Wilomn
New member
That is correct. I meant to include the link but forgot it.
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Responding to email notices you receive.
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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.
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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....
Inquiry BallBids.com?
- Thread starter Lucille
- Start date
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- Tags
- arvi ballbids zack byers zack*byers zbbp
That is correct. I meant to include the link but forgot it.
Cat_72
Back from exile :)
Gotcha. I hadn't seen any of that. It makes more sense now, lol.
Well...I guess I feel the same way about this as I do about ANY of the same type of auction sites. It's not a lot different than walking into a casino, throwing 20 bucks into a machine, and hoping you hit it big. I don't think calling it a "scam" is really appropriate, but I can see where folks could look at it that way if the don't understand the whole process.
The quarantine is what would disturb me. If the snakes are indeed all coming from ONE breeder, Mike Wilbanks, perhaps not so much...but if the time were to come where there were more suppliers, it would be a BIG issue.
I also agree that the original banner for the site, showing what appears to be snakes sold for certain prices, was a poor judgement call at best...misleading may be more accurate.
Just out of geniune curiousity - if it had been Mr. Wilbanks himself that had set up the auction on his site, would folks look at it differently?
dchristensen
New member
I talked to mike Wilbanks and he confirmed selling snakes to them. However, he is not affiliated with the site and does not endorse the site.
aviBallBids
New member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2011
- Messages
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- Location
- Louisville, Kentucky, United States
Hi everyone!
My name is Avi Cohen, and I'm a Co-owner of BallBids.com I'm not sure who it was that emailed me and invited me to this thread, but thank you for the invite!
I'm here in case anyone has any uncertainties or questions they'd like to ask.
Hi Lucille!
Please, allow me to copy-paste one of my previous responses from Ball-pythons.net:
"My job at BallBids.com is to direct all of the company's digital marketing efforts. I developed the banner ads that you've being seeing, so i apologize for giving you a negative impression. Part of my banner development involves seeing what my competition has tested, and considering companies like Quibids and BidCactus have millions of dollars to test different ad variations, it was already proven that those ads would be effective at building our user base.
Again, I apologize for giving you a bad impression. Seeing as how we're a brand new website, it's obvious that no auctions have been completed yet. Instead, the ads were intended to give visitors an idea of the possibilities."
Hi twgrosmick!
You've mostly got our system down, thank you! Just to clarify, the timer on all of our auctions will go down until it drops below 15 seconds, at which point any bids will rest the timer back to 15 seconds, never higher. I'll copy-paste another bit I mentioned on another forum:
"As for the timer resetting to 15 seconds, there is a certain level of uncertainty that comes with the system being set up this way (Which is necessary). If it weren't for this system, sniper bidders would dominate our website, leaving only a handful of winners. Instead, all bidders need to gauge whether or not competing bidders will give in sooner rather than later, which creates that necessary uncertainty and prevents our site from becoming a breeding ground for snipers."
Auction prices are capped at 25% the item/animal's value, that way the final auction price will always be 75% the regular price, and, at the same time, 5% of the value of all bid package purchases are given back right away in the form of Reward Points that can be redeemed for other gifts and prizes at our Reward Store.
Hi redhood23!
I just moved up to Louisville, Kentucky from Coral Springs about 2 weeks ago! Which area did you live in? I lived off of Coral Hills, right behind the City Hall!
Hi Will0W783!
Because we're a new website, we're focusing mainly on building our user base, that way we don't put ourselves out of business right from the start. Once our user base justifies the listing of multiple auctions, you will see just that!
Also, we keep all of our snakes in a melamine rack system we built here at out facility. We've got a sub-adult rack and a hatchling rack at the moment, fully equipped with thermostats, heat tape, hide boxes, water bowls, etc. Once we are done building the rest of our racks we will have enough room to house 105 snakes, for the time being.
I hope that answers your questions!
Hi dchristensen!
Please reference my above response to "twgrosmick" to clarify how our system works.
As for Mike Wilbanks, he is aware of what we have going on, but he is NOT affiliated with us in any way besides being our primary source for ball pythons.
And as for using his company's name, we're simply developing his brand some more, as a thank you for helping us out with prices when we purchased snakes in bulk. At the same time, people need to know where their animals are coming from, and how can you go wrong with Constrictors Unlimited?
He's NOT affiliated with us in any way, besides being our primary source for ball pythons. I apologize for any confusion.
