Has anyone ever been caught....

[jkobylka]

My first het purchase I got ripped off by a guy named Chris Guida for over $2500. Definately fake hets.

There are a lot of honest people out there, mixed with a few scumbags who make it difficult to trust anyone.

Justin

Justin

[kc261]

As Tosha pointed out, sometimes things happen like with retained sperm.

However, a good breeder will stand behind what they sell and if one of their supposed 100% hets doesn't prove out, they'll do something to make it up to you. They probably won't have extra adults lying around, so the best they may be able to do is replace it with a new hatchling, but they'll at least do something so you aren't left with nothing.

To get back to the OPs questions, the question about getting caught has already been answered by people who know more than me.

But yes, it is very easy to manufacture breeding records. From what I understand (I don't have personal experience), when you buy a guaranteed het from one of the more reputable breeders, at least some of them include some sort of certificate that says what the genetics are as well as having a photo of the snake, since they can be identified by their patterns. But if someone wanted to lie, they could take a photo of something they know is a normal, and simply write het whatever on it.

Only buy from people you trust. Only buy non-visible hets from people you REALLY trust.

[Bruce Whitehead]

I cannot imagine someone making up that a normal is a het... you are going to get caught in time.

But this is why I do not buy possible hets, regardless of the percentage. I sold a possible het this year, but for the price of a normal.

Bruce

[blackcrystal22]

I cannot imagine someone making up that a normal is a het... you are going to get caught in time.

But this is why I do not buy possible hets, regardless of the percentage. I sold a possible het this year, but for the price of a normal.

Bruce

Smart choices!
When I bought my het I wasn't looking to breed.. I bought him cause I liked him and he was hardly more expensive than a normal. :]

[Beardedragon]

I cannot imagine someone making up that a normal is a het... you are going to get caught in time.


Bruce

By the time most people raise up the hets, the scammer selling them is long gone or under a new name.

[spaztheweird1]

ok after reading this how would you get record proof?? do you get it from the vet or what??

[Beardedragon]

ok after reading this how would you get record proof?? do you get it from the vet or what??

The breeder makes them, so its still only as good as his or hers word.

[jonf]

these scammers may not get "caught" right away or under the circumstances that we would like for them to get caught, but LIFE is funny like that............ there's something called karma (no, not ralphs blue eyed lucy), and eventually life will catch up with them........... and in some way,shape,or form they'll get whats coming to them.

At least we live in todays world where word travels at the speed of light. Imagine doing all of this in the 80's?? I can assure you, a lot more people would be getting scammed with Hets!

[Bruce Whitehead]

At least we live in todays world where word travels at the speed of light. Imagine doing all of this in the 80's?? I can assure you, a lot more people would be getting scammed with Hets!

That is what is so great about having virtual communities... lots of people with looooooooooooooooooong memories.

[Kalitta]

the scamming doesn't stop at hets either. I was sold a girl that was suppose to be 'captive bred' gravid. Later, after dealing with ticks, and mites and all kinds of other problems, found out she was wild caught.

My friend sold me a snake with a group, she bought it as a 'scratch off' ball python.. he has white marks on his side, the guy told her it was possibly genetic. We are waiting to see if that one proves out.

I bought a het axanthic from Ralph Davis, Wild patterened little guy. On the back of his chart that Ralph sent me was a drawing of his head and neck pattern to prove this snake was the one he had marked the day it hatched (or close to the day). Also was a list of what clutch it was from, what year, and since all his records were online, I actually used that to show my friends what he was genetic for and proof because some of his clutchmates were visibles. On something like a recessive het, I won't go with less than a big big dealer, Not lots of snake dealer, but one whose got YEARS of experience, a reputation on the line, and willing to stand behind his snakes no matter what. If in a year I breed him to a het axanthic girl, and nothing is produced, than the next year to a diffrent het axanthic and nothing, I know Ralph is going to stand behind his guarentee. I won't have the worry that i've wasted two years raising up a norm to get nothing. (well, his pattern is the kewlest i've seen, so if he just passes that on it would be worth it. Ralph picked a great one! )