Which store to buy a Ball from?

I have been to about 20 different pet stores to look at BP's and have narrowed them down to two different stores. The first store keeps them in a descently clean cage and they seemed to be healthy normal snakes. I picked one of them up and it didn't exatly curl itself around my hand but it wasn't limp either. It did flick its tongue when we held it and it seemed to be alert to its surroundings. The woman at the store said that two were feeding on their own, three needed help being fed, and two had to be force fed and she feeds them F/T fuzzies.
The second shop had a very clean cage no odor or anything, very healthy looking BP's and dealt mostly with snakes. The only thing was that she would not let us hold them unless we were going to buy them. She said that because they were so young she didn't like people holding them because it puts too much stress on them. She feeds them live fuzzies and they feed on their own with no assistance.
I was just wondering what sounds like a better buy the BP's from store one or the BP's from store two? If it would be better to buy from store one because they are used to being handled or buy from store two where only the seller got to hold them. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Sounds like store 2 is the better choice.

You should really look online though, there are plenty of great breeders out there like alex hue and the like. Check out the web links page to the left and you'll find a list of breeders. They wouldn't have made it on our list if they weren't solid.

Go with one of the best feeders first,then pic the best looking one and go home with it !
or be patient and buy here;
http://www.alexhuereptiles.com

If you want to buy in a store, go with the second one. They're avoiding stressing the snakes. She might be willing to handle it for you and show you its muscle tone and behavior. Ask for a 7-day warranty as well.

try Petco, i know the one around me is having a sale on BPs for 29.99. I just picked up a 21 inch possible female from them. shes a great eater.

If you insist on going with a petstore, I'd say store number 2. Personally i'd go for an online breeder or even a reptile show. That way they'll be able to tell you more info about the snake (detailed feeding history, sheds, date of birth, wild caught or captive bred, etc).

Here's some shows in Georgia:

http://www.reptilemarketplace.com/

You can might also be able to find shows in nearby areas:

http://www.kingsnake.com/events.html

"Major chain" stores are notorious for keeping their animals, particularly snakes, in deplorable conditions. Exceptions to this do exist, but personally i've never seen one. I know some people have had good experience with them, I would be cautious. I would go with store number two, they sound like they know what they are doing. I agree with Marla, see what kind of warranty you can get.

Like the others have said, I'd go with store 2. The idea that they are trying to be sure to not stress them out seems like they put care into their snakes, and as you said, they mostly deal with snakes. Sounds like a decent choice. Only thing I don't like is the "live fuzzies". Store 1 has theirs on F/T already. But still, I'd say store 2.

Hey, I didn't realize you were in Georgia. In that case, go to Wildside in Oakwood and buy from Silke. Or, go to Animal House in Loganville and buy from Billy. Both are a bit of a drive for you, but worth it to get a good, healthy snake from a store that will back up what they sell.

Wildside in Oakwood is store number two I didn't realize you were from Atlanta.