| Author | Subject: Avoiding deals that sound to good to be true..... |
| Russ Bates | Posted At 06:46:30 07/21/2001
What I am about to say is nothing new and it has been stated before here by several well known herpers. In light of all the recent con artist and theives that choose to scam herpers out of money, I say this: Protect yourself, if the deal sounds to damn good....it probably is! Don't buy reptiles from these people unless you can take getting jerked around. There are so many sob stories on this forum that it makes me irritated and sick that such pathetic people are infiltrating a neat and fun hobby. Rich Z - thanks for this forum, it is a hoot to read. I really feel that some of the folks on here love to throw there money away on "unrealistic deals".......but that is there option. Best of luck to all - |
| steve schindler |
Re: Avoiding deals that sound to good to be true.....
6147.html Posted At 09:29:10 07/21/2001 you are correct to a point. Many deals that sound to good to be true are just that. On the other hand, there are a lot of people out there who do NOT think that their animals are so perfect that they are worth their weight in gold and therefore they are offering better prices. Having said that however, I do follow the addage "you get what you pay for" to a large degree. The additional money is not alway reflected in the quality of the animal, but the type of service you get as well. This may be more important that the animals in some cases, but in others, just like all retail, you are paying for a name with no added benefits. All in all, Russ is correct. just take all the precautions you can when making any purchase. Even with someone of high reputation. Not all problems are due to bad intentions, and everyone can make mistakes. Its just that some people are more willing to admit, and make up for their mistakes, these are the good ones and the ones you should do busines with. I'd also like to add my thanks to Rich for providing the entertaining and informative message board. It seems that every day I check in here I add a couple of names to my own personal blacklist. Many times the reasons have nothing to do with any particular deal being discussed, just the attitudes of the people making the posts. |
| JERRY TRESSER |
Re: Avoiding deals that sound to good to be true.....
6148.html Posted At 09:43:07 07/21/2001 RUSS, one of the big problems is that many of these deals are not based on any " business sense " The herp business is very dangerous now more so than ever. This can easily be attributed to the Internet. Fly by nights, scam artists, weekend herpers, etc. seem to come out of the woodwork looking to sell and have savied themselves enough to induce a well meaning buyer to part with their money. Whether it be livestock or drygoods. I to am irritated by the lack of forsight in knowing how one has to protect their own iterest when dealing with unknown people, questionable deals, etc. Some of this can be blamed on ignorance, or stupidity, or a willing desire to get that " deal of a lifetime " etc. In either case its to repetative, People just do not understand that when dealing in any business transaction whether it be snakes or shoelaces, a POLICY for conducting business has to be in force. Secondly, buyers must also learn, warning signs, and know when NOT to enter a deal. In most instances, these deals are conducted by young novices who are weekend herpers or get tired of their animals or are looking to dump them on an unsuspecting buyer, knowing full well that GETTING YOUR MONEY BACK IS MORE DIFFICULT THAN GIVING YOUR MONEY. They have no conscience, a total disregard for the animals, and in many cases prefer to take the risk knowing that the prospects of returning monies are almost nill. Finally, they dont care about their GOOD NAME, because their basically out of the business at that point! If teeth could be inforced into these Internet Frauds, that could possibly make a difference, but I dont think that in the foreeable future, their will be much of a change. Its to rampant and this business invites these characters with open arms. Considering that I have been around this business longer than anyone on this forum or Kingsnake for that matter, 1964 to be exact, not much has changed. You have to learn from good business sense, that their are methods that can reduce the liability, limit your exposure and know whom you are dealing with. This forum is one avenue, but I wish their was a more centralized means, such as a Federal permit if you intend to ship animals,etc. anything that would add some legitimacy to this business so that if you try anything the cost will be on shipper rather than the potential buyer. |