What do you consider quality?

[p3titexburial]

On the animal-
Color and pattern is a bit lower on the scale for me than the overall health of the animal-no RI, no mites, active, and regarding temperament I actually look for proper defense mechanisms when I first touch/hold the animal--does it curl up? Flinch? If not, is it at least curious as to who I am? To me, an animal that doesn't react at all to a stranger is LESS normal that one that does--of course, it can't go overboard on it. You can usually tame a snake down... but a listless or unresponsive creature may be signs of a bigger health problem.

For the seller-
Honesty first and foremost, what it's eating, how old it is, and all the basics. I understand that it can be exhausting so how enthusiastic the person is doesn't really affect me, but I don't like it when someone tries to push an animal onto me.

Something extra that I look for--at a show during the colder months, when I handle the animal, is it WARM? As in, did the breeder/seller take the extra time to install either a heat lamp or under heater? Those hours (or sometimes even days) that the animals are put on display in a less than optimum ambient temp room can cause RI, even if it wasn't sick when they brought it in, it can be sick when you bring it home and that's a battle I'd avoid if I could.

Reputation to me is not as important--as long as the person has no BAD reputation, it doesn't matter if he's a big or small breeder.

I've never bought online before (way too paranoid for that) so the only thing I can say is about buying in person.