advice for newbies buying their first snakes

[mariak]

I think it would be very helpful if some one could post a sticky about what to look for when buying a snake for the first time.
I have just bought a sick snake myself and hopefully he is now on the mend.I had some idea what to look out for but wasnt till i got him home realised how bad he was.
I would hate for anyone to go thru all this because it was both stressful on the snake and myself.
I am pretty new to keeping snakes so really dont no that much but sure most of you out there could come up with loads to help first timers.

Thanks to everyone for all the advice you gave me when i really didnt have a clue on dealing with a sick snake.

[Brett]

in my experiance id try and find a breeder to buy one from and not a shop because my first 4 snakes were corns and all were ill when i got them and needed some sort of aid.
im not saying all shops that sell snakes are bad but ive bought them from 3 different shops and all seemed more bothered about selling the snake and making some cash rather than for the snakes wellbeing.
so personally i only buy my snake from shows or breeders on here or people i know that look after there snakes.and would not sell them if they were ill.

[Jczreptiles]

I would come on RFUK and put an ad out for someone experienced to come with you to check the snake over for you. I always look at the spine to check it is not too exposed due to being underweight, Excess folds in the skin due to being overweight or dehydrated, Check under the chin for mites as this is one of the placees they gather in numbers and lastly the tail tip,eyes and around the body for retained shed.