• 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....

Help!!! Need some advise

L

Lewis

New member
Joined
Jun 30, 2002
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
48
Location
Arizona
I posted a CB 1999 4' ft female Ball Python for sale in FaunaClassifieds > For Sale > Snakes For Sale - Pythons/Boas > CB 1999 female Ball Python 4 SALE

A guy name Christopher Ingram e-mail me in reply to my ad.

On 19 Oct 2002, Christopher send me $125.00 + 3% surcharge via www.paypal.com for a total of $128.75

Christopher requested to have his snake ship via Federal Express.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">If you can, send it FedEx.  They get out here
much earlier (10:30) than the other carriers (4
to 6 pm) do.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

At Christopher's request on 22 Oct 2002, I open an account with Federal Express to be able to ship with Federal Express.

Federal Express requires a credit card to prosess an account. I used my ATM card. Federal Express bill my bank account and my bank froze my account from 24 Oct 2002, to 04 Nov 2002.

I was going to ship Chritopher his Ball Python but decided againt doing that until the issue with Federtal Express and my Bank settle out.

By 04 Nov 2002, I know Christopher is getting axious about his snake or his money.

I attempted several times to contact him to his cell phone and his home phone. I have left him several messages and no response. I told him:

"I figure that one ten minute phone call is the faster way to resolve any issues rather than 4 days or more through e-mails."

Christophers response to that was:

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Let me repeat something, cause it seems like you don't understand what I've said in past emails - I do not have 1, or 2 or 5 or 10 minutes to spend on the phone with you.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

On 05 Nov 2002, I attempt to ship Chritopher's Ball Python through Federal Express as requested. The Federal Express lady quoted the shipment at $53.29!!! The box only weighted 4.99 lbs.  

The Federal Express lady also told me that if Christopher did not had the money to pay for shipping charges at the time of delivery the driver would have to ship the package back to me and Federal Express would charge me $53.29 each way for a total of $106.58.

To me $53.29 is too much money... I decided not to ship and contact Christopher and let him know of the situation.

Christopher's answer to this was...

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Lewis, it is not my fault you didn't check out the shipping issues before you posted the snake for sale.  It is not my fault you are so beholden to FedEx.  TRY SOMEONE ELSE!!!</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

I thought he wanted me to ship Federal Express, if he wanted me to ship with any other carrier I would had send his Ball Python via Delta Air Cargo as I am a verified and known shipper.

At this point, 06 Nov 2002, Christopher wants an immediate re-fund of his money or...

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
If my Paypal account is not credited immediately, I will post as many messages as I can on kingsnake.com and faunaclassifieds.com to discourage people from using you again.  If you are not going to credit my Paypal account, then send me a money order.  It must be here by Friday (11/08) or I'm posting.
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Unfortunately, I no longer have Chritopher's money, as I have used it to repair my car. This is the reason why I desided to sell several of my snakes, supplies and cages.

Now, would it be reasonable to tell Chritopher that the Ball Python is his snake and we have to figure a way to get it to him as soon as possible?

Or that I will re-fund his money as soon as I re-sale his Ball Python?

Any Ideas on how to resolve this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time, LEWIS TARACENA
 
LESSON ONE
dont spend the monies until the deal is complete with happy buyer..
LESSON TWO
be prepared for shipping costs and know what they are ahead of time.

who paid for the shipping..the buyer i presume right?
if so what happened you didnt charge him enough or ??
cant you send the snake airborne either collect to buyer or you pay it ahead of time?
im confused as to who has the shipping monies on this deal
 
also..dont charge people 3 percent for paypals..that is against the terms of service you agreed to.
reading your post again it seems you didnt charge for shipping.
therefore send it airborne and he will get a bill a couple weeks later after receiving the snake.
 
I would sell the snake to someone else and send him a refund to avoid the headache. Fedex is a pain in the butt to me so i tell people if they can't use another carrier i understand but do not wish to use them.
As for paypal you did nothing wrong for charging 3% and anyone who says your wrong well let them deal with it. I post it in my ads and if they don't like it that's fine don't email me it's that simple. Also it's not always possible to get exact shipping charges until you are shipping. I pay the difference since i quoted a price but usually not far off no big deal..
I am not a breeder so i just wait til animal arrives alive before doing anything with the funds.
Good Luck and keep charging that 3%  
  <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':angry:'>
 
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Good Luck and keep charging that 3%</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Nevermind the fact that you are violating your contractual obligation. Nevermind the fact that, depending on the location of the buyer and seller, it is illegal.

