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Don't get scammed!

StrictlyExotics said:
I do understand the law enforcement issue, I really do. However, regardless of how a trade works out, they will still get your address. This was a "ship to me first" deal. What am I supposed to do, not give them my address to ship me something? Do you not see where the trust factor lies? I could not tell someone relatively new to ship as a hold at Fedex or UPS so that I could pick it up without giving someone my not-so-personal info. Its not like he is asking for my social security number.
Click to expand...

Like I said....

Southern Wolf said:
As to your deal.... maybe you had givin him your addy before the request and he looked you up. That in of itself would kinda freak me out, but if he had your addy before the request was made then I could see why you would be willing to honor the request.
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I have done two trade deals with "ship to me first" stipulations. I gave them my addy with no problems. HOWEVER non of them went so far as to try and find a photo of my house. That is what Im getting at.
 
I think a lot of people don't realize that finding out where someone lives isn't exactly a challenge in this day and age.
Making it difficult to verify that you live where the Google pictures say you live...what's the point of that?
As for addresses...if someone refuses to give me their address in any transaction, that's it...I am not going to do business with them. I need assurances that I'm not dealing with a scammer. Reputation means nothing without an address, because identify theft is alive and well. When you run a BUSINESS from your home, you give up some of your privacy.
 
WingedWolf said:
I think a lot of people don't realize that finding out where someone lives isn't exactly a challenge in this day and age.
Making it difficult to verify that you live where the Google pictures say you live...what's the point of that?
As for addresses...if someone refuses to give me their address in any transaction, that's it...I am not going to do business with them. I need assurances that I'm not dealing with a scammer. Reputation means nothing without an address, because identify theft is alive and well. When you run a BUSINESS from your home, you give up some of your privacy.
Click to expand...

^^^^ and the Preacher said, "Amen!"
 
I completely agree Donna.... as I said... Privacy is something that means a lot and I know that once I start a transaction with someone I will give out my address and other information!! I just don't want people stopping by the house or having my address thrown all over the internet... Once I start a business I will have a business address... right now it's a hobby for me and the animals I sell are personal pets (future breeders)! As soon as I can... I am going to rent my own little business and that will be the ONLY address I give out for reptile related stuff :)
 
I know exactly how you feel, Catharine, as I feel the same way--I don't like having people come to the house, though I have allowed locals to pick things up on occasion. I do not invite them inside. But my dislike of having my privacy invaded or my address known is something I have to just put aside--I'm a business, and it's necessary if I want to sell stuff. I do not have the luxury of a separate business location right now, and I probably won't for years. I make a living from my home based businesses, though--so, this is just the sacrifice I have to make.
 
There is such a thing as turning down a sale. I do it all the time. :shrug01:

I think we're talking about two different animals Dean. If someone's shipping something to me, of course I'll give them my address. And my phone number too so I can be contacted if there are problems. But I'm not gonna give that info out while we're in the middle of the deal, so they can point cameras at where I live. I'm just not comfortable going there. And I have no problem telling someone no deal if they insist on it. This is a hobby for me first and foremost. It is only a business because it has to be. And I didn't sign any paperwork when I got that license saying that I had to sell to the first person with cash in hand wanting to push me around. This is not my primary source of income, probably never will be and I'm fine with that.

They can see my snake room if they're curious about whether or not I keep my animals humanely, the snake they're buying, snake on paper with their name on it, whatever. But my home and my personal belongings? No deal. Like I have said, if my rep and my animals don't do the talking, that's not someone I'd sell to anyways. Hope that clarified it.
 
I came in way late on this one as I start to start up my own busness in the reptile world I also run it from my home due to I dont have the Capital for a retail space My door has always been open to everyone I do take my privacy seriously so naturally dont show up at 8 9 or 10 at night w/o calling first The salker-ish behavoir seen in people at times can be very mis-leading I at times come off in a manner that could easly be mistaken I truly beleave its not so much you dont want people to know where you live due to amount of time patiance and money you have invested and dont want some "punk" finding out where you stay and all of a sudden everythings gone Its more to protect your investment IMO

I mean if someone wants to come look at my set up admire it diss it or give out pointers/advice (or even sit back play cards n drink a few beers) buy an animal look at the sire/dam before putting a deposit on an animal and I own the sire/dam (I do own all the CB Bp I will produce hopping late this year earlier next year other reptile's (I.e Bearded Dragons Cornsnake's Boa's) I sell I do not Burms are the exception) even if they would prefer to pick up at my house

I mean security systems have gotten better audio & visual camera's in plain sight some hidden Yes it is your home FIRST bussness second protect them both I got hit and took almost to cleaners by a scammer did he come to my house Nope sure didnt I wish he would though LMAO I also have my 3 year old son in my house If someone is truly ignorant to come to your House/Bussness and try something out the way They deserve whats comming to them I only have a fraction of what most of you have invested if that
In all Honesty no matter what you do how you try to stop scammers theifs or people with no or bad bussness ethics you cant we wont thats always going to be there lurking for another victum all we can do is look for signs and Say NO to the deal If we think something is up
 
Clarence, regarding that guy that scammed you, did you look up his address on Google. When you looked up his address, didnt it show an empty warehouse?
 
