Breeders Holding Snakes?

In a nutshell, there's a snake that I've had my eye on for months and months, and since I got a new job, and my tax refund, I can finally afford her. I do still need to get a couple hides, a water dish, and the quarantine thermostat for my quarantine tub, which I am ordering tonight, but some of that stuff could take a week or two to arrive.

If I speak to the breeder, and all goes well, and I pay in full, is there an average length of time they will keep a snake for you before shipping? I don't want to inconvenience the breeder at all, but I also don't want the snake bought out from under me now that I've made the decision to purchase her.

If I were in your shoes, I'd contact them immediately & tell them exactly what you just said above; they don't want their snakes going to ppl that don't have prepared
caging ready for them, not if they're good enough breeders to be worth buying from. ;) And they have some prep to make also, & don't want to ship a snake that
has just fed, for example.

Breeders are individuals of course...but I think most will appreciate the head's up, & may ask for a deposit (partial payment).

I agree with Bogertophis, contact them and see what they say. I have noticed that on Morph Market, a lot of the listings say that they will hold animals for up to a month or so, for a few extra bucks to cover their meals, etc. Worst they can say is no, but I imagine that won't be the case.

I also agree with the advice given. Contact the breeder, let them know you would like to purchase the snake. Some breeders accept deposits/payment plans, so that may be a way to hold the snake for a few weeks prior to shipping. Every single breeder I've ordered from has been great to work with. I've had to hold snakes on a few occasions. Once because I put half down and paid off the other half a couple of weeks later, then had to wait for a shipping window. Once because of it being too cold to ship - that breeder actually held the snake for me from November until late February/early March. And a couple times because I ordered on a Wednesday or Thursday but didn't want the snake shipped until the following Monday or Tuesday.

Best of luck, and early congrats on your snake!

In my experience both as a person who has purchased and sold online, most breeders will gladly work with you. I myself just recently received animals that the other person has been holding for months due to the weather etc. I still am holding my half of the trade for him as he needed some time before he could receive my animal.

It's really a case by case basis, I have held animals anywhere between 1 to 3 months for people needing more time to get their equipment to people being deployed.

Doubt I would go beyond that personally.

I'll hold a snake for a month or two just for a 25% non-refundable deposit. Most sellers have similar policies. Full payment is even better.

A lot of the time shipping gets delayed a week or two due to scheduling anyway, and waiting for the right weather can take even longer. Most breeders will not mind waiting a week or two.

pay me in full and I'll hold the snake for a few months without issue. Explain your situation and intentions. Id think most people will work with ya.

The one time I needed a snake held for six weeks until others cleared QT, and it was a present for my husband whose birthday was still a ways off, I offered to pay full asking price via USPS MO so the seller didn't have PayPal fees, and he knew I couldn't back out of the sale and hit him with a chargeback for "failure to ship".

First of all, I absolutely appreciate everyone's honest, thoughtful insights! I'm still learning about forging good relationships with breeders, and everyone was extremely helpful.

Unfortunately, someone had placed a deposit on aforementioned snake an actual day before I inquired about her (the day after I posted this thread). However, Amy Vesper (who is awesome, btw), said that a lot of people will make a deposit on a snake, then just vanish off the face of the Earth. She was kind enough to send me a picture of what the snake looks like now, as opposed to the outdated baby picture on MM, so I at least got to see how that combination of genes aged. For several weeks we were in a holding pattern, but the snake has since been taken off the website, so I presume she has sold. It's a bummer, but perhaps these things happen for a reason, and I have another similar-ish one at the top of my list.

I'm sure this will not be the only time something like this comes up, and I just wanted to give everyone who took the time to answer and explain an update, as well a express my thanks. :D