Reptile & Amphibian Forums

is this a recipe for a let down? there is a show coming next month to new orleans, I have gone before and its not that big of a show, but basically I want to know should I work on finding a reputable breeder online(which limits me to pictures) and dealing with shipping etc, or is it preferrable to get a het pair from a show where I can see individuals(hets so, its a trust issue) before purchase? sorry for a long run on question, that's just how my brain works. any advice would be appreciated greatly, thanks for reading,
keel

Either way, it's a trust issue. Just because you see a seller face to face does not mean you will get what you pay for. Try to research and see who's going. Then research them. If you can pick up a het pair at the show rather than shipping, you save on shipping costs as well as the stress of shipping. But still, research, research, research. Time is too costly to take lightly.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I just faced the same situation when I went to the Omaha show last weekend. I came home with a pair of Het VPI axanthics and a pair of Het Albinos. It made me a lot more comfortable to see Axanthic clutch mates and Albino clutch mates sitting right next to each pair that I bought.

A lot of breeders will have photo albums alongside their table as well. If possible, ask to see the parents if you can. And make sure to get the breeders contact information for future reference.

We dont get many big time breeders at the little show in Omaha, but I made sure to get my hets from the most professional and organized breeder I could find. Even if it did cost me a few extra bucks.
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1.1 Het VPI Axanthic Ball
1.1 Het Albino Ball
0.0.2 Red Tail Boas
1.0 Albino Nelsoni Milksnake
1.1 Room mates

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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

thanks guys! for all your input, and quick responses! I'm hoping for a het pied pair, and maybe a het albino pair, I will post pics of resulting purchases. great advice though.

Shipping usually takes 15-18 hours, and they're tucked away in a nice tight dark box. I know when I do shows the animals usually get packed up sometime Thursday, if you're traveling far that could mean Wednesday or earlier. Then they're put on display in a bright room with no where to hide. People constantly walking by, taking pics, etc. I see stress mentioned a lot when it comes to shipping animals, but the ones at shows are put through a lot more.

Eric

Now that you mention it, I think you're right. I'm so used to buying and selling via the internet, it really didn't cross my mind.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

mail it......set in a room...thrown on a truck, thrown on a conveyer......another plane or truck...repeat again a few times and throw it in a cargo hold of a jet at 30000 ???feet in the air with what temps??....repeat conveyers and trucks...

...some people I know...cough....pack for a show the night before.....keep them warm and dark...drive one hour on good roads and carry them into show by hand rather than the bumpy carts even....set at show like 7 hours....take home again and put back into cage....one day out of cage....

some will stop eating after a show...and some will actually start eating that didn't eat before...I actually pack my non-feeders and take them along for the ride usually....it works sometimes...

so......not all dealers travel that far.....some do YES....

(and as for hets and trust...buy from people you see all the time...)another post...
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