Question: Does the name really matter? (Breeder vs Price)

Does the name of a big breeder really matter when buying balls or any reptiles that have no difference in line/appearance/quality?

Example: If the 'most popular breeder and Ball Python God' is selling a female albino ball for $450 and the 'Joe Schmo no-name breeder' is selling a female albino ball for $300, and they appear to be of same healthy/quality/appearance.... who would you buy from? Does it really matter?

Reason I ask is... say you had a chance to buy a snake you wanted for the best possible price, and you couldn't see who you're buying from until having made the purchase (but you obviously get to see the snake you are buying), would this matter?

How many would rather buy from a 'well known breeder' and pay more, over an 'unknown breeder' for less, considering all things are equal with the animal in question?

Or do people actually think that 'Joe Schmo no-name breeder' can't possibly have the same quality of animals that the 'Ball Python God' has, which justifies you paying him 50% more, in some cases?

Curious to hear what people think!

most of my snakes didn't come from big name breeders you hear everyday but they were the same quality or i am happy at how much of a good quality they are comapared to the big name breeders and at a lower price


it's safer to buy from a big time breeder because they have the reputation of being legit and people feel safe buying from them.

but then theres the small time breeders with the same quality snakes but people are cautious when buying because they are unknown breeders.

after looking them up and seing good review i will go with the lower price same quality the small time breeders offer

I have no problem buying from a smaller breeder. In fact, the one and only time I bought from a big name breeder, I got screwed over. It drives me crazy when I see people paying twice what an animal is worth from a big breeder just because of the name attached to it. It is no different than people who pay big bucks for a sweater just because it has some guy's name on it when you can get the same quality sweater at Wal-Mart for a fraction of the price.

I have bought from big breeders and no name breeders. I bought 2 from a big name breeder, one was amazing, the other came with some guest which i did not appreciate, but thank god i do a strict quarantine process. The no name breeders we just it not more helpful and would sit and talk to you on the phone for as long as your need. Yeah, the big named breeders earned their rep, but to still charge 50% more than market for a morph, even if it is a poor example of it is beyond me. But its like buying a anything in life, you pay for the name:gj:

For me the name doesn't matter with visual morphs. The quality of the animal is what I pay for, period. And I AM willing to pay 50% more for an amazing animal than a run of the mill one. Whether it be from pythongawds or newbieMcnewberson.
With hets though...I would just feel more comfortable buying from someone with rep. Now, that doesn't mean pythongawds, but someone who at least has been around the block a few seasons. Someone with an unscathed and positive BOI. This also would matter with higher end morphs (morphs over 1-2k). But, same token...if I found an omgoosie amazing animal from newbieMcNewberson...I might take that risk with a high end visual...It also has a lot to do with how people represent themselves.
Webpage, email names, customer service etc. (Email names is a big issue for me...Any time I see an email attached to a breeder that is along the lines of something I would have used at age 15...yea....lol)

Represent your self professionally and communicate well, and you will probably have my business for that sexy snake you're selling :D

I have bought from big and small and a whole bunch in between. I bought a GTP from a well known breeder and the snake died a couple days after I received it. This happened about 10 years ago. Still waiting to hear back from him.

I have also sold a good amount snakes I have produced but I would bet most people never heard of me. I don't have a business name and I haven't bred in a long time.

My snakes are just as good as any of the big guys and most people tell me they like dealing with me better. Not saying the big guys aren't good to deal with but they do have a lot more people to deal with. Kind of like waiting in line at a busy Apple store. They might know their stuff and have great stuff but you can end up just another customer.

Find the snake you can't live without and make contact with the seller. Feel them out. Ask questions. Check BOI. Ask more questions then go with your gut.

Name, to me, only means something when it comes to buying online. I mean, sure their name can carry. A reputation of healthy and good quality animals, but if Albino A and Albino B are in your hands, the one that YOU like is what you should get.

The old adage that you get what you pay for applies, but if you like the cheaper Albino go for it.


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Originally Posted by AK907

I have no problem buying from a smaller breeder. In fact, the one and only time I bought from a big name breeder, I got screwed over. It drives me crazy when I see people paying twice what an animal is worth from a big breeder just because of the name attached to it. It is no different than people who pay big bucks for a sweater just because it has some guy's name on it when you can get the same quality sweater at Wal-Mart for a fraction of the price.

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I couldn't agree with the sweater analogy more. I think as long as you are happy with what you are purchasing it really doesn't matter who you get from though. My girlfriend and I have gotten an animal from a big time breeder which turned out to have mites. Buying from anyone in general has its ups and downs.

