Buying
Be responsible: Does the buyers advert show a healthy looking animal? Never be afraid to ask a few questions or for a few more pictures of the animal in question. Do you have the correct equipment, housing and knowledge to correctly Care for the possible new arrival, how big will it grow? Upon collection who is going to provide the travel box, you or the seller? Decide this beforehand! Will it offer the animal all that it needs to make the journey home in good health?
A seller not happy to sensibly discuss such requirements may not be the best person to do business with!
Be wary: If you’re going to complete the exchange in person, be sensible of where, when and how; your own welfare is as important as any purchase!
Does the advert seem genuine? Is the price sensible?(sometimes a price that’s ; ‘too good to be true’; is…) If the buyer is asking for a deposit or payment to save or hold back an animal or item for you, then do as much research as you can as sadly there are rogues out there who will false advertise purely to rip others off. Don’t be overly trusting just because something seems to be a bargain!
Be aware: It is illegal to buy and sell some species; for example native U.K. reptiles, some invasive species of turtles and amphibians and more. Does the animal advertised need an article 10 certificate for it to be sold or used for financial gain? Don’t break the law or rely on the seller’s advice; as always: DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING AND KEEPING ANY ANIMAL.
Be polite: Sometimes with any online transaction buyers and sellers can seem very annoying! As a buyer don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you see fit, but communicate as clearly and timely as is reasonably feasible and be aware the seller may be busy with life in general and not able to respond straight away.
Enjoy the experience! Don’t get stressed; obtaining a new pet or animal for your collection should indeed be an enjoyable experience!
Selling
Selling is as easy as setting up your personal account and placing the advert! (It’s free to set up an account).
Simply click on the ‘Place your Advert’ to list.
Selling? Please read our hints and advice before placing your advert:
Be responsible: Is the buyer going to offer your animal a good home? Never be afraid to ask a few questions or for a picture of the animal’s possible new accommodation, do they have the correct equipment and knowledge? Upon collection who is going to provide the travel box, you or the purchaser? Will it offer the animal all that it needs to make the journey in good health?
A buyer not happy to sensibly discuss such requirements may not be the best new owner for your animal.
Place a good advert: A good, well thought out advert will work wonders whereas a poorly written add will lose buyers interest straight away. A good advert will include an honest description, at least one good photo, the asking price and approximate location. To make your advert stand out and be more eye-catching maybe one of our ‘featured adverts’ would be worth a try?
Be wary: If you’re going to complete the exchange in person, be sensible of where, when and how; your own welfare is as important as any sale!
Be aware: Price your animal! As strange as it may seem, simply offering an animal ‘free to good home’ may make it more likely to end up in a less than perfect situation. Most decent keepers realize that housing their charges correctly costs money; if you can’t afford to buy the animal you most probably can’t afford its upkeep! Be aware to of advertisers offering ‘re-home and rescue’ services; some are good and genuinely care about reptiles etc, and some offer the worst kind of animal husbandry and are simply looking for low cost or free animals that they can re-sell for a quick profit. Bare in mind that the good ‘rescues’ are often so busy they don’t need to advertise for more free animals; Do your research!
THE LAW: It is illegal to buy and sell some species; for example native U.K. reptiles, some invasive species of turtles and amphibians and more. Does the animal you’re about to advertise need an article 10 certificate for it to be sold or used for financial gain? Don’t break the law! DO YOUR RESEARCH IF YOU’RE NOT SURE! And be sure to tick the correct box on the advert form as well as filling out the article 10 certificate number if needed( any advert for a species requiring an article 10 must include the certificate number within the advert, fail to do so is an offence).
Be polite: Sometimes when selling anything online buyers and sellers can seem very annoying, sometimes buyers especially can turn out to be very much ‘timewasters and dreamers’; be polite, keep calm and above all communicate as clearly and timely as is reasonably feasible. Don’t get stressed, after all life is stressful enough!