• 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

    =====================
    Posted 08/15/2025
    =====================


    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.....

    =====================
    Addendum: 01/10/2026
    =====================


    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

hhmoore

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Since the Don't Get Scammed thread is getting some attention, I figured I'd have some fun with this topic. This is a quick list, and they aren't in any particular order. Feel free to join in...

1) If the ad indicates a contact preference, consider using it. (I'm guilty of not following this myself, if the person says phone calls take priority)

2) If you are requesting additional pictures, and you are looking for something specific, tell us what it is so we can try to capture it for you. Don't keep sending us back for more pics, hoping we figure it out.

3) If you are going to offer something less than the asking price, please do so privately. There are several reasons for doing this...maybe I'm just old fashioned, but it seems like common sense.

4) Be considerate of "normal calling hours"

5) Don't post about where you found something cheaper, or comment about prices in our ads

6) Understand that many of us don't invite strangers into our homes to sell an animal. Arranging a meeting place isn't necessarily an indicator of something shady going on.

7) If you commit to purchase an animal -or several of them - or enter a payment plan, follow through (the only time I can recall bailing on an animal I had committed to was when I found out my debit card had been accessed & about $2000 in fraudulent purchases had been made.)

8) Don't get pi$$y if your lowball offer is declined.
8a) "It doesn't hurt to ask" doesn't mean feel free to insult us

9) If there is a problem/concern, contact the seller first.

10) Don't make disruptive posts in our ads...an ad is not the place to debate/discuss husbandry, how a cage is made, what branch of the service somebody was in, who the girl/guy in the photo is, or carry on petty arguments.

*I'm already seeing a followup thread for seller etiquette
 
Good thread, I'd like to add a few:

Don't ask the seller to ship illegally. Also, be mindful of the critters, if the seller wants to wait until better weather to ship, be OK with that.

If you ask the seller a zillion questions and ask for(and get) photos, that does not necessarily commit you to a sale but a short note thanking the seller for his/her time and a decision on whether you will buy or not might be appreciated.
 
1. Don't ask the Seller if they can hold on to an animal till funds arrive; this is rude and inconsiderate. If you do not have any money to buy, consider contacting the Seller when you DO have the money.

2. Remember that FEDEX only ships to BUSINESS addresses, please stop giving home addresses, make sure to have alternative shipping arrangements before clicking the "buy" button.

3. Most breeders are always happy to help someone with an animal that they purchased. If you are having problems with an animal, please consider asking the person whom you purchased the animal from the questions you have, since they will know more about said animal instead of a different breeder.

4. Happy with your purchase? Tell the BOI!! If you are unhappy..tell the seller first and give them at least 2 days to respond.:D
 
1. Don't ask the Seller if they can hold on to an animal till funds arrive; this is rude and inconsiderate. If you do not have any money to buy, consider contacting the Seller when you DO have the money.

I don't fully agree with this. The only reason is if you have half the funds and it's 'the one' and you will have the funds by a certain date how is it rude to ask a seller to hold an animal for you with a deposit?

Maybe I misunderstood?
:shrug01: :D
 
There's nothing wrong with holding an animal with a deposit...but a lot of people want you to hold things for weeks without one. It's great that they like the animal so much that they have to have it; but if they like it that much, they should be willing to make a serious commitment to buying it.

I have, at times, offered to hold an animal for an extended period without a deposit...but not one that I am advertising. If it's advertised, that means I am actively trying to sell it...in that situation, money talks. (exceptions may be made for friends, and regular customers)
 
I don't fully agree with this. The only reason is if you have half the funds and it's 'the one' and you will have the funds by a certain date how is it rude to ask a seller to hold an animal for you with a deposit?

Maybe I misunderstood?
:shrug01: :D

I was referring to customers that want the animal held without a deposit. Like Harald said, it can be done...usually for regular customers, friends..situations of that nature.

My TOS do state that I will hold an animal with a non-refundable deposit.:)
 
The waiver does state business to business...one of several reasons that some of us strongly prefer to ship FedEx to FedEx, and have the customer pick up there.
(I also have my FedEx shipments held for me to pickup)
 
FEDEX only ships to businesses? I had 2 balls delivered to my house last week by fedex. Is that not normal?

To ship live animals, I had to get a FEDEX waiver to ensure that I could ship without incident (breaking laws, regulations..etc).

Paragraph J of the waiver states that "Company ackowledges that all shipments tendered to FedEx under this Agreement are for Business to Business delivery only. No residential deliveries are allowed under this Agreement."

If anyone has a different agreement, I would like to know of it.:)
 
I was referring to customers that want the animal held without a deposit. Like Harald said, it can be done...usually for regular customers, friends..situations of that nature.

My TOS do state that I will hold an animal with a non-refundable deposit.:)

There's nothing wrong with holding an animal with a deposit...but a lot of people want you to hold things for weeks without one. It's great that they like the animal so much that they have to have it; but if they like it that much, they should be willing to make a serious commitment to buying it.

I have, at times, offered to hold an animal for an extended period without a deposit...but not one that I am advertising. If it's advertised, that means I am actively trying to sell it...in that situation, money talks. (exceptions may be made for friends, and regular customers)

I figured as much but it never hurts to ask for clarification. :)

To ship live animals, I had to get a FEDEX waiver to ensure that I could ship without incident (breaking laws, regulations..etc).

