Quote Originally Posted by clockwork View Post
I have plans in the future to expand my ball python collection to include a few morphs. For the most part I know what I want, and for the more expensive morphs I may breed a little bit to get them. Since I have time before I get them (a year at least unless something exceptional comes up) I've been emailing breeders, close to where I live or travel (upstate NY or eastern PA) to see their facilities and look at their breeding stock and stuff to deside who I want to buy from later.

I've run into some breeders who dont allow "outsiders" to visit their facilities. I understand this is a business and each business owner has their own methods of running their business.. but i perfer to see what im going to buy IF possible as i know tons of people buy from big breeders and have thier animals shipped with no problems, but I figure, if i can save 50.00 on shipping because i DRIVE BY the place, that is 50.00 worth of food or bedding that i can have for my animals.

What do you guys think about this business pratice?

I feel like im being forced away. Pictures CAN lie, i'm a photographer, i know this better than most.

There are liabilities with letting people into a facility to see the animals, that do incur certain insurance policies in case something were to happen.

Also, they have a large collection of animals, if you were to go to a pet store, handle the animals and bring something with you into their facility it could be quite damaging.

Reputable breeders will always try to ensure that the pictured animals are represented honestly, but also to that cannot guarantee the color on your monitor.

Finally, I have to restate that they aren't a pet shop and really don't have to let you come and hand pick them in person. If you wanted to see the animals in person and the breeder attends shows, I would think this is a better avenue as the breeder has complete control over how his animals are brought back into his facility.

So in all, I don't think a breeder has any obligation to let you in his building, and if he were to let you in, it would be a special visit.

If this were simply a pick up, I can see the value in going to meet the breeder, but I don't know why it has to be hand picked in person. Again, honest breeders will represent their animals honestly in pictures.