One of the longest transactions I've had was with a well known breeder of colubrids.

I bought the snake in late Oct or early November. Then the IL cold winter weather set in. The winter tempeatures finally gave up in IL so that the snake could finally be sent in early April. Just as i was about to send the breeder an email, stating the temperatures and inquiring if the snake could be sent, I got an email stating that the temps looked good and if that week was good for me. The snake arived in great shape and had been fed and housed over the winter in their facility (even though I owned it at that time).

I have had a couple snake transactions where I spent a lot of time communicating with breeders discussing winter temperatures and waiting for the snake to be sent. Both have gone very well. I checked the websites for the animal I wanted, sent off an email, did my research on the breeder beforehand..etc.