instead...I keep reading, "So and so said this, but it was deleted." I'm no ballbids supporter, but that kind of hearsay doesn't help anyone.

Get screen shots, people.

[Dawn Michelle]

is there any news asto how far the law has gotten involved?
thanks
spooky

see my post below yours, there is an officer assigned to it and he is working with the states attorneys.
The officer said they were getting ready to make a visit.

I will update as I get them.

[zeion97]

At the rate that they are deleting things from their site...you'd think there would be a rather massive collection of screen shots by now...taken by people who want to capture all this incriminating evidence. If you see it...better screen shot it...because it'll probably disappear next time you refresh.

Instead...I keep reading, "So and so said this, but it was deleted." I'm no ballbids supporter, but that kind of hearsay doesn't help anyone.

Get screen shots, people.

I would, but all I have is my little phone. mostly I try to help with the "debates" LOL.

BTW, I love your avatar makes me every time I see It!