Pet Shop Reviewing/Reporting

[MasonC2K]

Hey everyone,

As some of you know I am new here and have been researching Ball Pythons for a few weeks now. I now know everything I need to know (or at least I think I do . However, having gained that knowledge, my opinions of pet stores in town have changed. There are 5 in Columbus, GA: 3 chain and 2 local.

I am going to post my experiences with them here. Also, I would like to know if there is a web site (either generic or reptile specifc) that has a formal review or report area where I could let others know.

Petsmart: (Chain)

I have a love-hate relationship with Petsmart. I love that they have the cheapest prices for food and supplies. I hate that b/c of that they killed all but 2 of the local stores. I also hate that they didn't have snakes.....until a month ago. And what is the only snake they have? That's right. A ball python. Based on what I know, they had everything right except for hides. There were no hides in the enclosure. Otherwise, the snakes seems healthy and active. Also, the employees don't have a clue. Apparently they have a part-time reptile person, who wasn't there at the time. And unexpectedly, they didn't have the cheapest price: $69.

Petco: (Chain)

I hate Petco. I hated them the first time I walked in when they opened last month and saw how they had their Iguanas (I owned Iguanas for 8 years with one reaching almost 6 ft in length). Well, their BP's were set up better the Petsmart. But like Petsmart, no one their had a clue about them. Their price: $59.

Petland: (Chain)

Of the chains, Petland was the best. They has a perfect setup but IMO has too many in one cage. There was a guy there that answered my every question. Price: $59.

Tropical Treasures (Local)

I now hate this place. They have no clue about reptiles at all. The iguanas were so sad. They were on sand. Sand!!!! It appeared that most of the reptiles were set up wrong. And they wanted $89 for there BP's!!! However, they has a full grown adult for only $108. If I were experienced with BP's I would have bought it to rescue it from the store. Absolutely pathetic.

Feathers and Friends: (Local)

This is by far my favorite place. I used to frequent them for my iguana supplies. They have the largest variety of snakes. The staff there answers every question and let you inspect and hold anything. They even warn you about certain snakes. I wanted to hold their albino burmese but the lady said he's new and a bit bity right now and didn't recommend it. I was even allowed to watch the BP's feed. And they had more than just babies. I'll be getting a baby though. Their price can't be beat right now. I can get the snake and the entire enclosure (10G) with bedding, heating, etc. for $100.

Well that's it. Another month or 2 and I will be getting one of these beauties.

[darkangel]

Let me just ask... are you unwilling to buy online from a breeder?

[Jay_Bunny]

Petsmart isn't the best place to buy really anything other than supplies, but of course, it all has to do with individual stores. The store closest to me is great with thier reptiles and other small pets because they have at least 3-4 employees working there that actually know something about reptiles. They take great care of thier reptiles, making sure cages are clean and ALL animals had fresh water and food available. While a bit cramped, they do a magnificent job. On the other hand, there is another Petsmart a little bit further from me that I refuse to buy ANYTHING from. Their reptiles were horrible. There was one leopard gecko, no bigger than my finger who was in a cage that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in weeks. There was enough poo in that cage to suggest it was at least 3-4 weeks worth, if not longer.

So, don't buy any animals from Petsmart unless they are kept in really good conditions. Petco, no. Local stores, depends. My best advice, get a snake from a breeder online or at a reptile show.

[MasonC2K]

Let me just ask... are you unwilling to buy online from a breeder?

No.

1) I have no one to trust in that regard.

2) It more expensive to buy online. Every place I see is $50 shipping alone.

3) I just like to be able to handle and see the snake I get before buying. Especially a first snake.

I buy lots of things online. But I just don't trust buying a living thing that I am going to be caring about online. I wouldn't buy a puppy or a kitten online.

Maybe it's fine to buy a snake online. I can see that some people do. But I don't know that for myself yet.

[Jay_Bunny]

Its always a risk to buy online, but even on this forum, there are breeders you can trust. I personally have never bought a reptile online, but I plan to. Yes it is more expensive, but you are paying for the gaurantee (sp) that the reptile you are purchasing is in good health, eats well, is free of disease to the best of the breeders knowledge, came from good lines, and overall is a better snake than what you would find at a petstore. For me, its worth paying the extra $50 for shipping. My next snake will come from a reptile show, but after that I plan on getting a snake from a breeder.

[Freakie_frog]

Maybe it's fine to buy a snake online. I can see that some people do. But I don't know that for myself yet.

Totally understand I was when I got my first snake in the mail.

My suggestion would be find a local breeder and see about buying from them. GA pythons (a member here) might could hook you up..

[rabernet]

No.

1) I have no one to trust in that regard.

2) It more expensive to buy online. Every place I see is $50 shipping alone.

3) I just like to be able to handle and see the snake I get before buying. Especially a first snake.

I buy lots of things online. But I just don't trust buying a living thing that I am going to be caring about online. I wouldn't buy a puppy or a kitten online.

Maybe it's fine to buy a snake online. I can see that some people do. But I don't know that for myself yet.

Out of 16 ball pythons, 12 were purchased online, and I was able to see the snake before I purchased it (the sellers were willing to send me several pictures of the animals). All were packed beautifully and the animals arrived in great health.

My first snake was an online purchase, and other than buying at shows from vendors I've researched before the show, I prefer to buy from breeders online.

$50 for shipping is a small price to pay for a quality animal and a seller who will be available for years to come to answer questions for me, IMHO

[rabernet]

Totally understand I was when I got my first snake in the mail.

My suggestion would be find a local breeder and see about buying from them. GA pythons (a member here) might could hook you up..

Ahem.....helloooooo????

However, Deborah is awesome! Justin Kobylka is also a member here and lives in GA (although quite a few hours from Columbus).

[MasonC2K]

I am willing to drive as far as Atlanta to visit a breeder. Feel free to let me know if there are any.

[Rapture]

I feel really comfortable buying animals online as long as it is from a good source. Yeah, shipping might be an extra $50 or so dollars, but most of the animals you find online will be priced better than what you will find in a pet store, and most of the animals you will find online just won't be available in pet stores. You'll also have the comfort in knowing that you are purchasing an animal that the seller actually knows something about. Many times it will be an animal produced by the seller, not some kid in Petco that wants you to set up your ball python as if it were a cornsnake.