I sold a proven adult female ball python to a customer on 1/23/2020. I received an email yesterday on 2/20/20 that the animal had passed suddenly. She was shipped healthy with no complaints of any health issues on arrival.
The buyer was in the process of moving from CA to TX and had me ship to his friend in TX (none of this was announced till I created the shipping label). This female was under his friends care for two weeks according to the buyer.
I have recently sold several adult females that I no longer need in my collection for various reasons. None of my other customers have had any issues with the adults I sold them.
I have requested pictures which have not been provided, and the buyer is refusing to call me to discuss the situation. I have been in this business for 8 years now and never had this happen. I do not feel due to the circumstances of a third party caring for the animal, and time that has passed since she arrived healthy that I am liable for any financial compensation to the buyer. He has insulated that I am not a serious breeder since I am not offering financial compensation for his unfortunate loss.
I’d like some opinions on if people feel I would owe the buyer anything in this unfortunate event. As a good faith measure, accepting no responsibility for the demise of the animal, I have considered offering him a $500 credit on anything I have for sale now or in the future. The $500 credit I have considered offering is half the purchase price of the female.
Thoughts on this matter would be much appreciated.