Safe buying guide

Start with the seller's profile

Before you contact a seller, spend sixty seconds on their profile. A trustworthy seller has a complete profile: a real photo or logo, a specific bio, a listed location, and ideally some reviews from past buyers. The Verified Breeder badge means the seller has passed a government ID check powered by Stripe. Profiles that are brand new, have no bio, and no reviews deserve more scrutiny — not an automatic red flag, but ask more questions.

Red flags to watch for

Most reptile scams are recognisable once you know what to look for. Any of these should prompt extra caution:

• Price is dramatically below market value for the species/morph
• Seller refuses to use on-platform messaging and insists on WhatsApp, Telegram, or email immediately
• Seller cannot provide additional photos or video on request
• Requests payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash transfer (Western Union, MoneyGram)
• Listing photos appear on a reverse image search from other websites
• Seller claims to be overseas and offers free shipping — this is almost always a scam
• Pressure to pay quickly ("I have three other buyers ready")
• No detailed care knowledge when you ask specific questions about the animal

Ask the right questions

A legitimate seller welcomes questions. Before committing to a purchase, ask:

• Can you send me a short video of the animal feeding and moving around?
• What is the animal's feeding history and current diet?
• When was it last shed? Were there any shed issues?
• Has it had any health problems or been treated for parasites?
• What is its hatch date or approximate age?
• Do you have CB documentation or proof of captive-bred status?
• What are your shipping arrangements, and do you use a reptile courier?

Payment — how to stay protected

Pay using a method with buyer protection. Credit cards, PayPal Goods & Services, and bank transfers to verified accounts all offer some level of dispute resolution. Never pay with gift cards, crypto, or cash transfer services for anything you haven't verified. For large transactions, consider meeting in person to inspect the animal before payment. If the seller won't accommodate any form of verification before payment, walk away.

Collecting in person vs shipping

Collecting in person is the safest option for both parties — you can inspect the animal before handing over money. If you're buying an animal that will be shipped, confirm the courier service the seller uses (specialist reptile couriers are far preferable to general postal services), ask about their live-on-arrival guarantee, and understand who bears the cost if something goes wrong in transit.

If something goes wrong

If an animal arrives sick, injured, or not as described — or if an animal doesn't arrive at all — contact the seller immediately via on-platform messaging to create a timestamped record. If the seller is unresponsive or dismissive, report the listing and the user to Herpify. Keep all message records, payment receipts, and photos of the animal upon arrival. If you paid by credit card or PayPal Goods & Services, file a dispute with your payment provider.