Big time breeders move such a huge volume of animals that they may lack in some parts of their care. Although most are on point, problems can happen. When you look at smaller unknown breeders, they don't have enough reputation within the community so you may be reluctant to buy from them as well. Although they tend to have lower prices to combat the lack of reputation, you can still get quality animals from them.

All in all, when it comes to buying animals from anybody always do your research. It is always a gamble especially when you are ordering online or through the phone and you can't inspect the animal in person. The bottom line is find an animal you like, do your research about the breeder and make your decision.

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What matter to me is

1# The animal itself first and foremost

2# The reputation of the seller (big name or small breeder as long as they are reputable and honest that's all that matter to me)

3# The price

In that very specific order.

I have found that often smaller breeders will have better customer service because they are not rushed to fill a bunch of orders.

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Originally Posted by meowmeowkazoo

I have found that often smaller breeders will have better customer service because they are not rushed to fill a bunch of orders.

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Well, yes and no. They can be more willing to answer more questions, but for several different reasons.

And what about reputation... is it only safe to buy from someone who has had many perfect transactions?

what about the person just starting out and trying to build that reputation? I'm not talking about sending someone you never heard of $10k first shot, but lets say for a $200 snake.

Personally I still think it's funny when someone talks about 'paperwork' to verify a het... I mean I understand this when albinos first came out many, many years ago... but these days? and what does paperwork really do? I can write papers that say all my snakes are het, does that really make it so? Even if they prove not to be and now you have these papers that said they were.. what can you really do with these papers?

just thinking out loud...

I buy snakes depending on their appearance(healthy appearance, how it is being kept as well as the other animals for sale by the breeder, etc) and word of mouth from others in the field. I have bought a few balls from a big breeder and one came with several little guests on him. I also like to talk to the seller and ask detailed questions to feel out their knowledge and their care skills.

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Personally I still think it's funny when someone talks about 'paperwork' to verify a het... I mean I understand this when albinos first came out many, many years ago... but these days? and what does paperwork really do? I can write papers that say all my snakes are het, does that really make it so? Even if they prove not to be and now you have these papers that said they were.. what can you really do with these papers?

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A lot of breeder don't send paperwork anymore and paperwork is only as good as the breeder is, I still do for one reason to allow my customers to easily be able to re-sell their animal and have the ability to have their potential customer check with me that 1# I produced the animal 2# It is indeed what it is represented as. All my animals come with a certificate of origin and photography allowing me to verify the genetics of a specific animal even 10 years down the road if needed.

Do I care about paperwork not really I know who I am buying my animals from and have total confidence, as for re-selling them if when I do it is as proven breeders which mean I will guarantee them.

Such is the quandary presented by the BOI. People don't make the distinction between no BOI reputation and bad BOI reputation, leading to small breeders being ignored.

Which is why, like stated above, it's the animal first and foremost. Then you have to go out on a limb, if need be.

It's the people who scan and screw people that hurt the less known people. :(


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Get to know some of your local breeders. I've got a few in my area that I have bought from more than once, and trust completely. Of course I've met a few that have made me wary as well.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

What matter to me is

1# The animal itself first and foremost

2# The reputation of the seller (big name or small breeder as long as they are reputable and honest that's all that matter to me)

3# The price

In that very specific order.

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This X1000!

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Originally Posted by BciJoe

Well, yes and no. They can be more willing to answer more questions, but for several different reasons.

And what about reputation... is it only safe to buy from someone who has had many perfect transactions?

what about the person just starting out and trying to build that reputation? I'm not talking about sending someone you never heard of $10k first shot, but lets say for a $200 snake.

Personally I still think it's funny when someone talks about 'paperwork' to verify a het... I mean I understand this when albinos first came out many, many years ago... but these days? and what does paperwork really do? I can write papers that say all my snakes are het, does that really make it so? Even if they prove not to be and now you have these papers that said they were.. what can you really do with these papers?

just thinking out loud...

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And yes anyone can make up paperwork and that paperwork is only as good as the person who's name is on it.
But I have heard of one story where that paperwork was used in court. I don't remember the specifics of the situation and who was involved, but that paperwork was viewed as a type of "binding contract".
Sure if you bought a pair of het Albinos or het Pieds now and the animals didn't prove out you probably wouldn't do anything about it, but if I had bought het Ultramels, Lav. Albinos or Toffee/Candy within the past few years with their price tags and they didn't prove out you bet I would pursue legal action!

I have had some interesting experiences with lower level breeders. You really have to do your research and ask "a lot" of questions. If someone is irritated by my questions or refuses to answer them, I keep it moving. The worst feeling is when you get a snake home and find out it has mites or mouth rot, or didn't eat like you were told it did.