Reptile Information

Occasionally, you will encounter vendors who are downright dishonest. Unscrupulous people can make big profits off of reptiles sales, so take some time and try to get in touch with others who have delat with them before. Here are a few more things to watch out for.

Sales & Discounts

Everyone likes to get a good deal, and I'm no exception. However, if the price of an Iguana has suddenly been reduced by 75%, then you have to ask yourself why. Either it was way overpriced in the beginning, or the store desperately wants to get rid of it. If they don't want to keep it around, are you sure you want it? There may be an excellent reason for putting it on sale - maybe the store has decided not to sell Iguanas any more, or they may not be equipped to deal with it if it grows much bigger. On the other hand, it may be sick, and they need to get rid of it before it infects the next delivery.

As my father used to tell me: "Son, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

No Return Policy

We shouldn't ask our pet stores to make unreasonable concessions for us, but on the other hand a "no refunds, no exchanges" policy makes me suspicious. Clearly, we don't expect a one year warranty on our pet, but if we buy it on Monday, take it to the vet on Tuesday and discover it has a terrible disease that is going to kill it within weeks, the store should help you out somehow.

The store that I go to will let people return the animal, as long as it hasn't been injured for pretty much any valid reason. (for example, if you simply can't get it to eat).

Expensive, one-of-a-kind animals

There are a number of breeders who specialize in reptiles that are rare and expensive. Usually, these have been carefully bred to produce distinctive coloring. The time (often dozens of generations) and cost of this type of breeding makes these animals particularly expensive, and that is fine. However, make sure that it really is a specially bred animal. Just because the gecko has a few orange spots on it doesn't mean it a special breed. In cases like this, it's usually best to contact a breeder directly, and make sure you are really getting what you expect.

Some reptiles are expensive because they have been imported illegally. There are not many, but there are a few types that are considered endangered and may not be captured in the wild. If the store is bending the rules to offer this type of animal, who knows what other shenanigans they're up to?

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