# Good day everyone. I have a question about hoop snakes. This is important. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [September 16, 2012, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858 "2012-09-16T07:35:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/161 "2012-09-18T16:31:55Z")
> [@hotdog\_messenger](#): > > And we are sure it is 100% legal. There are no laws regarding animals that don’t exist. But as has been pointed out to you, selling something that doesn’t exist is fraud. That’s why I’m protecting you by making the terms cash on delivery. You don’t have to risk engaging in fraudulent activity. You just have to get a hoop snake and deliver it to me to collect the reward. You are continuing to waste time. You have a legal no risk method of collecting $10,000. If you or your _friends_ knew where a hoop snake was you’d be out looking for it right now. Since you indicate you aren’t, there isn’t any reason to believe you or your friends are doing anything but trying to pull off a con. Again, PM I’ll send you my Skype account name shortly before 12 Noon Eastern Time tomorrow. Think of a really good story that we can laugh at. But I’ll answer most of your questions right now: No, I will not give you a single penny before you deliver a hoop snake, and no I will not spend a penny on anything else until you deliver a hoop snake. I mean seriously dude, you didn’t even bother to make a fake video. At least put a little effort into it. ---
**Author:** ![hotdog\_messenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@hotdog\_messenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotdog_messenger)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/162 "2012-09-18T16:33:00Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Nobody wants a hoop snake, because they don’t exist. This is the fault in your plan. You think people offer rewards for mythical creatures because they want one. The reason for the rewards is to prove these things don’t exist. No one is going to give you anything for less than delivery of an actual hoop snake. They are not going to fund your hunt, or send you money to cover expenses, or money for shipping, or travel to wherever the hell you are to discuss this further. You will get absolutely nothing unless and until you deliver a hoop snake. You really should be doing this on Craig’s list, I hear that’s where the scammers hang out. Oh I see…now I understand…you think we’re gonna rip you off? surely just because you posted a reward then you think you can act arrogantly like that. Ok tripolar dude, hope this satisfies you. We don’t want any funds from our hunt. We don’t want anybody to send money for our expenses, shipping or anything like that. The expenses for the hunt and anything like that is our problem, not yours. We just would like to confirm who you really are since it’s business we are talking here. I suppose you get my point right?.. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/163 "2012-09-18T16:35:41Z")
> [@hotdog\_messenger](#): > > Oh I see…now I understand…you think we’re gonna rip you off? surely just because you posted a reward then you think you can act arrogantly like that. Ok tripolar dude, hope this satisfies you. We don’t want any funds from our hunt. We don’t want anybody to send money for our expenses, shipping or anything like that. The expenses for the hunt and anything like that is our problem, not yours. We just would like to confirm who you really are since it’s business we are talking here. I suppose you get my point right?.. Not really. I have the money, you have nothing. You’re the one who will have to confirm who you are. Seriously, do you know anything about conducting business, or a scam? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/164 "2012-09-18T16:35:50Z")
> [@hotdog\_messenger](#): > > Oh I see…now I understand…you think we’re gonna rip you off? surely just because you posted a reward then you think you can act arrogantly like that. Ok tripolar dude, hope this satisfies you. We don’t want any funds from our hunt. We don’t want anybody to send money for our expenses, shipping or anything like that. The expenses for the hunt and anything like that is our problem, not yours. We just would like to confirm who you really are since it’s business we are talking here. I suppose you get my point right?.. Will he also have to prove that the deal is 100% legal? If so, what would you accept as proof? edited to add: and what exactly will you accept as proof that he has the $10,000? ---
**Author:** ![hotdog\_messenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@hotdog\_messenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotdog_messenger)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/165 "2012-09-18T16:36:13Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > There are no laws regarding animals that don’t exist. But as has been pointed out to you, selling something that doesn’t exist is fraud. That’s why I’m protecting you by making the terms cash on delivery. You don’t have to risk engaging in fraudulent activity. You just have to get a hoop snake and deliver it to me to collect the reward. You are continuing to waste time. You have a legal no risk method of collecting $10,000. If you or your _friends_ knew where a hoop snake was you’d be out looking for it right now. Since you indicate you aren’t, there isn’t any reason to believe you or your friends are doing anything but trying to pull off a con. > > Again, PM I’ll send you my Skype account name shortly before 12 Noon Eastern Time tomorrow. Think of a really good story that we can laugh at. But I’ll answer most of your questions right now: No, I will not give you a single penny before you deliver a hoop snake, and no I will not spend a penny on anything else until you deliver a hoop snake. > > I mean seriously dude, you didn’t even bother to make a fake video. At least put a little effort into it. Ok now you’re talking Tripolar dude. We’re gonna chat tomorrow. By the way I’m Asia, Philippines so on what time should we base? I assume you live in US, right? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/166 "2012-09-18T16:37:09Z")
> [@hotdog\_messenger](#): > > Ok now you’re talking Tripolar dude. We’re gonna chat tomorrow. By the way I’m Asia, Philippines so on what time should we base? I assume you live in US, right? You don’t understand what 12 Noon Eastern Time is? ---
