Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello. I was wondering: are the prices on snakes usually better at shows or online?
I've only been to one show and I was looking at other snake types at the time. There's a show coming up in my area in May and I'm wondering if I should wait to purchase a snake there if they have what I'm looking for, or if I should buy one if I see a good deal online. Any advice is appreciated.

You should look for a quality snake. Generally, snakes at shows are cheaper. If you are searching online and you see a snake you like, that is it. You cannot put a price on quality, to a reasonable extent. It really depends on what you are looking for.

Okay that helps. Thanks!

I would definately buy at a show. Find a reputable breeder from your area, and see the animal before you buy. I'm a first time owner who bought from a show. My little guy is great. Healthy, eats like a champ, and I also got a great price. Definately, without a doubt, go to the show.

I'm waiting to buy my first 1 to 2 (three, four, maybe five) morphs at some of the upcoming shows. I found better deals online for the morphs I am looking for than I have seen at shows, however, I will get the chance to inspect them personally at the shows. Watch them move, see how they react to my presence, etc.
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1.0 normal ball python
0.1 greyband hybrid kingsnake
0.2 crazy cats
1.0 husband

In May? That wouldn't happen to be the Rocky Mountain Reptile Expo in Denver would it? I'm going to it May 9th.

You may want to consider looking for breeders that are local as well as online and at shows. I just got two new balls from a local breeder and I not only got great animals but I got to see his full fucility along with how he cares for the animals I was going to buy.

matt

Be as discriminating about the breeder as you would be about the snake. Knowledgeable, helpful breeders with contact information are the best. Question those who don't know much about their animals.

I was at a show last month and asked a guy about his Savu pythons, just out of curiousity. He replied, "Oh I just got these because they were a good deal... I dont know much about them." Nice.

Another guy had spotted pythons, which I have been strongly considering buying. He was the only guy at the show with any spotteds. I asked him a few basic questions and his answered reasonably, but he had an unusual tone, as though my questions were bothersome. I asked for a business card and he said he didn't have one. I asked if he had an e-mail address and he said "yeah, but uh, you'd have to write it down or something". He obviously didn't want to be available. Earlier he had also told me "F*** ball pythons man, these are way better." Classy.

Last year I got my Ball python from a breeder named Tom Furr. He gave me his card, told me to e-mail him any time. Really nice guy, very knowledgeable. Those are the people you do business with. And the snake? A beautiful, active, healthy female normal BP.

Hi,

Well, I agree with your experience too. I have been to several shows and I saw nothing I would want to buy, but I am buying high end morphs. Most of the snakes I see at shows are lower end snakes for most part. The shows I have been to were crowded too with not so many serious buyers and I felt I had to work way to hard to get to look at the snakes I would have been interested in buying. Also the egos on the breeders was ridiculous they all seem to have something to say about each other it they were not compliments. I bought 1000.00 in cash to the last show and left with it in my pocket and was only looking for a female bumble bee. Also, I have been told by some breeders that they would never sell at shows because of all the different animals you would be subjecting your own snakes too. You just don't know how others take care of there snakes. But overall if you want to just hang out and talk to the breeders it can be a fun afternoon.

Bill

Ah, no, bigbear, the one I'm going to is in Calif.
Thanks all for the info/opinions. Saikyan, I totally know what you mean about the breeders... I bought a rosy boa at a show a year and a half ago. The breeder was really nice and gave me her card and said to call any time, but didn't know a lot about the snake. Didn't even know what kind of rosys it's parents were. That was okay since it was just a pet, but yeah.

I'm excited to go to the show regardless, but I do hope to find the perfect snake while I'm there. ^_^

I've done both, and I'm happy with all my purchases.

I've been burned on-line before, so be careful. If it's too good to be true, it's probably false! (this wasn't a BP breeder).

I'm in So. Cal., Where's the show in May?
Ken
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0.1 Mojave Ball Python (Mitena)
1.0 Spider Ball Python (Sarki)
0.1 Pastel Ball Python (Panthea)
0.1 100% Het Albino Ball Python (Hazina Adamma)
1.0 Albino Ball Python (Apu)
0.5 Normal Ball Pythons (Norma, Nova, Nala, Nimeesha, Nyoka)

1.0 Desert Tortoise (Tubbs) from Tortoise Rescue
1.0 Boxer (Shadow)


www.ocballs.net
kvandoren@ocballs.net

Cow Palace, Daly City. May 16-17

I def buy at shows when ever I am interested, you can save alot even just on shipping. But when I'm there. I like to look at all the tables, then go back and take a closer look at the things I'm considering. Also, Unless its a really busy show, I usually pass on the breeders that don't at least acknowledge my presence with a hello. You would be suprised how many tables I have stopped at before that didnt have a single person looking, and the breeder/dealer never said a word to me. Good customer service is a must for me. There are plenty of dealers in the market to waste my time on someone who didn't need my money bad enough to say hi or ask if there was something they could help me find.
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This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

2.0 chocolate lab (Harley) and basset (Capone)
0.1 leopard gecko (Nacho)
1.0 Normal ball python (Arwen)
1.0 pastel ball python (Merlin)
0.1 Spider ball python (Rogue)
1.4 breeder rats

Support your local or not so local show! Find someone you can trust, reputation makes or breaks. All last year I bought at shows, had one bad semi bad experience and all that was was not getting a call back on a question about a snake. If you live anywhere near MD, check out Havre De Grace, a great monthly show with a few heavy hitters there and some great people. I drive down from Philly as much as possible. Much less of a zoo then White Plains or Hamburg.

You should wait to go to the show now that the economy is not great you will see prices drop further back because of the dealers at these shows are going to lower the boom to move them this should you save you some money and get a great snake