The "Simple" Questions

[frankykeno]

This came from a comment in another thread about answering "simple" questions. Just my thoughts and certainly not meant to be directed specifically at any member new or old here so please don't take offense but instead see this thread for what it is.

Simple questions, those posted over and over by newcomers to owning herps....are they that "simple". For those of you that breed large numbers of snakes, they must feel that way. You know this stuff like you know your own social security number and you've likely answered these questions about a million times. I've only been in this hobby a couple of years and I know I have and sometimes I don't want to quote temps or humidity yet again or answer yet another "it won't eat or shed right" thread.

But these are not "simple" questions really. This is information that will help a newcomer and could save a snake's life folks. We all know that most feeding issues are based in husbandry problems. That improper housing/husbandry can lead to a snake that is likely to end up with an RI, belly rot, etc. Certainly not simple stuff, it's actually quite vital.

Sure new owners should all do their homework, have their enclosures running perfect and buy from reputable breeders but we know this is often not the case. We are coming into the time of year when petstores have a lot of baby BP's and we see a lot of new owners that have gotten little to no information about how to care for their petstore purchases (or even worse, horribly incorrect information).

I was once a new owner, heck I'm a nervous wreck being a newbie breeder this year. I can feel for these folks and I can remember coming to BPNet and feeling dumb as dirt. I started thread after thread and thread after thread I got the right answers, I got patience from the members and I got encouragement. I'm sure a lot of my questions made experienced folks roll their eyes but they dug in and they answered my every question or concern. They helped me and Mike learn to care properly for our snakes and to feel proud of ourselves and confident enough to be able to pass that help along to others down the road.

I remember feeling actually shocked that Kara from NERD, Adam Wysocki and Joe Compel would even bother with a question from little ole nobody me but they did and they seemed quite happy to be of help. They showed me what a caring snake breeder is all about. They set a bar high that I strive to someday meet in my own small way.

So please, next time the question seems too "simple" remember the day you got your first snake, maybe it was even before the internet, remember how scary and confusing it could be, or how you worried that asking a question on a forum might get you laughed at or looked down on. Remember that if you, the experienced person, don't step up and help, then someone with far less experience will and the results could be less than good.

Remember that when you lead by example you are building someone up to be a good leader themselves one day.

[rabernet]

Standing ovation - awesome post Joanna!


It's my hope that some of the breeders here would lead by Adam's example and actually help out with the "simple" questions. Some wonder why Adam has so much respect here - it's because he's dug his heels in and rolled up his sleeves to help new owners, he wasn't just posting pictures, or just answering morph or breeding questions, but answering the more important questions - how to get your snake set up properly and eating reliably.

Anytime a new breeder joins here, I'm always hopeful that they'll jump in there and help with husbandry and general questions, not just in PM's that helps only one person. I really can't get my arms around why they wouldn't be more willing to contribute on these type of questions. Unless there's some other agenda?

[frankykeno]

I don't get it either Robin but I'm hoping that this thread might encourage more of those with experience to step up to the plate. In the end it won't do anyone any good if you spend your cash on a high dollar morph but you don't understand the basics of snake keeping in the first place. Teaching proper care, sharing one's own passion for the snakes, well I think that only encourages new owners and in the end is good for business (if one wants to look at it from a purely business point of view).

Personally I think that's the smartest marketing tool around but what do I know, I'm not a breeder.......yet.

[JLC]

Jo....simply one of the best posts I've read in a LONG time. You're awesome, girl!!

Around here...it shouldn't be about who's big and who's little....but just about who's willing to help and who isn't. And if someone isn't....that's ok. Just realize that it gets noticed...and it means something.

[Kennyxemerson]

Kinda funny you posted this, I was actually asking "simple" questions only like 3 days ago? and now with the help of everyone on this site I set up my cage and my cousin who is experienced with BP's was asking me for help re-configuring his cage to work as well as mine does haha I found that pretty funny. and before getting my BP I was nervous as hell and now i'm pretty confident and not so afraid or worried about messing up. I've even learned A LOT about BP genetics which I find extremely interesting. So thanks guys. I'll be sure to help out where I can :]

[frankykeno]

It certainly does get noticed and I often wonder Judy if some of the breeders just don't recognize the value of this sort of thing. Here's my own experience as an example....

Back when Mike and I were contemplating our first morph we looked around....here, other ad driven sites, etc. We searched a LOT of websites and sure we got all impressed with pictures and nice flashy logo's, who doesn't. In the end though we went with Adam Wysocki and his participation in BPNet is in large part why he got our hard earned money. Not purely because he produces great snakes or ships them so perfectly (though that of course matters) but because he's here, day in and day out. Answering the most basic of questions, answering the much harder breeding/morph questions, joking around, sharing his passion. Adam helped us with snakes he didn't even sell us, had zip financial gain for doing so but he did. This gave us a level of confidence in purchasing that just cannot be bought with the standard type of online marketing tool.

Now fast forward to our own dreams of one day selling snakes we produced. Will my participation in BPNet help that endeavor....sure it will and I'd be six kinds of fool to not recognize this. Do I help out only working toward that end....nope. I help when I can because I like to help, I love seeing new owners succeed and snakes thrive. It's a great way of paying back this wonderful site for all it did and still does for me and Mike. Do I recognize that when someday someone is thinking about choosing our snakes for their purchase that this site will influence that decision....sure I do and I darn well appreciate that.

I think the best breeders, small or large, know that passion and good business sense work hand in hand. You can have all the passion in the world but if you have no head for business, you will fail. If you are here only to make some bucks off some snakes, we'll know and we won't buy and you'll fail.

Show me your passion for snakes....I'll show you my cash.

[frankykeno]

Kinda funny you posted this, I was actually asking "simple" questions only like 3 days ago? and now with the help of everyone on this site I set up my cage and my cousin who is experienced with BP's was asking me for help re-configuring his cage to work as well as mine does haha I found that pretty funny. and before getting my BP I was nervous as hell and now i'm pretty confident and not so afraid or worried about messing up. I've even learned A LOT about BP genetics which I find extremely interesting. So thanks guys. I'll be sure to help out where I can :]

Bingo! All the talk of breeding and marketing....that's what it's still all about around here!

[jglass38]

Fantastic post Jo! Its what a lot of the so called breeders will never get, and why they are destined for failure. Anyone can breed an animal, but that is just a small piece of the puzzle. Customer service is a key to all business but in my opinion, nowhere is it more important than in the animal trade. Customer service is more than just being there after the sale, its about showing people your passion and caring before you have collected a penny.

[Freakie_frog]

Great post Joe.

[Brock Wagner]

I knew after last night you guys would attack away so that is fine. Here is the deal I don't have the time that a lot of others on here do. I have a job that is very demanding and I work 12hour night shifts so I don't get much sleep also I have a family so that takes time also. If I had the time to answer everyone's questions I would but then again if I respond someone would call me a know it all so it can be a double edged sword. I help out everyone who has ever bought from me and I have helped a few people on here already. All you have to do is pick the phone I am real easy to talk to. Now I am sorry if I offended you by calling them the simple questions. Also I know that when I got into this in 03 there was a ton of information on the internet. Ralph's website for one helped me out a lot. You can research so much on this website by just doing a search.

Anyways attack away that is cool! I will help out whoever I can and they contact me anytime you will find I always get back to you.

Brock Wagner