Backwater ReptilesReviews of backwaterreptiles.com

Ordered a tokay gecko. Heat pack was cold and gecko was long dead. It already smelled bad. Very disappointed. They don't refund shipping which is the bulk of the cost. I am afraid to have another one shipped (for reduced shipping). This one was in bad shape already. Very thin and dehydrated looking. UPDATE: They said warranty was voided because I didn't ship to a hub for pickup. No refund at all. They offered another at a deep discount. I refused. We ordered from another company and received the gecko today (also shipped to our home and it is colder now then when we received the dead one). This one is alive and healthy....again from a different company. I do not recommend backwater. Their guarantee is a joke.

I ordered a Tarantula for an out of town child who received a 1/4" spider that was barely moving and couldn't be found in the terrarium the next day. Here's my conversation with Backwater - Them -Well yes, being that the order was for a Tarantula 1/4" inch in size, they are very small. We include a slip within the box as well before they get to the container that states "Small and Fast Spiderling. Open with caution". This is marked and reviewed by multiple associates for confirmation the Tarantulas are packaged and shipped properly as well 🙂 Unfortunately, we do not cover lost or stolen animals. Me -That would have been a very excellent description to add to your online verbiage "We have some beautiful Mexican Redknee tarantulas for sale at the internet's best prices. These premier arachnids are known for having a docile temperament, attaining a fairly large size, and being one of the longest-living tarantulas in the world. This species is one of our favorites." Still Me -I could have afforded any tarantula. Instead you made me look like a dumbass, made the recipient have to go buy their own, and if get the oomph, earned a nasty online review for yourself.

So I ordered a red tegu from them and due to the cold weather, and improper packaging the tegu arrived a day late and dead.. it was packaged in a small styrofoam box with tissue paper and one small heat pack. No cup or container of any sort to keep in the heat. After back and forth emails for days, and them insisting I read their terms of agreement where it says they are extremely reasonable and willing to work with people, they finally said because I couldn't understand the terms of agreement that they didn't feel comfortable shipping me a reptile though they were the ones who had packaged the original reptile poorly, and told me that they would issue me a refund minus the shipping fee which I already paid..they had terrible customer service, and they do not stand by their terms of agreement..

Terrible service received an over night package 3 days later and only got one of my 2 turtles. DO NOT DEAL WITH THIS COMPANY UNLESS YOU WANT A HEADACHE AND ENDLESS AMOUNT OF EMAILS BACK AND FORTH TO GET NO WHERE.

EDIT: Updating my review. After only one month and appropriate care, both slings passed away. Customer service had me take photos of my dead pets from multiple angles, then told me they could only offer a discount. Why have me take photos, then? Go somewhere else. This was my first time ordering tarantulas online. Their descriptions and photos on the user-friendly website were great and only having to pay one shipping fee for two tarantulas was awesome. I ordered an Avicularia Purpurae and a B. Smithi, both still in their early stages. They arrived at my door from FedEx overnight and were well-packaged. The purpurae was in a tiny clear container with dry, soft soil, and the smithi was in a plastic container with clean paper towels. There was a heat pack included in the box and the spiders were alert and healthy sizes. Both ate their first crickets just fine this week. Britney was very prompt in answering my questions about shipping and I had the tracking number as soon as it was shipped. I will definitely be ordering from them again in the future, I'm very in love with these spiders.

This was my first time using Backwater Reptiles as well as my first time ordering reptiles "online". I had searched and their seemingly organized website drew me in like a candy store. I was a little disappointed the snakes I was trying to order were not available as the website claimed they were. However when I contacted the Backwater team Britney was very helpful in responding with a list of what snakes were available, and then even worked with me to make sure we got our snakes before the weekend even with the extra cold weather we were experiencing. Yes I had to pick them up directly from the FedEx center. Both of my California Kingsnakes arrived live packed well in plastic containers with air holes and a small heating pad. I was very pleased with the snakes they sent ( I purchased them sight unseen, without pictures. ) Both appear to be in good health and acclimated quickly to their new habitats. Based on this positive experience we would consider doing business with the team again should they get the other Kingsnakes we desire in stock.

I made the mistake of ordering 2 tomato frogs from Backwater reptiles. They both showed up completely dead. I read these reviews when my frogs were on the way, and I was to stubborn to not give my hopes up. If you want to be dissapointed order from Backwater reptiles. Also worst customer service in the world!!!!

I never give 1 star but I placed a order on 2 baby turtles and 1 was sick snapping turtle died then the other one doesnt want to eat ..I send them a email haven't responded yet.. HOLMSLEYTRAILGAMEFARM