Petstore concerns

[voidpresence]

As a few of you may know, I plan on getting a dragon in several weeks. I may end up having to get it at one of the major pet stores (Petsmart or Petco) which I have concerns about for known reasons--because there aren't any really local breeders, and I have major doubts about ordering one online (apart from the fact that I couldn't be home to receive it).

However, from reading some of the threads here I've noticed that not all pet-store experiences are bad and so I have hope.

I don't necessarily want a baby dragon, but a few months old perhaps, maybe a bit younger.
I more-or-less know what to look for in a healthy dragon, but maybe a few of you who have successfully gotten a healthy pet from one of these stores has any advice...pass it on please?

 

[voidpresence]

on 2nd thought, the chain pet-store horror stories scare me, i might end up getting one online anyway... any suggestions? i'm familiar with TnDDragons.com and they're probably my best bet as they're the closest online store to me.

 

[Claudiusx]

Most online breeders are pretty good choices. They don't necessarily need to be near your location though. Tom has some great dragons, very healthy and he takes great care of them. You won't get a healthier one anywhere else. I say go with him.

-Brandon

 

[midmichicer]

I've got a dragon from Tom, very pleased. I say go with him too. He just had some hatch out too!

 

[munchkins9802]

You would do great by TOM from TND Dragons. We got our 2nd lizard from him and much healthier than our pet store dragon. (more active, more colorful, walks like a dragon should LOL!) And I live about 45 mins from TOm so we actually went to his house to pick out our dragon.

 

[voidpresence]

any thoughts on Daichiu? they seem to have a larger selection that TnDdragons

 

[overseer]

any thoughts on Daichiu? they seem to have a larger selection that TnDdragons

Dude forget online. Find out where the closest reptile expo is. It is a great place to learn about animals and they have good prices on bearded dragons too. I went to one just to learn more about reptiles, and came out with a bearded dragon, cage, liner, and most of his lights and decorations for only 150 dollars! :mrgreen:

 

[ash0587]

any thoughts on Daichiu? they seem to have a larger selection that TnDdragons

Dude forget online. Find out where the closest reptile expo is. It is a great place to learn about animals and they have good prices on bearded dragons too. I went to one just to learn more about reptiles, and came out with a bearded dragon, cage, liner, and most of his lights and decorations for only 150 dollars! :mrgreen:

good prices at an expo doesn't mean a better dragon.
not saying that an expo is bad, they can be great if you have reputable breeders there, like the ones in philly with TnD, otherwise you may be getting a dragon that is in just as bad shape as one you could get at a pet store. I learned this the hard way getting a little girl with parasites and a broken leg, because I didn't pay close enough attention to the fact that the people selling dragons at the expo in Cleveland were more interested in profits than their dragons health.
Again not saying that an expo is bad, but if the OP is in an area where there isn't a major expo that cares about the breeders they let sell at the expo they would be better off buying from one of the breeders that hangs on the boards here.

 

[LaPrice]

repticon usually has at least 1 bearded dragon breeder thats good. i like tom, i recommend him as well as carolina designer dragons based in charlotte nc. they both have wonderful babies and take god care of them

 

[DaddyGeek]

There are a lot of breeders out there with good dragons online. TnD Dragons is good because Tom is a member here, is on quite frequently and is always willing to help with questions. I have never heard a bad thing about him. I got my girl Peach from Bloodbank Dragons and Barry over there was fantastic. She was healthy and eating great right out of the box AND he worked with me on price. I plan on getting a dragon from Carolina Classic Dragons in the future. They have some outstanding looking little beardies. Look them up on facebook and like their page. Check out the For Sale section here. There are other sites as well with a lot of listings that I can give you if you want to PM me. I don't want to advertise another site on here. As far as an Expo goes I have been to a few and the ones I went to had cheap dragons but they were nowhere near as healthy looking as a dragon should be. That's not to say that every Expo is bad but I haven't really seen anything to impress me at the ones I went to.

 

[sheri85]

i'd figure i'd share Archer's story, since i bought him from Petco in April:

while i got really bad advice regarding feeding and housing (large crickets and sand were recommended for my six week baby), Archer pretty much chose me. i went straight to the reptile area and looked at the baby beardies. Archer was front and center glass dancing for my attention. the others were all bigger than he was, so it was almost like he wanted to come home with me. i didn't know for sure if he was a he until his third day with me, but i fell in love instantly. once i got his food and housing right complete with tiles and properly sized prey (seriously, don't trust any store's so-called "reptile expert") Archer was fine. now at 5 months he's 15.5 inches long and weighs 8 ounces. he's very healthy and happy and just the sweetest animal i've ever had. he's even better than my cat because he cuddles with me more than she does lol (but it's not a contest *cough*).

anyway, it was sort of by accident that i got Archer from a petstore since i didn't know much about getting beardies from breeders, and i mainly went to the petstore with the intention of just getting the tank and all the accessories, and i saw Archer and fell in love.

good luck on finding your new baby!