Reputable breeder bought vs store bought?

[krn1010]

What do you think is a better idea?
Store bought snake vs shipped snake from a reputable breeder

I have never bought snake online and I am looking to buy snake in 200~250 dollar range. 100 dollar for shipping seems a lot but if its from a reputable breeder, would you buy it?

[Mikoh4792]

I will always choose a reputable breeder over a retail store. The higher price is most definitely worth it.

With reputable breeders, you usually get more information on the animal you are buying, and there is always post-purchase support incase you run into any trouble.

But if all you're really looking for is a nice pet to own, there is nothing wrong with buying from a store as long as the animal is healthy.

[krn1010]

OH yah and by "store", I mean reputable nearbyreptile store not a petsmart lol

[Mikoh4792]

OH yah and by "store", I mean reputable nearbyreptile store not a petsmart lol

I know. That's what i was talking about. Even if it's a good reptile store, I'd be surprised if you could get thorough lineage information on the animal.

[Derek1]

$100 freight is high, but you're in Canada so that might change the game. I wouldn't have a problem buying from a "pet store" if I can talk to the reptile handler and if he/she can provide me with info, ie. last shed, last eating, ect...I've only bought from breeders though.

[krn1010]

I would definitely preferably buy from a breeder but $100 for $200 snake seems like alot lol considering that I have to get it from air canada cargo and that would probably cost some money as welll

[JinxtheBP]

I know. That's what i was talking about. Even if it's a good reptile store, I'd be surprised if you could get thorough lineage information on the animal.

That's not true. A good reptile store should buy from a good breeder and a good breeder should have all kinds of information for you! I purchased my BRB from Curious Creatures in Chicago (which just opened earlier this year and I just cannot stop showering them with praise). Without my even asking, they provided records they had kept as well as the ones which came from the breeder. The breeder, as it happens, is Snakesitter (Cliff) who is also delightful and remains helpful with any issues or questions I have about my baby :)

In short...A quality reptile shop acquires from quality breeders, so it doesn't reeeeally matter which one you choose, imho.

[amousley1]

We opt for breeders that we know personally or reptile shows/expos.

[reptiledude987]

I'm in Canada as well and $100 is typical for shipping. However if its a sites species (which most are excluding corns and kings and very few others) there is also a border inspection required at an additional cost which is $375. Additionally either the buying or selling party needs to be present for the inspection. There are companies that will transport the animals to the inspection for approx $700 (which does incl the inspection fee). so unless the purchase is big enough to make this expense worthwhile you're better off buying inside Canada. From my expierence theres nothing you cant find here in Canada if you really look. Most animals should be available thru local breeders or reputable stores. Short of that theres always expos with all sorts of breeders especially if youre in Ont near the GTA.

[pet_snake_78]

I would just go to an expo I think, then you can see the animals in question. You can do some scouting in advance to see which vendors will be there and maybe ask them if they are bringing what you're interested in.

[TG22AR]

Chain pet stores are there purely for profit and in my opinion neglect all of their animals to some extent. Go to your local expo, breeder, moms and pops reptile store, or have it shipped depending on your climate.

[Mikoh4792]

That's not true. A good reptile store should buy from a good breeder and a good breeder should have all kinds of information for you! I purchased my BRB from Curious Creatures in Chicago (which just opened earlier this year and I just cannot stop showering them with praise). Without my even asking, they provided records they had kept as well as the ones which came from the breeder. The breeder, as it happens, is Snakesitter (Cliff) who is also delightful and remains helpful with any issues or questions I have about my baby :)

In short...A quality reptile shop acquires from quality breeders, so it doesn't reeeeally matter which one you choose, imho.

I said usually. That's not often the case. Even most quality reptile shops do not provide thorough information on the animal.

[Minkness]

This may get me some flack, but I might as well say it.

If you are knowledgeable in the snake that you are getting then having past info on it isn't needed unless you are taking on a special case. Now, I know that chain petstores get a bad rap around here, and with reason, however both the petco and petsmart in my area are AWESOME. When I first got into leos, that's where I went. Got 1 from each store. To this day both are great eaters and shedders and have better attitudes than my breeder bought beauties. They were also more economical since even a low end breeder was going to cost way more than I was willing to pay to 'see what happens'.