I think if a potential customer asked me to take a photo of the outside of my home I would ask them nicely to shop elsewhere.

As far as letting people into my home (which is where my gecko room is), I only allow friends in now. Period. With all these crazy PETAphiles and the like I will never let a stranger in my gecko room ever again.
 
We have a security system set up in our home (which makes me feel a lot more comfortable as I have a 21 year old step daughter who likes to cause all sorts of problems) so if someone were to break into my house... we have a 22, 30-30 and shotgun in a locked case in our bedroom.. they would definately be in for a BIG Surprise!! Every two weeks or so we go shoot the guns just to keep them in good order and they are there for my protection and hopefully I will NEVER have to use them!!

As I said though.. if someone were to look us up on Google I don't think they would even be able to make it to the house cause it sends them elsewhere!
 
Dean

Yes It was a Building that was up for sale he used that as the address where the package started off at the package was actually picked up there or Thats what the label said when It arrived here I mean every breeder I have meet so far has been EXTREMLY helpful I mean I agree with you but at the same time disagree I wouldnt let any Tom ,Harry or Jack into my house but if Someone was sincer and Honestly wanted to learn or just obtain more knowledge on the subject I wouldnt Deny them that Either IMO that would be just not right
 
If you are maybe gonna do a local sale(within the state) its a good Idea to maybe inform a good nieghbor to kinda keep a eye out during the transaction.I suggest not bragging to any potential new customers about how extensive your Personal collection may contain( just creates unwanted greed by low lives to break in after they cased the joint.I suggest never meeting a potential Buyer or seller for that matter without at least someone their to call the Police if something goes wrong.I suggest meeting your local buyer in the entry wayof your front door and take them no futher into your house.Just remember Privacy is a good thing,I dont want people calling at all hours of the night freekin my family money is not that Important to put my Inocent family members in harms way for a Buck!
 
Totally agree Shawn and for me it's just easier to get in the car and drive about 10 minutes to meet at a neutral place :) It's even difficult for my own family to locate my house and they've been here quite a few times... there are so many turns and it's in the woods so I can say we are pretty protected. If my neighbors see a strange car in the neighborhood they are usually warry!! I guess it's good to live in a close nit community where everyone keeps and eye on everyone else :)
 
I've been known to misunderstand posts within threads and to be so far off the point when I respond that when I reread what I posted, I wonder why I listened to the voices inside my head...:ack2:

But.... my understanding of the situation in question is Dean took a picture ONLY of a TREE that was outside in his yard.

This tree could be seen on Google and probably was when the potential customer checked out Dean's address on Google to assure himself that it was an actual address. I assumed the customer wanted to make sure that Dean was actually at that residence and had access to that tree sort of to assure himself that the transaction wasn't a "set-up."

Dean correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think that you actually went inside and photographed your entire collection, the interior of your house and pics of your kids? :ack2: :shrug01:
 
deborahbroadus said:
I've been known to misunderstand posts within threads and to be so far off the point when I respond that when I reread what I posted, I wonder why I listened to the voices inside my head...:ack2:

But.... my understanding of the situation in question is Dean took a picture ONLY of a TREE that was outside in his yard.

This tree could be seen on Google and probably was when the potential customer checked out Dean's address on Google to assure himself that it was an actual address. I assumed the customer wanted to make sure that Dean was actually at that residence and had access to that tree sort of to assure himself that the transaction wasn't a "set-up."

Dean correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think that you actually went inside and photographed your entire collection, the interior of your house and pics of your kids? :ack2: :shrug01:
Click to expand...

LoL Deb, they can have a pic of the kids but the collection... NO. I was asked AFTER the deal had been sealed, so I thought, to take a photo of a tree in between my FOUR car garage. Considering a 4 door garage is somewhat rare, I accomodated. Not a big deal though. Was easy enough for me to do since I live here and wanted to make the customer feel at ease.
 
StrictlyExotics said:
LoL Deb, they can have a pic of the kids but the collection... NO. I was asked AFTER the deal had been sealed, so I thought, to take a photo of a tree in between my FOUR car garage. Considering a 4 door garage is somewhat rare, I accomodated. Not a big deal though. Was easy enough for me to do since I live here and wanted to make the customer feel at ease.
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Ahhh, it becomes clearer..they wanted to steal the rare GARAGE!!:yesnod:
 
Dean... can you send me that casing photo. I need one of those double deep rare kinds for my suped up redneck mud mobile :rofl:
 
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