Is this a scam?

[pie-thon]

I'm new, here at bp.net, and to the whole BP hobby.

I was cruising through the for sale/adopted/trade threads. I came across a thread with a snake I was interested in purchasing.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...males-For-Sale

This isn't a scam, is it?
One of these snakes will be the first of my collection, and I just want to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Feel free to pm me with any general tips or advice!

[Albert Clark]

I wouldn't think so , but I would do my homework and ask questions! You are the buyer and if you think it might be a scam then double check all the possibilities. Investigate the situation and the animals. Ask for a written guarantee of sorts. Follow your gut, no one is going to force you to buy anything! Think positive about the situation and look at it as a potential good deal. Good luck.

[pie-thon]

it doesn't seem like a scam, I just have a skeptical nature.

I just want to be safe.

[Daigga]

it doesn't seem like a scam, I just have a skeptical nature.

I just want to be safe.

You're actually pretty likely to offend the seller by accusing him of a scam on here, the same forum he's listing on. Being skeptical is all well and good, but a pm with your questions and doubts would be much better than publicly attaching his name to a scam. This business is very much based on reputation and these kind of things can do a lot of unjustified damage.

I understand you're new, but I would avoid this kind of post in the future unless some true and genuine concerns arise.

[ballpythonluvr]

What makes you think this is a scam? The lower prices? As was already stated, at least send this person a PM and ask questions.

[bcr229]

I would say no based on the users posting history. Typically scammers have a very low post count and are new members, they join a form, post an ad or two, take money, and disappear.

That said, the seller is across the country from you and while the prices on those morphs are market, shipping prices are high unless you're buying multiple babies. There are a lot of very reputable breeders in your state where you could do a cash and carry deal - and there's always the expo in Hamburg, where 2/3 of the tables have ball pythons on them if you want to comparison shop.

[pie-thon]

He's been GREAT a total gentleman. Like I said, I'm new to the whole thing.

I hope I didn't offend him. I just don't know what I'm doing at all. I've never purchased a bp from anywhere other than petco( which I would NEVER do again).

Really wasn't trying to accuse him, as I stated before, I didn't think it was. I was pretty much hoping for like "yeah, he's my buddy. you're fine".
I don't know users on here and I don't know what to look for as far as looking for sam accounts. I appreciate the help though!

[PitOnTheProwl]

Trust me, "WE" take out the trash here on a regular basis.

[pie-thon]

Well I'm glad to hear... Now how do I delete this thread?

I don't want to potentially damage his rep.

[PitOnTheProwl]

You don't.
Its here to stay.