I need some help on holding fees

Hi guys! I bought a snake for $200 but I couldn't pick him up for a month due to me needing to find a new rack. I just got in contact with the seller because I'm finally about to buy the rack. I told him I could pick him up today but he wants to charge a $100 holding fee. Does that sound reasonable to you guys? I know most balls only eat once a week. This is my first experience with holding fees and I want your experienced advice!

Um... not at all. On a 200$ snake, charging 100$ just to hold it is insane. Considering a ball python eats maybe weekly (4 weeks, 10$, tops), and needs bedding changed a couple times a week to every couple weeks depending on the bedding (trivial to 2$), and requires about 6 watts of electricity (2-5$).

Anything more than 10% the animal's cost, in this case, is just profit for something that should already have made profit simply on its sale.

Thank you so much Oxylepy! I thought that was way too much but at the same time I had never come across this problem so I didn't know! I'll definitely keep the 10% rule in mind too!

This is ridiculous unless you agreed to it up front.

I could see charging $25-30 for something like an adult retic to cover food and maintenance, but not a ball python. The seller should have told you in advance that there would be a fee if delivery was delayed because of a problem on your end.

Is the seller asking for an additional $100 or are they asking for $100 to hold the snake and then you pay the balance when you pick it up?

Find another breeder, obviously neither reasonable or business savvy.

Over the years I have held snakes for people whether it was because they were buying an enclosure or they were being deployed I could have never imagine charging them not for an hatchling BP not even an adult.

What is he feeding gold plated rats??? :rofl:

Ask for your money back. A $100 holding fee is totally ridiculous. ANY holding fee, without a prior discussion and agreement is ridiculous. Breeders hold animals all the time for a variety of reasons and do not charge a fee. Get a refund and buy the snake from a reputable and reasonable breeder.

Thanks guys! I'll definitely do that Deborah! And on top of that I'm driving four hours to pick the snake up and then four hours back lol And the snake is payed off he didn't mention the holding fee until I told him I was going to pick up.


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I hope this all works out. I am smelling something stinky. Something is not right with this "breeder". You could get all the way there and no snake. Please take someone with you when you go (always good to have a witness) or just have him ship it.