What is better - buy from expo or buy from breeder who ships to you?

[MelissaFlipski]

I was just wondering if I could have some opinions on this. I am thinking about getting a Rosy Boa (currently have one ball). Is it better to buy from a breeder who ships or to buy it from a local expo and drive the hour or two home?

I ask for two reasons, 1) is one inherently more stressful for the snake than the other, and 2) is one better in terms of quality of animal, health, care, etc. or are they pretty much 1/2 dozen in one and 6 in the other???

Thanks for your opinions.

Edit: I forgot to add, this is given that their are no local or semi-local breeders of the kind of snake you want.

[frankykeno]

That's kind of hard to qualify Melissa. In some way I'd love to hand pick the snake from a snake show but not all snake shows are full of reputable breeders, some can be quite awful from what I've seen and heard. Then you have the flip side of good breeder versus scammer and how does a newcomer know who is who really when it's all online.

It's just one of those things that as a buyer you just have to be really informed, ask tons of questions whether it's in person or online, scope out the breeders before you buy (most snake shows have a website where vendors are listed), that sort of thing. Adam is the one I believe who always says to shop for the right breeder as much as you shop for the right snake.

[cueball]

Adam is the one I believe who always says to shop for the right breeder as much as you shop for the right snake.

Adam is a smart guy. All of the advice I have taken from him has been good to me, including this piece

Rosie Boas are sweet! Good luck on your quest

[Sputnik]

You can get a good experience and a bad one from all of those options.... it's always best IMO to research your seller if you have not purchased from them before.

Good luck!

[BallPythonsRule]

I always would rather see the snake, see if it's healthy (from the outside) and see if the seller is a good guy in person. You never know what would be shipped to you from a guy from the internet. But then as some people said there are some scammers at expos but if you know that the person has good feedback then... it's good I guess.
That's just my opinion.....

[rabernet]

You never know what would be shipped to you from a guy from the internet.

I know, right? You might get something like these shipped to you. I got them from a couple of guys on the internet!







Seriously though - do your homework. There are some people at shows that I would not touch with a 10 foot pole.

When I go to shows, I try to get a list of vendors, and go to Fauna and check out their reputation before the show. How will you get in touch with them after the show if you have a problem, etc.

For local shows, I might have five vendors that I would consider buying from after doing Fauna checks on them.

Same thing for breeders online - do your homework, ask here for feedback, etc.

[juddb]

I know, right? You might get something like these shipped to you. I got them from a couple of guys on the internet!







Seriously though - do your homework. There are some people at shows that I would not touch with a 10 foot pole.

When I go to shows, I try to get a list of vendors, and go to Fauna and check out their reputation before the show. How will you get in touch with them after the show if you have a problem, etc.

For local shows, I might have five vendors that I would consider buying from after doing Fauna checks on them.

Same thing for breeders online - do your homework, ask here for feedback, etc.

Agreed, for an online buy i would check the BOI (fauna classifieds), then on the flip side when going to a show im sure you can acquire a listing of vendors at the show then you can check them out on the BOI also .... I hope this helps.

[lord jackel]

The only thing I would add to this discussion is to not overlook the little guy (or gal). This hobby is growing quickly and there are a lot of new breeders that have some really nice animals...but aren't on the BOI yet. I have purchased a few animals (2 online and 1 at a show) from people that are new (only a few clutches in)...but in speaking with them (or via email), contacting their references (the couple of other people they did business with), seeing pictures of the animals, etc. I decided to go with them and got some really nice animals. Sure there are scammers out there but not everyone without a "rep" is bad.

Just something to keep in mind

Hope this helps,
Sean

[juddb]

The only thing I would add to this discussion is to not overlook the little guy (or gal). This hobby is growing quickly and there are a lot of new breeders that have some really nice animals...but aren't on the BOI yet. I have purchased a few animals (2 online and 1 at a show) from people that are new (only a few clutches in)...but in speaking with them (or via email), contacting their references (the couple of other people they did business with), seeing pictures of the animals, etc. I decided to go with them and got some really nice animals. Sure there are scammers out there but not everyone without a "rep" is bad.

Just something to keep in mind

Hope this helps,
Sean

Great post i agree 100%.

[MelissaFlipski]

Thanks, everyone! And beautiful snakes, Robin!

How do I check Fauna/BOI? Do I just google? Sorry, I don't know what it is.

I know I need to do my research. Do you think it will help me learn the ability to delay gratification???? I want my rosy boa yesterday!