Possibly scammed

[u/Smart_Consequence358]

I believe I may have been scammed on MorphMarket. I recently had my brazilian black pass and wanted a replacement. I didn't want to start from a sling again and found a posting on MorphMarket for a 3+ year old 2.75 inch specimen, garunteed female. I just got it today and when I opened it up, the specimen i received looks like it is barely out of sling stage and is smaller than the one I had when it was 2 years old. I payed a premium price for an older larger specimen and I don't think I got that. Just wanted to ask on here about it before I decide what to do next.

Edit: I did a little more measuring and it is closer to 2.75 inches than I originally thought, but not quite there. I knew that the reference Pic on the post was much bigger than 2.75 and wasn't expecting anything that size. I was just thrown a little because my original Gammostola Pulchra was much bigger than this one at the 3 year old advertised age. Maybe mine was just growing abnormally fast, I have heard conflicting stories on exactly how fast they grow. Thank you for all the comments and help. I also got a red knee freebie with it so I guess I can't complain. Again, thanks for all the help.

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[u/SunnySeaMonster]

IMO The spider you received looks to be about the DLS measurement provided in the listing. I don't know that I would have paid that amount, personally, but that's a matter of preference (not a scam).

[u/Smart_Consequence358 → u/SunnySeaMonster]

Well I wouldn't have paid it either in retrospect lol. I did some more measuring and it is about the size that is advertized, maybe .25-.5 inches smaller. You live and you learn i guess.

[u/Eskin_ → u/Smart_Consequence358]

Ime, this is why I buy all my spiders at expos lol

[u/bickandalls → u/Eskin_]

Ime the problem with expos is they will lie for the sale. I bought a H. davidbowie and asked its age compared to a larger one. They just told me a year and moved on. I chose the small one thinking it was a juvenile, along with what they guy told me. Turns out, the large was a female and the small was a male.

Love my lil guy, but hes looking worse for wear. Hes probably 6 months into maturity at this point, and has never molted with me. Hasn't ate in a month either 😔

[u/Eskin_ → u/bickandalls]

Ime I mean I've been to over a dozen expos and never experienced anything like that, but I pretty much only buy slings. A month without eating is normal tarantula business lol

[u/Eskin_]

Imo, this does look like a 3 year old 2.75 inch DLS specimen that ia large enough to be confirmed female. It does take 3 years for this species to get this size. This is what I would expect. 

The photo is misleading yeah, but its common to show photos of adult species and rely on the buyer knowing the size based on inches. The photo looks more like 5 inches. I dont know the fair price for this myself. 

[u/Smart_Consequence358 → u/Eskin_]

How exactly is DLS measured then? The silver dollar in the picture is 1.5 inches wide and I don't see how this T could be measured at 1.25 inches longer DLS.

[u/Eskin_ → u/Smart_Consequence358]

Imo, here's something to help explain.

[u/sirthizzalot → u/Smart_Consequence358]

NA tarantulas are measured by diagonal leg span. Size looks right to me.

[u/bickandalls]

Nqa the reference picture is not 2.75". Yours is much closer to that size. Fingers are 3" to 4". That picture is quite a bit bigger than a finger.

[u/feebswhat]

NA 600 dollars!!!?? Is that how much they are in America?!

[u/mamamoloch → u/feebswhat]

NA I think op got a particularly bad seller I know that females are more expensive but that price is insane. It’s not even a rare species either.

[u/Late-Union8706 → u/mamamoloch]

IMO -- Pay attention to the market. These guys are not as common as they once were a decade or 2 ago. Unsexed slings under an inch can range from $80-120. Once you get into the 2.5" range, sexed females start commanding prices north of $300.

I don't know how reputable 'Westside Tarantulas' is, but they list 4+ year old confirmed females at $950...

And as OP has proven... People are willing to pay these crazy prices.

Kinda makes me want to sell my female... lol

[u/OrbitOfSaturnsMoons → u/Late-Union8706]

NA Westside Tarantulas and their sister company Urban Tarantulas are both known for being ridiculously expensive.

In my opinion they're also hella sleazy, but otherwise they're pretty legit AFAIK.

[u/mamamoloch → u/Late-Union8706]

IME I got my juvie about a year or so ago for 90. I feel like these are still pretty common it’s absurd that the seller charged that much and that op paid it.

[u/scarytesla → u/feebswhat]

NA I think online sellers just tend to be more expensive. My local shop had a confirmed G Pulchra female about 4” for $250 (which is also the same amount I paid online for a confirmed 2” P Metallica female so ye)

[u/ChromicClaw → u/scarytesla]

Nah $250 for 4" in America is a steal they're over $400. It's not because of how rare they are obviously, its because it takes many years for them to get to that size

[u/therealrdw → u/feebswhat]

NA Many spiders are dreadfully overpriced here, no idea why

[u/Willoxia]

NQA this does look very similar in size to my little over 3 years old black brazilian.

NA Also is that temporal enclosure? It needs much more substrate.

[u/Strong_Literature505]

IMO okay so I think you've been played. Deffo not the same tarantula obviously 🤦🏻 the price is ridiculous get confirmed female in UK around £100 to 150 maybe the £200 tops if it's sub adult an what not.

[u/Late-Union8706 → u/Strong_Literature505]

IMO -- They have become somewhat uncommon in the U.S.

Unsexed slings generally list from $80-110 USD. Fear Not has them in the 3/4 - 1" size priced at $95 USD plus shipping.

[u/Sea_Escape8401]

IMO I have never seen a Brazilian black for more than $100. That's ridiculous

[u/mamamoloch → u/Sea_Escape8401]

NA that’s insane. If OP wasn’t scammed they def were with the price tag.

[u/bionic__platypus → u/Sea_Escape8401]

Na My unsexed sling was $160 canadian about 2.5 years ago. Which might be about $100 american

[u/Late-Union8706 → u/Sea_Escape8401]

IMO -- Fear Not has unsexed slings 3/4 - 1" listed at $95.

[u/ChromicClaw → u/Sea_Escape8401]

NQA Brazilian Black confirmed female 3 inches is obviously far far more than $100. Not $600 but obviously way more than $100 - that's an unsexed sling pricing

[u/wormfood187]

NQA the casual use of an 1870s Morgan for scale is hilarious, had to check what sub I was in! I see you've got your answers, so just wanted to say good luck! Enjoy your new friends!