First time beardie buyer: online vs petstore??

[jbm222]

Which have you guys had better luck with: Big pet store chains or buying on-line? I was thinking about ordering from lllreptile.com since I can get just a "normal" colored beardie for $29.99 which is about half the price as the only petstore i've seen them at. With ordering online though, i worry about shipping, plus you don't get to see them before you buy them. On the other hand, i've heard some pet stores don't know how to take care of them and often leave them w/o florescent light or proper food. Thoughts?

 

[TheWolfmanTom]

Being a breeder Im biased.
I have had success with both ways of buying, but I freely admit I dont look at purchasing a pooper the same way as the average shopper.

 

[kimmie]

I purchased Angie from Petsmart ...would I do that again, not sure. So many wrong/bad things the petstores tell you, let alone their husbandry skills are ...NOT GOOD! Would I buy online - I don't know because of those things you stated, you can't really SEE or TOUCH them. Now if you know for certain how the online place is and you're certain they wouldn't stear you wrong, or that you learned about them from here, that could be different. I'd probably go with a breeder from HERE in regards to getting a pooper online but I'd probably go with a petstore one than from someone I have NO IDEA about online ...DID that make sense?

But if I had my absolute way and had to do it over again, I'd try to find a breeder nearby or go to a reptile show so I could meet the breeder, the poopers etc.

Also and maybe this is just me, but looking for a bargain price shouldn't be the reason for going with someone either! Like I said, that's just my 2 cents worth. I believe you get what you pay for, granted you shouldn't be held at gun point either, but breeders DO have expenses!

 

[Toyguy]

Having researched both just recently, I would never buy from a big-chain pet shop. The animals are, as a general rule, cared for very poorly, kept in overcrowded conditions with poor lighting, etc. Many will be nipped, undersized, under-socialized, etc.

IMHO, go with a good, reputable breeder. There are many on here to choose from. All will send you pics of the animal you're buying. I know he'd never suggest himself, but I will I'd recommend Tom, at TnD, without reservation. Overnight shipping is no problem whatsoever. Dash showed up on schedule, in perfect shape. From Day 1 he's been a great eater, both insects and veggies, he's comfortable being held once you have him in hand. He was in great condition, nip free, at a good body weight and size. His first vet visit last Friday was perfect and his fecals just came back clean. It was a no-stress way to start with my first beardie.

The ONLY reason I would consider a pet store animal at this point would be as a rescue.

Just my 2 cents...

 

[jeritta]

I would recommend a breeder. We have 3 now and all came from pet stores. Gobi was very little and took a lot of work to get her to eat. Amigo was very large and we got him as they were unloading so he was in good shape. Bisti (passed) was extremely small at only 4" and even though he fought very hard was too small and sick. Then we went to the pet store to get puppy supplies and saw Ash. She had a very serious tail nip and missing scales on one foot also a bite on her nose. So given all these issues I would recommend a breeder unless you just really want to rescue and are willing to put in a ton of work and care for a sick or injured beardie. I love all our guys and are happy they are growing now but they are very expensive and hard work when they come from pet stores who do not know how to care for them.
just my opinion

 

[Maldesto]

If i was you i would go to faunaclassifieds.com you can find a nice beardie for real cheap, some guy is selling a nice adult worth probably 150-200 + shipping for 110 shipped.. could get babies for cheap like prob 15 dollars + shipping so prob paying 50 or so and their 60 most time at pet store.

 

[sara24354]

Here is my suggestion: Look around at pet stores(I would never buy from one because of an experience that I had but...........) These are things to look for:
1) Look for a beardie that has nice clear eyes,no drainage,bright healthy eyes,no swelling etc.....
2) Activity,is the beardies healthy looking and moving good,alert?
3) What condition is it kept in at the store? Clean cage,no feces,etc.....what substrate? Sand,reptile carpet etc.....(you need to watch for sand,although it is used by pet stores and some owners it is not recommended here because of impaction risk.
4) Does the beardie have proper lighting,knots on legs dirty looking etc.......
Having asked those questions,made suggestions.I would go with a reputable breeder myself because of a situation I ran into with a pet store.Tom at TnD dragons is one I would recommend.Don't know much about the others,not saying they are not good(forgive me ladies and gentlemen) Just I feel safe recommending Tom because I came really close to getting one from Tom,then just decided to spoil the 2 I already have for the moment.
Sara

 

[Mark1998]

I bought mine at PetsMart and it was a positive experience. One of the associates had two and another had one, both were willing to give me plenty of information with regards to their care and feeding. One day I even came in to find an associate "wearing" an adult that was found in a backyard, they were planning to keep her safe and find the owner. Obviously the downside of a pet store is that you have no idea of their history or parents, but not all stores treat them badly. If nothing else, think of it as a rescue!

 

[dragonxxxx]

Go on craigs list and check your city, and your surrounding area. There are usually many to choose from and decent prices, plus you'll be close enough to go and pick it out yourself.

