Better buy?

[leopardboy193]

Hi, I am located near a ***** and they have leopard geckos that are hatchlings. I've been looking for a shtct for a while and the hatchlings at ***** are that and they are $27. Online they are like $50. Wouldn't ***** be a better buy? If I buy one I'll post pics. i just wanted your opinion on the subject. Thanks!

 

[Next Level Geckos]

They probably aren't as healthy, but it depends on the chainstore. Although I would not buy one from a chain petstore, the one near me uses reptile carpet.

 

[Mel&Keith]

A good buy is a healthy gecko that you like for a price you're willing to pay. Some pet stores take great care of their geckos others don't. It's the same with online sellers. You just have to understand that you'll never know the gecko's history or genetics when you buy from a pet store.

 

[Andrew]

I've seen SHTC, patties, albinos, blizzards, and jungles from ***** that were better/as good as the ones I've seen for 100+ online. The store near me takes excellent care of their animals and I have purchased from them quite a few times, all of which did/have done very well.

 

[leopardboy193]

ya, The ones at ***** are pretty healthy. They are good size and everything. Just way cheaper.

 

[sunshinegeckofarm]

if they look good and have good colors and look healthy and are well taken care of I would go for it. I have bought some *****s and ********s and they have been fine.

 

[ang3l3s]

Don't *********** get there stuff from wholesalers who buy from big breeders who make gazillions of b grade animals to try and get that 1 project gecko ??? So maybe it is a shtct but i bet the breeder kept the better ones for his site.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Sometimes you get what you pay for. Would you rather support a large chain-store that really sees their animals as inventory items, or support a breeder that truly cares about their breeders, eggs, and babies... and can tell you everything you need to know about the care of the animals?

 

[sunshinegeckofarm]

I much rather buy from a breeder but if you see a great animal for a good price at a store then go for it. I have some real nice tangs from there and they are growing up nicely. If you feel you really want it you know one of those feelings you cant walk out of the store without it then go for it the price is good and if the gecko is healthy then go for it. if its sickly dont. there are some of them here that really love their animals and some that dont care and those that care the reptile people have their own geckos that they breed. Most of mine are from breeders on here or locally but i have 6 from ***** and one from petsmert.

 

[goReptiles]

Sometimes the reptiles look healthy, but after a few weeks or a few months, you'll start to notice the issues.

I'd rather support a breeder who took the time to care for their reptiles and keep genetics and health in mind when breeding, versus a chain store who purchases whatever a wholesaler has available at teeny tiny sizes to adults.

I've purchased from chains before, thinking that the reptile looked perfectly fine, but after some time noticed many issues with them. They definitely ended up pet quality and no more.

 

[sk8ergrl927]

I would buy from a breeder. Afew extra bucks can give you a very healthy gecko along with a few etra years on a geckos life. The first gecko i ever got was from a chainstore. She was the healthiest there and the liveliest. She only lasted a year. Go for a breeder. You wont be dissapointed.

 

[dean]

I have a very small breeding program going(50-70geckos/yr) I sell 95% of my stock to pet stores. They give great care to them, or I wouldn't have approached them(have seen some that are pathetic). Some areas, like mine just don't have the demographics to support selling privately, and winters down to -35c don't allow the option of shipping. I have also bought from stores in the past for the same reasons, and animals are in excellent condition at present. Most pet store buys are people interested in a pet, and "pretty" can be a normal, though my albinos sell best. Majority of these buyers have no intention on breeding, it is a pet, not a particular morph. I think finding good stores to deal with is a good outlet for lower end morphs, as long as their health is kept highend!
Dean

 

[ajveachster]

Buying from a pet store is up to you. One thing you typically don't know when buying from a pet store is the genetics behind your animal. If you are looking into using it for breedinga specific trait, then you will probably want to go with a breeder who will have the specifics. If you are a only looking for a pet, and the pet store price is what you can afford, then go with that decision. Just remember that there is a lot of other expense that goes into keeping the animal. I have a couple pet store buys that were some of my first. They are doing great. I have seen other animals that looked pathetic, and made me want to scream at the pet store management. If you are looking for a pet only, you may even find a breeder who has one up for adoption. Sometimes they have a slight deformity, or are sterile. They are still perfectly sweet little creatures that would make great pets.