Buying Interstate

[bigguy]

Hi guys

Heres a couple of more experiences of buying sight unseen from interstate and the problems that are often encountered.

Last month I answered a add on the Herp Trader advertising subadult to adult Spineytail Monitors for sale in the NT. The seller agreed to supply the sex ratio I was after , permits were issued and payment made. On the night prior to shipment I was contacted by the seller saying most were missing from his cage, but if I would wait a few days he would dig up his breeders from their pit and send them instead. I agreed thinking these were breeders and would be larger. What a mistake. They were sent , but typical NT flights ended up in Brisbane and I ended up having to go to Sydney airport at 3.30 in the morning. I had ordered 3 males and 4 females, but ended up with only 1 female and 6 males. This has been confirmed by xrays. Were they his breeders, again no. Not one was in my opinion was over a quarter grown. I tried contacting the seller several times, but will not reply.

Second story. Two weeks ago I saw a add on RDU for 6 month old Frillnecks in the NT at a good price. I contacted the seller and agreed to buy. I also enquired wether he could supply a adult female as well. I was told he would send me an adult that had laid eggs last season. I agreed to the much larger price and permits were issued and payment made. Again, they were sent to Brisbane and I had to go to the airport in the middle of the night. Here was a tiny box waiting for me. The alarm bells rang in my head. I opened the box to find only one bag. He had pack the juveniles with the adult . I was glad to find that the adult had not eaten the younsters. The next morning I gave them a quick look over. One juvenile was in good condition, the second was in poor condition and needs a lot of care. Now for my adult female. Its snout vent length was less than 6 inchs and in my opinion was less then 18 months old and far to small to breed for the next few years. On lifting the tail, what a surprise, hemipenes. Its a male. This seller is also ignoring my emails and calls left on his message bank.

Please be careful when buying from interstate, specially from NT, far North Qld, and SA. Some sellers probably feel they are untouchable due to their isolation, and feel they can lie and cheat people out of their money.

[boa]

I can sympathise, I have had mixed results dealing especially with NT. I tend to now deal with people I know well or come recommended.

[bigguy]

Both the sellers are well know in the NT. Its funny though, after you get ripped off other people come out of the woodwork with similar stories about the same people. You start to see a pattern.

[AustHerps]

Sorry to hear mate. I've had a pretty good run. NT flights pretty much always run late though
Spose the trick is to deal with those you know, or those with good reputations.

[boa]

I can only guess as to who they are but with me it wasn't so much down to being ripped off just an experience that left a bad taste but I have heard a few stories about people not getting what they paid for.

[zard]

Bob that sucks..

Our experience buying interstate without seeing the animals first has made us extremly wary.

Purchased a 'pair' of carpets, when we recieved them they were full of mites and worms.. At the same time we got a pair of beardies.. the male died.
Attempted contact with seller for months to no avail..
waitied over a year to ensure the pythons were healthy before thinking about breeding, had their sexes confirmed to find they were both males

even worse was this person was a member here.. (may still be) and i think that because people are members here it tends to give them a bit of credibility to buyers..

Another point is that when people get a dud deal and sick animals they are hesitant to name the seller, sadly the next buyer is then unaware as to the sellers history.

On the flip side.. i purchased many animals from interstate but now i do my homework and ask around about the seller before comitting myself and have since had some fantastic experiences.

[bigguy]

I have just been contacted by the Frill Neck seller. At least he has offered to refund my money and take her back. He has also appoliogised if a mistake has been made regarding the sex. At least he is doing the right thing.

[AGAMIDAE]

yeah very average Bob indeed...nothing more gets my goat than rotten pricks that screw you around..

[indicus]

Sad story, but not uncommon....
These days however if your ripped off, just name them....who the hell are you protecting?
If someone rip's you, i feel the least you can do is help those others that maybe caught out.
However to say becareful of breeders in the north or anywhere is a joke....Becareful where ever / who ever you buy from.
There's horrible stories about herps purchased regardless of where....
Unfortunately doesn't help the poor bugger that's been done over.....so name them!!!

[GARTHNFAY]

Bad story Bob......happens all too often....make sure that you have very good recommendations about the people or don't buy.
Far Nth Qld.......one exception is Indicus, we know that for a fact!!!

[tan]

I have just bought a bredli over the net and the seller sent me several pics of different animals for me to choose, this is probably a good idea so you can see the animal (size etc) and compare patterns/colours when you actually recieve it to verify your choice was sent, in a fashion. I have also requested a female and feel confident with this seller (an aps member) will let you know how i go.

[bigguy]

Indicus

The seller of the Spineytails was a Trevor Sullivan and his wife. I have heard from a few others that they have bought so called adults only to receive large hatchlings.

[indicus]

I'm glad i didnt rip you off guy's
No but seriously i can understand how you feel Bob;
nothing makes me madder then the low lifes just out to make a quick buck;
at the expense of the animal and the poor bugger purchasing their new pet.
Good on you Bob...well done....thats the way.....others who wish to purchase from TS will now becareful.

[bigguy]

Fay

I got stung buying some Spencer's several years ago. I bought 3, 2 adults and 1 yearling from a prominant Cairns breeder only to have the 3 turn up in a small foam box. The biggest adult male as just over 2 ft long, the next was about 18 to 20 inchs and the 3rd about 12 inch's. Obviously, he had no idea what a adult male Spencers was.

And how about the Cairns breeder who last year was selling a collection of Bearded Dragons. I was about to buy these beauties, when I was luckerly beaten too them by Bek in Victoria. I say luckerly beaten too them as we all know the horror story regarding these Beardeds. I am glad i missed out on that lot.

As for Indicus, so far he has the seal of approval, but be warned mate, we are watching you

[indicus]

I should also mention, if one has gone out of their way to contact the seller to air the problems regarding their new arrivials....and the seller either will not respond; or flatly will take no responsiblity, so be it...why not name them.
A responsible seller IMO will go out of their way to sort it; after all it is their reputation....
Sites like this have a trading feedback column where one can air their grievances; and it stays on record then; for all to see. Also the seller can be made aware, and then have their say if they feel whats said is unfair etc.
Such a shame; gives the hobby a bad rap.....