I finally made my decision to make this report, due to the continuance of a bad business deal with such person. If anyone plans to deal with this person, I highly suggest you re-consider. I am not making this report to make matters even, however, it is the BOI and feel it is my right to practice as such.
I purchased a 0.1 Albino Burmese on 12/4/04, she was shipped Monday 12/6 and received her overnight via FedEX 12/7. In all our communication, mostly e-mails, she never once stated the condition of this snake, nor did she mention this snake's temperment. I admit to regret not asking her about these important facts as I should have, but after speaking with other local and out-of-state experienced herpers, I was told that she should have advised me.
As expected, this particular snake was stressed during the trip, so when i unpacked her she did not want to be bothered at all. She attempted to bite twice in that period, so I decided to take her to a local friend, Theron Williams, who has years of experience with an array of reptiles. He said he had never seen such a feisty snake, he even allowed her to bite him a few times and didn't mind the pain. At 5' in length, she is going to need some working with. Everyone's agreed to that.
In one of her e-mails dated 11/30/04 she says,
"The burm came from a breeder at the Columbus, Ohio show sometime last
year.
We bought her right before we bought our house, and we did that in July
'03.
She was only a month old at the time."
That was the answer I got when I inquired about her...
Then asked about her temperment, she responded:
"She is feeding on large pre-killed rats. She gets one about every week
to
ten days. She has NEVER missed a meal. Make sure, when you get her,
to
give her a water bowl big enough for her to curl up in. She loves to
soak.
We mist her cage and give her a bowl and the bowl is where we can
usually
find her.
She is a bit of a hisser but usually calms down. When she is a little
stressed she will strike. She has gotten a LOT better since we've got
her.
When we first got her she was downright NASTY. She would strike if you
walked by her cage. Now she hisses a little if you walk by and will
puff up
if you open her cage."
It's now been 10 days, I decided to leave her alone, covered with a towel over her enclosure for a 10-day period. My 2nd attempt handling her was last night - twice - and both times she attempted to bite, as indicated above, she did hiss, and puff... however, I have come to conclude this snake was never worked with under her in the first place. I have now politely asked for at least some kind of money back due to this problem, she refused and sent the following e-mail prior to her shipping:
"The little brat peed on me when I was putting her in a pillow case!!!
I had
to take her out of her water bowl, and boy, that made her MAD!! I
grabbed
her head and picked her up to lower her in and she started twisting
everywhere and then bam! Poo and Pee all over the floor. So then, I
went
to lower her in the bag and she started twisting again and peed all
over my
hand and all over the clean pillow case. I had to go get another one.
LOL!! Once she got in the bag and we tied it up she calmed down. Be
prepared. She's probably going to be really mad when you open that bag
up!!
If she's warm enough she'll probably take a few snaps at you.
I really hope she does well for you. Let me know when you get her.
Thanks!"
I admit I should have been a lot more careful about what I was receiving, unfortunately it never occurred to me that it would be a big problem with this snake. I am aware that others may say this is normal of a burmese, however, and I understand this is expected from a juvenile-sized burm. I beg to differ. This snake is really angry at all times, strikes from within her enclosure that I have had to cover her up, doesn't like to be handled and has suffered bruises around her neck due to her striking against the cage. I think I was ripped off, but now I will be a lot more careful and should inquire more info. on a snake.
I did learn my lesson, but I sure hope Sarah Shingleton learns hers as well. If anyone plans on buying from her I suggest once again, you look more into any possible issues with any of her snakes. I believe, and others do too, that after careful observation of this snake, her previous owner seldom took the time to handle her.
My last e-mail to her was,
"Dear Sarah,
It is with great sincerity that I write you this
e-mail. After receiving your female albino Burmese
python, I sent you an acknowledgement e-mail a few
hours later.
After careful observation I have come to conclude
that I am dealing with a highly aggressive snake. It
is evident that after several hours under my
supervision, her behavioral issues go beyond the
minimal water bowl problem you mentioned in a prior
e-mail. She literally attacks anything that moves,
including from inside her enclosure!
It has been personal experience that such a
defensive snake, at its current size of approximately
five (5) feet, it will take a great amount of time and
patience to achieve reasonable results.
I do sincerely apologize for any inconvinience
this may cause. It is my desire to work with her as
much as my time permits, and would hate to let her go
now that she's arrived.
I think in all fairness I should be refunded at
least some portion of what I paid for her due to her
highly aggressive behavioral problem that was not
mentioned to me prior to her purchase. I'll be more
than happy to assist in any kind of advertising and,
or shipping costs related to any possible or planned
relocation for her that you may decide. I hope you
understand and I look forward to a mutual party
agreement for such case.
Sincerely,
Peter Perez"
And she responded, quite defensively I might add, with:
"I gave you $100 off the Burm in the first place. She does have a
temper,
but you have to be patient with her. I've picked her up numerous
times. I
have never gotten bit by her because I know to be cautious around her.
I
let you know she had a temper and that you had to be patient with her.
She
just got shipped overnight right after she was put in a pillow case.
Now
she's in a new environment with different sites and smells. She's
bound to
be a bit grumpy and defensive.
Best regards,
Sarah"
Like I said, her being defensive is expected. But not to the level of defensiveness she's been showing me. For her to say she's never been bit by this snake is a total lie. I don't want to ship her back, as this will only cause the snake more stress, and considering the temps. in West Virginia it is probably unadvisable to ship her anyway. Sarah, if you're reading this, I should be entitled to at least some money back. You never offered her for $250. You offered her for $175, and I paid $170 with shipping. Now I know where you stand, and will never deal with you again. It is too bad, because you were my first experience buying from a private party, thus giving everyone else a bad name. Now I am a bit hesitant to purchase from anyone other than a dealer, but if I knew then about FaunaClassifieds.com I would have inquired about her and I should have been more careful about the purchase.
-Peter Perez
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