-Avi =)
My name is Avi Cohen, and I'm a Co-owner of BallBids.com I'm not sure who it was that emailed me and invited me to this thread, but thank you for the invite!
I'm here in case anyone has any uncertainties or questions they'd like to ask.
Hi Lucille!
Please, allow me to copy-paste one of my previous responses from Ball-pythons.net:
"My job at BallBids.com is to direct all of the company's digital marketing efforts. I developed the banner ads that you've being seeing, so i apologize for giving you a negative impression. Part of my banner development involves seeing what my competition has tested, and considering companies like Quibids and BidCactus have millions of dollars to test different ad variations, it was already proven that those ads would be effective at building our user base.
Again, I apologize for giving you a bad impression. Seeing as how we're a brand new website, it's obvious that no auctions have been completed yet. Instead, the ads were intended to give visitors an idea of the possibilities."
Hi twgrosmick!
You've mostly got our system down, thank you! Just to clarify, the timer on all of our auctions will go down until it drops below 15 seconds, at which point any bids will rest the timer back to 15 seconds, never higher. I'll copy-paste another bit I mentioned on another forum:
"As for the timer resetting to 15 seconds, there is a certain level of uncertainty that comes with the system being set up this way (Which is necessary). If it weren't for this system, sniper bidders would dominate our website, leaving only a handful of winners. Instead, all bidders need to gauge whether or not competing bidders will give in sooner rather than later, which creates that necessary uncertainty and prevents our site from becoming a breeding ground for snipers."
Auction prices are capped at 25% the item/animal's value, that way the final auction price will always be 75% the regular price, and, at the same time, 5% of the value of all bid package purchases are given back right away in the form of Reward Points that can be redeemed for other gifts and prizes at our Reward Store.
Hi redhood23!
I just moved up to Louisville, Kentucky from Coral Springs about 2 weeks ago! Which area did you live in? I lived off of Coral Hills, right behind the City Hall!
Hi Will0W783!
Because we're a new website, we're focusing mainly on building our user base, that way we don't put ourselves out of business right from the start. Once our user base justifies the listing of multiple auctions, you will see just that!
Also, we keep all of our snakes in a melamine rack system we built here at out facility. We've got a sub-adult rack and a hatchling rack at the moment, fully equipped with thermostats, heat tape, hide boxes, water bowls, etc. Once we are done building the rest of our racks we will have enough room to house 105 snakes, for the time being.
I hope that answers your questions!
Hi dchristensen!
Please reference my above response to "twgrosmick" to clarify how our system works.
As for Mike Wilbanks, he is aware of what we have going on, but he is NOT affiliated with us in any way besides being our primary source for ball pythons.
And as for using his company's name, we're simply developing his brand some more, as a thank you for helping us out with prices when we purchased snakes in bulk. At the same time, people need to know where their animals are coming from, and how can you go wrong with Constrictors Unlimited?
He's NOT affiliated with us in any way, besides being our primary source for ball pythons. I apologize for any confusion.
-Avi =)
Temporalis_Enterprises
Member
I too find this very fishy. The fact that I saw one of their banners stating they sold a Sunset Ball (a so far one of a kind, non-genetic snake owned by BHB), was enough for me to call their BS. I would never bid on a site like that, it just looks way to phoney and is as stated before built on lies. If you're built on lies, where do you go from there?
It was not obvious. You advertised the snakes as 'sold'. I'd pull those banners pronto, starting off by lying is not a good start.
Temporalis_Enterprises
Member
Avi, if you've never completed an auction, how can you have a banner that says you did? It's not good business. I have several dinker projects in my collection (African Fat-Tails), and I would never say they are genetic unless they are. Same concept applies here, how can you say something has sold for X amount when it is a snake there is one of in the world that only one breeder has?
Shadera
Wayward Python Wet Nurse
I got an unsolicited email from them the other day, and deleted it without looking too far into it.
I'm not a big fan of people who harvest my email address, then spam me to promote their business. I'm perfectly capable of finding legitimate people to do business with, on my own.
I'm not a big fan of people who harvest my email address, then spam me to promote their business. I'm perfectly capable of finding legitimate people to do business with, on my own.
SPJ
Well-known member
It's a site not worth visiting.
The only people who will get a good deal are the owners. They are going to make money by charging for bids.
Resetting the clock allows them to collect more money NOT keep out robo-bidders.
They started by marketing lies and eventually they will be out of business.
