• 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....

Bad Guy JMG Reptiles not so good..

@ op

I can understand the fact that you son slipped off and purchased this snake without your knowledge or consent. What I don't get is how he hid it when you guys met back up and why you waited 100 miles to check the purchase.
 
I dont think this is about parenting . Its about the hog and what should be done or not done.
I'd almost bet that most of the people on here are not going to speak up to dads for not raising the kid the way you think should be raised.
I know kids at 13 that hunt and are responsible enough to have guns for hunting.. So whats the big deal a 13 year old walking around at a reptile show without a parent next to his side? I remember 13 and thats when freedom just started. Riding my bike to the river,fishing at the creek and couldnt wait to hunt with dad

If the op was a bit more of a responsible seller, the kid would not have been able to buy that snake! Kids can slip off anywhere and buy all types of crap in this world.At 13,they have learned how to manage alot,and be sneaky too.

Do you have teens Kevin?
 
Here is my 02.

I would not sell to anyone under the age of 18 without a parent present. I think most states you cant enter into a "contract" with a minor and I would stick with that.

I would make the parent aware of any issues.

Someone mentioned about labeling the cups the animals are in. I think this is great advice. I have only been to one herp show and I know how busy it can be for sellers but it's great as a reminder to the seller and for buyers it serves notice to ask.

You have hogs already correct? Does your son know how to examine a snake for issues? Before my daughter purchased her corn it was her responsibility to do research and know the questions to ask and how to examine a snake before purchasing.
 
Michelle1221 said:
Here is my 02.

You have hogs already correct? Does your son know how to examine a snake for issues? Before my daughter purchased her corn it was her responsibility to do research and know the questions to ask and how to examine a snake before purchasing.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. My daughter is 15 now, but she started buying her own reptiles at 12. She however had to get permission from me and I had to see the animal before she was allowed to purchase it. She also had to do her own research.

I do think it's sweet that your son bought you a gift though. I just think things could have been handled a bit differently on both ends. However, unless I see a vet report, I have to believe the others here who say that it's normal.
 
Hey Rich. First off no I don't have teens.

Secondly I think you misunderstood what I said. I am not questioning his parenting skills and am not sure where you got that idea.

Like I said I understand the kid was thirteen and purchased this with his own money. I also understand the kid didn't tell his dad or make him aware of his intentions. I don't see anything wrong with any of that.

What I do wonder is how he didn't see the snake when his son met back up with him and why he waited 100 miles to check it. There has to be a reason to both of those questions.
 
Red Flag #1: OP's son bought the snake and the father is writing the post.
Red Flag #2: OP contacted Jeff and ignored Jeff's advice to check on any hognose forum that the enlarged scent glands in older females is known.
Red Flag #3: OP was offered an exchange but didn't want to pay shipping.
Red Flag #4&#5: OP used a statement from Justin Mitchem, therefore a double flag.
Red Flag #6: OP ignored an offer from Brent Buamgardner to buy the snake at full price and pay for shipping. WHY?
Red Flag #7: OP said he had the best reptile vet in the US look at the snake and claimed it was from a secondary infection. But..... he will not post who the vet is. WHY?

The OP has turned down multiple resolutions, what exactly does he think is the correct resolution? Why doesn't he give proof to what he is saying? What hognose forums has he posted in or asked? What breeders has he asked? What vet did he use? Why hasn't he posted any of this info?
 
Red flag #1: he sold a snake that has health issues knowingly and did not care one bit. Why should I pay for shipping both ways for something he did wrong?
Dan Krull breeds hognose snakes and said the snake looks way too skinny for it's size, he has heard of it but has none in his collection that have the swelling.
My vet is Douglas Mader, I sent him photos for his opinion on the snake, he said it is the r result of a secondary infection.
If you read everything I wrote you would know my son bought it as a surprize, that's why he did not show it to me right away.
I'm the guy that got stuck with a bum snake and some of you have the nerve to blast me..
This guy did the wrong thing by selling it, reguardless of who may have bought it.
 
