Should I??

Hey guys,

So, I checked out a petsmart in a town I was passing through (shame on me I know). They have what looks like a banana pinstripe for $298. I took him out and he looks healthyish. I say ish because he could stand to gain some weight. He has eaten 4 times in the last 5 weeks though. Also, I am saying he, but of course they do not sex their animals.

What do you guys think he is? And how good of a deal is this?

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I can't attest to the quality of the animal, although I do have a box store snake myself who is wonderful. Personally I'd expect him to be a brighter yellow, but it may just be the lighting. From what I'm seeing, that price is on the low end of the spectrum, so not a bad deal. The high end is North of $700. I'd say it's up to you.

Dave

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Originally Posted by AKA Dave

I can't attest to the quality of the animal, although I do have a box store snake myself who is wonderful. Personally I'd expect him to be a brighter yellow, but it may just be the lighting. From what I'm seeing, that price is on the low end of the spectrum, so not a bad deal. The high end is North of $700. I'd say it's up to you.

Dave

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Thanks Dave. The picture is actually a pretty good representation of his colors. I too thought he should be a bit brighter. Would this make him a lower quality banana pinstripe, or could a third gene be at play? (I am no morph expert)

I have been planning on getting into bananas once my pieds start producing. If he's a good deal, and perhaps he is a she, then I would consider taking the plunge now. I do have the space. Tough choice, and I'm only in town till the end of the day.

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I am pretty sure you are allowed to return merchandise (including live animals) to any location. So if you grabbed him while out of town now, you could think on it a few days and if you decide not to keep him/her you can take him back to a local to you store.

If you debate too long, someone else might grab him/her up. :) Personally I'd go for it, but would ask about their return policy first.

(I gave in to temptation just this past week, and it was at Petco.) :) He/she could always be resold if you change your mind later and are past the return date.

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Originally Posted by voodoolamb

I am pretty sure you are allowed to return merchandise (including live animals) to any location. So if you grabbed him while out of town now, you could think on it a few days and if you decide not to keep him/her you can take him back to a local to you store.

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I'll go back later and ask about their return policy. That would be awesome if thats the case. However, a while back my girlfriend bought an African Sideneck from a petsmart farther away from us, and when we discovered he had shell rot they refused to take him at the local store. We had to drive him back to where he was initially purchased even though that store carried African Sidenecks too.

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Originally Posted by butterballpython

If you debate too long, someone else might grab him/her up. :) Personally I'd go for it, but would ask about their return policy first.

(I gave in to temptation just this past week, and it was at Petco.) :) He/she could always be resold if you change your mind later and are past the return date.

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I know! I'm so close to pulling the trigger on this little dude. I just don't know if it's such a good deal that I shouldn't wait until I need him for my project. If it's not a rediculous deal I could stand to wait. He's...just..so...adorable.

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Originally Posted by Fazer72110

I'll go back later and ask about their return policy. That would be awesome if thats the case. However, a while back my girlfriend bought an African Sideneck from a petsmart farther away from us, and when we discovered he had shell rot they refused to take him at the local store. We had to drive him back to where he was initially purchased even though that store carried African Sidenecks too.

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When I worked there the company policy was to "encourage them to return to the original store" but to do the return if the customer insisted.

Don't listen to the store. Call the corp. office. Store managers liiiiieee. A lot.

I'm not a breeder or anything. . .but I feel like if I were going to breed, I'd want animals of known heritage. For a pet though, sure why not.

One of the better looking box store animals I've seen. I'd say if you want to have him go for it. PAM everything down and follow your usual quarantine routine.


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If you want this little guy as a pet, sure go for it, but and this is a big but, if you have any doubts don't buy him. Remember every time you change a animals enviornment you stress them out specially BPs. if you are thinking of a future breeding project, then i would think twice before just trying him out. This is not a piece of clothing that you can just bring back, because it just doesn't fit into the wardrobe. Please for the sake of the little animal, be absolutly sure you want him.

You can get a better deal on a known quantity Banana from a real breeder instead of a snake mill, if you're willing to resist point of sale-itis, and do a little research and emailing.

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Originally Posted by Slim

You can get a better deal on a known quantity Banana from a real breeder instead of a snake mill, if you're willing to resist point of sale-itis, and do a little research and emailing.

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Absolutely what I'm going to do. I agree with everyone saying it's best to buy from breeders. I just wanted to know how good of a deal it was, and if it was that awesome of a deal I was going to go ahead and get it. BUT now that you guys have helped bring me back down to earth I would rather hold out. Even if it is a steal there is too much risk.

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Originally Posted by blue roses

If you want this little guy as a pet, sure go for it, but and this is a big but, if you have any doubts don't buy him. Remember every time you change a animals enviornment you stress them out specially BPs. if you are thinking of a future breeding project, then i would think twice before just trying him out. This is not a piece of clothing that you can just bring back, because it just doesn't fit into the wardrobe. Please for the sake of the little animal, be absolutly sure you want him.

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I've decided it's not a great idea. I had doubts from the beginning, but I was caught up in thinking it was too good of a deal to pass up. So, i wanted to see what you all had to say. But like I told Slim, even if it is a steal it's not worth the risk.

Also, I was never planning on getting him and returning him if I decided I didn't want him. The only worry I had about the return policy was if he turned out to be unhealthy I would have to drive 2 hours away to the store he was purchased from.

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If you want a banana boy it's a fine price, not stellar and you could most likely do better from an actual breeder. I got a banana spinner boy from a good small breeder for less than that (but not by much). If this snake is a female though it's a steal, I'd jump on it then.

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Originally Posted by bks2100

If you want a banana boy it's a fine price, not stellar and you could most likely do better from an actual breeder. I got a banana spinner boy from a good small breeder for less than that (but not by much). If this snake is a female though it's a steal, I'd jump on it then.

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Ya it's a risk all around that I can't justify taking. I would have to be 100% certain it's a female then maybe I would take a chance, but they don't sex their animals (nor have paperwork from the supplier indicating sex) and I'm not experienced in popping bp's.

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I never consider whether something is going to be the best deal for me price-wise. I always consider, first and foremost, what will be best for the snake and how the exotic pet trade will be impacted by my decision. I'm glad you took some time to reflect on all of these things. Change starts on the frontlines. Hopefully something else good will come your way!