What makes a good Ball Python breeder??

In the world of being a Ball Python breeder, what makes one stand out from the crowd? What is it that when a person is deciding between breeders that that person is going to come to you, and say "Hey, let's do business!!"?:cool:

I think alot of it has to do with how one handles their business. Good transactions should be handled well. But bad transactions need to be handled exceptionally. There should also be no difference in quality with the animals. Like high end animals shouldn't be treated better than low end animals. They should all get the same amount of love, attention and respect. Obviously animals should be well kept, and any issues an animal should possibly have be disclosed to a potential buyer. It shouldn't be a regular thing that animals have issues but it does happen, so IMHO a breeder should know every animal personally and be able to tell a buyer exactly what each animal is about.
Well these are the qualities I uphold myself to as well as these are qualities I like to see In any person I do business with.


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I'll add a few things to that as well.
I like a breeder to be able to tell me what the snake's temperament is--it means they've been paying attention to the individual animals. I also want full feeding records.

I like personable people that genuinely care and know about the hobby and their own collection. I am good friends with the first breeder I ever came into contact with, Patrick Jackson. Not only is he a friendly guy, but he knows his stuff, and I've seen his collection over and over again and they just keep looking better. He puts an unimaginable time into his animals, and it shows. Those are the kinds of things I look for. For out of state breeders, I look at how we communicate, however that may be. If the person is willing to talk to me and respond quickly, send me photos that aren't posted, etc, that makes me happy. And, of course, a "good guy" on the BOI is a must. I am lucky that the breeders, in state and out of state, have all been really nice people. Patrick Jackson, Adam James, Raphy Martinez, and Donna Fernstrom all have those things in common.

I've discovered that a big thing for me is the available payment methods and guarantee. If a breeder does not have a secure online payment option available, it's a big no for me. And a better guarantee can make or break my decision sometimes. Not always, but it can help me choose between breeders sometimes. For instance, a 48 hour health guarantee after deliver is much better than just live arrival and let me know within 24 hours if something is wrong otherwise it's on you kind of thing. 24 hours isn't always log enough. For most things yes, but I personally feel more comfortable if I have a couple days. Lol.

I'm gonna keep it short and sweet I like to purchase my Bp's from peers who show great knowledge and passion, breeders who will be here tomorrow and aren't in it just for the money.;)

I like people who are communicative. I've worked with some breeders that I wouldn't hesitate to buy from again and then I have worked with breeders who are some of the first people I will check if I am looking for something new. The guy I got my Hypo Jungle Boa from is one of these people. I had such a great time working with him in the process of purchasing my little girl then I sent him an update e-mail about 6 months later to show him how her color is progressing and how nice she still is. He in turn was happy that I was taking such good care of his girl that he offered me a great deal on a male that he is holding for me until the spring.

I tend to buy what I am looking for even if it's from a breeder I don't know much about. They don't have to have a good guy BOI but I do check for bad ones. Getting scammed is not high on my to do list. :P

Really for me though it all comes down to how communicative they are, how well packaged my animal is when shipped, is the animal healthy and was the animal accurately represented. I'm used to my reptiles wanting to bite me so I never even bother to ask about temperament. Feeding documentation is always a plus but I haven't received that with any I have purchased so far so I'm used to not getting it but I plan to send it out with any I sell.

I also will never buy from anyone who has rumors or proven cases of shipping mite infested snakes again. With all the breeders out there it's not hard to find one that won't send me a snake with mites.

It's like meeting a girl. First thing that going to draw you in is the quality of animal. Just like seeing her across the room, eye candy makes you go, hey I'll check this out. Next I think would be price, the eye candy should match the price, too high you don't get my money, too low and I'm wondering "is this too good to be true?". Then there is a Q and A session, however when dealing with snakes it is not appropriate to ask them to dinner and a movie. Once the sale is agreed upon, transaction should be smooth and any problems dealt with fairly as possible. I should not see any mites or other bugs on the snake after the transaction. Any scars, deformities, and apparent mental problems should be brought up before the transaction is complete, I would like to know what I am committing to. If both parties are happy after transaction is complete, they may leave their contact information so they can call to do business again.