• Responding to email notices you receive.
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  • IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ!! About the Google Adsense ads being displayed

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    Posted 08/15/2025
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    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.....

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    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....

Neil Gubitz (Good Guy)

I must say here, I've heard wonders about Neil and have had no first hand contact with him at all.... But up to this post I wouldn't have thought twice about dealing with him based on the advice I've seen him give others.... Always very much geared toward the customers being happy....

Dave and I have spoken to on the phone in the past about something and he seemed like a stand up guy to me however we didn't do any transaction so I can't say that as fact....

I will say that from what I'm seeing here Neil is not treating Dave the way I've seen him advise others to treat their customers.... I think this post was a very good thing and will help people make up their own minds if they think Neil has been fair?

I personally would be unhappy if I was Dave and I see that nothing has been done to put a smile on his face as of yet....
 
I'm not saying this is what happened, but it is entirely posible to misprobe a female as a male if too small a probe is used, Another possibility is that the hemipenal homolog on one side could have been perforated.

The third possibility, of course, is that the snake was originally missexed as a female. Either way, I'd advise a second opinion, preferably having both the left and right sides probed at that time.
 
davey,,,i understood the post correctly...I knew that you were talking about a redtail...I have seen the redtail in person...A comment was made about hurting an animal that was older by "popping".. I simply made the statement that you CAN pop an animal that was older,,with the exception of etbs and gtps...
 
OK, I'm not an "expert" on sexing snakes. I personally don't sex any of my own snakes. I go to someone that "knows" what they're doing. Having said that............. I have a female that probes like a male. The probe went 9 scales deep and could have gone farther. I was upset thinking I had a male when I wanted a female. I called the person I got the snake from. He reassured me the snake was a female. I chose to trust him and I kept the snake. Right now that snake that probed out to be a male is very gravid. I guess what I'm saying is that although "probing" is an accurate method, 99.9% of the time, it's not a 100% method of sexing. Have you checked the spurs? I realize that both sexes have them, but there's a size difference between the two sexes. Also I've noticed my females have slightly shorter tails than the males. I don't know if the snake you got from Neil is large enough to tell the difference from external signs, but it was just a thought. Ken also brought up some good points as to sexing snakes. Anyway if you get a second opinion and you still feel the snake is a male then you should send it back. Neil has offered a full refund, less return shipping, and if a refund is what you want you should go for it.
 
Outward signs are what originally lead to the snake being probed. I am new to boas and didn't know what to look for as far as spur size, but the guy I took him to knew as soon as he pulled him out of the bag that something wasnt right with this "girl". He wrapped around his arm and actually scratched his arm with his spurs. He said ,"Man this is not a female" and I thought he was just messing with me. Then he probed it and it probed male.
I am not asking for a refund, just asking people to have a little integrity when posting an ad.
Like I said, I am new to boas, and I have only kept herps a few years. The way the future of the herp business is conducted is going to be shaped by those of you who are big names now. If people are brought into this thinking it is ok to post missinformation then what will happen to this hooby? Who wants to come into this hearing stories of people who were sent something other than what was paid for?
 
Davey,,,i can understand your frustration in this deal..I must say this;; sometimes even "vets" can mis-sex an animal.. I understand that you are not asking for a refund((although,if it were me,,i would want a complete refund)),,the animal in question is DEFINATELY a very beautiful animal..If I were you,,,i would start your own thread about this...You say that you just want people to know about your experience,,but this will just get lost within this "good guy" post.. I would definately get it sexed by another person,,maybe even two,,,just to be on the safe side..If Neil said that a few people sexed it as a female,,then you need to have it sexed by a few people... Dont ya think??? It would really give you more of a foot-hold if a few people sexed it as a male instead of a female....Good Luck....
 
I completely agree Jeff, and I am sure this poor thing is gonna have a rod up it's wazoo a few more times before this is all said and done. About starting a new thread, I thought the same thing when I posted my original good guy post, but asked before did it. Webslave thought that it would be best to have only a few threads about an individual rather than hundreds with each having a few responses. I wanted to make sure the world saw my post about Neil because I was happy when I thought that this animal was a female, but added onto someone elses thread at webslaves request. That is why it is here. I guess it is getting seen after all, even hidden under the title of good guy.
 
An interesting side note.

Certain concentrated populations of snakes have developed both the male and female sex organs. That is to say that a female can have both a functioning SEMI-penis and a shallow vaginal side. I think it was first recorded in a type of Ver-De-Lance if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, with the line breeding that is going on with certain morphs it is highly possible that this animal may be one of those genetic anomalies that pop up from time to time.

Probe both sides and see if it probes the same depth.
 
Dave and Jeff,

It seems we had similar thoughts as of why the need to start a new thread. What I did not know is that Dave had already contacted the Webslave on this matter and he had suggested him to leave his comments in this one. One way or the other the goal is to have this misunderstanding between between Neil and Dave resolved. Dave, please let us know as soon as you get the boa sexed again.

Thanks.
 
I'm just wondering if most snake breeder/dealers guarantee sex on snakes. I know that I have bought several missexed snakes over the years, as well as a bunch of missexed lizards.
I know a lot of bearded dragon breeders sell animals as male or female, but in their terms of service they say that sexing is not actually guaranteed on young lizards due to the difficulty of accurate sexing.
I guess this might belong more on the discussion end but I'm wondering if Neil has anything in his terms about guaranteed sexing.
Dana
 
I just started reading this thread and I am confused on a few things. I remember when Neil had this snake for sale and you (Jeff Lewis) were one of the ones that sexed it with him and sexed it as a female. Also at about the same time, you were one of the ones that helped him sexe a woma, and a Black Back Ball which at the time all sexed as females as well, but later turned out to be males. Jeff are you forgetting that you helped him sexe this particular animal in question? By the looks of your last couple of posts you are throwing all the blame on Neil and it appears you are trying to throw him under the BUS. Hey Mis-sexing happens from time to time. Even the Big name breeders have made mistakes in the past and they have taken care of the problem. From what I have read on this thread about Dave being unhappy,Neil had offered a full refund for the animal and you refused.
I changed my mind.... you want to send it back??.... When it gets here, I'll send you a full refund.... but, in this particular instance.... YOU can pay for the shipping back to me....
Click to expand...
I think that is fair and if you are unhappy with the snake then send it back for a refund. Otherwise it is a done situation. A mistake happened, If you don't like it let the dealer remedy it. Don't just keep bitchin about it after you have refused to let him fix it.
 
If the snake in question was represented to the buyer as a female and it is not then the buyer is entitled to a refund and should not have to pay for shipping. I feel that if you are going to be in the herp business then you should know how to properly sex the animals you are selling.

Yes, mistakes happen sometimes but I still feel that the buyer should get a full refund in this instance.
 
Is anyone else lost here???

Rob,

Maybe I'm missing something, but I read the whole thing and I don't see where Jeff is going against Neil. Actually we know from past threads they are friends. He even stayed at his place when visiting Fla and were kidding about it on the BOI, remember?

Davey,,,i can understand your frustration in this deal..I must say this;; sometimes even "vets" can mis-sex an animal..
Click to expand...

Quote from Jeff Lewis making a case that even experienced herpers can make mistakes. I don't think he was throwing no one under the bus.

I understand that you are not asking for a refund((although,if it were me,,i would want a complete refund)),,the animal in question is DEFINATELY a very beautiful animal..
Click to expand...

Stated his opinion about the snake in question. If the boa is not a female bot Jeff as well as Neil and almost anyone posting so far agreed a refund is justified.

If I were you,,,i would start your own thread about this...You say that you just want people to know about your experience,,but this will just get lost within this "good guy" post..
Click to expand...

I don't think he is trying to throw Neil under the bus on this one. He is just stating what is obvious.

I would definately get it sexed by another person,,maybe even two,,,just to be on the safe side..If Neil said that a few people sexed it as a female,,then you need to have it sexed by a few people... Dont ya think??? It would really give you more of a foot-hold if a few people sexed it as a male instead of a female....Good Luck....
Click to expand...

Jeff is again giving Neil the benefit of the doubt and requesting similar and more proof from Dave.

Let's hope everything gets resolved for the best.
 
Maybe I worded that part incorrectly. It just seemed to me that He was trying to have this person start a Bad Guy thread on Neil when there was and is no need to start a new thread. The offer was made to rectify the situation and Dave passed. There is nothing bad that Neil has done in this situation. He did everything he should have to make the customer happy.
 
I normally go for the consumer but in this instance I am not sure why this is going on. I am in the middle of buying a snake from Neil, thus far he has been very good about holding the snake for me until my daughters birthday. I will reserve the end results after I see the snake.;)
As I see it, no one can say misrepresentation on the sex, it could be an honest mistake. Neil has offered to give a full refund, or offered money back if the guy wanted to keep the snake, if indeed it is male.
What more can he offer?
What makes him so bad here?
This does not prove as a warning to me if Neil has offered to rectify the situation. I for one will continue with my transaction with him.
 
Question for Dave

Dave when you contacted Neil and told him the boa was
mis-sexed, what did you want him to do about it? Were you just letting him know that you were not happy, or did you want to return the boa? I know he offered you a $50 refund. Before you posted negative comments here on the BOI, was Neil rude to you? I know Neil gets angry if people post against him and I guess that is normal if he feels that you were not working with him, but did you try to work it out and Neil was not having it? Was it a $50 refund or "NOTHING!"
 
Casey.... These are all the emails (IN ORDER) that transpired between us JUST BEFORE he wrote the first post about his "problem"....


From: [email protected] Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2003, 3:50am To: [email protected] Subject: another misprint?
Hey neil,
________whats up? Just wanted to write you tell you the latest on this girl. She's not a girl at all. Had her probed today because i was sure her spurs were a little long for a female, and she probed male. I must say i am very dissapointed in this as i was expecting a female that was 4 ft. and got a male that is three. let me know what, if anything we can do to work something out. thanks in advance man.
Dave


Sent e-mail message

From: [email protected] (Neil_Gubitz) Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2003, 8:39am To: [email protected] Subject: Re: another misprint?

What are you talking about???
....Neil _ %>))

From: [email protected] Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2003, 11:12am To: [email protected] Subject: Re: another misprint?
The orange boa i bought from you last week, _4 ft. orange orange orange orange boa _0.1, _mid '01,... that is really a _1.0 that _is _3ft. ring a bell?
Dave Giltner

From: [email protected] (Neil_Gubitz) Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2003, 11:23am To: [email protected] Subject: Re: another misprint?

Dave.... Maybe I got the length wrong, but, I've had three or four people probe it and pop it as a female.... did you actually SEE the hemipenes, or did you just probe it??.... Why is this the first time I'm hearing about it??.... You KNOW my guarantee states you have 24 HOURS to determine if you like it or not???.... If you were expecting a female (which I STILL say it is), why didn't you probe it immediately upon it's arrival to you??.... What are you expecting me to do NOW??.... You never said anything about wanting it to be a female, I was basically selling it as an orange boa....
....Neil


From: [email protected] Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2003, 11:33am To: [email protected] Subject: Re: another misprint?
__Neil,
I personaly dont know how to properly _sex a snake, and the closest guy that i know that does, has a shop in fresno, 45 minutes away. I get off work at 5:30, and his shop closes at 6. Saturday was the first chance i got to get it sexed. And i wasnt going get her sexed anyway, i took her to show her off to the guy, and he was like " this isnt a female, dude". I didnt believe him so he probed it. Sure enough, male.
_As for you not selling it as a female, just _orange , why would you include the sex in the ad then?
_and about what i expect you to do...well, i guess this is what i expected from you. Thank you, and take care,
Dave Giltner

From: [email protected] (Neil_Gubitz) Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2003, 11:42am To: [email protected] Subject: Re: another misprint?

