Why I won't buy from a pet store

[sho220]

Running to the ASPCA or anyone without know what's really going on is just irresponsible.

Isn't that the ASPCA's purpose? To find out what's really going on?

Unless that snake has had medical care, it's animal cruelty.
From the ASPCA website:

What constitutes animal cruelty?
Animal cruelty occurs when someone intentionally injures or harms an animal or when a person willfully deprives an animal of food, water or necessary medical care. Here are some signs that may indicate abuse or neglect:

• Tick or flea infestations
• Wounds on the body
• Patches of missing hair
• Extremely thin, starving animal <<< I'd say it's starving. How about you wilomn?
• Limping
• An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal
• Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food and water, and often chained in a yard
• Dogs who have been hit by cars—or are showing any of the signs listed here—and have not been taken to a veterinarian
• Dogs who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions
• Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners

There's an animal in my community who isn't being cared for properly—is that cruelty?
Yes, it is. You don't have to hit an animal to be cruel to him—depriving an animal of food, water or necessary medical care is neglect, which is a form of cruelty.

If the ASPCA doesn't handle this kind of incident, what the heck do they do?

I didn't see anything on their website that mentioned the value of the animal will determine whether it's cruelty or not.