Preferred Method of Buying Reptiles Online? (poll)

I've come across a lot of opinions lately on where the hobby is going sales-wise online and was curious to get a general idea of everyone's preferences when buying from a breeder online. I've seen opinions that forums, ks, fauna, and websites are dying due to a move to FB, but I've also read that many herpers are against the move to FB (for buying). What I'd like to do with this poll is get a little input from everyone on which methods you prefer to buy using (not necessarily what is most common).

I'm going to allow multiple choices for the poll, but please select only your top two preferences.

As always, thanks for your time and input. Feel free to discus this topic if you'd like as well.

For myself, I prefer to buy from a dedicated breeder's site (provided they keep it up to date and there's ease of communication and transaction) and from forum classifieds (i.e. our classifieds section here on BP.net). I like to know that people I'm buying from are professional and / or have a good reputation in the community. Seeing a person post on a forum, to me, demonstrates their knowledge base and makes buying from them more appealing.

I currently keep 10 different species of snakes, so it's pretty hard to follow all of the specialty forums and know who the best breeders of so many species are. If I'm looking for anything in particular, will often start at kingsnake.com, to get a general idea of who might currently have it for sale. And then I check out the websites of those who are selling it if they have websites. I really do appreciate it when they do. I also follow the Facebook classifieds reptile ads and auctions some and have occasionally found snakes there that interest me for good prices. I have to wonder, though, if some of those Facebook deals (and steals) are actually crashing the market?

Independent Breeder Website has a surprising number of votes. Do you guys just prowl around 50+ different sites regularly waiting for updates?

I was also surprised at the number of votes that "breeder websites" received. I'll admit, sometimes they are the only place to find a specific multi gene combo morph that I've been looking for, however, I could hardly rate them as my "preferred" method.

To be fair, I've only bought one reptile online -- actually, now that I think about it, I've bought all 3 of mine in the common ways: from a pet store (although I found her online), at a reptile show from a private breeder, and online (but met in person) through a forum where another breeder had recommended me said breeder. Sorry if that was confusing...

Essentially, if I am going to buy any animal online, I'd like to be able to meet up with the person in order to talk with them face-to-face, ask a bunch of questions, check over the animal, and pay in person as well. It's just the way I prefer to do it, but if I knew the breeder was well-known (BHB Reptiles, for example) I might be persuaded otherwise.

:)

Most of my snakes have been bought through Ben Siegel's fb page where he does auctions and bins .i have never had an issue with Ben ever and will continue doing business with him. He gets a lot of business through his page but also get a lot of local business also

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I do a lot of facebook auction buys from loxahatchee herp hatchery. You can get quality reptiles at great prices.

Most of my ball pythons were found on Fauna. The other were on KS or from private local sales. Heck, one was on CL.

Two came to me via craigslist, one Dumeril, the other a RTB. Three from pet shops. One Anery corn, a Blood Red corn (Jacks Pets) a Normal BP from Petland (where employees know nothing). Last but not least my adult BP was from a breeder at a local show. (Best $25 ever spent)

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Originally Posted by MrLang

Independent Breeder Website has a surprising number of votes. Do you guys just prowl around 50+ different sites regularly waiting for updates?

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Yep, pretty much. I wouldn't say I prowl 50, but I definitely have my top 15 that I check from time to time to see if there's anything that I like.

Most of mine came from a local reptile store. I don't mind paying retail for quality. I also like to support small business. I did buy one of mine online and it was pleasant experience so i'll buy online if I don't find what i'm looking for locally.