Where would you rather buy?

I prefer to buy directly from breeders--however, if there is a local store that buys only from a reputable source, and does things properly, I'd consider them. Depends on their markup, of course.
We DID have a local store here like that, but the owner retired. They got their baby balls from CrestedGecko.com. That was years ago.

We have a couple of 'fairly decent' stores around now, and I might pick up adult females from them, but probably not hatchlings--markup is too high in retail.
We also have 2 shows per year, and I've shopped at those before. I vend at the fall one.
So, there are actually a number of different options.

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

I don't disagree with you there. However, the problem that is so common with the chain pet stores is that these snakes are often less than healthy or have other issues once gotten home (they go off their feed, they have mites, they have RIs, etc). That is not always the case and there are some stores (i.e. some of the mom and pop ones) that are very good and knowlegable. I am not slamming pet stores as a whole.

BUT so often pet store snakes just have problems. When I was researching before bringing my snake home, I visited our local PetSmart and asked lots of questions. I already knew enough to know that most of what I was told was downright wrong. And I felt bad for that. But I also did not want to bring home a problem that a newbie would have trouble dealing with. And I wanted knowlegable help if the need should come AFTER the purchase of the snake.

Remember, if you adopt from a reputable rescue group, you are taking a snake out of their care which allows them to take in another snake that may be in desperate need. So you truly are helping a creature in need, but you are getting a healthy snake and a reliable resource for yourself. Win-win.

These are just my thoughts.... ;)

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I definitely see your point there. And the place where i go for my mice the owner is really dedicated to his animals, he does shows for out local schools and stuff with kids as well as one of the most knowledgeable people about most reptiles. Sometimes you can't help having less dedicated employees. This is even more prevalent in the chain stores where they care less about screening for these types.

I got my snake from a breeder but can't tell you how many times i have walked into a chain store and wished i was rich so i could purchase all the reptiles in the store and give them a better situation.

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Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

I definitely see your point there. And the place where i go for my mice the owner is really dedicated to his animals, he does shows for out local schools and stuff with kids as well as one of the most knowledgeable people about most reptiles. Sometimes you can't help having less dedicated employees. This is even more prevalent in the chain stores where they care less about screening for these types.

I got my snake from a breeder but can't tell you how many times i have walked into a chain store and wished i was rich so i could purchase all the reptiles in the store and give them a better situation.

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I wish I was rich too! I would do the same thing. And my house would be overrun with my German Shepherds.... If only we could rescue them all! No animal deserves to be treated poorly.

That pet store you mentioned sounds like it was great. Our local mom and pop store is pretty good too. I go there for my supplies and avoid PetSmart altogether if I can help it.;)

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

I wish I was rich too! I would do the same thing. And my house would be overrun with my German Shepherds.... If only we could rescue them all! No animal deserves to be treated poorly.

That pet store you mentioned sounds like it was great. Our local mom and pop store is pretty good too. I go there for my supplies and avoid PetSmart altogether if I can help it.;)

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Ya besides the fact that i feel like this guy actually cares, being a small business owner myself i choose to give my patronage to others like myself rather ten the corporate giants. Its nice to have the more personal experience so i try to promote that with my money whenever possible

I was going to buy a baby ball from PetCo. but the employee made me grab one myself, and then it kept lunging out trying to tag one of us (and by us, I mean my friend, me and they employee) or something. Then I found a more local place. Where they breed their own reptiles, and feeders. And if they don't have any hatchlings, they get the babies from breeders they know personally, so it's not like they come in from who knows where. I will be doing a lot of business with them in the future, and be staying on the path of buying from breeders directly. As far as supplies (like decor and things along those lines) I get them from pet stores, and then disinfect them, spray them with PAM, all that jazz. The girl got mites once, and I do not need her getting them again. Anyways, that was my personally experience with PetCo, and I will never buy a reptile from them.