about breeders that dont allow visitors?

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

I think breeders that do not allow visitors is a sign of a sketchy breeder. If they dont care enough about their business to make their business secure, then I dont particularly want to buy from them. You dont see a small business owner that doesnt allow customers in w/o a blindfold and a background check because they may or may not be casing the joint. I think an upfront, honest breeder that has no problem showing a potential buyer the breeding stock of a particular morph they are interested in, as well as the actual speciman they are inquiring about is the way to go. With that said, I think it should be within reason. For instance, if someone is calling wanting to look at a pastel bp, then I think the breeder should allow the buyer to come into the facility and see the parents, grandparents if available, as well as the snake inquired about. However, a practice that may help the breeder out, while still allowing the buyer to come by, would be to have a "visiting" room set up so that the buyer doesnt walk through the entire complex.

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I dont think limiting traffic in someones HOME in many cases would be sketchy at all, nor do i think that makes them any less up front or honest, thats a pretty bold comment if you ask me. I think if someone wants my animals bad enough they would conform to what I think is safest for my animals, home, family, exc. I dont think I should have to go to the extent of having a visitors room just for people coming over to see my animals, that would defeat the purpose of keeping them out of my home in the first place. They can meet me at a central location just as easily and still give me the peace of mind knowing I dont have a couple dozen strangers in my home.

This is a great thread.

When we first started getting serious about getting a snake, we took a while deciding between a corn snake and a BP. One thing we wanted was to see adults of each species. I happened to notice someone on KS who was local and selling both species, and so I contacted him and explained. He would not allow us to come to his "facility" (which he said was his house), but offered to meet us at a neutral location and bring some adults as well as some babies we might be interested in buying. As it turned out, we didn't meet him because before it got arranged we went to MARS and got our BP there. But I was still very impressed with his willingness to go out of his way and to be so helpful.

Good breeders will do similar things, but I agree with everyone here that there is nothing wrong with them wanting to keep strangers away from their home and/or facility. Also, there is nothing "shady" about not being willing to go out of their way like this. Maybe they don't have time or who knows? But that doesn't make it shady.

One point that hasn't been brought up is that it may actually be illegal or at least against HOA rules to run a store-front type business from your home in some locations. One more reason why some breeders may not want to do this.

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Originally Posted by LadyOhh

When I have someone local that is interested in a snake, I meet them in a designated public location with ALL the animals I can offer.

It works, and its safer.

And I bring the burly guy with me too..

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Great point...i do the same..NOW...here's why

we had animal control here because a person we invited in for an adoption (which I denied until they became more educated on the specific species they wanted) called to complain.....they were upset because I denied them...as a side note, they said ALL snakes eat lettuce...:rofl:

anyway we had animal control here because they said we were raising small monkeys to feed our burms...we were puzzled, invited animal control in to check all our animals.....then it hit me...ummmm we have sugar gliders and I had told the potential adopters that they were "cheeky little monkeys".....

Now, I won't let anyone come here....I meet them in the park...with my Big Guy in tow....

those that are worth it, understand....in the meantime I do everything possible to be upfront and honest.......if thats not good enough....well....

WOW! I let anyone and everyone in. They might not all leave But, Yea come one come all lol..

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Originally Posted by JASBALLS

WOW! I let anyone and everyone in. They might not all leave But, Yea come one come all lol..

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Don't threaten me with a good time!!

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

I think breeders that do not allow visitors is a sign of a sketchy breeder.

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I think that is too much of a blanket statement to try to cover anyone & everyone that is a walk-in type of customer. At the very least, we ask people to set up an appointment if they'd like to come in and acquire a snake, or would like to see some projects/learn more/evaluate critters that they might be interested in acquiring in the future. We have a small staff & they all have jobs to do, so it's nice to know when to expect someone. If a client (or potential client) is willing to take the time to schedule an appointment, we'll usually do our best to accommodate them.

