Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found a het for leucistic female for $35, and I finally am able to buy off the internet. This will be my first time. I was just wondering how many have had a success with buying a leo off the internet with no trouble. How many have had disasters (such as a scam or DOA)

Jessica

(web page is updated!)

Jess's Leopard Geckos

Most people buy their geckos from breeders online or at shows... either way buy from someone you trust and make sure you get a guarantee.

It is very hot this time of year, so you need to make sure that shipper knows how to pack for hot weather shipping (insulated box, cold pack, and an early delivery service).

Good luck with your purchase.

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-Ross Payan - www.LeosAnonymous.com

Leos Anonymous

Ball Pythons, Red Striped Leos, and Screaming Fat-Tails

I've ordered 4 online and only had one problem which wasn't the shipper's fault. Airborne didn't deliver the package on time so it sat in the warehouse an extra 24 hours but the outcome was fine. Depending on where you live, it might be too hot to ship. I ordered some last July and the shipper opted to wait until September to ship because of the hot weather.

Candyf

Ive ordered 10 from 3 different people and not one problem....
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-Bryan

If you are worried about who you can trust then order from lllreptile.

Thank you everyone that replied, I feel much better about ordering onling now!

Jessica
Jess's Leopard Geckos

I bought a gecko online from L.I Reptiles and everything was fine. Easier than going to a store.

Rob Woods

I bought all my geckos from breeders online or at shows and never had any problems.

I have gotten 1.5 from 3 different breeders.

One of leos I hd ordered was DOA. But the breeder that I purchased from is VERY reputable and when the shipping conditions were better (This was near X-mas and not normal shipping conditions) he sent me another leo. Just as gorgeous as the one that I had originally ordered.

So if you do decide to order from the a breeder online, be sure that they are reputable and that they have a good shipping policy and/or guarantee.

doesn't guarantee that you will always get healthy animal, it helps, but is not always the case. Virtually all my transaction have been online. I all but never buy from a store and only bought from a show a vcouple of times.
that being said, Only two unknown people scammed me, one was a fat tail male het for albino that didn't live long after I got him (he had lots of issues) and one was a snake that was suppoed to be CB and tame and was a spit-ball of fire (couldn't keep this one because I had kids -which is why I wanted a tame one), but the biggest problem I've had is with one well know breeder. Three times I've had problems with them and will not go back at all.
The first problem was a large gecko order (approx 13 or so), they didn't check my temps and sent them via UPS (noon or later service)in an uninsulated cardboard box with no cold pack. Needless to say they were all well done by the time they arrived. I chose the best animals they had. They could not refund my money due to their huge food bill or some other reason, so I chose others (though they couldn't compare to the ones that died). I still had a remainder of funds left over, which it took them a couple of months to return (they were getting ticked at me emailing them every couple of weeks about my balance).
My second experience with them was aquiring a male jungle albino juvie from them at a show. It's tail was thin, but I figured they were a big name breeder, so everything is ok. It wasn't, I could never get him to put on weight. All my leos were treated with panacure and flagyl. shortly thereafter I had to sell all my animals because of a move I was making, I can only assume he was doing fine after the treatment - he was given away free with others they'd purchase, so I feel better about that.
When I got back into Leos, I ordered two jungle albino females from this same company. Why? Because they are big name breeders and the one male was surely a fluke.
They arrived and one was thinner than the other, but not bony, so I didn't worry. I quarantined them for a month. The vet found no parasites in a fecal wash, the one girl still hadn't gained weight (I didn't realize this at the time because I didn't have a gram scale, but she had slowly been losing weight - just not fast enough to really see), but I was not worried since the wash was clean. I introduced them to my other Leos (I had a colony set up), after a week or so, I noticed serious weight loss in my other leos (who had all been very fat, long term established and healthy.) I ended up having to put them all down, except a couple I gave away free because someone wanted to attempt to rescue them. I was devistated. I didn't have any money left for a necropsy, so I do not know exactly what this typhoid mary bought with her, but after losing my whole colony, I can never consider going back to this company, no matter how good the name. I didn't tell them what happed (I probably should have), but I didn't want to start anything. I just wanted to nurse my wounds and go on. And, I have. I've got very gorgeous nice animals now, only the best of course. Had to part with a few to fund other projects, but I am very happy with what I have now.
I will NOT mention the company's name because again I don't want to start anything. Their name is bigger than mine and I do not care to lose my reputation because of standing up to a big guy. It's not fair, but hey, it's life.
The only reason I said anything is so you know that yes, buying from a big name may help prevent some scamming, but it doesn't guarantee anything. Make sure you quarentine your animals (longer than one month - please!) and if something just doesn't feel right about your animals, do not introduce them to your other animals. It is simply not worth the risk.
You also know what they say: Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. I learned, took a few knocks, but I learned.
I do still buy from the internet and only from names that have been around awhile, but I am ever so careful now.
Best of luck to your endeavors!
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