How do I politely say this?

[AliCat37]

So I have all these baby corn snakes that I still am needing to sell, so I have been listing them locally. Most people are really great, have other reptiles, and are knowledgable.

Unfortunately, they are not all like that.

How do I politely tell a potential customer that they need to do more research?
I don't want to just be like "do research!!". This individual (not a member here as far as i know) has asked me some of the silliest questions that would have been answered by the simplest google search. I have been happy to answer them, but I feel really uneasy about selling one of my babies to them for this reason.

So what do you all do?

I think I may just suggest, something like "hey, why don't you pick up (such and such corn snake book by Kathy or Don) in the meantime while we set up a time to meet?"
Do you think that sounds okay? Or would you say something different. Obviously I want to give the best customer services I can, without jeopardizing the life and health of one of my snabies, or my name.

 

[dave partington]

Michelle, I know where you're coming from. At a local expo, a couple came to my table with their 6 year old daughter, who wanted a pet snake. I thought it was really nice of them to let their kid have a snake. So I spoke with the kid and her parents. I said to the parents that at some point they would need to hold the snake, such as during cleaning, or changing of the water. Dad said 'he wasn't touching that *** ***** thing' and promptly disappeared. Mom stuck around, so then I placed a juvie corn in her hands. She was okay for about three seconds and then did the jigglewiggle dance & wet herself publicly. I suggested that perhaps they might consider a nice pet tortoise instead.

Think of all of the possibilities that could happen if you sold a snabie to someone who isn't realistically ready to have a pet snake. Would that be good for the snabie, or your name? It's different from seeing a new kind of plant and bringing it home and then learning how to take care of it (or killing it).

Sometimes potential new owners have money, they are ready and eager to spend it, and ask no questions. Then it is my place to ask the silly questions.

It is okay to refuse a sale.

 

[BlackBear123]

This individual (not a member here as far as i know) has asked me some of the silliest questions that would have been answered by the simplest google search.
[/QUOT

I'd say this individual does get some points. They are bothering to ask a reputable breeder rather than trusting the vast information (and misinformation) space that is Google. Think about how many pages out there give flat out wrong husbandry "advise". With that being said, I think it's fine to send them links to good husbandry sites and ask them to think over if a corn is really the best pet for them.

 

[dave partington]

I'd say this individual does get some points. They are bothering to ask a reputable breeder rather than trusting the vast information (and misinformation) space that is Google.

This is a good point as well. Most of my ads or verbal spiels at expos leave out some info, leave room open for anyone interested <in what is best for the pet> to ask questions.
And to: Question "facts". What may seem like a silly question to me, may be their way of testing me on a deeper level.
There is no "formula" that will work all of the time.

 

[Nanci]

It's kind of a joke that I do a background check on new buyers- but kind of serious, too. I'll make sure the set up is heated safely, and is escape-proof, and I won't sell to anyone I know is going to co-hab. If someone seems a little sketchy, I'll just ask a lot of questions. I love it when people send pics of their current set-ups, or where they plan to put the baby. By talking to people more, before finalizing the sale, you can become assured that the snake will be well taken care of, or fill in gaps of knowledge to your satisfaction. You can _always_ BOI buyers, or ask people who have sold to them before what their experience was like.

 

[AliCat37]

Good points everyone,
Dave P. the health of the little babies is exactly what I worry about. I just don't feel comfortable selling one to someone who hasn't done the slightest amount of research. I didn't mention the types of questions on here, since I can understand not knowing morph names and all, but there are some questions that came up which makes me think this individual just woke up one morning and said "I want a snake!" And didn't do any research before contacting me. I would hate to have a healthy, happy, and plump baby end up neglected.

Nanci, I didn't even think about asking about their set up. That is what I will do when they contact me again, I don't think doing background checks is silly. We all want our kids going to the best homes possible. I will see if I can find them on the BOI, I just feel that they probably are not on there.