Where do you buy your snakes?

I would prefer to buy local but there aren't any breeders here in N.Florida. But, I will never buy from the big 'Box Store' distributors.
So I try and buy from the smaller independent breeders with a good reputation and good communication. I purchased most of my snakes from Brandon at Mid-West Reptile Collective. And I will never hesitate to buy from him again because I know that my $$$ will go to his family and his business.

I chose "Friends/Local Breeders" because I have a small group of breeders that I have gotten to know over the years that I look to first when I need something. I've dealt with them many times, I know they have first rate collections, I know they have excellent QT procedures, and I know they have excellent customer service.

I used to buy more at shows (I'm in Central FL, so there is a good selection of shows) and from breeders I didn't know as well as long as they have a good reputation. But, my purchases have gotten higher end and I'm just getting ultra paranoid I guess. I just prefer to stick to those I know well, and having the ongoing relationship is nice too. For example, there are a few females I held back from 2013 because I know one of the people I deal with regularly is interested in working out a trade once her eggs start hatching.

As far as where I sell the most, I advertise on Fauna and Kingsnake, and also in a few facebook groups. I also have a business facebook page and website. Facebook is the most time consuming, but I do seem to sell a lot there. I also get some repeat customers who email me looking for things. I don't vend at shows, mostly because the quarantine issue bothers me.

Bought 2 of my bps from local breeders bought 1 from a local small pet store 1 from a forum member and the other 5 I got from ben siegel reptiles. So all but 3 of my 15 snakes where bought online. The local selection kind of sucks so I have to turn to online

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I went with from local breeder. About 80% of what I own come from people I know. There is good and bad with that, as already mentioned, selection can be limited. On the bright side with most local people you can see their collection and see how they handle their snakes to give you a better idea as to the quality and care that go into what they do. The rest of mine are a mix of from local (localish) shows and online hobbyist

One snake came from a kingsnake classified. The others came from Ben Siegel and my next purchases will come from him, too. Always thrilled with the auctions and perfect snakes.

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I always support my local breeders first, but then of course I have 2 major ones and a smaller one that are all good friends too. I get really good deals from them and if they don't have something I'm looking for then I'll look around online but I always do a lot of searching first. Too many people will sell you a snake and not tell you much about it and any issues it may have. This is the same with going to a reptile expo. You do business with them then they're out of town, so if you have a question or need advice you can't go talk to them in person, you have to speak to them on the phone. That's if they don't say it's your fault with whatever issue you're having. It's just a lot of bull now days so I really selectively buy.

My first one came from a local breeder/colleague, some have been online purchases from smaller retailers/larger hobbyists, and a few I've picked up from local breeders and from shows. What I get locally/shows tends to be motivated mainly by opportunity (just too good to pass up) rather than need. I've found that if I'm looking for a specific gene combo I pretty much have to go to kingsnake or fauna.

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Originally Posted by shadowsnakes

One snake came from a kingsnake classified. The others came from Ben Siegel and my next purchases will come from him, too. Always thrilled with the auctions and perfect snakes.

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Ben siegel reptiles is awesome thats where %90 of my herps came from

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I would love to get all my snakes locally but its easier said than done. I bought my normal from a crappy petstore. The rest of my purchases have been onljne from very reputable breeders. Also I kinda avoid the "huge'' breeders.

Online, local, shows, friends, guess I get stuff from everywhere.