I hope NO ONE falls for this trap.
The only people who will get a good deal are the owners. They are going to make money by charging for bids.
Resetting the clock allows them to collect more money NOT keep out robo-bidders.
They started by marketing lies and eventually they will be out of business.
I hope NO ONE falls for this trap.
Gloryhound
RadPythons Limited
Looking at other sites that run similar auctions it appears the business model they are running appears to be perfectly legal, as long as it is legit. I just don't know how to determine they are legit until actual winners come forward that have reputations established elsewhere in the community. From my dealings with most reputable people in the hobby, I can't see any of them being insane enough to gamble like that, or put their reputation on the line like that. Most people in the hobby are not making enough money to go throw money at the chance of winning something.
Other types of auction sites use this model and have become very profitable selling other stuff. Problem is, for every satisfied bidder you have hundreds if not thousands of unsatisfied bidders. I don't think it will take them long to disenfranchise a lot of the group they are calling their client base.
Other types of auction sites use this model and have become very profitable selling other stuff. Problem is, for every satisfied bidder you have hundreds if not thousands of unsatisfied bidders. I don't think it will take them long to disenfranchise a lot of the group they are calling their client base.
SafariPets
New member
I agree they should not send out unsolicited emails and they will get lots of unhappy bidders for every happy bidder.
I completely disagree with them advertising animals sold that have in fact not been sold! Very bad business ethics! Lying is not a good way to start a business in this industry.
I have been relatively successful with quibids. But they are selling items that are not alive and don't need to be quarantined, etc. I agree that most reputable breeders are not going to put their name and reputation on the line.
It is an Interesting business model as penny auctions are rising in popularity.
I completely disagree with them advertising animals sold that have in fact not been sold! Very bad business ethics! Lying is not a good way to start a business in this industry.
I have been relatively successful with quibids. But they are selling items that are not alive and don't need to be quarantined, etc. I agree that most reputable breeders are not going to put their name and reputation on the line.
It is an Interesting business model as penny auctions are rising in popularity.
RichsBallPythons
Well-known member
This is the ad that surfaced and is going around.
Theres a reason eBay is so successful over these penny auctions, cause eBay is FREE to use when bidding
Theres a reason eBay is so successful over these penny auctions, cause eBay is FREE to use when bidding
SPJ
Well-known member
This is the ad that surfaced and is going around.
Theres a reason eBay is so successful over these penny auctions, cause eBay is FREE to use when bidding
And NOT ONE of those snakes exist.
They were never sold. Never bid on. Probably never even in BallBids posession.
The fact that they blatantly lied with the marketing is enough for me to steer clear of them. If they can't even be honest when they first try to market the site, why should anyone trust them with their money?
GREGORY J HALL
Active member
High Tech Flipper,out for a buck sorry hobby dont work this way.
I totally agree. But, if they DO happen to have snakes, the lying should send red flags. Remember, these are ball pythons we are speaking of. Ball pythons are subject to some serious infectious diseases.
This biz could get their stock from the finest breeders anywhere, but if they had even one additional bp of questionable health, then only scrupulous quarantine by this business and by the winner both would help assure that those who happened to win a snake, that the safety of their own snakes in their collections would not be compromised.
And after starting their biz by lying, who would believe any health assurances by this business?
Plethora Of Pythons LLC
New member
Please read their terms and conditions carefully. Live animals are not to be returned. No live delivery guarantee, no health guarantee, no warranty.
That does not inspire confidence. Depending on what came along with it, the $7 ball python you might win might just be the costliest snake you ever bought, if it wipes out your collection.
SPJ
Well-known member
Exactly.
It doesn't matter how "cheap" it may have been when you won the bid, it could be devastating if that animal infects your entire collection and racks up enormous vet bills.
This type of auction maybe fine for some things but definitely not live animals.
I was wondering, how do they ship and what happens if there is a shipping problem?
The whole thing is designed to make a lot of money off of people who think they are getting a "good deal" with no regards to the so-called "product" they are auctioning off and no recourse when the deal goes south.
dchristensen
New member
Gambling, plain and simple
It says they are shipping using ShipYourReptiles.com.
I am not advocating for them, but in checking this, they did in fact buy the animal that is on auction from Mike Wilbanks as he confirmed to me. If they ship through SYR with the SYR packaging, then there will be some insurance for live delivery through syr.com
In the end, we all know that it is the individual buyer's responsibility to handle the animals they receive in a manner that is safe for the rest of their colony. You could buy a snake at a show and have an equal or greater risk that the animal is sick and will contaminate your others.
