!! BE CAREFUL !! Wild caught ball pythons sold as captive breds!

[Philly]

I paid a guy named Mike $195 via paypal for three adult female captive bred ball pythons weighing over 3lbs. I received three wild caught snakes drop shipped from an importer.

I confronted Mike about this and he told me to "screw off" in a nutshell. I contacted paypal but I don't think they're going to help me.

This guy is a thief from the "inner city" in Michigan exploiting, cheating and damaging the hobby by selling $15 snakes for $65 and advertising them as captive bred. They have mites/ticks/parasites/etc. on them.

Here's the ad he has on http://www.reptilespark.com/market/smallads/antworten.cgi?sale_r.anz5743:

I have 16in american gator$75ea 5ft female ball python$65ea and suriname boas 4.5ft$400ea shipping is $45 in the states buyer pays unless we trade or buyer spends $120 or more i will pay half can lower some prices also will trade any thing listed for adult blood pythons or albino burms email or call mike exoctics at [email protected] 313-330-1049 24hrs

 

[The BoidSmith]

Philly,

It would be a shame if your message gets deleted because of not posting your full name.

It would be very important that you also post the complete information for "Mike", such as name address, etc. where you sent your payment.

I'm sorry this happened to you. But for the future remember the old adage "if it's seems too good to be true it probably is". The market is flooded right now with WC pregnant females going for approximatelly $200. There is no way someone will be selling CB pregnant females for $65 a piece.

Regards.

 

[Neil Gubitz]

Well.... maybe I missed something, but where in this ad (which has been removed)....

....I have 16in american gator$75ea 5ft female ball python$65ea and suriname boas 4.5ft$400ea shipping is $45 in the states buyer pays unless we trade or buyer spends $120 or more i will pay half can lower some prices also will trade any thing listed for adult blood pythons or albino burms email or call mike exoctics at [email protected] 313-330-1049 24hrs....

does it say that they are captive born??

Neil

 

[shawnM]

Is this mike from mikes exotics living in or around taylor Michigan? The same Mike who runs the Tayor Show? Thanks Shawn Morgan

 

[Philly]

I called him and spoke to him and he told me he had captive bred females available, parasite free and eating well. I included the ad as this was the ad that drew me to phone him and inquire about female availability.

I can forward all email dialogue to those parties interested. Bottom line, he bought them and had Strictly Reptiles drop ship them to me. I've got the invoice as proof and I don't blame Strictly Reptiles for anything as they've done NOTHING WRONG!

It's the classic "bait and switch" and unfortunately I've become less trusting of what people have to say on the phone. I want paperwork/documention before any money is sent, I'm checking BOI and checking references before forking any money out moving forward.

It's people like that who mess up good business in this hobby.

 

[Philly]

Is this mike from mikes exotics living in or around taylor Michigan? The same Mike who runs the Tayor Show? Thanks Shawn Morgan

I don't know if it's the same guy but he does live in Michigan and his ad does say "Mikes Exotics".

 

[NEWReptiles]

I can't understand why you would come on here and lie about the deal, do you think none of us read the KS forums?

You are obviously new to these animals and thought you were getting a good "deal". then when you realise YOU made a bad decision you come on here and slam the seller.

I hope the seller comes on here and gives his side of the story....


Hey ballheaded, this IS NOT KS, don't come to the BOI and lie, because if you do, there is a great chance you will be busted.

 

[Philly]

Well.... maybe I missed something, but where in this ad (which has been removed)....

....I have 16in american gator$75ea 5ft female ball python$65ea and suriname boas 4.5ft$400ea shipping is $45 in the states buyer pays unless we trade or buyer spends $120 or more i will pay half can lower some prices also will trade any thing listed for adult blood pythons or albino burms email or call mike exoctics at [email protected] 313-330-1049 24hrs....

does it say that they are captive born??

Neil

This email is a gem...He said he's going to ship them the following morning with his other packages and low and behold, I get the invoice from Strictly Reptiles in the box along with a sender address in Florida

An email from Mike:

"HEY RON MIKE WITH THE BALL PYTHONS SORRY THEY DIDNT COME AND PICK UP PACKAGE TODAY AND I DIDNT MAKE AFTERNOON SHIP ALSO DIDNT WANT THEM SIT AT A POST OFFICE ALL NIGHT THEY WILL GO OUT WITH ME TO SHIPPING IN THE MORNING FOR SURE I HAVE TO PUT UP SOME BLOOD PYTHONS JUST GIVING U UPDATE DONT WANT YOU TO THINK AM TRYING TO CHEAT YOU OR PLAY GAMES I VALUE YOU AS A COSTUMER ALSO IF U ORDER ANY THING ESLE I WILL WORK A DEAL AND GIVE YOU $20 OFF THE NEXT ORDER THANKS


MIKE"

 

[Philly]

I can't understand why you would come on here and lie about the deal, do you think none of us read the KS forums?

