Two weeks without eating is not going to turn a healthy snake, hatchling or not, into what you describe that seems to be a skeleton of a snake. Corn snakes can be quite hardy and can rebound from some amazing things, so I wouldn't count them out. They may also be dehydrated which can be harder to recover from, but if they are still alive they still have a chance.
Jazz is right, not all pet shops are the same. Pet shops, whether local stores or huge chains, are prone to the same problems as any business. There may be employees who are not trained properly or are not knowledgeable on the areas where they are supposed to be helpful. They may be understaffed and lack the time to care for all of the animals they have in stock, relying instead on the quick turn over before a problem starts. The management may not be on top of the staff to make sure the stock is always in the best of shape, and it goes on and on!!!!
As potential customers, it is up to us to assess each and every purchase before we hand over the cash and take the animal home. Ask the staff questions, how do they respond? Do the animals look fed? Has the bedding been changed? Are the animals free of injuries? Do the supervisors or owners know the origin of the animals (captive bred as opposed to wild caught)? Are the prices fair? Do they know about the husbandry of the animal we are purchasing?
If you do not get the sense that they are above board on everything, then move on and don't give them your business. Simple. I have a good relationship with several pet shops locally and avoid others. I even have one pet shop that refers customers with questions to me and also contacts me asking me to adopt, free of charge, animals they may have problems selling and do not want to keep in the shop conditions for fear of them stressing too much and wanting them to be cared for and stay healthy. Now, that's a shop that cares more about the animal than the money. They know that I will ultimately find a good home for the animal.
So, shop around and make your choice carefully. Nothing says that you have to buy your snake right now, at one particular shop. If you take your time and do some homework you are more likely to have a good experience at obtaining a healthy and problem free animal. :wavey:
Jazz is right, not all pet shops are the same. Pet shops, whether local stores or huge chains, are prone to the same problems as any business. There may be employees who are not trained properly or are not knowledgeable on the areas where they are supposed to be helpful. They may be understaffed and lack the time to care for all of the animals they have in stock, relying instead on the quick turn over before a problem starts. The management may not be on top of the staff to make sure the stock is always in the best of shape, and it goes on and on!!!!
As potential customers, it is up to us to assess each and every purchase before we hand over the cash and take the animal home. Ask the staff questions, how do they respond? Do the animals look fed? Has the bedding been changed? Are the animals free of injuries? Do the supervisors or owners know the origin of the animals (captive bred as opposed to wild caught)? Are the prices fair? Do they know about the husbandry of the animal we are purchasing?
If you do not get the sense that they are above board on everything, then move on and don't give them your business. Simple. I have a good relationship with several pet shops locally and avoid others. I even have one pet shop that refers customers with questions to me and also contacts me asking me to adopt, free of charge, animals they may have problems selling and do not want to keep in the shop conditions for fear of them stressing too much and wanting them to be cared for and stay healthy. Now, that's a shop that cares more about the animal than the money. They know that I will ultimately find a good home for the animal.
So, shop around and make your choice carefully. Nothing says that you have to buy your snake right now, at one particular shop. If you take your time and do some homework you are more likely to have a good experience at obtaining a healthy and problem free animal. :wavey: