Nancy Mindlin
New member
Purchased a Puget female for 500 dollars from Mr. Hamilton, possibly gravid. He then swapped snakes, without giving me a chance to agree to this treatment. He explained about a tail injury and how to feed her. Would have been good to know, BEFORE ship out. Luckily, she did turn out to be a calm snake. Did not look gravid. But, long story short, she gave birth to 14 babies. I was panic stricken and Mr. H urged me to let him raise them, saying that he has "tricks" to get them eating. I have all the FB conversations to prove out what I say. Foolishly, I shipped six babies in one deli cup and the same shipment. I was eager to work with him and was primarily worried about the animals. But I am no dummy and I am noticing the red flags about his attitude. He immediately complained, upon receiving them, that he had popped them and were all male. He also lost one, which will die. It has not been found. In our discussions about trading, a male blue concinnus was mentioned, because I was on the wait list to purchase it. But Mr. Hamilton began to demand the "other four babies that you OWE me." He used the rationale that I have broken my word. Well, yes, I certainly did begin to dig in my heels. I no longer felt comfortable letting him have more of MY babies. Mr. H was clearly angry and said that I "got her [the dam] for free." He offered a whole different type of garter (radix) that I just do not have and have no interest in at this time. Mr. H is perfectly content to leave it this way. I have not been paid for the shipping nor for the six hatchlings. I am making a long story short, but Mr. H is NOT a devoted, nice breeder. He is a wheeler/dealer who has decided to live off sales of reptiles. He took advantage of my newbie status. He is arrogant, unpleasant and greed motivated. Mr. Hamilton, you have lost a customer who could have paid you a LOT of money for years to come. You have lost so much more than a few more Pugets! And you don't even have the mind to understand this. --Nancy Mindlin
Do not allow the "experts" to mistreat you! It is in your own power, to cut them off and move on. Life is short. Find good people 
