I just wanted to share how GOOD my chain pet store people are. Obviously still nowhere near the knowledge base of say a breeder, but still good.
The primary associate's parents ran a reptile rescue for most of his childhood, so he's been around snakes and lizards pretty much all his life, and knows his stuff. The manager err's on the side of caution completely, and owns a few lizards, I think.
For example, yesterday I was in and she had some new corns that she refused to show me, because they had just eaten a day or two ago. Something that I understand is hard to come by in a chain pet store. Also, when I was looking at Vermicelli, I saw a mite. When I told her, she immediately said "Well I can't sell them yet, then" and quarantined him and his cagemate for 2 weeks with constant treatment.
Compare this to my ball python years ago that came ridden with either mites or ticks, and it's quite the contrast.
Anyway, just thought I'd share my positive experiences with a chain pet store
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