Questions to Ask Vendors at an Expo

[SudeepHArya]

Just wondering what kind of questions should I ask vendors at the reptile show (Westchester NY this Sunday) when I am looking to buy 1 Leo. I really appreciate your help as I wan't someone who is reputable and knowledgeable and will provide support in the future if any issues arise.

:drummer: THANKS! :drummer:

 

[Pokersnake]

If you want a person who will help you with advice over time, I would suggest going with a breeder. *Usually* a breeder will at least be able to give you an email address or phone number where you can contact them. A breeder will know each individual animal, where a vendor may just know their morph.

Ask about when the animal was born, what it eats now, how much and what kind of calcium and supplements does the breeder use. Look for a breeder with an actual banner or sign if you want someone reputable. If you want to see how much they know about leos, ask them questions you already know, like "do they need UV light." And most of all, if you want a person who will give you advice in the future, make sure the breeder's personality isn't abrasive to you. There's nothing like being caught in a rough spot and having to talk to someone you don't like about your pet.

 

[cheeseball705]

also ask them about their gurrentee of the animal. if you can call that breeder up 5 yrs down the road to ask a question and they dont mind doing it thats a good breeder. wholesalers wont do that. but a good breeder will have a life time gurentee with theirs to, or least do their best to help you out in anyway possible

 

[M_surinamensis]

a good breeder will have a life time gurentee with theirs

No. They won't.

A guarantee is a binding agreement of expectations, it is protection for both the involved parties. It should clearly outline exactly how long the vendor is willing to accept what continued responsibilities for the condition of the animal that is being sold. The longer the new owner controls the animal, the more of a responsibility they assume for its continued health and well being. At some point, a vendor really cannot be held responsible for problems that have developed after the point of sale; they're no longer directly involved with the husbandry and upkeep the animal is subjected to, so things are simply not their fault.

A lifetime guarantee would be ridiculous.

The duration of a vendor's guarantee will vary based on a number of factors. In one sense, it is an indication of how confident they feel about the quality and health of their animals. That can be mitigated by the general ease of keeping different species and the method of sale. Not every animal sold in every way warrants the same kind of guarantee period, it comes down to risk management. Chameleons and amphibians are notorious examples of animals that will usually have shorter or absent guarantees.

A lot of vendors at shows, even high quality, dependable vendors, have a reduced or removed guarantee period. Not all of course, many others are willing to offer their usual guarantee duration and terms. The ones who choose to lower or remove their guarantee are selling animals with the expectation that a customer can decide for themselves how healthy and what quality the animals in question are, but the vendor is unwilling to assume the risk and responsibility for the animal's continued health once they are no longer controlling the conditions it is subjected to. Shows are also, by themselves, riskier environments and some vendors are unwilling to accept culpability should the new owner do something unhealthy to or with their new animal in a crowded public place.

So definitely ask. If possible, get it in writing as well, but definitely ask.

Discussing the broader ideas of how to know who to buy from, there are a lot of factors, but I'm not really sure I can explain some of them adequately as they tie back in to personal knowledge and experience. Things such as "do all the animals the vendor has displayed (including the ones you are not buying) look healthy?" are so subjective and dependent on the ability of an individual to judge as to be nearly useless to list.