After all, what's a litle lack of integrity every now and again, so long as it's for profit?
 
Kim,

LESSON ONE has been recorded for future sales  <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Buyer is always responsable for his shipping unless stated otherwise.

All this time I had been getting everything in order to ship with Federal Express. As Christopher had requested. When I told him what Federal Express would charge him, I do not think he like it.

My only problem is that if he does not accept the charges, The snake is ship right back to me and I have to pay shipping both ways. I guess I do have his money to back up this charges... huh? But, I do not want him to think I just wanna keep his money.

In his last e-mail he wants a full re-fund

Should I just ship Christopher his Ball Python collect via Airborne Express?

LEWIS


PS. Everytime I had purchase with www.Paypal.com I am charged the 3% surcharge. Does not everyone pays for this??? I thought the 3% surcharge was a set standar. I guess I should re-read the terms of servise.
 
Lewis,

I assume you quoted a price shipped.

The fact the bank froze your account was not obviously Christopher's fault. You had his money you should have shipped the snake right away.

You said you attempted several times to contact him to his cell phone and his home phone and left several messages and no response. But then you say "Christophers response was: Let me repeat something, cause it seems like you don't understand what I've said in past emails - I do not have 1, or 2 or 5 or 10 minutes to spend on the phone with you".

Did he or did he not reply?

</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>On 05 Nov 2002, I attempt to ship Chritopher's Ball Python through Federal Express as requested. The Federal Express lady quoted the shipment at $53.29!!! The box only weighted 4.99 lbs. The Federal Express lady also told me that if Christopher did not had the money to pay for shipping charges at the time of delivery the driver would have to ship the package back to me and Federal Express would charge me $53.29 each way for a total of $106.58. Lewis, it is not my fault you didn't check out the shipping issues before you posted the snake for sale.  It is not my fault you are so beholden to FedEx.  TRY SOMEONE ELSE!!! </span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">

Here is where it gets confusing. Who was supposed to pay for shipping charges? You say that if Christopher did not have the money the package would have been shipped back to you. He says that you should have checked shipping charges before selling the snake. It's not clear.

Wouldn't shipping Delta be even more expensive to you?

In my opinion the ball python should have been shipped long ago. He paid for it what you both agreed and he never received it, whatever the reason. Thus I don't think you are supposed to sell his property in order to send the money.

Well I guess you beat him in the posting issue. We will have to hear his side of the story.


Best regards,
 
My thoughts are the same as the other posters for the most part.

1. knock that 3% nonsense off . (read the general discussion post to see how people feel about the seller soaking for 3%)

2. before you sold the animal, you should have checked on shipping. (I usually spend from $35-$50. but up to $67 to ship next day through UPS)

3. Never spend other peoples money until the transaction has been completed. As I see it even though you have his money, it is his til the snake is in his possesion.

If christopher had been a wee bit more understanding, he would know that some people (myself included) comunicate better over the phone, and would not have responded like he did.

Christophers response to that was:

Quote  

Let me repeat something, cause it seems like you don't understand what I've said in past emails - I do not have 1, or 2 or 5 or 10 minutes to spend on the phone with you.




I feel the best resolution would be to send his money back as soon as you can. These are just my thoughts on this matter, and how I would resolve it. I have found that sometimes minor mistakes may make both parties involved better people.

Good Luck and hope it all works out for both of you, Al
 
This is part of my Terms of Sale in which I state in short about shipping. He is paying for the shipping of his snake.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Shipments are sent air freight collect to the nearest airport via Delta Air Cargo. Live arival is guaranteed only with Delta Air Cargo.

Prepaid overnight door to door service is also available via
Airborne Express. Insurance can be purchased for the cost of the animal. But, no live arival is guarantee.

</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

So far he has paid for the snake. Shipping is collect to him.

LEWIS
 
By the way, I send him my Terms of Sale before he send me any money.

LEWIS
 
Lewis,

I understood the situation better after your second post in reply to Kim. In my opinion you should send him the ball python and run the risk of the shipping charges. If not, borrow money, pay him, and only then sell the python to pay back. IMHO putting the ball python up for sale (even if it is to pay him) after he already has paid for it, is not the right thing to do, and will only get him more upset.

