Ball python focused reptile store

[Eric Hoff]

In my area there are no pet stores besides the big box stores like Petco and Petsmart. I HATE this. I really do miss those individually owned petshops I remember as a kid.

My question is what do you think of a reptile store opening with a ball python focus. I am talking a small store (1000 sq ft) with racks around much like a breeding facility will look like. I will breed animals there as well as buy from local breeders and sell. The majority of the inventory will be Ball Pythons but there will be a small portion of other popular animals such as beardeds etc. 90/10 split.

Would a store liek this be able to succeed? Are there enough people into the reptile hobby to keep this idea afloat. The business would provide the animals, food and housing needed to care for the animals they purchase properly. I would love thoughts on this idea. Its a tough trigger to pull, especially now days. BTW. I am in upstate ny (orange County)

[wilomn]

Don't.

[ElliotNess]

Not a good idea.. you are gonna breed and then buy and sell from others so half of your efforts will be spent in quarantine... .. I would do things from home and do like others... sell online like others....

[Eric Hoff]

Good points with the quarantine. That could be worked out by bringing purchased animals to my home for a period of time but something to look into. But overall, owning a shop would be great. Just not sure how smart.

[jclaiborne]

The problem is you would have the additional overhead of paying for the building, utilities, other employees, insurance, business liscences etc...and not many people would walk into a petshop and be willing to drop cash on high end ball morphs, you would need more diversity than a 90/10 split on animals.

[KMG]

While we have many users that have large ball collections I believe these people are spread pretty thin across the nation. It seems there are more keepers that keep more eclectic collections. Their are two reptile stores that I go to for feeders and they both have a mixed bag of animals. I have never bought anything from them other than feeders and supplies. But I wouldn't say that I even buy many supplies from them as I'm a big online shopper.

If balls are going to be your focus I say do it from home and create a website. Much cheaper than a store front and them you can have a focused inventory as you can ship all over.

[bcr229]

Nope. No No No No. If you're going to open a shop, sell supplies - stuff that turns over quickly. