Beginner Question

[Pythonfriend]

Hi all. I purchased my first snake (a young female ball python) over nine months ago. Unfortunately, less than a month later she died from IBD. We're ready for another snake, but I want to try my best to ensure something like this doesn't happen again. Now, I've heard you're not supposed to buy a snake from chain stores or breeders, so I'm on the forums to see what other option there is (or if buying from one of the two is okay, why?).

Thanks for reading, can't wait to get another snake!

i wonder where you heared that

generally, what people say is: chain stores are very bad, wholesalers/flippers are very bad, good breeders are good, very good breeders are very good, shady breeders are shady, and at reptile shows you can get all of that and it depends on who you buy from at the reptile show.