We also know that there are people who will use this site to get animals because if you get a $1,500 male orange dream for $375 you may make a huge return within a couple of years.
Like it was stated above, this is gambling. Gambling that you win your bid and gambling that you will get a snake that is a healthy addition to your collection.
It says they are shipping using ShipYourReptiles.com.
I am not advocating for them, but in checking this, they did in fact buy the animal that is on auction from Mike Wilbanks as he confirmed to me. If they ship through SYR with the SYR packaging, then there will be some insurance for live delivery through syr.com
In the end, we all know that it is the individual buyer's responsibility to handle the animals they receive in a manner that is safe for the rest of their colony. You could buy a snake at a show and have an equal or greater risk that the animal is sick and will contaminate your others.
We also know that there are people who will use this site to get animals because if you get a $1,500 male orange dream for $375 you may make a huge return within a couple of years.
Like it was stated above, this is gambling. Gambling that you win your bid and gambling that you will get a snake that is a healthy addition to your collection.
JudyC
New member
What little I know about the two owners of BallBids...
Avi created the ad banners that are deliberately misleading. It's been pointed out multiple times that starting off your business with a blatant lie is a bad idea. Instead of accepting that and admitting any error on his part or changing the ads, he continues to say it was "just marketing". That's what I KNOW about Avi. What I THINK is that this makes him sound like someone who has no scruples about doing whatever it takes to promote his business and make his money. Regardless of the ethics of the situation, he'll find a way to justify it.
I know a little bit more about Zack. Zack showed up at BP.net last year and got himself into a bit of trouble due to a very short fuse and lack of social skills. Nothing inherently wrong with that. It happens. Not everyone is cut out for online communities. A bad temper doesn't make one a bad guy, even if it is a common symptom of bad-guy-ism.
BUT...after things didn't go his way, Zack broke the rules of the site to start a new account with a new name. We gave him the benefit of the doubt and dealt with it and he continued to be allowed to participate if he wished.
NOW...he comes back to BP.net with yet another account. An account he darned well knows was against our rules for him to create. That account was banned, and he was warned to use his original account and to not create another. But he ignored that warning and posted again from yet another account. Now he is permanently banned from BP.net.
If he can't follow the VERY simple rules of my site, what makes me think he will bother following whatever rules he sets up for his own site.
I wouldn't trust either of these guys as far as I could throw them. Even if they ARE trying to run a legitimate business, the character traits they demonstrate here give NO confidence that they'll actually be able to follow through with reliable customer service. And if customers start getting crappy service, you can BET (a gamble you're sure to win this time) that you'll get nothing but hot-tempered arguments from Zack, and calm collected justifications from Avi.
Avi created the ad banners that are deliberately misleading. It's been pointed out multiple times that starting off your business with a blatant lie is a bad idea. Instead of accepting that and admitting any error on his part or changing the ads, he continues to say it was "just marketing". That's what I KNOW about Avi. What I THINK is that this makes him sound like someone who has no scruples about doing whatever it takes to promote his business and make his money. Regardless of the ethics of the situation, he'll find a way to justify it.
I know a little bit more about Zack. Zack showed up at BP.net last year and got himself into a bit of trouble due to a very short fuse and lack of social skills. Nothing inherently wrong with that. It happens. Not everyone is cut out for online communities. A bad temper doesn't make one a bad guy, even if it is a common symptom of bad-guy-ism.
BUT...after things didn't go his way, Zack broke the rules of the site to start a new account with a new name. We gave him the benefit of the doubt and dealt with it and he continued to be allowed to participate if he wished.
NOW...he comes back to BP.net with yet another account. An account he darned well knows was against our rules for him to create. That account was banned, and he was warned to use his original account and to not create another. But he ignored that warning and posted again from yet another account. Now he is permanently banned from BP.net.
If he can't follow the VERY simple rules of my site, what makes me think he will bother following whatever rules he sets up for his own site.
I wouldn't trust either of these guys as far as I could throw them. Even if they ARE trying to run a legitimate business, the character traits they demonstrate here give NO confidence that they'll actually be able to follow through with reliable customer service. And if customers start getting crappy service, you can BET (a gamble you're sure to win this time) that you'll get nothing but hot-tempered arguments from Zack, and calm collected justifications from Avi.