• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

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    Posted 08/15/2025
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    Yeah, I know. They are a pain in the butt. But they pay the bills to keep my server running. Just a fact of life, I am afraid.

    Want to get rid of them? Simple. Just become a Contributor level member or above and they will be gone. -> Please click HERE."

    Is that too much for me to ask of you to keep this site running? Well, sorry about that. I too wish I could get everything for free. But alas.....

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    Addendum: 01/10/2026
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    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Buyer Etiquette

I recently got an email that asked simply, "how much 2 ship 2 XXXXX, XX". No indication of what they were inquiring about. Against my better judgement, I asked what the person was interested in...the response - "what do u sell?" I deleted both emails.:shootfoot
 
hhmoore said:
I recently got an email that asked simply, "how much 2 ship 2 XXXXX, XX". No indication of what they were inquiring about. Against my better judgement, I asked what the person was interested in...the response - "what do u sell?" I deleted both emails.:shootfoot
Click to expand...

Ah, that's why I didn't get a response back!:(
 
Another one.
A buyer should be reasonable when weather changes make shipping difficult, especially in winter (but storms can interfere at any time of year). It is a seller's obligation to get the animal to the buyer in good health; and if they deem it unsafe to ship, then the buyer should try to be understanding of the delay.

Of course, that brings up an item that goes in the seller's etiquette thread - don't post animals for sale if you aren't willing and able to ship. If you aren't going to guarantee live arrival at temps under 40, then don't ship at those temps...and if you aren't going to ship when its cold, don't advertise in the winter (obviously, there are some regional issues there, but if your local temps are going to be below your shipping threshold for 3 months, don't advertise and/or take somebody's money).
 
Oh, and don't approach a seller offering a trade, then get all indignant about being expected to ship first. News Flash! Somebody has to ship first (well I've heard of cases where people pretend to coordinate by cell phone so they are dropping off their animals at the same time, lol, which is all nice unless somebody is lying).
The whole not shipping first thing is all nice in theory, and the biggest of names can probably get away with it...but it doesn't work for most of us. My policy is simple - the person that offers the trade, ships first. If I offer it, that means me; if somebody comes to me asking to trade, that person ships first. Things get a bit muddied if somebody posts a For Trade ad, because they are actively soliciting a trade. Personally, I won't respond to that type of ad unless I know enough about the person to be comfortable with the inherent risk.
 
As a buyer (never been a seller):
Don't email unless you're serious about an animal. Not saying you're committed, but if you know you're not really gonna buy that new $12,000 albino two headed angolan python :)p) just enjoy the window shopping. Been guilty of it myself in my younger, dumber days. But still, tsk tsk.
 
New one:

If you are expecting a shipment that has been planned before hand..BE THERE TO SIGN FOR THE ANIMAL!!!:ack2:

Don't keep the seller worried to death because her/his animal is in FedEx facilities somewhere and hasn't been delivered yet!!:NoNo:
 
Another one to add: Take Notice of a Sellers TOS!! If the TOS says that you must be there to sign for a package to get a guarantee... DON'T ask the seller to forgo the signature then complain when the package sits on your front porch in the hot sun or cold and becomes sick... Don't expect cooperation from the seller for a sick or dead animal!!

Just my Honest Opinion!
 
When your snake/lizard/purple people eater arrives, please let the seller know as soon as you can! Some of us get really paranoid about our babies, and we want to make sure they arrive safely!

I know this has already been mentioned, but it can't be said enough....

Please, please, PLEASE, at least ATTEMPT decent grammar! Using "r" and "u" as words is a huge turn-off. Try to make it seem like you at least got past 5th grade.
 
Another Thing: If the seller sends you a Tracking Number... PLEASE Respond to the E-mail/PM/Phone Call to let the seller know that you received it so we don't sit there twiddling our thumbs wondering if you will be there to sign for/pick up the package!! Some of us Care a lot about our animals and get worried with no response after we've shipped them off!!

Added to the post above!! :)
 
R. Eventide said:
When your snake/lizard/purple people eater arrives, please let the seller know as soon as you can! Some of us get really paranoid about our babies, and we want to make sure they arrive safely!
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Some folks would be amazed how often this DOES NOT HAPPEN. Its common courtesy folks... let us know they arrived and are ok. I am the type of person that wont use the payment money till Im sure the transaction is complete. Its nice to know everything is ok once they arrive so I can actually log the sale as income and go on with business.
 
Southern Wolf said:
Some folks would be amazed how often this DOES NOT HAPPEN. Its common courtesy folks... let us know they arrived and are ok. I am the type of person that wont use the payment money till Im sure the transaction is complete. Its nice to know everything is ok once they arrive so I can actually log the sale as income and go on with business.
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:iagree: Completely Agree with this statement! I'm a worry wort when it comes to shipping my babies and I will pester someone if they don't let em know they arrived safe and sound!
 
When it comes to buying or selling I'm an extremely communicative person. I don't care if it's email, phone call or text the seller will know the box is there, that I've opened it and how the animals are. There are times I've even been on the phone while all that's happening so the seller can hear my enthusiasm and happiness! I've been know to send text pictures to! :D

I wish all buyers had this etiquette.
 
TailsWithScales said:
When it comes to buying or selling I'm an extremely communicative person. I don't care if it's email, phone call or text the seller will know the box is there, that I've opened it and how the animals are. There are times I've even been on the phone while all that's happening so the seller can hear my enthusiasm and happiness! I've been know to send text pictures to! :D

I wish all buyers had this etiquette.
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You and me both. There's nothing more frustrating than not knowing immediately if the animal meets or exceeds expectations.:)
 
deborahbroadus said:
You and me both. There's nothing more frustrating than not knowing immediately if the animal meets or exceeds expectations.:)
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Yep... your so right. Last year I did a little something different in the name of "customer service" .... Due to the overwhelming lack of emails... I dont do it anymore.

