What are your main reasons for using a reptile store?

[Snow_Man_UK]

Location and convenience for bits and pieces. I don't mind spending a few quid extra if I need something. If I am looking for live stock I will check out their reputation before considering an order.

[trese]

i ticked local convenience based on ours if i drove i would prolly go somewhere else. but it would be nice if they had a wide varied selection of reps, equipment knowledgeable polite staff

[bufo]

I love visiting my local store as they are really friendly , like to talk about the things I am really interested in as none of my friends are and they are fully checked and regulated as opposed to breeders.

[bradhollands999]

I visit my reptile store because they're close and i love looking at what new livestock they have in!!

[wohic]

Originally Posted by bufo

I love visiting my local store as they are really friendly , like to talk about the things I am really interested in as none of my friends are and they are fully checked and regulated as opposed to breeders.

but the regulated shops buy their stock from 'unregulated breeders ' and just pass the reptile on at 100% mark up.....same reptile, different price.
I like and support good shops, but would rather buy direct from the breeder in all honesty.

[snickers]

I like going round reptile shops, but good ones are few and far apart. I only use local ones for emergencies, or stuff that will cost too much to post etc.
In theory I won't buy livestock from petshops, and I never impulse buy. On the other hand the majority of my exotics are petshop bought