Day 1: When you buy your hamster at first leave it alone for 24 hours, just watch don't disturb Day 2: Let your hamster sniff your hand after washing your hands, then try to feed it with a treat with your fingers. Day 3: Let your hamster eat out of your hand ( the palm) and it will trust you Do this every day and on the 10th day or so, he should trust you and let you carry him/her without being harmed
My hamster bit me, and I'm not going to lie to you, it hurt. But not enough for me to be put off. I think the reason for him biting me was that my finger smelt like food, therefore before handling your hamster you should thoroughly wash your hands, and maybe rub wood shavings (the type you use in his cage) on yours hands so your hands smell familiar. Don't give up on your hamster, eventually it will learn to trust you. Now I can pick up my hamster straight from the cage, and he trusts me, it took about 2 weeks for him to trust me completely though.. Don't Give Up!!
You need to build trust with your hamster, so get closer to holding it everyday, it will soon realize your not a threat, therefor will let you hold it with out harming you =]
Don't worry I had the same thoughts all you have to do is trust yourself let it sniff you to get used to you sent if that doesnt work scrub your hands with the bedding so it smells the same he/she will eventually realise that your nice and do not want to hurt them
You should have really considered weather or not you were going to be able to hold the animal before you bought it. The animal thinks you are a threat no matter what anyone tells you. I have owned and bred hamsters in the past and know a great deal. It may hurt a little if the little guy (or girl) nips you, but it wont hurt for long. Try cupping him in a small container and picking them out of that--so the animal wont feel so threatened. Good luck.
