Buying-At shows or Online?

I am personally liking the Idea of seeing the animal before I buy it. Whats your opinion?

It really depends on who you are buying them from. If it is a good reputable breeder then I feel confident buying online.

I've bought and sold at shows and over the internet. If the seller won't get you the picture you want, then I wouldn't buy over the internet. If you buy at a show, make sure the snake is healthy, with no issues. Just because the seller is at the show this month, doesn't mean anyone will ever see him again!


Good Luck!
Jim Smith

Most of my snakes were bought online.

Out of 60+ animals, 2 BP came from a show as well as 3 Honduran Milksnakes and 3 Kingsnakes.

Online or at shows it does not matter to me.

There are a few mutations. Like fires, sables, chocolates ect that being very hard to photograph I'd like to see in person. Other than that as long as the person has a good reputation and healthy animals, it doesn't matter to me.

I find shows fetch better prices because everyone is selling everything in the same place at the same time. But most animals I got online because they caught my eye and thats all it takes. I was on a waiting list for my ATB for a year. I'm currently on a waiting list for a gtp I want a baby out of a pairing. both those are online sales. seems my highest end stuff is bought online.

Both are needed for me.

I only purchas from people who have a good reputation. I have purchased online from Vin Russo, Justin Kolbylka, Bradford Cole, Jamie Glass, etc..

I will buy online as long as I can talk to the seller, they have good rep, I can see pictures etc..

I have also purchased from smaller and lesser known breeders and hobbiests right here through BP.net.

The ones I stay away from are the ones no one has ever heard of, will not give you good details, have no feedback at all, have only joined a forum or classified site just recently and only to post their add etc etc..

I've never purchased a morph at a show (unless you count my cinnie that I first SAW at a show, but purchased online later).

Because I have a very firm idea of the look that I want for any particular morph, it's rare that I find the qualities that I'm looking for at a show.

I've purchased nice normal females at shows, and used to love the late spring when sellers would have some nice well started CH females to choose from for unique looks.

Everyone I've purchased online from thus far have been members here as well, so I've gotten to know them over the years and see how they keep their animals through their participation here.

Two of my aquisitions in 2009 were a result of the breeders posting hatch pictures and my going "I WANT that animal!" and immediately PMing them to see if they're going to sell that animal or hold it back (my lesser male and my YB female).

And I found my albino by asking an innocent question "how was your season last year?" and them sending me a link with pictures of some of the animals they produced last year. As soon as I saw a picture with a few albino's, I immediately contacted them back and begged them to sell one to me (reduced pattern, high contrast).

Animals just sort of "happen" for me. When I decide I want to add a new animal to my collection, I know the "look" I want, and I'm willing to wait for that "look" to come along. Fire is next on my list, but I'm very picky about how they look too, so I'm just waiting for the right fire to cross my path.

I had a wonderful online purchasing experience and a so-so experience with buying at a show. Both snakes are healthy and thriving but I would have liked to have more info about the snake I purchased at the show. Partially my fault too--being inexperienced there were things I forgot to ask and then never got a response when I emailed the breeder later.

I did purchase a BP at the last NARBC that I had problems with but I think it was only because the breeder was letter her go too soon. I could not get her to eat anything for me. I emailed him and he assured me she had been eating good. It was about a month before she started eating for me and I was getting worried enough to begin assist feeding because she was so tiny.

Had she been purchased by someone who knew nothing about snakes, she may not have made it. She is finally fat and happy now though. Even bites me (or tries to) pretty regularly because she only wants to eat.

It matters less who the person selling the snake is and more how the snake has been cared for. Babies should be well established and eating well. Good communication is essential.

I have nothing against buying on line when You getting snake from reputable breeder but... is always nice to go to show.. talk to people.. check animal personaly find this one and only :) so I prefer in PERSON :gj:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rabernet

I've never purchased a morph at a show.

---

Well you almost did not that long ago :O :bolt:

We bought our het pied at the Sacramento show, and he's been perfect. The transaction was awesome!

Our other two were bought from The Serpentarium in Lodi, we go in there frequently so whenever he has morphs he'll tell us and we get to look at them.

I wouldn't mind buying online, as long as the person had a good reputation. I most likely will purchase a het pied female online since the Sac show isn't til September.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by j_h_smith

I've bought and sold at shows and over the internet. If the seller won't get you the picture you want, then I wouldn't buy over the internet. If you buy at a show, make sure the snake is healthy, with no issues. Just because the seller is at the show this month, doesn't mean anyone will ever see him again!


Good Luck!
Jim Smith

---

I bought two normal BPs from a seller at my first show. I thought it was odd when he told me he would replace them, free, if anything happened. Two weeks later they were doing death rolls, and died. I called him, he asked me to send pics, I did, and he Never called back or answered his phone again. And hasn't been to a show since.

If I could find him ...:groinkick

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

Well you almost did not that long ago :O :bolt:

---

NOW who's the one bringing it up, thief?????? :mad:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PyroPython

I bought two normal BPs from a seller at my first show. I thought it was odd when he told me he would replace them, free, if anything happened. Two weeks later they were doing death rolls, and died. I called him, he asked me to send pics, I did, and he Never called back or answered his phone again. And hasn't been to a show since.

If I could find him ...:groinkick

---

This happens all the time. That's why buying at a show isn't always the best way to go.