Furthermore, if you don't want your reputation tarnished then you should have done the right thing and disclosed the issue before the sale was made.. You should have replaced the animal at no cost to us when you were contacted. That would be the right thing to do.

And to the guy that offered to buy it and pay the shipping, you are a great guy! That is how you treat a customer.(Even though I am not one of yours)
 
it was a mistake on the dealers part, not marking the scent gland issue on the container. People make mistakes. Obviously he didnt feel it warranted a replacement "at no cost to you."
Any good book on reptiles tells you how to inspect an animal before buying, its usually in the first chapter or two. Maybe thats the first thing you and your son should have gone over before you sent him off with a few hundred dollars at a reptile expo.
 
What reputable vet makes a diagnosis via photo?

I've seen herp vets on the forums make a guess at what's going on, then later turn out to be wrong when the animal actually sees a vet.
 
CJReptiles said:
Red flag #1: he sold a snake that has health issues knowingly and did not care one bit. Why should I pay for shipping both ways for something he did wrong?
Dan Krull breeds hognose snakes and said the snake looks way too skinny for it's size, he has heard of it but has none in his collection that have the swelling.
My vet is Douglas Mader, I sent him photos for his opinion on the snake, he said it is the r result of a secondary infection.
If you read everything I wrote you would know my son bought it as a surprize, that's why he did not show it to me right away.
I'm the guy that got stuck with a bum snake and some of you have the nerve to blast me..
This guy did the wrong thing by selling it, reguardless of who may have bought it.
Click to expand...

Jeff Jr. states that there is nothing wrong with the snake, it is just comsmetic unpleasing which could have been easily seen when purchased. The snake is healthy in every way, this is where you are not listening. And if you believe anyone will take a vets word by looking a photo, you are wrong. If you don't believe Jeff do what he says and post in the hognose forums or get the snake checked out by a vet.
 
Shadera said:
What reputable vet makes a diagnosis via photo?
Click to expand...

That sounds like a reasonable question which also tells us that you took a photo of the snake to share with the vet.

How about you share that same picture with us so that we can see what exactly you are talking about which might help us to understand your concerns over the snake. After all, if you are going to create a Bad Guy thread on someone, you should include any and all evidence to support whatever claims you are making. :thumbsup:
 
ronritzer said:
it was a mistake on the dealers part, not marking the scent gland issue on the container. People make mistakes. Obviously he didnt feel it warranted a replacement "at no cost to you."
Any good book on reptiles tells you how to inspect an animal before buying, its usually in the first chapter or two. Maybe thats the first thing you and your son should have gone over before you sent him off with a few hundred dollars at a reptile expo.
Click to expand...


Have you read anything that I wrote? Obviously not..
 
OhioGecko said:
Jeff Jr. states that there is nothing wrong with the snake, it is just comsmetic unpleasing which could have been easily seen when purchased. The snake is healthy in every way, this is where you are not listening. And if you believe anyone will take a vets word by looking a photo, you are wrong. If you don't believe Jeff do what he says and post in the hognose forums or get the snake checked out by a vet.
Click to expand...

I agree with Thad again. If it was a health issue that affects the snake, then a refund would be do. But it's not a health issue. Therefore, no refund is guaranteed. Jeff was being generous letting you exchange for a different snake. Breeders don't take returns on buyers remorse or something cosmetic when the animal was purchased in person. Returns are for health issues.

I don't know any vet that would give a diagnosis by photo, e-mail, or phone.
 
Michelle1221 said:
Here is my 02.

I would not sell to anyone under the age of 18 without a parent present. I think most states you cant enter into a "contract" with a minor and I would stick with that.

I would make the parent aware of any issues.

Someone mentioned about labeling the cups the animals are in. I think this is great advice. I have only been to one herp show and I know how busy it can be for sellers but it's great as a reminder to the seller and for buyers it serves notice to ask.

You have hogs already correct? Does your son know how to examine a snake for issues? Before my daughter purchased her corn it was her responsibility to do research and know the questions to ask and how to examine a snake before purchasing.
Click to expand...