This is what you EXPECTED from me???.... Are you kidding me or what???.... How bout if I said, "This is what I expected of you?".... You just told me that you bought it for the orange??.... You didn't buy it because it IS a female??
....Neil _ %>))


From: [email protected] Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2003, 12:21pm To: [email protected] Subject: Re: another misprint?
Neil sir,
If i were in fact only buying it for the orange, not because it was posted as a female as well, why would i have sent you a pic of the male i planned to breed to her? Just a question thats floating around in my head, dont really need an answer. I would like _answers if possible to these however, if it was only being sold as orange, not as female, why include the sex in the ad? and why would you _have 4 other people probe and pop it? if you are so possitive that it is a female, why would you now come back and say that i never said i wanted a female? Is it safe to pop a year and a half old boa? Is this boa really a mid _'01 as the ad said? 37 inch is pretty small for an 01, but you said you made a mistake on the size in the ad, not the age.
Dave Giltner

From: [email protected] (Neil_Gubitz) Date: Sun, Feb 9, 2003, 1:52pm To: [email protected] Subject: Re: another misprint?
David.... If you can PROVE to me it's a male, and NOT by just having one guy probe it.... how do I know that he didn't poke a hole in it when he probed??.... Ya see my problem??.... If you can show me a PICTURE OF THE "PEENS", that's a different story??....
And I never said you were being screwed or taken advantage of.... that's
the way I FEEL RIGHT NOW!!!
Would a $50 "rebate" ease your pain???
....Neil _ %>))


Right after this email I sent to him, is when he wrote the first post on this thread.... MY NEXT EMAIL TO HIM, IF he had emailed me back instead of posting.... was to OFFER HIM A FULL REFUND!!.... He blew it by writing this BEFORE I ever had a chance to make it right!.... NOW, all you guys can type all you want.... he owns an orange boa!....
I've said it many times before, and I'll say it again.... I don't care what ANY of you would do in this situation, but, as far as I'm concerned.... work with me, and I'll work with you till you're happy.... work against me, and you're on your own!!.... and reputation be damned.... this is principle!

This is the end for me....

....Neil
 
Rob,,,i never sexed that boa...You are mistaken,,or better yet,,,who ever told you that I sexed it is a liar... I did mis sex a woma,,,however,,,i did not mis sex that black back...I said that i THOUGHT it to be female,,,because no hemi-penes popped out,,,,BUT,,i did tell Neil that i was NOT 100%%% sure on the sex... PERIOD...
 
Everyone keeps saying that Davey was offered a full refund. That is not the case. He is offered a refund and then he has to pay to ship it back. So it is costing him money to assume that the seller was representing the animal correctly. If it was sold as a female and is indeed a male then the animal is misrepresented. That is not saying that it was intentionally misrepresented, just that a mistake has been made. So if a buyer is to buy a female, and he specifically is looking for a female for breeding purposes.... He probably shouldnt buy one from Neil, unless he wants to pay shipping if Neil accidentally sends him a male? That is how I see it. Maybe Neil should require a second or third opinion, but how is Davey in the wrong? This is a valid argument and as far as him bitching, that is a ridiculous statement. This is the BOI. You are supposed to tell about your purchases, good or bad. Davey has seemed to handle himself respectfully. Neils offer to rectify the situation would cost Davey time and money to ship it back.
Possibly they could work something out where if it was sent back and was indeed a female, then ALL of the shipping charges would be then sent to Neil. Either way, I hope they work it out.
If a seller was not responsible for sexing an animal correctly, that would be very costly to buyers on higher end animals. There is a big difference for someone recieving say, a male Pastel Jungle Ball Python when they bought a female. Not only is there about $1000 to $1500 price difference, but it would cut off your potential to create "Super Pastels". I think most buyers would like to know who 100% backs up the sexing of the animals sold. Thanks, Tom Baker
 
Jeff,

I just remember Neil telling me when he had the Orange boa for sale that he had sexed it, you had sexed it and someone else who I can't remember right now sexed it and all said female. But either way as I said before this situation should not be where it is. The refund was offered and Dave did not accept it. I hope they are able to work this out for both person's benefit.
 
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