My recommendation is always to go with a reputable breeder. There are so many reasons you'll be better off, the first and most important is because you are almost guaranteed a healthier snake.

There's no telling where some pet shops get their BP's...imports, captive hatched. But with a breeder you know exactly where that ball python came from. I'm not saying pet shops are bad by any means, but supporting domestic breeders is a great way to go!!!

Just my two cents.

JonV