Yes he does, he made a mistake by not taking the snake out because he was in a rush. He has learned a valuable lesson.
 
jmgreptile.com said:
This is the problem I had right from the start. I try to inform the customer about the animal in question and the customer doesn't acknowledge anything I say at first until I actually confront him about it. I offer some solutions to the problem and I don't hear back whether he liked the offer or not. I told him to ask about it on a hognose forum and to ask hognose breeders. He doesn't post it on any hognose forum and get's an opinion from one person ( Justin ) who not only didn't have any actual evidence or evidenve from someone qualified to support what he was saying he also has pictures of female hognose on his web site with enlarged musk glands. Anyone posting a bad guy thread on the BOI should really inform the breeder ( I was never informed, no e-mail, no phone call ) I was notified by someone else through an e-mail. He also does have to share the Veterinarians name if he is going to make the claims he is making, that is part of the BOI rules. This actually should have never been a bad guy thread in my opinion, it should have been a inquiry on the topic / dispute.
Click to expand...


I got many opinions, most agree that it is more than cosmetic.. The only people that dont seem to be friends of yours on here.
 
OhioGecko said:
Jeff Jr. states that there is nothing wrong with the snake, it is just comsmetic unpleasing which could have been easily seen when purchased. The snake is healthy in every way, this is where you are not listening.
Click to expand...

To be completely fair though, how much weight does Jeff's word carry on the snake actually being healthy? Does he have a veterinary background to make such a diagnosis? Did he have the snake checked out prior to selling it even though he knew it had this abnormality? Another question to ask might be, why was he even selling this particular snake in the first place knowing it had such an issue regardless of whether he tagged the condition on the container or not.

Ethics can be a very slippery slope as everybody has their own definition of what is ethical. In my opinion however, when in the animal trade, if you know something is abnormal about an animal you are selling, whether cosmetic or not, it is up to you to make every effort to describe that abnormality to whoever is purchasing the animal.

And if you believe anyone will take a vets word by looking a photo, you are wrong. If you don't believe Jeff do what he says and post in the hognose forums or get the snake checked out by a vet.
Click to expand...

I honestly don't see how posting the same thing on other hognose forums is going to get any medically qualified response. At best, you might get people who have the same conditions within their collections saying it's not a problem when in fact, it might very well be if those animals themselves were never taken to the vet to be diagnosed.

The only way this should be handled to get any satisfactory answer is to actually take the animal to the vet and have it examined. Only then will we find out whether Jeff's claim is as he says it is. Should the OP just dump the animal before finding out through a qualified vet, none of us will ever know whether Jeff sold a sick animal or not thereby negating any claims made by either Jeff or the OP.
 
CJReptiles said:
I got many opinions, most agree that it is more than cosmetic.. The only people that dont seem to be friends of yours on here.
Click to expand...

You have two of the best breeders on here telling you that it's cosmetic. Contact some other highly regarded breeders and see what they say. It sounds like it's pretty common in older females.
 
Either way your getting upset about your not gonna win or change other people's minds about...if I ship a snake to someone and they are unhappy I will replace the animal and pay for shipping however I will not do so until I receive my animal back at the buyers expense... Stating that you paid full retail so your entitled to a replacement and Jmg pays shipping both ways seems like your asking a bit much since you never paid for shipping in the first place. I'm also pretty sure your son had a reasonable amount of time to inspect the animal prior to leaving. Even if Jeff did not disclose this info it's not like it was a ball python and the tail was hidden by it balling up it is extremely easy to tell when this is wrong with a hognose. Also a 13 year old running around a reptile show is just asking to get taken advantage of wether we like it or not reptile shows are filled with peddlers that are just trying to make a quick buck and are total dirtbags JMG Reptiles if one of the best vendors I've met I seriously doubt they were intentionally negligent To me it seems like your son made a bad uneducated purchase and you want someone else to pay for his mistake.
 
Back
Top