Reputation

[Ally]

I've gone with 'other'...
It depends on the animal really, if I'm only going to find WC, then a trader for a fresh import may be best. Shops, breeders and shows are all good, although I don't think I'd ever buy an animal without having a good look at it in the flesh first.

[freekygeeky]

i had a simliar post the other day and i was very suprised by the results!
i personally want CB even if they are expensive, i know that they have been cared for, 'loved' .
i dont want cheap as chips WC, fair enough if they are cheap, thats a bonus, but CB cared for animals, my fav.
i would also prefer to see teh set up, talk to the breeder look at the other animals etc etc etc

[kennedykrew]

I reckon all have valid points; a lot depends on availability of a particular rep' and how much someone REALLY wants it.
So i've voted for all of them!

[VieT]

i chose "it doesnt matter as long as you get what you want... for a few reasons..

at the moment most of the things i buy are boas or equipment..

some shops ahve some nice boas in.. i got for cleanliness and markings... on the other hand i buy from private ebcause of the same reasons...

only difference is from private they are generaly cheaper..

again... i say aslong as you get what you want ebcause you say "if you want somthing thats CB ... ok.. so you ask befor hand... it doesnt matter where it is from aslong as it is healthy.. and feeding. etc.. if you want a healthy feeding CB animal.. common sence says not to buy a CF thin none eating mite ridden thing...

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at the end of the day its down to wether you trust your source... shops generaly wont lie to you weather a rep is CB or CF etc... it is ilelgal for a shop to sell a non feeding animal unless stated.. so you would ask anyway.. and as for private breeders.. most of them will sell as non feeders and CB/CF anyway

peace

JAmes

[saxon]

I voted for a known breeder with realistic prices because I have limited experience and would like to think that I would be able to haves omeone I can ask advise about the snake I had bought if I were worried about anything

I've only bought from four people.

2 that I was told about by others who had their snakes and two from Doncaster show.
I bought the ones from the show because they were ridiculously cheap.
Although one of the people I bought from is very well know.

[Dan]

I think it depends largely one what you're buying.

If it's something that is different buyer to buyer then of course the source is important.
However, if it's something rare or unusual i'll take it any way i can get it.

I think using forums and having your reputation take knocks is all part and parcel of it.
On a personal note, I have far more happy customers than i do unhappy ones, yet you don't see the happy ones posting this, that and the other. Still, it's fair to say my reputation isn't great but i don't worry about it too much. You can't please everyone so i focus on keeping the ones i can please happy.
At the end of the day the animals speak for themselves (no matter what condition) so it's up to the buyer to look at the animal and not the buyer.

[DeanThorpe]

Most of what i think has already been covered i think.
If its a rep that can be gotten captive bred..then of course a decent breeder and the best price possible.

if it is soemthing that isnt commonly or atall captive bred [within reason, i know soem things could be imported from foreign breeders] then its a more complicated issue what with the variation in wc prices and quality.

[sw3an29]

i prefer to buy straight from the breeder that way you can see the parents and when you seem to buy from a shop they seem to know nothing about the animal

[SiUK]

well CB stock and knowledge helps but if its something not easy to get CB I would have WC if I really wanted it.

[Athravan]

Tough one. Although as a shop, I like to think my customers are happy buying from me, but I sell most of what I breed myself, and I often get the question, did you breed it? Do you have the parents? Is there a full feeding chart? Etc. which I can say yes to many things... but not to everything.

Personally I buy from breeders most often for competitive prices. I also have bought from shops who have bred their own stock and therefore have prices competitive to breeders. If another shop had what I wanted and the price was reasonable, I would take it, although only if I had seen it in the flesh first.

I would only buy via mail order from a breeder that I was 100% sure was reputable.

One thing to consider is that if a shop rips you off, scams you, sells you a dead or dying animal, etc. you have some come back, you have the council or trading standards... if you buy it privately and you're ripped off or scammed you have only got the small claims court, and only then if you actually have the persons address really... which is now I am pretty wary of private buys if I can't get to the persons house to actually see it.