On Ebay, I have seen several listings of live queen ants that are much cheaper than they are on in other websites (like Myrmecocystus Navajo for only 38$!). Does anyone have any advice for trusting these sellers? There are no returns and refunds.
BTW all colonies I want/plan to purchase are legal and native to California
The issue is they are 100% selling the queens without permits. Ebay illegal ant sales have been happening for decades. The bigger issue is that you are liable for purchasing queens from an illegal seller just as much as they are for selling them. Even if the species is native to your state, but was caught in Arizona, its illegal. They also have no accountability, as if the queen arrives dead they don't have to do anything about it, whereas a vendor has a reputation to uphold or general morals.