Russell,
Do you know how to take screenshots and post them? That is all we are asking for here, as just copy/pasting the text of emails posts them in a format that you can easily alter. We aren't saying that you are doing that, but in order to understand the situation fully, we need PROOF in screenshots that cannot be altered.
Please provide screenshots of the correspondences between you and Andre.
As it stands from the messages you have posted, there is no mention by Andre of him saying that you should return the snake. He did state that he could offer a replacement when one becomes ready, but you never posted anything where he stated that you should return the snake you had. He did give you his address, but he does state that you were pushing for one week when you and he had agreed on two.
Did you seriously return a snake because it didn't eat multiple times in one week?? Or it went a week without eating? Snakes, even neonates, can go much longer than that without food. I had a litter of baby Bitis rhinoceros born in July, and some took 3 weeks to take their first meal. After that they were fed every 10 days. It also sounds from your messages that you were trying to force food on it every single day- that would stress the snake out and make it unlikely to accept food. You absolutely should have waited several days between feedings, if not a week. You also should have given the poor thing some time to settle in before shoving food in its face. Snakes, even babies, generally take a week or so to acclimate.
The way I see things, you bought a snake that was probably eating fine, but very young. You immediately began trying to feed it every day, and stressed it to the point where it did not want to eat for you. You ignored the advice given by the seller and then demanded the snake be returned when it didn't eat for a week. You, sir, are a buyer to be avoided.
However, if Andre now has your snake AND your money, that is also not right. He can't keep both. He either needs to make arrangements to send you a replacement or refund. You have already gotten half of your money back from your credit card, so he is responsible only for half of your original purchase price. If your other credit card refunds that, then Andre doesn't owe you any more money. I also see Andre as a seller to avoid right now, because it seems he did not plan to refund you or give you another snake as he blocked communication with you. That is not acceptable, no matter how difficult you were. He can't keep both the snake and the $2000.
So, I would avoid both of you honestly. You both look pretty dirty in this.
