I've owned three, and love them all. And to people who say they are mean, smelly, and destructive, that means that the poor animal doesn't get the right care (bad pet=bad owner). Yes, ferrets can have idiosyncracies, but a good owner can teach their pet differently. And those people that were 'misled' obviously didn't do their research beforehand, and really had no right to even get a ferret.

These animals do need dedicated caretakers in order to be healthy and happy. Most don't want to be that involved. That's fine, just don't blame the ferret for being a ferret.

Some other things: a smell that bowls you over as soon as you walk in the door? Usually due to inproper diet (high in fish or plant)
Biters: never been taught not to, or have owners who don't know how to discipline correctly.
Destructive: bored ferret! Once again, the owners don't provide enough stimulating toys (ie rotating toys, interacting with them on a daily basis).
And for anyone who takes hurting an animal as a joke, then I hope you never get a chance to breed, you're much to stupid for it.