buying from online breeders?

[wulfie]

So, I've seen that there are several online breeders, i.e. fireandice, bloodbankdragons, etc. My question is, how safe is it to buy a beardie from any of these places? I've read over the caresheet I don't know how many times and they say to look for certain things in a beardie, i.e. how alert/attentive they are, any deformities, etc, etc. These things can't really be seen first hand when purchasing online. Any input on this topic would be greatly appreciated

 

[zandi202]

I haven't purchased from an online breeder yet, but do plan to eventually purchase from Fire and Ice though I have heard good things about both. I would like to think that a breeder won't sell an unhealthy dragon to keep a good rep. One bad review could really hurt them.

 

[Goodtruant]

I'd take a read all the way through this thread, and check the feedback on the fauna classifieds (links inside) before purchasing from F&I. I think they've had a few recent bad reviews.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=193138

We recently purchased our new beardie from a breeder on faunaclassifieds, and couldn't be happier! The transaction was smooth, correspondence was great, and shipping was perfect. (Not F&I)

 

[zandi202]

That's disappointing.

 

[bunnyrut]

I picked out Tasty Treat at a Reptile Expo. Being able to see them in person is better in my opinion.

but if you don't have any expos near you are want a specific kind of dragon, i suggest googling reviews for each breeder. read the good AND the bad to get a general idea of how they handle things.

 

[zandi202]

What about Rio Reptiles? I've heard good from them.

 

[kankri]

I highly support buying from online breeders (though seeing them in person is best!).

DEFINITELY make sure you search for their name on the faunaclassifieds BOI and see if there's anything up with them first, though!

Here's a link: http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=13

 

[dragontamer13]

Are you wanting to purchase one? I have been wanting to...never purchased online before ( mine is from petco ) but California Classic Dragons looks okay...except for a few mistakes in the care sheet at least...

 

[bumblebee]

So, I've seen that there are several online breeders, i.e. fireandice, bloodbankdragons, etc. My question is, how safe is it to buy a beardie from any of these places? I've read over the caresheet I don't know how many times and they say to look for certain things in a beardie, i.e. how alert/attentive they are, any deformities, etc, etc. These things can't really be seen first hand when purchasing online. Any input on this topic would be greatly appreciated

I think the best thing to do when buying from a breeder online is to read the BOI (but take it with a grain of salt), and to speak with the breeder yourself. In addition to the BOI, you can try searching on this site to see members' experiences with different breeders and even see how some of the beardies have grown up (just type in the name of the breeder in the search bar at the top left of the screen and see what comes up). A breeder who has a great reputation and is willing to spend the time to answer any questions you may have is probably the safest way to go when you order online, but still make sure you read their health guarantee carefully, and make sure that you contact them through email so you have proof of exactly what you agree on. I would also recommend asking for pictures and not paying a deposit on a baby until you've seen pictures and know it's what you want and looks healthy. From what I understand, some of the reported issues with Fire and Ice were due to the fact that people paid a deposit (or in full) of several hundred dollars before the clutch(es) even hatched, and they did not get babies that were the quality they expected. As bunnyrut already said, really the best way would be to go to a reptile show, so you can actually meet the breeder, pick out the baby yourself, and make sure that the beardie is healthy (and then you don't have to pay shipping :wink.

What about Rio Reptiles? I've heard good from them.

Though I've never bought a beardie from them, I've only heard really great things about Rio Reptiles/Beardeddragons.co. I've spoken to them at shows, and through email, and have always been really impressed with their knowledge of beardies, and the quality and health of their babies.

California Classic Dragons looks okay...except for a few mistakes in the care sheet at least...

I think you might mean Carolina Classic Dragons? I've heard great things about them, too, and they have some gorgeous dragons.

 

[wulfie]

so, I contacted a local pet store out here in buffalo ny called Markheim's, they have 3 or 4 baby beardies and I asked them how old they'd have to be before they can tell the sex of them. Get this, they told me that they have to be almost a year old before you can sex them! Someone tell me that this isn't true!

 

[AHBD]

They can be sexed long before a year old, especially by an experienced breeder. I can usually tell before 2 months, males have 2 tiny little bumps above the vent that you can see when you arch the tail back... I can describe it in a baby as looking like 2 little toothpick tips under the skin. Not all males will show those tiny " bumps " at such an early age, once in a while it's iffy up until 3-4 months when the baby is over 10 inches average, but by then it's usually pretty easy to tell. A pet store knows a little bit about a lot of things, but not always how to sex some of their reptiles.

 

[kankri]

I don't really recommend buying from pet stores. Even the specialist kinds generally don't have the cash/effort/care to provide the best care for all their reptiles. And if you're buying beardies, they're usually stressed out so you can't even really tell what color they are.

I don't think that store sounds that knowledgeable about beardies, really. Yeah, they can be sexed a lot earlier than that. Some breeders guarantee the sex at birth (though it's a bit difficult to tell then), and you can be pretty sure of the sex at around 4 months old.

 

[wulfie]

yeah, there is going to be a reptile expo here on the 2nd of June, will definitely be going, hopefully find some good local breeders

 

[bumblebee]

yeah, there is going to be a reptile expo here on the 2nd of June, will definitely be going, hopefully find some good local breeders

That's great! The expo usually will have a website, and will usually have a list of which vendors will be there. If you can, I would try to find out which breeders are going to be there, and research them before going to the show.

 

[DTRM30]

I bought a male dragon from Carolina Classic Dragons back in April after having lots of problems with our PetSmart baby that ended up not making it - sadly.

They were very willing to answer any questions I had since I was fairly paranoid after a bad experience, and the dragon was packeged well and shipped overnight. When I first opened the box, it was alert and active. I placed him in a box with a heat source since I was at work and within minutes he was eating his tiny crickets and greens. CCD only shipped M-Thursday incase of rare delivery problems - so that if there is a problem, it won't end up going over the weekend.

He has grown from 8" in April to 12" now in 6 weeks and is active and eating like a beast - both greens and insects. Such a huge difference from the baby I got at PetSmart. I do have to say though, that via e-mail, they can be taken as being curt. But they aren't - rather just answering your question and moving on the next of a hundred e-mails without a lot of chit-chat. I found that when I called, he was pleasant to speak with. The do list a lot of dragons on Facebook as auctions and sales. So if you are interested, check out their Facebook page as there are often dragons there that are not listed on their web site. They also post updates as to any clutches/hatches etc. that are happening with pics of the babies as they hatch.

They do feed their dragons with pellets, which I don't really see a problem with as it's not the ONLY source of food. It's part of a varied diet. Variety is the key to health with any animal/pet. I have also heard great things about Rio-Reptiles, but they only had leatherbacks, whcich we did not want. I had read mixed reviews about Fire and Ice, and I also looked and several others, though not sure off had who they were now. You can search the boards here, and check fauna to see reviews and make your own decision based on what you've read.

I think having them shipped is fairly safe as long as you buy from somone with a good reputation. As an earlier poster said, and as CCD had said to me, they aren't willing to risk their hard earned good reputation by selling sick dragons.

So, long story short, I was pleased with my purchase even though I didn't get to see the little guy in person first.