You are obviously new to these animals and thought you were getting a good "deal". then when you realise YOU made a bad decision you come on here and slam the seller.

I hope the seller comes on here and gives his side of the story....


Hey ballheaded, this IS NOT KS, don't come to the BOI and lie, because if you do, there is a great chance you will be busted.

Listen, I'm not going to have a pissing match with you as you are unimportant in my eyes and what you say does not matter as you had no money or loss in this transaction. My KS posts mentioned that I got screwed over and explained the situation so I'm not sure what you were reading what your alcohol blood content level was.

Was $65 a good deal for 3-4lb captive bred ball pythons? Absolutely! Did I think I was getting a good deal? Absolutely! And like I said, you were not on the phone with us as we discussed business so kindly do the group a favor and stop spewing rehetoric and name calling.

I'm an honest businessman, not a liar, thief or cheat. I paid Mike and got animals from Strictly Reptiles. Mike is in Michigan, said he was going to mail the ball pythons out the next day and low and behold he did, he mailed them from Florida, out of the Strictly Reptiles facility using their letterhead.

Please my friend, say no to drugs and shut down the computer for the evening. You're an embarrasment to yourself. Please email me and/or phone me if you wish to discuss this further as I'm sure no one would like to read our discussions.

 

[Philly]

Listen, I'm not going to have a pissing match with you as you are unimportant in my eyes and what you say does not matter as you had no money or loss in this transaction. My KS posts mentioned that I got screwed over and explained the situation so I'm not sure what you were reading what your alcohol blood content level was.

Was $65 a good deal for 3-4lb captive bred ball pythons? Absolutely! Did I think I was getting a good deal? Absolutely! And like I said, you were not on the phone with us as we discussed business so kindly do the group a favor and stop spewing rehetoric and name calling.

I'm an honest businessman, not a liar, thief or cheat. I paid Mike and got animals from Strictly Reptiles. Mike is in Michigan, said he was going to mail the ball pythons out the next day and low and behold he did, he mailed them from Florida, out of the Strictly Reptiles facility using their letterhead.

Please my friend, say no to drugs and shut down the computer for the evening. You're an embarrasment to yourself. Please email me and/or phone me if you wish to discuss this further as I'm sure no one would like to read our discussions.

Just one more thing. If I am a "so-called" liar, then why did Mike send me this email when I confronted him about the wc's he sold me that should have been cb's? I'm still waiting on the refund by the way, a refund that I don't expect I'll receive as he's evaded my calls and emails.

"thank you ron for dealing with this problem so well i promise i will make it up to you some how once we it all this right and i refund this to you when i send my snaks i will give a better deal on them than this for now on i will ship first "

This whole issue is making me naseau again, I'm turning my computer off for the evening. I'll chalk this up as a $195.00 education and write it off.

 

[NEWReptiles]

I recently purchased three supposedly adult females weighing 3-4lbs for $65 a piece from a private person that I found on the Internet. I knew I was taking a dice shoot but decided to go through with the transaction using paypal (who by the way can't help me now).

This is a quote from YOU..

It sucks that the KS police deleted over half of the posts in this thread, but there is still enough there to figure out what happened. I did read the ENTIRE thread before select posts were deleted.

 

[Suncoast Herpetological]

Philly

I would strongly suggest three things.

First: edit your profile so your full name shows in your signature. There is an excellent chance that this entire thread could be deleted if you don't.

Second: Post the entire Email exchange on here. That is really the only way that you are going to prove your point.

Third: If possible, scan the receipt fro Strictly's and post it as well.

 

[Philly]

This is a quote from YOU..

It sucks that the KS police deleted over half of the posts in this thread, but there is still enough there to figure out what happened. I did read the ENTIRE thread before select posts were deleted.

Ok, and your point?

I bought three supposed female adult weighing 3-4lbs. I got 3 wc ball pythons unsexed weighing under 1500 grams. As I never heard of this Mike guy before (searched KS) I was taking a gamble on the transaction as he could've taken my money and not sent anything.

Guess I "seven'd out" on this transaction afterall.

 

[NEWReptiles]

I bought three supposed female adult weighing 3-4lbs. I got 3 wc ball pythons unsexed weighing under 1500 grams.

Now thier mis-sexed?

P.S. 3 lbs = 1350 grams

 

[Philly]

Now thier mis-sexed?

P.S. 3 lbs = 1350 grams

I will take Suncoast Herpetological advise and scan the invoice and post it here. I've included my full name as well already.

