Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi guys,
I hope this topic hasn't been discussed to death already. I haven't had time to read all of the past postings yet.

What is the general concensus about purchasing a snake sight unseen through the mail?
Should it be:
1) never done?
2) only if you know the dealer?
3) commonly done with good results?

To ensure you get a gentle, healthy Retic, should you ALWAYS go and pick it out personally?

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Les

Hi Les-

If the breeder supplies you with photos, you like what you see and you are comfortable with the breeder (references might make you more comfortable), then do it. Make sure they email the tracking # to you so you can track the progress and ask for it to be shipped guaranteed by 10:30am. Most services provide this. Less time for the animal to spend in a box.

The majority of my snakes have been shipped to me through overnight shipping companies. I've also picked them out directly while at Bob Clark's, Mike Wilbanks, Tracy Barker's. But after picking them out, they are still shipped to me via either overnight (fedex, ups) or by air (Delta Dash).

When you say the "mail", are you referring to the USPS (post office)? Do not have a snake shipped via the post office! They are completely unreliable and their tracking sucks.

Regarding your post below...Daytona is the annual "world's greatest" herp show. The biggest breeders will be there and will bring their best stuff. It's a place and time for them to show off. So, it would be well worth the trip and the cost of a hotel room.

Good luck!

It's important that you know that shipping snakes through the USPS is HIGHLY ILLEGAL!!

Even Fedex's official stance is that they would "just as soon not have that kind of business". This came from a follow up to a newspaper article some time ago where a small boa crawled out of a Fedex package in Florida (link below). Having said that everyone does it but don't walk in and say you'd like to pick up your snake shipment at the local Fedex office, they won't be impressed and may ask you not to return (or worse yet, call the police).

http://www.local6.com/news/3905543/detail.html

I just want to make sure that you have all the facts.

Ps- the way I found out that snakes were prohibited in the mail was I sent a guy a snake and when he replied FREAKING OUT I noticed that he had a .gov emil address. That could have gone very badly for me!

Discretion is the word of the day. ;O)
-----
"Nothing happens in contradiction to nature, only to what we know of it."

Hey Les,
Exactly what was said above! As a Breeder, i've had 100% success w/ UPS Overnight Air. It's a little more but they GET There! Again, Take care, Hope you find what you're looking for.
Craig

Brett,
Thank you for the info!
Les

As mentioned, ask for pictures of the animal. I would think any breeder would be happy to supply pics if you are serious. Think about shipping the snake via Delta Dash. I have never had a problem using them, and you get the animal the same day. Best of luck on your purchase.

Jim

Jim,
Thank you for the tips!!
Appreciate it,
Les