Why do people continue to buy from known scammers and thieves?

What I can't understand is why people still purchase from known scammers and thieves. I for one certainly wouldn't buy anything from such ilk. Why do others perpetuate their continued existence in this hobby?

Because they don't believe they will get scammed too, or they can't pass up such a "great deal", or they don't know that they are scammers.

kellysballs said:

Because they don't believe they will get scammed too, or they can't pass up such a "great deal", or they don't know that they are scammers.

Click to expand...

So your answer is people are stupid? I tend to agree, people are idiots.

kellysballs said:

Because they don't believe they will get scammed too, or they can't pass up such a "great deal", or they don't know that they are scammers.

Click to expand...

Yep.... that about sums it up.

Me personally... Id rather pay for quality. A quality animal and quality customer service.

Southern Wolf said:

Yep.... that about sums it up.

Me personally... Id rather pay for quality. A quality animal and quality customer service.

Click to expand...

I look for the Deals but that person better be willing to answer my questions and keep in touch for the duration Customer Service and Quality Animals are what I'm looking for in a purchase

I'm new to snakes, so I'm being cautious and really hoping to not get screwed.
Being a snake noob, I'm not totally aware of what is obviously a scam, and what isn't.
I have learned certain obvious things that mean you got scammed, but you find them out AFTER you get the snake home (i.e. womas don't wobble!).
As for just seeing someone on the internet, I'm not sure how to be positive I'm not getting scammed.
Also, I'm hoping to breed snakes one day and sell them (not for profit, but because I love ball pythons and can't see myself doing anything else). How does one gain reputation on these boards, if people are skeptical--and should be!--of scams? What process do you go about doing? Surely you don't just cross your fingers and hope.
You're right, people are stupid, and it is a sad world when you cannot purchase a living, feeling, breathing animal without fear that someone has lied to you about it.
Shellie

I have thought of a correlation between two groups of people. Now the question is how to keep the one group from enabling the other. Those who are running scams are all about making a buck and most of those who still deal with known scammers are all about saving a buck. Seems to be a marriage made in heaven. How can we break up this relationship?

I've got another question. Why would someone who is trying to save a buck gamble with their money? I have seen it over and over again where someone will buy an imported animal for half the money they could get a captive bred one for. The first dies and they go back to the same person and buy a second. That one dies and they still go an buy a 3rd. Now they have spent 50% more money for an import but in their screwed up little minds they have saved money by spending less even know the total was more. I could never understand the new math.

David... That is Soooooo True... Not to mention the shipping they probably paid to get said animals

Rachelle, Do your research before you buy from someone... The BOI on here is an awesome tool for such.. If you plan to buy from someone do a search on there and if you don't see the name, do an inquiry. Just make sure that you feel comfortable with the level of knowledge of who you plan on buying from and the communication There are MANY wonderful people selling animals on here.

I just got back into it after a LONG time being away and had to start all over building a customer base. I have, since March, sent off 14 successful packages and have several references in my "back pocket" so to speak

Good Luck

I was in 1st or 2nd grade sitting in the hallway when I saw a few students walking by an empty classroom (no, there is no punchline...its a true story). The first student reached for the handle to check if he can open the door...it was locked so he kept going. The 2nd student did the same thing...reached for the knob...noticed that it was locked and then went on his merry way. Then the others following did the same exact thing?!?!?! Its as if from the 2nd student onward, they didn't think it would happen to them (the door not opening)...or perhaps they didn't trust the first guys attempts ("that guy is an idiot, its his own fault it didn't open...he needed to turn the knob harder...I'll do it the right way!"). At the end of it all, the knob didnt turn for any of them...sooooooo...they end up being the "knobs" .

Einstein defined insanity (although we can substitute that with stupidity) as..."doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results." I think he was referring to one persons redundant actions, as opposed to that individual observing others (learning from their mistakes). Either way, I don't think there is much of a difference. Maybe its stupidity, maybe its ignorance, maybe its curiosity, maybe its human nature...or maybe its all one in the same?

There are probably some who enjoy playing with fire...they know exactly what they are getting into, but thrive on the gamble. Then there are probably others who choose to be blinded by the temptation of a "good deal." This happens everywhere. If you ever check some shady accounts on E-bay...you'll see that because they are selling something for a very good price (regardless whether or not they're in the red) they will continue getting customers/victims. Some people probably believe that because its a different day, its a different transaction. They find different variables involved in their transaction and think that they wont get scammed like the last guy (the difference in variables generally means that the scammer is getting more organized and better in his/her shady activity). Bottom line is...the most dangerous variable always stays the same...the seller. Stay clear of him/her.

Then you have those who are simply ignorant to the "scammers" ways...and learn through personal experience. Someone might not be familiar with who they're about to engage into a transaction with...BUT for the most part there will be red flags popping up throughout said transaction. They either fail to use common sense, or aren't experienced enough to know what to look for. Rachelle...the following thread might help you out. It talks about some potential red flags to stay clear of...

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=163796

DAND said:

I have thought of a correlation between two groups of people. Now the question is how to keep the one group from enabling the other. Those who are running scams are all about making a buck and most of those who still deal with known scammers are all about saving a buck. Seems to be a marriage made in heaven. How can we break up this relationship?

Click to expand...

That is pretty accurate. Just like any other marriage, such unions have a 50% chance of going bad. I don't think there is anything anyone can do to get through to some of these people. They'll just have to learn the hard way .