Not being allowed to examine BP

[lunasjy]

Would you buy a ball python that you are not allowed to hold?

I went to a local reptile store and was looking at their BPs. They had a Puma there and I wanted to see it. They told me that they did not allow customers to hold their snakes to reduce the stress and prevent accidents happening to their animals. I can understand but before I buy any BP I must check it over, but they wouldn't allow me to do this. I told the guy that I would think about it. This isn't the first time though. I went there last summer to buy an emperor pin and they wouldn't let me check it over then either. I passed on the emperor pin at that time. I go there on a regular basis to buy food for my snakes, so I always gander at their BPs and they are great guys who work there and they do know their stuff but not allowing me to check the animal out first seems a little bizarre. I know many people buy online and what not, but I just think it is weird.

What do you guys think?

[dustin860]

Definitely wouldn't make a purchase without being able to look over what I am investing in


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[KMG]

Do they have a health guarantee? If so, you have no worries.

However, if you are serious about buying the snake tell them you want it. During the purchase you would certainly get to hold it and check it out. Im sure if they are really that serious about their animals the snake is in good shape and will pass your inspection.

I don't see why they would refuse you to inspect the animal at the time of purchase. I can see how they don't want the tire kickers constantly holding their snakes and putting them through a lot of human interaction just to please some people that think holding a snake is cool and don't have any interest in actually buying one.

[Pandorica]

Nope nope nope. Whole lotta nope. That's a red flag right there. Do they ever have reptile shows near your town? That might be the way for you to go.

[Mr. Misha]

I agree with KMG. Unless you're ready to buy an animal, there's really no need for an exam. What exactly are you examining the BP for?

I'm sure the policy is set for a reason. My local reptile shop has a similar policy. The owner of that reptile store always says "we're a store, not a zoo". Lol. On a serious note though, I'm sure they get a lot of requests "to examine" the animal. You got to take in consideration the outside germs/parasites/mites they'd be opening their animals if they let everyone handle them.

I feel like "looking the snakes over" thing comes from expos where breeders try to connect with the buyers y letting them handle their animals.

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[lunasjy]

I wasn't there to gawk. Like I said, I was interested but without checking for health issues, I wont buy it. And they knew I wanted it, I said I did. But when I asked to see it before buying it, he said no. If I really wanted to hold snake just for the sake of holding it, I have 21 of my own at home to do so with, and they "crawl" the same...

I check for kinks, body shape and tone, mites, breathing, scale health, stuck eye caps, scars, and so on. It is important to me. Once I bought a BP that had mites. And after that I bought a BP with an RI... so yes, I have learned my lesson and now I check. I have bought 50% from a guy here who is very reputable, I still check and he knows I do.

[KMG]

Most, if not all, of those things can be seen without holding it. I found mites on some snakes in a pet store by doing nothing more than looking at them in their cage. Even signs of an RI would be visible from just looking at it. Pair that with asking when the last feeding was and you should have a pretty good idea it doesn't have an RI.

I don't know I guess I don't get it.

[BCS]

I actually have to say I agree. It sounds like they are trying to hide something. And, I too bought a snake with an RI, and she ate through the whole course of it, so not eating isn't a very good indication. I probably wouldn't have known my ball python had an RI if I didn't hear the popping and see the mucus all over her hide three days into owning her.

Although, if the employee or owner is okay to hold the animal while you examine it, there shouldn't be an issue. If the snake was being starved you would know just by looking at it. If they can't offer to take it out for you, then that would indicate a big fat no.

[Ax01]

i agree with the OP and KMG. i can see both perspective.

if u cannot hold a snake, it's not necessarily a red flag for unhealthy animal. they gave u their reasons. anyway what is the store's reputation. as a breeder, retailer or whatever, your name and rep means a lot in the community. do they have a good track record? is their store clean, cages clean, general customer service good? and as pointed out, what is their health guarantee? or for reasons will they let u return an animal? the answer to these questions can help u a lot. or if u don't like the answers, just walk.

[KMG]

see the mucus all over her hide three days into owning her.

Was this a mail order snake or did you buy it in person and it took three days for the RI to develop enough to be noticed?