Buying-At shows or Online?

[jjsnakedude]

I am personally liking the Idea of seeing the animal before I buy it. Whats your opinion?

[brainman1000]

It really depends on who you are buying them from. If it is a good reputable breeder then I feel confident buying online.

[j_h_smith]

I've bought and sold at shows and over the internet. If the seller won't get you the picture you want, then I wouldn't buy over the internet. If you buy at a show, make sure the snake is healthy, with no issues. Just because the seller is at the show this month, doesn't mean anyone will ever see him again!


Good Luck!
Jim Smith

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Most of my snakes were bought online.

Out of 60+ animals, 2 BP came from a show as well as 3 Honduran Milksnakes and 3 Kingsnakes.

Online or at shows it does not matter to me.

[Freakie_frog]

There are a few mutations. Like fires, sables, chocolates ect that being very hard to photograph I'd like to see in person. Other than that as long as the person has a good reputation and healthy animals, it doesn't matter to me.

[OhhWatALoser]

I find shows fetch better prices because everyone is selling everything in the same place at the same time. But most animals I got online because they caught my eye and thats all it takes. I was on a waiting list for my ATB for a year. I'm currently on a waiting list for a gtp I want a baby out of a pairing. both those are online sales. seems my highest end stuff is bought online.

Both are needed for me.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I only purchas from people who have a good reputation. I have purchased online from Vin Russo, Justin Kolbylka, Bradford Cole, Jamie Glass, etc..

I will buy online as long as I can talk to the seller, they have good rep, I can see pictures etc..

I have also purchased from smaller and lesser known breeders and hobbiests right here through BP.net.

The ones I stay away from are the ones no one has ever heard of, will not give you good details, have no feedback at all, have only joined a forum or classified site just recently and only to post their add etc etc..

[rabernet]

I've never purchased a morph at a show (unless you count my cinnie that I first SAW at a show, but purchased online later).

Because I have a very firm idea of the look that I want for any particular morph, it's rare that I find the qualities that I'm looking for at a show.

I've purchased nice normal females at shows, and used to love the late spring when sellers would have some nice well started CH females to choose from for unique looks.

Everyone I've purchased online from thus far have been members here as well, so I've gotten to know them over the years and see how they keep their animals through their participation here.

Two of my aquisitions in 2009 were a result of the breeders posting hatch pictures and my going "I WANT that animal!" and immediately PMing them to see if they're going to sell that animal or hold it back (my lesser male and my YB female).

And I found my albino by asking an innocent question "how was your season last year?" and them sending me a link with pictures of some of the animals they produced last year. As soon as I saw a picture with a few albino's, I immediately contacted them back and begged them to sell one to me (reduced pattern, high contrast).

Animals just sort of "happen" for me. When I decide I want to add a new animal to my collection, I know the "look" I want, and I'm willing to wait for that "look" to come along. Fire is next on my list, but I'm very picky about how they look too, so I'm just waiting for the right fire to cross my path.

[BP-NJ]

I had a wonderful online purchasing experience and a so-so experience with buying at a show. Both snakes are healthy and thriving but I would have liked to have more info about the snake I purchased at the show. Partially my fault too--being inexperienced there were things I forgot to ask and then never got a response when I emailed the breeder later.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I did purchase a BP at the last NARBC that I had problems with but I think it was only because the breeder was letter her go too soon. I could not get her to eat anything for me. I emailed him and he assured me she had been eating good. It was about a month before she started eating for me and I was getting worried enough to begin assist feeding because she was so tiny.

Had she been purchased by someone who knew nothing about snakes, she may not have made it. She is finally fat and happy now though. Even bites me (or tries to) pretty regularly because she only wants to eat.

It matters less who the person selling the snake is and more how the snake has been cared for. Babies should be well established and eating well. Good communication is essential.