PetSmart/Reptiles by Mack?

[PeanutButler]

I thought I'd ask here because I'm a tad confused and would appreciate some opinions. There is a very nice sized banana ball python at my local petsmart for $350. This price seems to be on the high end, but as I said, the snake is also a good size and has some beautiful blushing and coloration. I called them, and they said that the supplier for their ball pythons would be Reptiles by Mack. I've heard both bad and good things about them, both on opposite ends of the spectrum. I also saw an article about PETA doing an investigation on Reptiles by Mack with very poor findings, but the information across the board that I seem to be finding is very inconsistent. It's either high praise or extreme criticism. The snakes they keep at this location are very healthy looking. They appear to be very well-fed and plump, no missing scales or blemishes, are extremely clean, and have absolutely zero indication of mites or others health issues. My vanilla cream boy is from a good reputable breeder and I'm aware of the stigma around purchasing animals from PetSmart, but I'm a little confused as to why this is, if they seem quite healthy and the supplier for the pet store has had good things said about them from members here?

Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[Albert Clark]

Opinions are based on a person's experiences mainly, and what is gathered from informational sources. MY suggestion is to follow your gut feelings. On a side note, there are excellent , reputable breeders right here on the forum.

[OhhWatALoser]

I've heard plenty of bad about Reptiles by Mack within the hobby. The PETA investigation didn't surprise me, but I also it wouldn't surprise me if it was staged some how as PETA members have been caught doing that. However if there are a few places you hear bad about from multiple sources, I don't think there is a conspiracy against them.

Also remember even the worst people/stores have to make a majority of people happy or they will go out of business instantly. So you can hear great things about the worst people/stores also. When it comes to big box stores they can be polar opposites under the same name. One store hires a reptile enthusist who takes care of the animals as if it was their own animals, another hires someone who thinks snakes are icky but needs a pay check and all they know about the animal is the cooperate care sheet they were handed and barely memorized.

Personally I wouldn't support the big box store anyways, do you feel you can't find a breeder that has the quality you are looking for, for the same price or more than likely cheaper even with shipping?

[PeanutButler]

Personally I wouldn't support the big box store anyways, do you feel you can't find a breeder that has the quality you are looking for, for the same price or more than likely cheaper even with shipping?

Thanks for the replies so far!
In response to this question, I suppose it's more that this snake seems so perfectly healthy and I've seen it in person and have gotten a good look at it. Normally I wouldn't consider it because of the stigma. I do my research and all the pets I have came from good reputable breeders, so it's far from unknown territory for me. I'm just conflicted because regardless of the stigma, the quality of this animal seems to be very good, and I do put a bit of value on being able to actually physically see the animal. Of course, this is only valuable if I like what I see, and in this case there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it.

What is the generally accepted price range for bananas in these days? I looked on kingsnake and the prices seem to vary by quite a bit, so I'm having trouble finding a baseline.

[BeelzeBall.]

Thanks for the replies so far!
In response to this question, I suppose it's more that this snake seems so perfectly healthy and I've seen it in person and have gotten a good look at it. Normally I wouldn't consider it because of the stigma. I do my research and all the pets I have came from good reputable breeders, so it's far from unknown territory for me. I'm just conflicted because regardless of the stigma, the quality of this animal seems to be very good, and I do put a bit of value on being able to actually physically see the animal. Of course, this is only valuable if I like what I see, and in this case there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it.

What is the generally accepted price range for bananas in these days? I looked on kingsnake and the prices seem to vary by quite a bit, so I'm having trouble finding a baseline.

$200-250

[Hypancistrus]

I have a nice 50/50 pied BP that came from my local Petsmart. The thing to remember about RBM and Petsmart is RBM is basically a wholesaler, so while the BP may have come through there it easily could have been sold wholesale from a big name Ball Python breeder. If the snake looks healthy, is in good condition and eating well, and you are okay with the price, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. Just QT it, but you should do that with ALL new snakes.

[chrid16371]

My local pet smart has a banana as well. They didn't know the gender and no one knew how to sex a bp so I popped it. It is a girl, very healthy beautiful girl. She is very nice and not jumpy at all even with the movement in front of her face and the 10 people who surrounded me when I was holding her. I wanted to take her home. But $349 is a hefty price tag, you can get a banana yellow belly for $50 more, well at least that's how much Garrick has one for. The employee there told me wait 3 months and if no one buys it to offer them 60% less and I'll get it, they can't make money if they don't move it. The employee said with the price and the area of the store it is very unlikely they will sell it. I wouldn't of even considered buying her if she was in bad shape but she is great. If she remains like this I will offer the 60% less and see if I can take her home.

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[bcr229]

My local pet smart has a banana as well. They didn't know the gender and no one knew how to sex a bp so I popped it. It is a girl, very healthy beautiful girl. She is very nice and not jumpy at all even with the movement in front of her face and the 10 people who surrounded me when I was holding her. I wanted to take her home. But $349 is a hefty price tag...

That's actually not too a bad price for a female banana, considering most are male-makers.

[chrid16371]

That's actually not too a bad price for a female banana, considering most are male-makers.

Oh I didn't know that lol I was just going by what I seen on morph market but it was just a quick look I didn't look for male or female. But if I can get it for 60% off in a few months I would rather do that lol.

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[stickyalvinroll]

If the snake looks good to you it shouldn't matter what other people think about the supplier.