Best regards,
 
Ken your comments "Nevermind the fact that you are violating your contractual obligation. Nevermind the fact that, depending on the location of the buyer and seller, it is illegal.

After all, what's a litle lack of integrity every now and again, so long as it's for profit?"

Spare me the drama about integrity. I bet you have never seen a negative post about me regarding selling an animal so i have plenty of integrity. The one time i did have a sale and the snake was less than 100% i sent a full refund via paypal plus cost of shipping plus cost of him shipping back to me plus vet bill. Many people hide the cost and claim they are soo against charging it.  Well if i hid the cost like many do i guess i could jump on the little wagon others are on. I tell you up front in my ads and it's there for all to see. And for those who aren't sure about how to ad the 3% i will put it in price and let them know it's included. For the record Ken I don't make a profit on anything i sell. I sell as i want to move on to something different.. If someone wants to report me to paypal be my guest. Good luck getting them to move on your complaint though... For those that can't stand people that charge it remember my email address so you can refuse my money as I wouldn't want my lack of integrity to spread lol..
I hope i covered everything so i don't have to waste more thread but if needed i will.. By the way ken shouldn't you question realvenum he ships via ups and then questions those of us that burn buyers for 3% now that's laughable..  I hope i covered everyone with integrity.... <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
 
DONT YOU CARE THAT THE TERMS OF SERVICE FOR PAYPALS STATE NOT TO CHARGE??
GEESH..CANT YOU JUST UP THE PRICE 3PERCENT BEFORE HAND AND AVOID THE HASSLE OF OBVIOUSLY NOT GIVING A DAMM WHAT THE RULES ARE?
THIS THINKING ELLUDES ME.. <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM...WHY DO SOMETHING YOU AGREE NOT TO DO JUST BECAUSE YOU DONT LIKE THE RULE?
BTW..IVE SPOKEN TO PAYPALS IN REGARDS TO THE 3 PERCENT RULE AND THEY ARE ALWAYS ANXIOUS TO HEAR WHO DISREGARDS THE RULE AS IF IT DOESNT MATTER..
WOULD HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THEM BECAUSE IT DOESNT SUIT YOUR NEEDS EXCITE YOU...ISENT THE SERVICE CONVENIENT ENOUGH NOT TO CREATE EXTRA PROBLEMS FOR YOURSELF?
 
Hmmmmm...

I guess you guys are right!!!

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">No Surcharges. Under Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express regulations and the laws of several states, including California, merchants may not charge a fee to the buyer for accepting credit card payments (often called a "surcharge"). You agree that you will not impose a surcharge or any other fee for accepting PayPal as payment. This restriction does not prevent you from imposing a handling fee in connection with the sale of goods or services, as long as the handling fee does not operate as a surcharge (in other words, the handling fee for transactions paid through PayPal may not be higher than the handling fee for transactions paid through other payment methods).
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Excuse my English !!!

From now I should NOT charge a Surcharge on purchases.  

I shall have a 3% Handling Fee!!!

L:)L

LEWIS
 
HI LEWIS

the last post was not aimed at you so please..dont take it towards yourself.
i think you are trying your best and sometimes we get ourselves into situations by accident..until we learn the lesson the hard way.
either way i hope it works out and feel free to email me if you need anymore help.
im always happy to hear from any felllow herpers.i believe all the advice here was great except the fellow i was talking to in my last post that suggested you break the rules..
im glad to see you didnt listen to his great advice.

thanks
kim
 
And Joel, the problem with shipping UPS is?<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>?<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
 
Well, it is settle!!!

I send Christopher the following e-mail:

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
Christopher,

I posted for advise on Fauna Classifieds BOI

I believe we had a misunderstanding when it cames to who is
responsable for shipping charges.

In my ad I posted that you can have her for $125.00 + 3% paypal surcharge. Shipping is extra, that is a given!!! Everytime one buys a reptile one has to pay it's own shipping. Unless it states "Free Shipping" or "Shipping Included"

I do not want to be put as the person that does bad bussines
when I feel I went the extra mile to ship the way you wanted me to.

I know it has taken a long time, but things have settle down.

Federal Express is charging a lot. Personally, I would not like
to pay that much that is why I did not ship it yesterday. I
wanted to cunsult this with you first since, you are the one who is paying for it.

I have been feeding and caring for your Ball Python as well as I care for any other reptile I have.

