Alex Estrada - sold me an emaciated skink

I'm very disappointed in this transaction. In the picture on the sales ad(the ad is still there, you can see for yourself) the skink I purchased did not look like she was starving but when she arrived she was skin and bones, you should never be able to see their hip bones or their spine!
I spent over $1,000 on this skink and couldn't believe my eyes when I pulled her out of the shipping bag, this poor skink is extremely malnourished.
I immediately sent a message to him, he said she eats and that she's skinny from laying slugs 8 weeks ago. That doesn't add up. Yes they can lose some weight but they should never look like this and he should be ashamed for selling her when she's in this condition.
I don't even feel comfortable letting her brumate, which a lot of my skinks are starting to do.
I received her yesterday and this situation is just irritating me more and more the more I think about it.
I would not recommend buying any animals from this person.


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Very sorry he sold you an animal in this condition.
The fact that he gave you an excuse (laying slugs) tells me that he knew she was underweight and should have been kept she regained her body weight. Still being that thin 8 weeks after laying is not good.

I hope the vet can save her, and also hope the seller makes this right (though my personal experience would suggest otherwise).

Original ad
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...d.php?t=637530
In the pictures you can see how she looked in the ad and then how she looked when she arrived yesterday.

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Even if it's true that she was thin due to having slugs, the buyer should have been informed of this before the purchase, and potentially provided with current pics showing her actual condition, so she could make an informed decision.

Is she eating?

Originally Posted by elena

Even if it's true that she was thin due to having slugs, the buyer should have been informed of this before the purchase, and potentially provided with current pics showing her actual condition, so she could make an informed decision.

Is she eating?

I totally agree.
She ate a little bit.

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Hi Kira,

I wish you would've contacted me before creating this thread. I agree she does look skinny in the picture you posted but the pictures from the ad are date and time stamped. She looked good when I shipped her out to you so the only thing I can think of is that the travel over to you stressed her out. I'm sure as she adjusts to her new home she'll be eating more for you than just a bit since she was pounding down Repashy Bluey Buffet, cat food, and supers (as in the video I told you about) while in our care. Please contact me at (305) 381-0038 so we can resolve this issue.

Thanks,
Alex

Hello again,

I have just responded to your message on PayPal. If you would like a refund please send her back and I will refund you. I would still like for you to call me at (305) 381-0038.

Alex

Originally Posted by Imperial Geckos

Hi Kira,

I wish you would've contacted me before creating this thread. I agree she does look skinny in the picture you posted but the pictures from the ad are date and time stamped. She looked good when I shipped her out to you so the only thing I can think of is that the travel over to you stressed her out. I'm sure as she adjusts to her new home she'll be eating more for you than just a bit since she was pounding down Repashy Bluey Buffet, cat food, and supers (as in the video I told you about) while in our care. Please contact me at (305) 381-0038 so we can resolve this issue.

Thanks,
Alex

I'll be the first to say that I am not very familiar with skinks, but I guess that everyone should check the images in your ads for dates and times since there are no clear time or date stamps on the photos in the ad that I see a least. I mean who would want to provide current pictures that represent the animal's current appearance when you can use ones when they are much more robust to boost the chances of a sale?

I see no issue with wanting to talk to the buyer to try and settle this and it is a welcomed change from your previous policy. However if there are any arrangements to be made I hope that it is done via text or email so that there is a record of the agreement(s) to protect both parties. On the bright side at least you are now replying to these types of threads and seem more willing to right any wrongs instead of avoiding them altogether like the last one.

I took the photos of the skink with my phone instead of my DSLR, which is stamped. Here are the pictures from my phone, time stamped so anyone can see.

I like to see that the seller is willing to try and help clear this up so I feel a bit awkward pointing out that although the pictures presented of the skink very healthy are time stamped and show a day...they do not show a date. Those pictures could be from any given Saturday. If you'd be kind enough to find a way to show the actual date that those photos were taken it could go a long way to proving your point. Just my thoughts on it.