Quote Originally Posted by MasonC2K
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