Here we have two options:

1.- I will ship the Ball Python to you COLLECT any way you want. Airborne Espress, United Parcel Service, Delta Air Cargo. And now, even Federeal Express no problem. You pick!!!

2.- I will refund you money as soon as I re-sale the Ball
Python.  Apparently there is someone already interested!!!

Let me know what you want to do.

LEWIS

</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

He Reply within 20 minutes with the following e-mail:

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
I'd like my money back - Christopher
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

And just as i got that e-mail I reply with:

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">
No problem!!!

I will send you payment as soon as I sell her.

LEWIS

</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> Thank you all!!!!

LEWIS
 
True, Lewis beat me to the punch on posting.  I tried to hold this off for as long as I could, giving him the benifit of the doubt, and didn't want to post anything negative about him to hurt his business.  I feel we had a lack of proper communication in the beginning.  Lewis has not been totally forthright in all our email transactions.  My original email to him was to inquire if the total cost - the total - was the $125 plus 3% Paypal fee.  I don't have a problem at all paying fees.  My understanding, from what I was asking, regardless of what all the disclaimers said, is that the total cost, including snake, fee and shipping, was $125 plus 3%.  The response I thought I got back was that that was correct.

As far as the shipping goes, he asked me how I wanted it shipped.  I've had this asked of me numerous times by other sellers.  Didn't think a thing about it.  I live out in the boonies way north of Dallas.  I told Lewis that FedEx got out here earlier than other shippers.  I didn't force him to use FedEx.  I didn't really care who he used - I just gave him what I thought was valuable information.  He never batted an eye at my request or offered a different way to ship.  I never was told, in a way that was understandable, that there was a problem with FedEx until just yesterday.  I can look back now and see how he elluded to it - but at the time I didn't get what he was saying.  He never came right out and told me the problems.

As far as not having time to talk on the phone with him - I explained this 3 or 4 times.  I own a small landscaping company.  The weather has been pretty wet, cold and bad in North Texas lately.  I was contracted on a job about 25 miles north of me (even further in the boonies) to finish a job by November 8th.  I get charged a $500 a day fee for every day I go beyond the 8th - it's common in construction.  With the bad weather, we haven't been able to work there much until lately.  I tried to explain to Lewis that I didn't get home from work until 10 to 11 or later every night.  Furthermore, because the place is so far out in the boonies, my cell didn't have a good signal out there and that I couldn't carry on any decent type of conversation and that email was the best way for me to communicate.  Heck, it's 11:12 p.m. here right now and I just got home not too long ago.  I gave him my cell phone instead of home phone cause I have a 1 year old who suffers from kidney problems and has very uncomfortable nights sleeping because of it.  When she goes down, we need her to stay down - if you know what I mean.  He wasn't calling me until 10 to 11 at night and by then, my cell phone was usually turned off and charging.  His late calling is the exact reason I don't give out my home number to anyone.  He pages me one night at 10:45 p.m. (I think) that I didn't get until the next morning.

Anyway, maybe I responded harshly to the not having a minute or two to talk to him.  But at the time, I was at my wits end.  I ordered this snake 3 weeks ago and have had nothing but excuse after excuse told to me as to why it isn't here.  I was never told the whole entire story by Lewis until last night.  That's when I gave an ultimatem and asked that the snake arrive to me by end of this week or my money be returned.  I got a rather rude reply from Lewis and that's when I requested my money back.  There are too many good people I'd rather spend more money on than one who does not appreciate his customers.  I've never, and I have close to 100 reptiles/snakes, had a problem like this with anyone - and some of you reading this I've ordered from.

Bottom line is, if I treated my landscape customers like I was treated, I'd go out of business.  I have no hard feelings towards Lewis at all.  I just wish I was told the facts 2 1/2 weeks ago.

Christopher Ingram
 
One final thing, I was never offered to share the high cost of shipping.  I had no idea it would cost that much, either.  I'm used to the $25 to $35 shipping charges.  Had I been approached differently about the whole situation, I most likely would have - we'll never know.

Christopher Ingram
 
Like I said Joel... nevermind the fact that it's a term of service that you agreed to abide by, and nevermind that it's illegal in some states.

I never questioned your honesty when it comes to the quality of your animals or delivering them to your customers as promised. In those regards, you're a stand-up guy.

Answer me this however.. would you deal with a company or individual that made a habit of illegal and discriminatory business practices?
 
Back
Top