Pet Shops

[USMCgunner11]

Originally Posted by exwizard

Im sorry you feel that way. So far every snake Ive ever gotten from one of those has been healthy and good quality. Also every table Ive ever come across has disinfectant hand lotion that is always used before any snake is handled. Frankly Id rather buy from there than pet stores. At least the breeders know what they are talking about. Again, that is just my opinion and Im not here to change anyones mind. Im just relaying my experience with them.

I agree with you there. One of the biggest problems with buying in MOST pet stores is that the employees don't care. It's a "9-5" job for them. A paycheck nothing more. At LEAST with breeders, it's their livelyhood so the animals tend to be cared for in their care moreso than with the other.

[Fredricks]

If there was a shop in my town I'd definitely try to get a shift a week (I already work 40+ a week).
I find the herp hobby to be filled with unsavory characters at times, especially the shows. I love the shows, most booths are great. I bring sanitizer with us.

[exwizard]

Snaitizer!! Thats the word I was looking for. Every table Ive ever seen has one.

[Terranaut]

Yup you need it at shows. This sunday after the show its cloths off and clean up right when we get home.

[CDN_Blood]

I feel a Rant building

[Trollbie]

I'm from Europe, so "good customer service" according to american standards actually annoys the hell out of me. If they're animals are healthy and well taken care of, and they know what they're doing, I'd do business there.

The shop I go to is kind of like that. They don't seem to be very friendly at first, but once I became a regular, they treat me very well.

I'm sure they have a bunch of annoying people who just wanna look and touch in and out of the store all the time. I know I'd get annoyed too. As long as they don't blow you off when you ask questions, I wouldn't have a problem.

[Trollbie]

I look through craigslist and adoption sites all the time. But they always ask for a huge rehoming fee I get why, but I wish there was a different way to do it.

[hellosugaree]

Originally Posted by Trollbie

I'm from Europe, so "good customer service" according to american standards actually annoys the hell out of me. If they're animals are healthy and well taken care of, and they know what they're doing, I'd do business there.

The shop I go to is kind of like that. They don't seem to be very friendly at first, but once I became a regular, they treat me very well.

I'm sure they have a bunch of annoying people who just wanna look and touch in and out of the store all the time. I know I'd get annoyed too. As long as they don't blow you off when you ask questions, I wouldn't have a problem.

Seems reasonable. It's still nice for an employee to say hi when you come in. Good customer service isn't just about being nice to people after they become repeat customers--it's about being nice to people so they become repeat customers. Obviously some people will come in a store to "shop" and never buy anything. That's part of the deal with retail, and not an excuse to ignore every customer until they buy stuff.

[Trollbie]

Originally Posted by hellosugaree

Seems reasonable. It's still nice for an employee to say hi when you come in. Good customer service isn't just about being nice to people after they become repeat customers--it's about being nice to people so they become repeat customers. Obviously some people will come in a store to "shop" and never buy anything. That's part of the deal with retail, and not an excuse to ignore every customer until they buy stuff.

I know. But I would still shop there even if they didn't become nice. They're the best store around for reptile stuff. If they're doing things right, I'd be stupid to go somewhere worse, or spend gas and an hour of driving to go to the next nearest good place. It's not about me. It's about my snakes, so how they treat me is irrelevant to me. It's a matter of personal opinion I think.

I also don't like the whole courtesy "How are you doing" because they probably actually don't care and it seems fake to me. And if I don't wanna say I'm great if I'm not, but it'd be awkward to be like "ugh everything sucks"

it's probably just a cultural thing in my case. But to each their own I guess. I do think it's a little less relevant with pet shops. Petsmart always has great customer service in my experience, but they don't take good care of their animals properly. Not to mention their lack of knowledge...

[hellosugaree]

Originally Posted by Trollbie

I look through craigslist and adoption sites all the time. But they always ask for a huge rehoming fee I get why, but I wish there was a different way to do it.

Most of the time they are pretty reasonable and it includes equipment. There are so many snakes out there, especially the ones they sell at major chain pet stores (e.g. normal ball pythons). I volunteered for a bird rescue / rehoming organization and you would not believe how many really great pet birds are in need of homes. We adopted 2 African Greys through the rescue and helped rehome a ton of birds. Unless you're going for some super rare designer show animal then there is not reason to go through a breeder. Why people buy normal ball pythons from breeders is beyond me. It should be a crime. Search python or snake on craigslist and you will probably get 20-30 ads for "My kid lost interest in his snake, $20 OBO rehoming fee. Need it gone ASAP." Dogs, cats, birds, snakes. Except for rare snakes or fancy morphs, I really see no reason to support people flooding the world with more "pets" that are going to end up on craigslist or dumped on the side of the road to die.