On the other hand, I've run into PLENTY of "walk-ins" that immediately demand to see our "not-for-sale/in-development" new projects and want to know all the details about them. Many of them give me some song & dance about wanting to buy this or that, and then get all uppity when I won't show them a specific snake that isn't even for sale, whether I have my reasons (i.e. the snake is breeding, would rather not disturb it) or "not" (uh, gut feeling tells me that you're not getting anywhere near the collection for security purposes).

We run a multitude of security cameras, self-locking doors, protection-trained tokays & water monitors, and a very hungry Nile croc for backup, just in case. ;)

I would think that as a large well known breeder whether with in the US OR locally...
You might have secret projects you would not want people to know about. I hear this all the time.
Plus unless it is a separate facility your breeding business is usually in your home..
While we all try to keep things tidy... it is not always going to happen all the time.
I would instead ask if the big breeder has or would offer an "open house" where herp clubs, 4H groups or a well manner'd and supervised group of adults AND or children could come in and see parts of the operation.
People are fascinated by snakes.
I was in the pet store getting some mice yesterday and they were trying to get one to eat to see if it had been fed the day before. A large crowd gathered and were simply awestruck by the small scene out of the wild taking place in front of them.
You could ask a breeder IF you intend to seriously purchase a snake from them, perhaps sending or paying half up front and when the final payment is due. Ask to see their operation at that time.
We all have concerns over safety, security and the health and well being of our animals.
BUT most have to have their facilities looked at by inspectors ( at least I assume so)...
So if they do that, why not a serious buyer?

Carol

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

and this guy: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cust...tar1753_21.gif

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Just seeing that pic is enough to lock ALL the doors :8: :8: :8:

Allright, lemme clarify a bit.

The whole visitors room idea. I meant this as a solution, or at least a compromise for the breeders that dont attend shows, etc. I think this would primarily be small time breeders that may only have a few clutches a year. Maybe I am just too trusting, but when you think about buying any other animal, lets say a puppy or a kitten, from a small time breeder, or accidental breeder maybe, you would expect to be able to see the animal you want the get. i think the same courtesy should apply to reptiles. If there is no other means to see the animal in person, then I think the breeder should allow the buyer to come to wherever it is the snake is kept, or make some other arrangements to find a suitable location.

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Originally Posted by ThyTempest

Allright, lemme clarify a bit.

The whole visitors room idea. I meant this as a solution, or at least a compromise for the breeders that dont attend shows, etc. I think this would primarily be small time breeders that may only have a few clutches a year.

If there is no other means to see the animal in person, then I think the breeder should allow the buyer to come to wherever it is the snake is kept, or make some other arrangements to find a suitable location.

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I don't know why you think a breeder HAS to have a show room, or let anyone into their facility at all. It's like you don't believe that the previous reasons are good enough.

I would be a small time breeder, but I also have thousands invested in my animals already. My home isn't a secure compound, it's in the middle of the boonies with not too many neighbors.... why in HELL would I let some stranger who KNOWS the value of my snakes, into my home and see my whole operation??? That's just about the most foolish thing I can think of.

Not only are my snakes irreplaceable, but I have other things in my home that are irreplaceable or at least cost a bit of money. I wouldn't want that stolen either.


I am always expecting people to meet me somewhere, and I am overly gracious and grateful if they ever let me see their facility or home operation.

Maybe when you have just as much invested as others here, you'll understand where we're coming from.

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Maybe I am just too trusting, but when you think about buying any other animal, lets say a puppy or a kitten, from a small time breeder, or accidental breeder maybe, you would expect to be able to see the animal you want the get. i think the same courtesy should apply to reptiles.

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I think while your intentions make sense in the dog breeding business, I see absolutely no reason why EVERYONE has to allow you into their facility. Like I and many others have already said, it's a HUGE risk to let joe blow into their home.


Reptiles aren't being judged on build, friendliness, how they interact with people and if they are being raised in a "family environment".

Most reptiles, especially snakes are based almost purely on appearance and genetics. Showing the parents is completely optional, and in ball pythons, it's not entirely relevant to how the individual animal will look as an adult.

It's nice to see, but do I have to show you in person?

It's more important when it comes to animals like bloods, where they gain more color as they age, but not balls IMO.