Did you have a good experience with mail order?

[Euphillia]

Just went out today and started collecting the things we need for our set up. My goal is to have my gecko early October. I live in a small town. Not a lot of reptile trade going on here. We have one big box store and their geckos looked like they were all about to die when I peered in today. So I know I won't be going with that option.

We are having an expo here on the 5th of September, I know I won't be ready by then. I am hoping I can find someone who is somewhat local that I can deal with when I am ready. If not I was thinking about going the order on line route.

What has your experience been with this? Would you consider it a good idea?

I've never ordered a live animal off line before!

 

[T-ReXx]

I have been both sending and receiving reptiles via UPS and FedEx for years. I have had 99% positive experiences. The other 1% involved an animal being lost a few years ago by FedEx, but the seller made it right anyways. As long as reptiles are packed correctly and shipped when temps are ok, they ship very very well.

 

[Brewboy74]

I got my first leo in the mail in july. Perfect transaction and healthy gecko, eats like a horse.

 

[Khrysty]

I've gotten around twenty animals via UPS. All experiences have been good. Animals arrived healthy and alert, and on time. As long as the breeder packs them properly and doesn't ship when it's too hot or cold, you should be fine.

 

[Euphillia]

Thanks guys. I would imagine that as long as I go with a place that has a live arrival guarantee I should be good. This at least opens more color options for me than the pet store!

 

[Tony C]

Shipping animals is a very common practice in the hobby, buy from a reputable breeder and you will be fine.

 

[Mel&Keith]

We've shipped and received hundreds of geckos over the years. The only death we experienced was when the buyer wasn't home to sign for their gecko one Summer. Just do your research on the breeder to make sure you're in good hands. The iTrader system here is a helpful tool because you can see what feedback people have been left for their transactions. You can also check the BOI on Fauna.

Anyone can make a website and look like a reputable breeder these days to it really pays to look into reputation and ask a lot of questions. Find out what shipping service they use (USPS in NEVER ok for Leos), how they pack them, and what your guaranteed delivery time will be. Also make sure the seller knows the hatch date, who the parents were, and can explain the genetics behind the gecko.

Obviously you're already doing your research to properly set up your new gecko so as long as you put in the same work deciding who to buy from you should have a great experience. You can ask all of the same questions to the breeders you meet at the expo.

 

[Euphillia]

The one place I am looking uses something called "Ship your reptiles" Looked at the website there and it looks like that is a good way too. This just makes me want to set it all up faster!