Should I purchase a Ball python from a PetSmart?

[sirtalis]

Personally I would never purchase a reptile from petsmart, but that just my opinion, at the last reptile show I went to, they had normals for $10-20, most breeders at an expo will also set the price a little high for bargaining, kinda like at a car dealership

[jjhill001]

If you see a snake you can bet your life that they would take 5 dollars less than what they are selling it for.

[Nydders]

1,000% Repticon! You could get SO much for $350; (multiple) reptiles, to housing/husbandry, to food... There are even some oddities you could splurge on, like rocks, minerals and animal skulls, lol. The atmosphere is great, the people are nice and knowledgable, the animals are beautiful and there is so much to experience. Can't beat it. Plus, the prices are a million times better when you buy direct.
I know not all reptile stores, (or stores such as PetCo or PetSmart) are bad, but in my personal experience, the workers are generally uneducated and there solely for the retail aspect. Not that it's their fault, really-- some training would be nice. I had a PetSmart where the lady was afraid to pick up the Blood Python I wanted to see, so I had to get it myself. Poor bugger had a pretty bad protruding spine, underfed and malnourished-- but feisty and way over priced. $275 over priced