Paragraph J of the waiver states that "Company ackowledges that all shipments tendered to FedEx under this Agreement are for Business to Business delivery only. No residential deliveries are allowed under this Agreement."

If anyone has a different agreement, I would like to know of it.:)

I do not have a shipping account with FedEx but I've received numerous reptiles shipped to my home from them so I am not sure it's just over looked or what. :shrug01:

I've thought of getting a shipping account with them but if it's business to business shipping only would that really be wise???
 
I figured as much but it never hurts to ask for clarification. :)



I do not have a shipping account with FedEx but I've received numerous reptiles shipped to my home from them so I am not sure it's just over looked or what. :shrug01:

I've thought of getting a shipping account with them but if it's business to business shipping only would that really be wise???

I think so, because they have a policy against live animal shipment:

Specialty Shipping & Restrictions
Animals: FedEx Express does not accept live-animal shipments as part of its regular-scheduled service and does not transport household pets such as dogs, cats, birds and hamsters. FedEx Express may accept certain shipments of live animals such as horses, livestock and zoo animals (to and from zoo locations only) on an exception basis if approved and coordinated by the FedEx Live Animal Desk (call 1.800.405.9052). The Shipping Annex will not ship live animals under any conditions. Please feel free to contact the FedEx Live Animal Desk if you are interested in a shipment exception.

and:

FedEx Prohibited Items
The Shipping Annex as a FASC is bound contractually and ethically to meet all FedEx terms and conditions for shipment. Our clients prohibited from tendering the following items for shipment, and they will not be accepted:

Live animals, except as provided in the Live Animals and Ornamental Marine Life (Including Live Fish) section. (Edible seafood, such as live lobsters, crabs or other types of fish and shellfish for human consumption, is acceptable, provided the shipper is in compliance with all local, state and federal laws.)

Animal carcasses. (Animal heads and other parts for taxidermy may be accepted but must be properly packaged. This restriction does not apply to properly packaged meat or poultry products intended for human consumption.)

Live insects.

Shipments or commodities that are prohibited by applicable local, state or federal law.

They also state:
FedEx Inspection Policy
FedEx may, at their sole discretion, open and inspect any shipment without notice.

Seems safer for the animal to comply with their shipping requirements. It's not a major hassle; one can always simply pick the package up from their closest FedEx location.

I know that when I get an address, I have shipped. My TOS clearly states that a business address is needed, and I have shipped to addresses given, but it's really not worth it to break FedEx's regulations...it puts the animals at risk and our own shipping waviers can be cancelled.:ack2:
 
If you ask the seller a zillion questions and ask for(and get) photos, that does not necessarily commit you to a sale but a short note thanking the seller for his/her time and a decision on whether you will buy or not might be appreciated.

Yes, after your inquiry is replied to...if you feel that we (sellers) cant offer you what your looking for (a better price, your preferred shipping methods, etc...) Then please have the courtesy to send a follow up response of "I think I'll pass, thanks anyway."

Also, If you DO decide to go through with the deal, but then (for whatever reason) change your mind at the VERY last minute (which happens...no biggie)...please don't leave us hanging. Once again, a show of courtesy in the form of a heads-up would be appreciated. :thumbsup:
 
Another tip

Another tip for potential buyers is:

Do not post on EVERY ad that you want to buy that animal!!!


It just makes you look like a wannabe buyer with no money! And then you wonder why the seller won't respond to you.



**Yes I hope the people who do this see this!**
 
This is more of a common courtesy thing, but including a name with email contact is always nice, along with some grammar. Text-type messages including numbers substituted for words are kinda unprofessional as well. First impressions count for a lot.
 
This is more of a common courtesy thing, but including a name with email contact is always nice, along with some grammar. Text-type messages including numbers substituted for words are kinda unprofessional as well. First impressions count for a lot.

Excellent point. I will not buy from or sell to someone who uses IM /Text speak.
 
If you are responding to an ad you should include at the very least your name (preferably a full name) and what animal you are interested in. This is especially important if you are asking any questions about the animal.

I'm sure many of you have gotten emails with this

"I'm interested in the snake"

and nothing else.

Also, if inquiring to a blanket type ad be specific about what you are looking for.

Here is an example of conversations I have all the time.

caller "do you sell snakes"
me "yes I do"
caller "what do you have"
me "is there anything in particular you are looking for"
caller "no I just want to know what snakes you have"
me "I have corn snakes, king snakes, milk snakes, ball pythons, red tail boas, Argentine boas, Dumeril's boas, sand boas, ..." (depending on inventory of course)
Caller "what kind of corn snakes do you have?"
me "I have normals, albinos, anerys, snows ..." (again depending on inventory)
Caller "do you have any albino ball pythons"
me "No I don't but I can get them"
caller "do you have any retics?"
me "no I don't have any retics" I want to say "did I say retics" but its probably not wise
caller " Oh that's what I am looking for. Can you get them"
me "nope" I want to add "not for you" but that probably wouldn't be wise either.
Caller "OK" click

Point being, be specific about what you want, we are not mind readers.
 
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