Seller Red Flag?

[Prognathodon]

My husband, son, and I went to a regularly-repeating local show recently. One of the dealers had a BP who appeared to be in the middle of a bad shed - big patch of old skin still left on the midbody. I looked at her in her show enclosure, and a little later brought my husband over to see (pretending to admire her color). The guy at the table said nothing.

To me that seemed like a red flag. I'm having trouble wrapping my head around bringing an animal that doesn't appear to be in good condition *and* not saying anything about it. I suppose it could have been the owner/seller's friend who didn't really know much watching the table, but even then you say "Bob will be back in a few minutes if you have any questions" if somebody comes back to look at something a second time and points it out to their friend.

Was I being Mrs. Cranky-Pants, or would you avoid that dealer?

[frostysBP]

Not the best signs thats for sure what show was this?

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[FluppleWott]

To me that says, "I don't have enough time to assist my own animal in shedding before a show."

Not cool, bro. I'm right with you, I'd be concerned too. I always look for snakes that produce nice, healthy sheds and shed in large or whole pieces. And also look for breeders who care enough about there snakes to help them out.

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[pariahdog]

Yeah... I'd prefer to buy from someone who actually seems to care about the animals they're selling. Honestly I would've been put off anyway if the guy didn't appear to be interested in questions/conversation about his animals at all.

[Megg]

I wouldn't buy from them. There are too many breeders out there who are passionate and care about their animals to buy from someone who doesn't.


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[C2tcardin]

Snakes shed when they want to and I'm sure it takes a lot of work to get ready for a show so I wouldn't be too hard on the breeder. I know a bunch of well know breeders that do the Repticon shows and it almost turns out that one of the snakes they bring for sale is in shed. Now if it had stuck shed and or eye caps as well as messy display cases I would think twice.

[Prognathodon]

It was at Scott Smith's All Animal Expo at the DuPage Co. fairgrounds, in Wheaton, IL. We weren't intending to bring any more snakes home (and didn't!), so I didn't think to grab the guy's card so I could make myself a note on who to avoid in the future. Also failed to get a card from another guy explaining his record-keeping system to a customer (headdesk).

I'm not bashing the guy for bringing an animal in shed, or having a bad shed happen, it's more having the patchy shed out on public display *and* not talking to customers about it. I sell leather goods, and if somebody is browsing, you greet them at minimum, and if something is different/unusual about your product, you talk about it - eg: the brand/scar on that pouch is only cosmetic/adds character, it doesn't weaken the pouch, or I did XYZ to reinforce it.

Complaining about somebody else's shed issues would also be the pot calling the kettle black, since last night Smaug the BP and Henry the corn snake needed snake saunas for the tips of their tails, and Haku the milk snake will probably get one tonight, since he was looking kind of ratty and only partially shed this morning. (7 snakes, and three shed on the same day. I think they're plotting!).

[JoshSloane]

I don't think it is too much of a big deal, but it definitely points to the seller not preparing their animals in the best way for the show. I never really get hung up on how animals are displayed at shows. Sometimes the best animals come from vendors without expensive flashy showcases.

I however would be more put off by the seller's inattention to a customer at their table. This indicates that they aren't interested in providing customer service, or willing to interact with buyers. It is my experience that there are a LOT of uppity, rude, and gruff reptile breeders and vendors that need to learn basic communication and selling skills. Greeting an individual that is interested in buying THEIR animals is always a must.

Many vendors need to come down to earth and realize they are selling snakes, not Ferraris.

[frostysBP]

I noticed vending my first show that alot of the vendors wouldn't great customers as they were browsing..me and my wife made it a point to ask how everyones days were going and if they needed help just to ask...and I made sure to pay more attention to parents with kids that were fascinated with my burm.

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

Bad shed do happen no matter how experienced you are, now should you display an animal with a bad and try to sell it? Well it all come down to how one's represents himself and the animals he sells.

To me it falls in the same category than the people trying to sell offspring online and taking picture on carpet, on a towel, or in a dirty enclosure etc.

If you want to sell your product you got to put an effort and present your animals the best way possible.