how do i fiqure out if there is a scam ad or scammer
 

I need to fiqure out if this person is a scam artist

Sometimes price alone gives it away. The price will be way too good to be true in order to make you pull the payment trigger "before someone else gets it".

I saw a CL ad a few weeks ago that was for a female Albino Pied ball python for $50... which is a morph that goes for $800-$1000 normally.

it doesn't say they are a valid user when i search for it.

she is selling a eastern indigo for 1500 and is in cali for local pickup a adult

did they post a listing?

yes but she removed the ad after I said I wanted to buy

how do I do a search for this person on fauna??

if you're not dead set on pickup you can find one for a better price. You have to go to advanced search and search the user.

<removed BOI relevant part of post, no longer allowed - April>

Honestly, if it is a local pickup the chances of it being a scam are relatively slim, since you can see what you are considering buying. This user also has a (non-herp related) online presence that looks legit -- Google her name.

There are other potential "scams" when purchasing in person though, ranging from false hets to someone dumping critters that look outwardly healthy but the owner has a collection-killing disease ripping through his racks. So, you still have to be careful.

If a seller deletes an ad I wouldn't take it as a scammer, more like the the critter is no longer on the market.

You're right, of course. Sorry for the trouble, April.

I'm not a scammer man, but it's fine if you dont want to buy him. I have him posted again, and this website requires a real name. As you can probably see, my career actually requires a pretty massive online presence, so I am particularly safe lol.

Also, you agreed to meet me in person and pay cash on pickup when meeting him, in a public parking lot in front of a Rite Aid in a major city where I live. How on earth would I even be able to scam you?

In the world of CB Eastern Indigos, the world is small. I would stick with known reputable breeders, avoid paying for shipped animals from unknown users, local pickup is best, but I have still bought an animal that was not healthy, broken rib, and ultimately died. So inspect the animal, ask for history.

If its too good to be true then you should start doubting that.