 

[EShell]

I walk through three shops pretty regularly and look at all of the animals. While one of my BDs is from a local breeder and the other is adoption/rescue, I would buy a young BD from a "fresh batch" if they're not too small and there's no sand or loose substrate in the cage.

The very first key to successfully buying from a pet shop seems to lie in not asking any questions. Learn about what you're buying here, buy the right stuff mail order so you can get set up, then just go make your purchase, haul it on home and ask your questions here.

I have been told so many half-truths and outright incorrect statements by shop staff that I try not to discuss pets at all while I'm in there. Another problem is the UVB lamps they sell. The PetSmarts and the non-chain here all carry ReptiGlo, NOT ReptiSun, and will swear that the bulbs they stock are the best, while we know here that the ReptiGlo are ineffective and useless for this application. Best to know what you need, get it, and don't ask questions.

The list given above by sara24354 is great and I'd use it as a guide for picking an individual animal.

Anyway, I see many young BDs dumped into a small cage at two PetSmarts and the one non-chain fish & reptile place, and when they first arrive, they look pretty good. Alert, weight is good, eyes clear, no nips. Seems like the breeder gave them a fair start, and the only fault would be the tendency to get them sold a little too young. I believe they could be very healthy and happy if purchased that day or the next, and cared for properly.

All three stores only maintain a basking bulb over the overcrowded tank, and the leftover crickets I sometimes see running around the cages look a little large to me for such little baby lizards.

After being in the near-universal 10 gallon aquarium for a week or two, they seem to deteriorate pretty quickly, becoming dull and lethargic. The tank is too small, both for the number of denizens, and to have decent temperature gradient in case they don't feel like baking under the basking bulb.

I think the chances of success with these guys at this point is getting pretty low and best case they'll survive but are stunted. My guess is that by the time a couple weeks pass, they are becoming impacted, the lack of UVB is causing problems, they are too intimidated by the large number of cage mates to function, and/or they sorely need the hydration of a good bath. I'd also be suspicious of a parasitic problem due to the turnover of lizards in tanks that do not seem to change. I see buying one of these guys at that time more of a rescue than the act of picking a nice robust specimen/companion, and it's sometimes taking on a lot more trouble than necessary.

Adopting a real rescue is satisfying too, and kind of fun to see them pick up weight and change attitudes. Feels good too, to know you're providing a home for the needy and often helping the former owner through a tough decision at the same time. Nice to know your little buddy is going to a good home. I got a very nice normal adult male that had been passed along among several fosters. He was kind of bony and lazy when I got him and now he's plump and very active. He wasn't socialized very well, so he doesn't like to be handled and would not tolerate it, puffing up, hissing, lashing with his tail and trying to bite. I really can't blame anyone for not trying too handle him, he can be very intimidating and seems to know he could get his way with a good bluff. I take him out anyway, usually 2 or 3x daily and he has since learned to put up with me, sorta. When I come home, he runs over to the area where I pick up up, but then he remembers we're supposed to be fighting and resists being picked up, LOL. He'll come around at some point, and is an interesting challenge.

 

[LilStinkpot]

I don't want to "diss" pet stores entirely, but....

While I was busy posting this comment in the wrong thread, EShell put up some great info.

Well, here is my mis-placed comment:

All this talk about pet shop horror stories has me feeling rather lucky. Ted has all his toes and a whole tail, and is still alive, though he's going back to the vet with a URI. If I hadn't gone online and found BD.org, we would have surely lost him.

It is terrible how many animals are considered "throwaway pets". Cats and dogs have won alot of protection through the efforts of people like us. One person at a time, one pet shop at a time, we may change this sad trend.

 

[dragonxxxx]

at the bottom of the topic discussion page you can (click to) go to posts of people that are selling or even giving away beardies.

 

[SpongeDon]

The very first key to successfully buying from a pet shop seems to lie in not asking any questions. Learn about what you're buying here, buy the right stuff mail order so you can get set up, then just go make your purchase, haul it on home and ask your questions here.

This is the key right here. 'Nuff said!

 

[dEEjHaY]

My next one will be from a breeder from the boards. It's nice to know exactly where your pooper came from, the parents, and breeders on here take so much time offering help and great advice that it's nice to purchase from them so they can continue doing what they love.

/cheers breeders (Now if only you's shipped to Canada=D )

 

[spyder79]

I would always suggest buying from a breeder (and though as a breeder I am bias I will post my reasoning)

First you are able to at least know some genetic information about the animal you are purchasing
Most breeders can give you a hatch date for the animal you are purchasing
a dragon from a breeder is typically already acclimated to eating greens
A dragon from a breeder is typically larger, of age to be sold, and healthier
You always have that breeder to fall back on with any questions about the animal you have

The only drawback to buying from a breeder is the typical neccessity to ship. Though most of us know every precaution neccessary to keep the animal safe and happy during shipping, you still end up with the wild card possibility of something happening. But it is not typical and most shipments go quite smoothly.