Buy At A Show or Online?

Which is better to buy from? Or doesnt it really matter? Whats everyones experiences from getting there snakes at a show and also from buying online and shipping to there house. Im more concerned with the health of the snake over the cost aspect.

I bought mine at a show, since I there is one closeby. I can talk face to face with the breeders and browse through what they have available. It was great because there were so many options. I liked being able to see the snakes before I purchased one.

I guess the con is that you may not find what you are looking for, if you want something very specific.

I've not experienced much difference in buying from a show vs. online for health concerns as long as you are working with a reputable breeder. Many breeders who do shows also sell online, so you're often working with the same sellers.

Shows are a fun experience, but it's rare that "I" find an example of a morph that I'm looking for at a show, but I always go to shows with an open mind that I'll pick up an animal if the "perfect" one is there, and I trust the seller. But I don't go to a show with a specific purchase in mind.

The last show I went to, I was open to picking up another ball python, but I came home with two gorgeous albino sonoran gophers instead! LOL

Most of my ball python collection has been built by purchasing online.

shows are cheaper, no shipping, and you can inspect the quality of the animal before purchasing. But when you go to shows you might not have big breeders like bhb, NERD ect.... so the shady looking guy might not be your best bet, and at shows you can end up buying from one of those dirty flippers.... :sigh:

Here's a similar thread from July:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=122415

Does not matter to me if I see an animal I like from a reputable breeder show or online it's all the same to me.

The majority of my collection has been purchased online, only 2 Ball Pythons have been purchased from a show.

Thanks everyone. Ill be going to a show next weekend so ill see if i find anything. If not ill buy a couple online. There seems to be shows 1-2 times a month around me so it wont hurt to check things out.

I do both...I buy online and from shows. That being said I've become super-picky about who I buy from, online or face-to-face. :P