It's quite a rewarding experience to adopt a pet. Our Greys are both total chatterboxes and we get to hear someone else's whole life story from them. One of them was given up by an old lady with failing kidneys. She had him for 10 years. Her husband must have had emphysema or something because the bird does this perfect juicy hacking cough sound. When you turn the lights out at night he says: "You ready to go to bed sweetpea? I love you. [puckering sounds]" in this old lady voice. I talked to the lady on the phone and she sounds exactly like the bird, or vice versa. Occasionally, he has bitten one of us, and exclaims "**** Toby! You stop it! Bad bird!" When you sweep around the cage he will occasional say "You make a mess Tob?" The lady clearly loved this bird and it was really rewarding to be able to get a great pet and help someone assure a good home for their beloved pet.

Snakes might not come with such a cute story, but the idea still applies. There are always pets in need of a home.

[Trollbie]

Originally Posted by hellosugaree

Most of the time they are pretty reasonable and it includes equipment. There are so many snakes out there, especially the ones they sell at major chain pet stores (e.g. normal ball pythons). I volunteered for a bird rescue / rehoming organization and you would not believe how many really great pet birds are in need of homes. We adopted 2 African Greys through the rescue and helped rehome a ton of birds. Unless you're going for some super rare designer show animal then there is not reason to go through a breeder. Why people buy normal ball pythons from breeders is beyond me. It should be a crime. Search python or snake on craigslist and you will probably get 20-30 ads for "My kid lost interest in his snake, $20 OBO rehoming fee. Need it gone ASAP." Dogs, cats, birds, snakes. Except for rare snakes or fancy morphs, I really see no reason to support people flooding the world with more "pets" that are going to end up on craigslist or dumped on the side of the road to die.

It's quite a rewarding experience to adopt a pet. Our Greys are both total chatterboxes and we get to hear someone else's whole life story from them. One of them was given up by an old lady with failing kidneys. She had him for 10 years. Her husband must have had emphysema or something because the bird does this perfect juicy hacking cough sound. When you turn the lights out at night he says: "You ready to go to bed sweetpea? I love you. :uckering sounds::" in this old lady voice. I talked to the lady on the phone and she sounds exactly like the bird, or vice versa. Occasionally, he has bitten one of us, and exclaims "**** Toby! You stop it! Bad bird!" When you sweep around the cage he will occasional say "You make a mess Tob?" The lady clearly loved this bird and it was really rewarding to be able to get a great pet and help someone assure a good home for their beloved pet.

Snakes might not come with such a cute story, but the idea still applies. There are always pets in need of a home.

I'm not looking to get another pet, but I'd rescue one if I came across one. That's why the fees are too high for me. In this area people are asking for at least a $100, sometimes including a horrible set up. But if I actually wanted a ball python or a red tail boa for example, I'd for sure rescue one.

[exwizard]

Originally Posted by hellosugaree

Except for rare snakes or fancy morphs, I really see no reason to support people flooding the world with more "pets" that are going to end up on craigslist or dumped on the side of the road to die.

All the more reason not to sell any of my snakes. The passing around gets out of hand.

Im not against pet shops that have people who know what they are doing and take care of their animals. I guess Im more focused on things I can control like making sure my own snakes are fed and cared for. I dont get worked up over things I cant control like the "flooded snake market".

[Ridge Runner_20]

Originally Posted by USMCgunner11

Breeder. Not only is it a trust and quality issue for me, but it's also a plus for me to be able to view the parents and their qualities prior to purchase.

+1!!!! Great response! I went to a breeder and got my Hog Island girl for WAY under market value, AND got to see both parents as well. Granted, I was very lucky in that he lived only 2 hours away, but I believe there's just no substitute for being able to connect with the person that actually bred the animal. However you can, I'd try and make it a point to buy directly from the source.

RR_20 (Mike)

[MoreliAddict]

I recommend going to an expo

[KORBIN5895]

I really find it annoying the way people throw the word rescue around