What questions do you ask before you make a purchase?

[Skyrivers]

This thread is designed to help others who are shopping for a new animal.

Here are some of mine in no particular order. Please add to the list.

1. Feeding schedule and size.
2. Weight and length.
3. Attitude. (Can tell who is honest by their reaction usually).
4. Ask about the parents genetics.
5. In person I always handle them for more than 5 minuets. (sometimes longer, to see if the animal relaxes or remains tense or becomes defensive.)
6. Husbandry. (I ask even if I know the answer. Is to see their practice of care.)
7. Can I care for the animal and provide for its needs?
8. The animals needs as it grows? (This can change for some animals due to size or eating habits.)

Please add to the list.

Sky

[Slicercrush]

Im not sure if this is included with the first one or not, but I also always ask if its currently being fed live or F/T (just to be a bit more specific here)

Also, the handling is a good practice. Youd be surprised how much you can learn from an animal in 5 min. Just make surr you use hand sanitizer first, everyone!

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[bcr229]

Did you produce it?
If not, who did produce it and how long have you owned it?
Wild-caught or captive bred?
If wild-caught was it treated for internal parasites?
Any health issues since you have had it?



Oh and my personal favorite as a seller:
What's your best price?

[Skyrivers]

Im not sure if this is included with the first one or not, but I also always ask if its currently being fed live or F/T (just to be a bit more specific here)

Also, the handling is a good practice. Youd be surprised how much you can learn from an animal in 5 min. Just make surr you use hand sanitizer first, everyone!

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You are correct. FT/live was included in the feeding questions. Should be spelled out better for noobies.

[Tonald Drump]

I would prioritize asking most of the questions you put in, in addition to:
1. Age
2. Gender
3. Eagerness to eat (how easy he/she is to feed)
4. Any medical problems (burn marks, RI, IBD, scale rot, stuff like that)
5. Miscellaneous perks/problems (eats mice/rats tail first, doesn't like to hide, etc.)

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[richardhind1972]

I also like to see the parents to see if the genetics are correct in what they are selling.i know it's hard to see some hets,

I have always shown the parents off with the boas and corns I've bred , you can then judge if they think the baby they are about to purchase will be too big for them in the future
I know ive not got loads but I've always handled. The babies quite regular to make sure they are relaxed for there new owners
I think this always a good thing for the perspective buyers. Rather than being stuck in a Viv that they are too scared to handle ,they more likely to keep it and look after properly .
I've always done a sheet for them with all the details about the baby DOB etc and pics of both parents, and one of them as a newborn,as well as my details I still get people send me pics of babies I've produced over the years ,nice to see and be proud of

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[Valyrian]

I think number 4 should include any physiological effects caused by the genetics, especially as full disclosure for newbies.

I've seen a lot of people who didn't know the Spider ball python they bought may have a neurological disorder or that breeding it to another Spider may be fatal to the offspring.

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

I've seen a lot of people who didn't know the Spider ball python they bought may have a neurological disorder or that breeding it to another Spider may be fatal to the offspring.

It's the buyers job to know what they buy same when they buy a dog they should know everything about the breed they are about to purchase whether there are known issues or not whether the breed fit their lifestyle or not

There is no excuse for buyers not to educate themselves about ALL aspect of their future pets (care, genetic etc)


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What do I ask

Hatch Date

Weight

Prey type

Lineage (depending on the mutation)

And that's it, I can draw my own conclusion from that.

I would recommend buyers to ask the same and to ask how the animal will be shipped (if the breeder does not have much of a reputation), if it is not shipped priority overnight via Fedex, than they should walk. It's a given because when buying from reputable breeder but now with all the people breeding (not so much)

[ladywhipple02]

I would recommend buyers to ask the same and to ask how the animal will be shipped (if the breeder does not have much of a reputation), if it is not shipped priority overnight via Fedex, than they should walk. It's a given because when buying from reputable breeder but now with all the people breeding (not so much)

Along with this I would recommend asking how payment will be made - If they have a great reputation, then all forms would probably be okay, but if they don't have a great reputation, or no reputation, I'd really stick with Paypal. At least through them you have some way of filing a complaint and recuping your losses if the deal goes south (the animal is sick, etc) Also, if using Paypal and they want you to send funds via "Friends and Family" to avoid fees, walk away. It's far more difficult to file a complaint and get your money back if something goes wrong. Also if they want to add the Paypal fees onto the price of the snake, I'd back off. Most folks will have already included that in the total price.

[Ax01]

i keep my questions simple, kinda like Deb. i also ask about their guarantees which most reputable breeders/sellers should include sex, genetics, health, live arrival, etc.