Good Breeder vs Bad Breeder

[MsPrada]

I know about fauna but I was wondering what a good breeder would do if I get a new guy/gal from the Raleigh show. Does a good breeder offer a guarantee? Do they offer you contact info in case something goes wrong? Do they let you check the snake out for any signs of disease or parasites? Is there a health waranty?

I know I would love all of these things to happen but seeing as this is my first time buying from someone I don't know, I really wasnt sure how to go about it...

I know about the search function, btw, but sometimes it doesnt really like me

[monk90222]

You definatley have the right to check out any snake that you are seriously thinking about purchasing. I'm not sure about any guarantee though, your (not you imparticular, but anyone's) husbandry could kill a snake quickly. I've heard of people buying at reptile shows and leaving the snakes in the car...dead snake...
Also my personal opinion it that Het's aren't the best thing to buy from unknown sources....

[Freakie_frog]

A good breeder should have no problem letting you handle any animal your interested in. As far as a "health warranty" some do some don't. That is something your going to have to just simply ask.

[euphuistical]

A good breeder should let you check out any snake you are thinking of buying and offer contact info. I haven't seen many offer any kind of warranty. Don't be shy about looking at a lot of different animals. It's your money and you have a right to inspect what you are buying.

But yeah, don't expect a warranty but do get their contact info in case you have questions about it's usual diet or what not. And if you are buying a het try and get paper work.

Hets are always a gamble so make sure you trust who you are buying it from.

[MsPrada]

Well thats good to know because I did look at some hets today.

Hm..thats interesting. I see what you mean. Well I'll get right on that tomorrow. I'm a good judge of character most of the time, but you just never know.

[Freakie_frog]

Hets are always a gamble so make sure you trust who you are buying it from.

They don't have to be.. if your buying het pieds ask to see pick of the parents. If a breeder has Hypos, and Pieds for sale on the same table as the Hets you can bet the hets are good to go.

Now if I go to a table and there's tons of normals all labeled het this and het that with no visual recessives on the table and they aren't offering papers right then and there. I'll pass

Oh and NEVER take the I'll mail the papers to you as an excuse..

[Oxylepy]

Ask when the animal was born, how often it eats or if it has eaten, when it last shed, etc. You should always be allowed to handle the snake, and often they will give you some hand sanitizer. Personally I would only buy hets from big name breeders or people you have a history of dealing with and whose collection is known to you.

[MsPrada]

They don't have to be.. if your buying het pieds ask to see pick of the parents. If a breeder has Hypos, and Pieds for sale on the same table as the Hets you can bet the hets are good to go.

Now if I go to a table and there's tons of normals all labeled het this and het that with no visual recessives on the table and they aren't offering papers right then and there. I'll pass

Oh and NEVER take the I'll mail the papers to you as an excuse..

Thats good to know. What is a hypo? I saw a table with a bunch of ones listes at het albino but I didnt see any actual albinos...so thats probably a no go.

[MsPrada]

Ask when the animal was borne, how often it eats or if it has eaten, when it last shed, etc. You should always be allowed to handle the snake, and often they will give you some hand sanitizer. Personally I would only buy hets from big name breeders or people you have a history of dealing with and whose collection is known to you.

Theres hand sanitizer alllll over the place thankfully.

Thats also good to know, and what kind of prey it's been on too would be good. Thanks for the suggestions.

[frankykeno]

As far as a het goes I'd want to have some previous knowledge of the breeder and I'd expect paperwork on the snake. That paperwork though is only as good as the breeder that stands behind it so personally I'd never rush into buying a het from just anybody.

Generally when it comes to buying any snake you need to know what a healthy snake of that species, gender, age should look and feel like. You should give the snake a thorough hands on exam and confirm it's sex before you fork over any cash. If you aren't comfortable popping a snake, have the breeder do it for you. You should expect to be given appropriate paperwork and full contact information from that vendor. There's nothing worse than someone ending up with issues with a snake and the only thing they know is "some guy at the show" or "I think his name was Jim". I fell into that trap once myself years ago and never again. If the vendor isn't providing contact info, he/she shouldn't be getting our hard earned cash.

Your point that you are buying a "life" is a good one. You deserve as a responsible owner to know things about the snake's life, such as when it last ate, where it was hatched, what it eats, what feeding method it is used to. If the vendor is more interested in your wallet than giving you information, walk away. You don't need to end up with a snake that isn't what you thought it would be. Sometimes those show deals aren't all they are cracked up to be so be a smart buyer. Take the time to look around the show, compare vendors as far as cleanliness of their exhibit, health of their snakes, their willingness to speak with you (be reasonable about this, they aren't there to teach you everything), their pricing, etc.