Hi Jess
You should be getting the full cost of the snake, your vets and autopsy bill back
if you are scared take a friend to back you up. I wish I lived closer as I would come with you.
Two things to threaten if they disagree. Fistly sounds like DSE will be on your side and they wont want to risk their reptile licence.
Second. VCAT. All you have to do is make sure you speak to the OWNER and say. I know I am entitled to the cost of the snake, the vets bill and autopsy if you were going to be really pedantic you could also add in telephone and petrol costs. if you do not refund this money immediately I am going to VCAT. if the owner has half a brain he will know that as a retailer if there is a VCAT ruling against him he will get demerit points...too many of those and he will lose the right to trade. Also the stress of going to VCAT wont be worth it to him. Plus if there is a ruling against him it then becomes public knowledge what the shop has done. Something that should make you feel good is that I have not heard of any hearings involving livestock that have gone against the purchaser.
Just be calm do not scream and yell just say this is what I am going to do so I need to speak with the owner/manager NOW. be really clear about the amount of money owed ( take copies in of any evidence...do not give originals it is amazing how things go 'missing") and say I need to leave the shop today with this amount of money or I am going to DSE and VCAT. You risk a ruling against you, this matter becoming public knowledge and losing your reptile licence.
I am sure you will get your money and if you dont you can lodge your complaint through VCAT.
http://www.vcat.vic.gov.au
It only costs $40 and you have forms to fill out etc. You have to send copies to the shop...usually once they see the forms you get send a cheque to make it all go away........I bet as soon as you mention VCAT you'll get your money.
I have found that the "V" word works wonders with retailers...they suddenly will do anything for you to avoid a hearing...the sad thing is you ahve to pull out the sledgehammer to get action .......I could bore you with my stories about beds and refrigerators but I wont.......trust me and everyone else here...you want your money back and you want to go to a breeder. And this is the way to do it....the pet shop are just trying to make this go away the cheapest way they know how, they know full well youa re entitled to your money back they just are trying to avoid giving it to you. Beleive me they are not being 'nice"
I am so sorry to hear what has happened. This is not what bringing a first snake home is supposed to be like.
Regards
Elizabeth