Jim Smith

Oh wait - I did buy one morph at the Birmingham show a couple years ago. A Jolliff line tiger from Michael Jolliff himself. :)

I have actually purchased most of my animals in person, prefer it that way. Dont mind having them shiped to me but like to talk to people in person first. Purchased 3 nice animals in pheonix @ reptile show, personaly didnt buy from anyone that set off alarms... For instance had a guy try to sell me a trio of het carmels dirt cheap, actually almost purchased them, then heard some one ask him for a black pastel, and he said I call them cinnimon they are the exact same thing... So I bolted seee yaaa

I've done both. It doesnt matter to me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by j_h_smith

This happens all the time. That's why buying at a show isn't always the best way to go.

Jim Smith

---

if you buy at a show or online you should still know who your buying from.

ive have picked up animals online and at shows and wouldnt think twice about doing either of them again. it all comes down to who you buy from not where.

Although I wouldn't be opposed to buying online, especially if it was an amazing animal I was afraid of missing out on otherwise, but I'd much rather get to see and handle the animal first.

At this point in the hobby I attempt to only buy one or two new animals a year though. =P Maybe my opinion will change if I want to pick up new animals and have to wait a few months till the next expo roles around.

Exactly. Unless you know his home address.:fork::fork:

Jim Smith

I would rather buy online, because I am worry that any snake that I buy from a show will get mites from other vendor's snakes.

i voted both since i have done both online as long as its a reputable breeder and you like the look of it go for it. in person its a lil bit diffrent since you can actually handle them and see them in person

I think I've done it just about every way... My first was from a pet store (CH or imported young I'm pretty sure by the amount of babies they had), I ordered my second online from Tim Bailey, got my third from the NARBC last year from Rusty's Balls, and my two newest came from a friend that bred hers last year.

Both Tim Bailey and the guys from Rusty's Balls were great to work with. I almost bought another one (or two) from Tim this year, but couldn't quite stretch my budget that far :P

As long as you trust who your buying from, or they seem willing to answer questions and provide info, it just depends when and where you come across the animal that you really want.

i don't like online for buying reptiles too much I will if I really want something bad enough but I would rather hold, inspect the animal before i buy pictures don's show signs of disease, etc....

lance

My best animals and best deals have come from purchasing via the internet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mainbutter

My best animals and best deals have come from purchasing via the internet.

---

Same here.

I bought my Albino at a show. I talked to them for a little while and they were friendly and after purchase they sent me info on the snake which I really apprieciated. I like talking in person best before buying.

It is deffinately about the breeder for me.

Reputations are extremely valuable to me because it took work to build. I have purchased animals from 2 breeders at expos, but the deal was made beforehand.

I will however attend shows that certain breeders vend. I am just never lucky enough to find the animal I am looking for.

i really dont care either way. Ive gotten some off the net and they were healthy and i got one in the cold that died on the way. I also have bought some a shows also. Ive heard to be careful about the shows b/c with the r.i and the i.b.d is air bourn and with so many snakes at the show you might wanna be carefull that none are transmitting the virus to your snake before you get it. so it always a 50/50 thing just qt right and it shouldt matter

I prefer to buy online as going to larger shows FREAKS me out with the amount of animals tossed in one room with no QT. Im paranoid ill bring something home there for i never go to shows and buy from reputable ppl i know. I also dont go into local pet stores either

It depends on the breeder or owner for me as well. I spend A LOT of time talking to people and asking questions. If they'll answer my questions and not avoid me for asking (i don't ask anything toooo revealing, just basic husbandry, parents --where did they come from, about the business, how long have they been breeding, etc) then i'll consider buying from them if they have animals i want.

At shows, i love talking to breeders. What i like about the monthly local shows here is that they are monthly. Every time i go to a show i see what breeders come back, how they treat customers, etc and that helps me learn about them.

Some of my animals came from the 'net - my spider and my pastel
some of my animals came from trades (local, but were started online) - anery boa, crested gecko
Some of my animals came from shows - cinnamon, hogg island boa, my leopard geckos (2).
One of my animals came from a reptile specialty pet store -- aspen, normal.
One of my animals was a rescue - franky, normal.

two of the animals i got from shows i ended up trading for one reason or another. Not every show animal is perfect, and not every species is a perfect fit for every person. :)

I have purchased most of my balls in person. I purchsed 4 balls over the internet and wish I hadn't purchased one of them. I purchased a mojave female that came looking thin and not well cared for. I have approximately 20 other bp's that all meet my standards except for this one female. She is about 4 feet and only 800 grams. She has scales that appear to be in shed. If everything turns out to be bad with her, I will give some feedback on the breeder. I am waiting to see.

I prefer to purchase snake online, and the vast majority of my snake purchases have been online without any big disappointments. I have nothing against buying in person, but there really isn't that much selection where I live. The shows are small, infrequent and require several hours of driving to reach, and the pet stores in my area are even more limited. Really the only disappointments I have had with buying online have been with buying from big corn snake breeders who didn't post individual pictures. The morph and gender were correct, but I just didn't really like the snakes' pattern or feel that they were a great examples of their morph. I also got a couple of really fussy feeders online, but I don't know that it could have been avoided if they had been purchased in person. You live and learn! Nowadays, I only purchase from online sellers that post individual pictures, and I always ask out feeding status and emphasize that I don't want a picky feeder. So far, so good!

The majority of my purchases are made online or over the phone, if I do happen to buy at a show it's usually for something I had not planned on getting but just had to have once I saw it.