Since I love photography... I would set up one animal (if the customer bought multiples) in my photo studio and put them thru a quick photo shoot. All total I prolly spent a couple hours between the shoot and processing. Then about 2 days after delivery I would email them a quality (normally a macro closeup) shot of their new critter... and it was large enough that they could print out as an 8x10 with no problems at all. I didnt even water mark it.... it was theirs to do with as they please.

I never got not ONE single email saying thanks or go jump in a lake. Seem like anymore... folks just dont care. They want a cheap critter... and they want it to arrive alive.... end of story.

It doesnt matter if your a hobbiest breeder or a pro.... when I get your animals in... Im gonna send you an email after I get them unpacked.
 
R. Eventide said:
When your snake/lizard/purple people eater arrives, please let the seller know as soon as you can! Some of us get really paranoid about our babies, and we want to make sure they arrive safely!
Click to expand...

Yes please.
One of my sales last year, never heard back from the buyer after animals were sent out... tracking showed they delivered and were signed for but never got a repsonse to my inquiries to find out if everything was okay. What could I do but assume they were satisfied... :(

I haven't asked someone to hold an animal without deposit but if there is something I am serious about (not just 'interested in' but serious about really getting) I may send a note to the seller expressing my interest and when I will have the money advising I will be back in touch at that time to see if it's still available.
-April
 
Southern Wolf said:
Yep... your so right. Last year I did a little something different in the name of "customer service" .... Due to the overwhelming lack of emails... I dont do it anymore.

Since I love photography... I would set up one animal (if the customer bought multiples) in my photo studio and put them thru a quick photo shoot. All total I prolly spent a couple hours between the shoot and processing. Then about 2 days after delivery I would email them a quality (normally a macro closeup) shot of their new critter... and it was large enough that they could print out as an 8x10 with no problems at all. I didnt even water mark it.... it was theirs to do with as they please.

I never got not ONE single email saying thanks or go jump in a lake. Seem like anymore... folks just dont care. They want a cheap critter... and they want it to arrive alive.... end of story.

It doesnt matter if your a hobbiest breeder or a pro.... when I get your animals in... Im gonna send you an email after I get them unpacked.
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Kevin,

If I ever have the opportunity to buy something from you, PLEASE do the photo thing:D. Like you, I LOVE photography but my main camera, Nikon D300, was stolen at a football game. Luckily, I have a POS backup but, its disappointing at best. I have TONS of 8x10s, or larger prints on my snake room walls. I love it because it shows my collection without having to open a box.
 
Dean... you'd have to remind me. I no longer do it as a perk of buying from me. It takes me a while to do and since no one in 2009 cared enough to say thanks... then I just cant see spending all the extra time puting their animals thru a special photo shoot. I could better use that time for.... say cleaning cages... or drooling over animals online somewhere. BTW... Im shooting with a D80 :D
 
Its truly a shame that people do nto respect the art that goes behind taking a GOOD shot. I bought a Super Pastel Female off of Joe Compel Reptiles recently. The photo is the sole reason I bought the snake. I also asked the man if he wouldnt mind me using it as my logo and use it wrap my Astro with. He didnt say no and actually asked me to find out what size photo I would need. I respect the hell out of good photos.
 
Southern Wolf said:
Yep... your so right. Last year I did a little something different in the name of "customer service" .... Due to the overwhelming lack of emails... I dont do it anymore.

Since I love photography... I would set up one animal (if the customer bought multiples) in my photo studio and put them thru a quick photo shoot. All total I prolly spent a couple hours between the shoot and processing. Then about 2 days after delivery I would email them a quality (normally a macro closeup) shot of their new critter... and it was large enough that they could print out as an 8x10 with no problems at all. I didnt even water mark it.... it was theirs to do with as they please.

I never got not ONE single email saying thanks or go jump in a lake. Seem like anymore... folks just dont care. They want a cheap critter... and they want it to arrive alive.... end of story.

It doesnt matter if your a hobbiest breeder or a pro.... when I get your animals in... Im gonna send you an email after I get them unpacked.
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Man that sucks. Trying to give good customer service and not even a "Thank you."

*btw: Great marketing idea!! They had a pic of their snake to put on a CUP, T-SHIRT, ETC...could have had a whole collection of cups with each of their snakes on it!!! That was an AWESOME idea!!!

My customers have been quite polite..it's just the odd one here and there. As a general rule, I do get very nice customers :) (didn't mean to imply that I didn't).
 
Southern Wolf said:
Since I love photography... I would set up one animal (if the customer bought multiples) in my photo studio and put them thru a quick photo shoot. All total I prolly spent a couple hours between the shoot and processing. Then about 2 days after delivery I would email them a quality (normally a macro closeup) shot of their new critter... and it was large enough that they could print out as an 8x10 with no problems at all. I didnt even water mark it.... it was theirs to do with as they please.
Click to expand...

Heck I'd be happy if I could get some feed records or prior history on a snake I bought. Somebody sends me paperwork & pictures I'm thrilled to death & let them know it!

It doesnt matter if your a hobbiest breeder or a pro.... when I get your animals in... Im gonna send you an email after I get them unpacked.
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Exactly. That's very important imo, especially since I've had to run down the street to stop my snakes from being delivered to the wrong house before & had the bozo's try to leave them with my up front neighbor because they didn't want to walk back to my door. Delivered doesn't mean delivered to the right place!
 
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