Breeders Holding Snakes?

[Pengil]

In a nutshell, there's a snake that I've had my eye on for months and months, and since I got a new job, and my tax refund, I can finally afford her. I do still need to get a couple hides, a water dish, and the quarantine thermostat for my quarantine tub, which I am ordering tonight, but some of that stuff could take a week or two to arrive.

If I speak to the breeder, and all goes well, and I pay in full, is there an average length of time they will keep a snake for you before shipping? I don't want to inconvenience the breeder at all, but I also don't want the snake bought out from under me now that I've made the decision to purchase her.

[Bogertophis]

If I were in your shoes, I'd contact them immediately & tell them exactly what you just said above; they don't want their snakes going to ppl that don't have prepared
caging ready for them, not if they're good enough breeders to be worth buying from. And they have some prep to make also, & don't want to ship a snake that
has just fed, for example.

Breeders are individuals of course...but I think most will appreciate the head's up, & may ask for a deposit (partial payment).

[fadingdaylight]

I agree with Bogertophis, contact them and see what they say. I have noticed that on Morph Market, a lot of the listings say that they will hold animals for up to a month or so, for a few extra bucks to cover their meals, etc. Worst they can say is no, but I imagine that won't be the case.

[WhompingWillow]

I also agree with the advice given. Contact the breeder, let them know you would like to purchase the snake. Some breeders accept deposits/payment plans, so that may be a way to hold the snake for a few weeks prior to shipping. Every single breeder I've ordered from has been great to work with. I've had to hold snakes on a few occasions. Once because I put half down and paid off the other half a couple of weeks later, then had to wait for a shipping window. Once because of it being too cold to ship - that breeder actually held the snake for me from November until late February/early March. And a couple times because I ordered on a Wednesday or Thursday but didn't want the snake shipped until the following Monday or Tuesday.

Best of luck, and early congrats on your snake!

[PghBall]

In my experience both as a person who has purchased and sold online, most breeders will gladly work with you. I myself just recently received animals that the other person has been holding for months due to the weather etc. I still am holding my half of the trade for him as he needed some time before he could receive my animal.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

It's really a case by case basis, I have held animals anywhere between 1 to 3 months for people needing more time to get their equipment to people being deployed.

Doubt I would go beyond that personally.

[the_rotten1]

I'll hold a snake for a month or two just for a 25% non-refundable deposit. Most sellers have similar policies. Full payment is even better.

A lot of the time shipping gets delayed a week or two due to scheduling anyway, and waiting for the right weather can take even longer. Most breeders will not mind waiting a week or two.

[OhhWatALoser]

pay me in full and I'll hold the snake for a few months without issue. Explain your situation and intentions. Id think most people will work with ya.

[bcr229]

The one time I needed a snake held for six weeks until others cleared QT, and it was a present for my husband whose birthday was still a ways off, I offered to pay full asking price via USPS MO so the seller didn't have PayPal fees, and he knew I couldn't back out of the sale and hit him with a chargeback for "failure to ship".

[Pengil]

First of all, I absolutely appreciate everyone's honest, thoughtful insights! I'm still learning about forging good relationships with breeders, and everyone was extremely helpful.

Unfortunately, someone had placed a deposit on aforementioned snake an actual day before I inquired about her (the day after I posted this thread). However, Amy Vesper (who is awesome, btw), said that a lot of people will make a deposit on a snake, then just vanish off the face of the Earth. She was kind enough to send me a picture of what the snake looks like now, as opposed to the outdated baby picture on MM, so I at least got to see how that combination of genes aged. For several weeks we were in a holding pattern, but the snake has since been taken off the website, so I presume she has sold. It's a bummer, but perhaps these things happen for a reason, and I have another similar-ish one at the top of my list.

I'm sure this will not be the only time something like this comes up, and I just wanted to give everyone who took the time to answer and explain an update, as well a express my thanks.