**Author:** ![hotdog\_messenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@hotdog\_messenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotdog_messenger)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/167 "2012-09-18T16:38:05Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Will he also have to prove that the deal is 100% legal? If so, what would you accept as proof? that’s the main reason why we’re having a chat tomorrow. anyway tripolar dude already said he will so I’ll look forward for that. ---
**Author:** ![hotdog\_messenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@hotdog\_messenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotdog_messenger)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/168 "2012-09-18T16:42:31Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You don’t understand what 12 Noon Eastern Time is? haha…ok…9:00am in our time, i guess…sorry i’m not used to that term… ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/169 "2012-09-18T16:50:36Z")
> [@hotdog\_messenger](#): > > haha…ok…9:00am in our time, i guess…sorry i’m not used to that term… The Philippines is 12 hours ahead of Eastern Time this time of year. 12 noon there is 12 midnight in Manila. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/170 "2012-09-18T16:53:09Z")
> [@hotdog\_messenger](#): > > haha…ok…9:00am in our time, i guess…sorry i’m not used to that term… I don’t think so. I’m in UTC/GMT -4 hours. I think you are 11 hours off of that. Very clever to act inept. Sorry, not buying it. Talk to you tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![hotdog\_messenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@hotdog\_messenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotdog_messenger)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/171 "2012-09-18T16:57:20Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I don’t think so. I’m in UTC/GMT -4 hours. I think you are 11 hours off of that. Very clever to act inept. Sorry, not buying it. Talk to you tomorrow. what, I got it wrong…really I don’t know…what a shame…whatever just PM me here in SD… ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/172 "2012-09-18T17:02:58Z")
> [@hotdog\_messenger](#): > > Oh I see…now I understand…you think we’re gonna rip you off? Well, your posts do have many of the hallmarks of classic scams. Furthermore, your insistence on “confirming who x is” before proceeding is bafflingly obtuse; it makes no sense _unless_ you are trying to scam someone. That’s not an insult of some kind, just an observation that it certainly looks like some kind of scam attempt, which is why people are suspicious. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/173 "2012-09-18T17:03:57Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I understand completely. > Your friend won’t go hoop snake hunting unless a $10,000 offer from back in the 50’s is confirmed, even though many times that amount would certainly be offered for one on the open market. > Your “friend” is an idiot. Back when you were a Mod, you gave me an Official Warning specifically for telling someone that their friend was an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/174 "2012-09-18T17:07:15Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Back when you were a Mod, you gave me an Official Warning specifically for telling someone that their friend was an idiot. Ah, but this time it’s a “friend.” ---
**Author:** ![hotdog\_messenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@hotdog\_messenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hotdog_messenger)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/175 "2012-09-18T17:11:23Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > Well, your posts do have many of the hallmarks of classic scams. Furthermore, your insistence on “confirming who x is” before proceeding is bafflingly obtuse; it makes no sense _unless_ you are trying to scam someone. > > That’s not an insult of some kind, just an observation that it certainly looks like some kind of scam attempt, which is why people are suspicious. Well, I’m going to have a chat with Tripolar dude tomorrow. Anyway I’ll still be updating my thread here if there are still comments. You will certainly find out tomorrow whether we are legit or not… ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/176 "2012-09-18T17:14:41Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Ah, but this time it’s a “friend.” Yes, fictional friends, like fictional snakes, cannot appeal to board rules. O’course for all we know, **Czarc** was right, and\*\* hajario\*\*'s friend was an idiot.\*\* hajario\*\*, did your friend go hunting for a hoop snake? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/177 "2012-09-18T17:24:00Z")
> [@hotdog\_messenger](#): > > Well, I’m going to have a chat with Tripolar dude tomorrow. Anyway I’ll still be updating my thread here if there are still comments. You will certainly find out tomorrow whether we are legit or not… You telling us whether or not you accept the offer does nothing to show us you are legit-that can only be accomplished by showing up with the merchandise. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/178 "2012-09-18T18:23:18Z")
> [@hotdog\_messenger](#): > > Supposing my friend captured a hoop snake, how can we sell it in the open market? Do you have any idea? I don’t have one…maybe you can convince me to make him change his mind… If I knew where a stash of hoop snakes were, this would be my approach. First, I’d contact an actual herpatologist. You know, a snake specialist. Surely the Phillippines aren’t so backwards there are no actual herpatologists around. If not, I’m sure there are some in Japan, or New Zealand, or Australia who would be dying to see an actual hoop snake, that forms a ring and rolls. Next, I’d arrange an outing to take said herpatologist out to the area where these hoop snakes are apparently so common that everyone has seen one. I mean, surely they’re that abundant, it should be reasonably easy to show it to a herpatologist in the wild. No need to capture for the first round, thus demonstrate an actual, live hoop snake forming a hoop and rolling. Seems easy peasy. Next, said herpatologist could start spreading the word via professional channels. Herpatologist lines up a grant to study said snakes, and acquire a few. Next the world comes beating down on the Phillippines looking for said hoop snakes. Start selling tours, selling snakes, whatever the market will bear. Finally, Profit. None of this involves 50 year old dead claims for money, or identifying the actual name and address of someone on an internet message board. ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/179 "2012-09-18T18:56:59Z")
> [@hotdog\_messenger](#): > > and also if I click their emails, nothing happens. why is that? yeah sure, I won’t mention SDMB I promise. First of all, it all works fine for me. But even if it doesn’t work for you, the email addresses are exposed, so you can just cut and paste them. Oh, and there’s no such thing as a hoop snake. Hell, show me a living snake and make it, unassisted, in my presence, form itself into a vertical hoop and roll under its own power, still as a hoop, and _I’ll_ give you $10,000. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858/180 "2012-09-18T19:06:51Z")
Hey **hotdog** , see that post above this one? You can make $20,000 off of one snake now. And you’re not out hunting right now? Dude, you’ll never make any money that way. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-day-everyone-i-have-a-question-about-hoop-snakes-this-is-important/634858.md?page=10)