With respect to mis-sexing, I paid for captive bred females, not wild caught unknowns. I phoned Strictly Reptiles and they said they're just ball pytons, period. I'll try to dumb down my english as you're having problems understanding me realvenum.

My point to all of this is that I received something for which was not in our oral agreement. As oral will not hold up in court, I cannot prove it one way or the other. If I wanted wild caught females, I could have bought them for $25 from Strictly Reptiles myself and not have paid $65 a piece for them! There's a bunch of importers selling females for $25 and under and if I wanted wc's, why would I pay $65 for them as you implied that I knew they were wc's all along? The statement or implication you made ranks way up there on the stupidity level.

I paid $65 since he told me they were captive bred females weighing 3-4lbs. I need a bunch of females and I wanted captive bred, not wild caught. If I wanted wild caught I could have bought 10 females for $250 from Strictly Reptiles or any other importer. Heck, there's a bunch of them listed on KS so it's common knowledge.

I'm done speaking to you as it's pointless and a complete waste of my time.

 

[NEWReptiles]

I'm done speaking to you as it's pointless and a complete waste of my time.

OK......




Funny how one could buy CB breeder size Regius at $65 each........I know I woulda ran and hid......

 

[NEWReptiles]

I will reply any further, I read all this crap on KS and thats why I replied now. I did dig up a couple posts from Ron and will post them here.

You be the judge.....

Posted by: BallHeaded at Wed Mar 3 09:09:06 2004 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Hi,

I think my situation may help others so I thank you in advance.

I recently purchased three supposedly adult females weighing 3-4lbs for $65 a piece from a private person that I found on the Internet. I knew I was taking a dice shoot but decided to go through with the transaction using paypal (who by the way can't help me now).

I received the fedex package today and it contained three large ball pythons in a sack along with an invoice from a reptile dealer that I did not do business. He must have ordered them from there and had them shipped to me. I phoned them and inquired about the snakes. The lady told me they were wild caught and weren't treated for anything.

I observed them and there appears to be ticks, etc. on them! I contacted the seller but he's not available now (in different timezone) but I want to be prepared for the worst case scenario.

Since I have zero experience with wild caughts and to be honest, I don't want to put up with the hassle of tick removal, etc. what should I do?? I want to be prepared for him possibly telling me that he won't refund me for the snakes.

What should I do??????


thanks in advance

Posted by: BallHeaded at Wed Mar 3 10:08:13 2004 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. That's pretty much why I took the gamble with them as I couldn't turn down $65 for females.

How would you recommend that I go about treating them? I have a few cans of provent-a-mite and I sprayed the tubs in the rack with it, let the vapors dissipate and introduced the snakes to the rack. I'm hoping that the provent-a-mite will kill the tick, mites, their respective eggs, etc. but I'm told that I will still have to remove the ticks with tweezers (ugh!).

Since 100% of imports have internal parasites, I'll have to address that issue as well. The good thing that I can take from this is that I will now have wild-caught experience

 

[HerpVenue]

I confronted Mike about this and he told me to "screw off" in a nutshell.

You posted the above.
With that in mind I say FRY THE GUY.

But then I saw this in another of your posts

"thank you ron for dealing with this problem so well i promise i will make it up to you some how once we it all this right and i refund this to you when i send my snaks i will give a better deal on them than this for now on i will ship first "

to me that sounds kinda like he is trying to make ammends.

yes he is wrong for pretending he ws gonna ship them.
yes he is wrong for selling wild caught as captive bred.

But you said on the phone he said he had captive bred available......
Did you mention it was those you wanted? Could have been a misunderstanding.

Also do not come here telling people he told you to basically "screw off" Because that is also wrong on your part.

I recently purchased three supposedly adult females weighing 3-4lbs for $65 a piece from a private person that I found on the Internet. I knew I was taking a dice shoot but decided to go through with the transaction using paypal (who by the way can't help me now).

The above is your post on KS.
So now you are saying they are unsexed.
HOW DO YOU KNOW?
They might be unsexed by you but it does not mean they were not sexed by the place who sent them to you.


1. he told you to basically "screw yourself"
2. They are "UNSEXED"....unsexed by you.

PLEASE DO NOT EXAGERATE (sp)

 

[Sasheena]

Ritchie, he did say that the place that shipped them to him confirmed their shipment was for WC adult ball pythons, unsexed and untreated.

At least that is what I thought I read.

But I agree... did he say he would work it out, or did he say "jump in a lake"?

 

[HerpVenue]

Ritchie, he did say that the place that shipped them to him confirmed their shipment was for WC adult ball pythons, unsexed and untreated.

Looks like I may have to review.
I don't remember saying that.

Still I think he is trying to work it out....