I also compare them to a local mom and pop ppace...which is small, cramped, smells, and every tine I go in there the fish are too small, the reptiles dismal, and the small animals could really use some better housing. I REFUSE to buy from the mom and pop place any more. I got one of my favorite leos there...but....he's my special needs boy. Never has a good shed (just lost the tip of his tail to one) worst appetite I have ever seen in a leo, and he's almost died on me multiple times. I still love him, and when he's not scaring me to death he's a great little guy (and oddly vocal...). However another mom and pop place about 30-40 minutes away is AMAZING. Zoo quality knowledge, reasonable pricing (the other place has skyrocket prices) beautiful, healthy animals in both their aquatics and reptiles. They use a rack system with sanitary conditions (aspen compared to the other place using dirt), allow you to handle pretty much whatever you want (not if they have been fed or if a certain reptile requires a certain level of experience) aand they deal with local breeders, hobiests, and wholesale internet type things. I have never seen a sick animal there because they take care to keep them in the back, quarantined, and care for them before selling them, where as the other place just sells you whatever is in a tank.

With all that being said, I have dealt with my fair share of breeders. All the ones I have experienced have been great! The quality and health of the animal has never disapointed me, and I will continue to use breeders for more 'special', high end, or harder to get animals. Case in point....the nice mom and pop store and the chain stores here currently have some amaaaaazing snakes for an affordable price. However I want something specific so I'm paying a little more for shipping from a breeder. However, I also have the experience now that I didn't have in the beginning to know just how much I loved reptiles and my level of care. (I'm a terrible fish killer and learned that after spending hundreds of dollars x.x).

So, my advice is to find a nice store local OR wait for a convention/show in your area. Do all the research you can on exactly what you want or what you get, and do your best to care for that animal. Even if it's just a 10$ normal cornsnake, treat it as if you spent 500$ on it. This will give an idea of the general care of that animal and give you the confidence that of you should spend that extra $$$ on shipping and boarder costs that it will be WELL worth it.

But again, do your research on both the place you get it from, and what you want to get. Not all stores are equal, and neither are all breeders.

Hope this helps. =)

[shaunyboy]

reputable breeder every time mate

imo shops have too much reptile traffic flowing through them

breeders tend to run their collections correctly and healthy,also you get much more information and genuine help from a decent mreeder


cheers shaun

[Aaron_S]

What do you think is a better idea?
Store bought snake vs shipped snake from a reputable breeder

I have never bought snake online and I am looking to buy snake in 200~250 dollar range. 100 dollar for shipping seems a lot but if its from a reputable breeder, would you buy it?

Depends where you're located. Yes there's stores I trust to buy animals from in my area. However, the stuff I look to purchase usually isn't in stores so I can't buy from them.

The thing most people forget about stores these days is a lot of breeders will wholesale to local stores. I have one store that I wholesale normal ball pythons to because I trust their staff to sell them with appropriate set ups and to the right customers.

It works out great. They bring in new people to the hobby with fantastic animals produced by a reliable breeder.

[Aaron_S]

$100 freight is high, but you're in Canada so that might change the game. I wouldn't have a problem buying from a "pet store" if I can talk to the reptile handler and if he/she can provide me with info, ie. last shed, last eating, ect...I've only bought from breeders though.

I charge $125 for shipping anywhere in Canada. Yes it's that expensive. I've heard of $80 shipping but I don't use that company for some reasons I wish to remain with me.

[millertime89]

Depends where you're located. Yes there's stores I trust to buy animals from in my area. However, the stuff I look to purchase usually isn't in stores so I can't buy from them.

The thing most people forget about stores these days is a lot of breeders will wholesale to local stores. I have one store that I wholesale normal ball pythons to because I trust their staff to sell them with appropriate set ups and to the right customers.

It works out great. They bring in new people to the hobby with fantastic animals produced by a reliable breeder.

That's how several stores here are and I trust a few of them, mostly because I know the owners or managers and trust them to do a good job, but they're smaller mom and pop places as opposed to giant chains like Petsmart or PetCo. There's two smaller chains out here and I'll only go to a few stores from one chain but I won't set foot in the other's stores. When people would ask me why I would tell them but they didn't believe me. Then this happened...
Officers execute warrant at Thornton pet store (http://www.9news.com/story/news/local/2014/12/10/thornton-pet-store-warrant-executed/20201853/)

The owner of this chain is the owner Boas N Balls as well. This is the store that she personally runs.

[Aaron_S]

I have to stop responding before I read all the posts.

A lot of people are suggesting "head to expo/local show" and that's not a bad idea. However, I've been to many. The biggest in Canada on a regular basis and I rarely see a variety of animals. If there's something specific I have to find specific people. And when I do see something "different" it's usually wild caught and just not worth the time.

Honestly, if you have something in mind, do some research ahead of time and talk to people who may/will have it. If they are vending or just visiting a show you can usually get them to deliver for you.