It's been OVER a year!!!

OK, here's the deal!!
In May of 2001, I sold someone a Adult Het/Albino "Female" Boa!!! TODAY, the guy e-mails me and tells me the boa died in Nov. of 2001. He froze the animal and took it in for a neocropsy(Sp?). The vet said it was a "MALE". The guy paid 450$ for "her" and wants 200$ compensation (actually, he wants some BP's that I hatched this year) to "keep my reputation"!!
I told him that I couldn't do anything, it's been OVER A YEAR!!!! What would you do??  
Thanks Eric Burkett

WOW over a year. How are you to know that is the same animal you sold him. I wouldn't give him anything.

I'd offer him a discount on the BP's (something like 10 - 15%) not because it was due him or anything but rather as a way to smooth over a deal for a customer. From the "keep your reputation" comment I get the impression he is trying to "muscle" you into giving him way more than he deserves (of course this is without hearing his side or the whole conversation that quote was from). Improper sexing didn't kill the animal and it seems to be a minor concern if he waited that long to check (really he didn't even check, as it seems it was found out by accident). All IMHO.

Erik...This doesn't even pass the "laugh" test!! The snake was dead "before" he even checked the sex?? Then he put it in the freezer for "months"<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> You can't do a proper ecropsy with a frozen snake?? You don't owe this guy a dime! I wouldn't give him the satisfaction...as I've said before....there are those times when you just "know" that you're being taken advantage of, and you've "got" to put your foot down! You are "never" going to please everyone (take my word for that&#33<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>...it won't ruin your reputation and it won't hurt your business, either! (take my word for that, too&#33<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>...
I wouldn't give it a second thought....just tell this guy you're sorry, but there's absolutely nothing you are willing to do for him! And let it go at that! No matter what you do, you've already lost him as a customer, even if you swollowed your pride and gave in to his demands, he's still going to "down-talk" you...so, why waste your money for nothing....Neil

Eric,

I gotta say it....Some customers suck. &nbsp;I am seeing a bad trend here with customers starting to turn up more and more wanting money or animals when the seller is not at fault or have any obligation to do so. &nbsp;Don't even waste your time with this character. &nbsp;A Necropsy can't be done correctly once an animal has been frozen for one thing. &nbsp;Another thing, if it died in Novenmber why did he now get in contact with you? Sounds kinda fishy to me. &nbsp;He is just trying to strong-arm you into feeling bad and giveing him free animals. DO NOT GIVE INTO HIM. &nbsp;THis will not hurt your reputation in the slightest. Just tell him nicely "Sorry but there is nothing I will do for you, I am sorry for the loss of th snake but I am not responsiblefor it."

not a dime, no way, no how! If this person even tried to "ruin your reputation" he would be laughed off any forum ! Keep your money,
you don't need the reputation of an easy mark! &nbsp;Don't be suckered in.

Jerry Dorgan

gig <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

"BEING HELD HOSTAGE AS A SELLER AND HOW TO AVOID IT"
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;This is the title of my newest book.

&nbsp; &nbsp; The answer to this mini drama is thusely:

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;A pre-written and drafter TERMS of SALE paper
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;that the customer can SEE &nbsp;before purchaseing, or at
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;least when his snake arrives.


"ERIC"

You sold this guy a &nbsp;snake LAST MAY? In the year 2001?
And YOU incorrectly sexed it(Bad business on that one my friend)

BUT..........
He contacts you in NOV 2001. A TAD late in about 99.9% of the majority of most reptile breeders credos. He says he has a Necropsy report? from the dead snake, that was incorrectly sexed and bought from you, and this after the snake went in the FREEZER.
This is all damning evidence, and frankly a P.R. nightmare, only one small problem remains:

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;IT IS A ORIGINAL & HIGHLY FABRICATED LIE

This is JUST my opinion, but if you sell a person a snake
they keep it for &nbsp;upwards of 6 months, it dies on them and then they wait some more time to tell you that it died and a necropsy was done, then ASK for a partial refund becuase the snake was the WRONG SEX?
Well, if the snake was the wrong sex, they would certainly be due a refund in ful. But , then how do you know that the snake you get back will be the same one that was supposed to be "Incorrectly sexed"? And this is asumeing the snake is alive.

To many holes in this story, it smellls like my aunt margies socks in the dirty clothes hamper. HERE are some scenarios to think about:

a) The snake arrived there alive and healthy, and after being exposed to a virus or bacterium in that persons collection succombed to it. &nbsp; Verdict:Not your responsiblity, to much time elapsed to ensure that it wasnt his neglect that killed the snake

b) The boa you sent him was healthy and well. SO healthy in fact that he wanted another one to go with it, but this one for free. He tells you that it died, but actually uses another boa found in the deep freeze as the necropsy specimen then tell you that you need to replace it or cough up money for the miss sexing of it. Verdict: Not your responsibility

c) You sent him a boa that was sick, it took about 6 months to take the sleigh ride downhill into never never land and died.
DUREING this time he doesnt contact you at all. He finds out AFTER the snake is dead that it was the wrong sex all along.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Verdict: Partial responsibility for selling a snake of the wrong sex, but only if the body can be sent to you along with the pathology report describing it and you can make a positive I.D. of the snake by matching up pattern of skin.

d) NOTHING died. The pathology report is a hoax or one borrowed from a friend. Yopu sexed the snake correctly. The person that purchased it from you just wants to get over
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Verdict: Not responsible


My opinion is this; Do what your conscious dictates for you to do. Personally, i would refund one red centavo of his money, and would never sell him a snake again, ever. Draw up a disclaimer and terms page that clearly state what happens post sale, it will protect you from unscroupulous people TRYING to threaten you. If people know and understand yourterms before the sael, then it makes things easier.

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Fred

PLEASE NOTE:

In my post above I said that "I would refund one centavo of his money.
This quote is incorrect, ity should have read"I WOULDNT refund one red centavo of his money"

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;NADA
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;ZILCH
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;ZERO
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 0-
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Fred Albuiry
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; (Aztec Reptiles)

Your liability is limited to the sale and possibly whatever additional agreement you may have made with this person. Apparently he considers himself married to you for the rest of YOUR life. Iam curious if he deals this way with other vendors.You met your obligation, He is owed nothing! JERRY TRESSER

Eric,

Your don't owe him a dime because of the death of the animal. Having said this, and as far as you know, did he ever try to breed the boa? (Don't ask him because if not he will say yes, but did he buy it for breeding purposes during that first year?).

Best regards, &nbsp;<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>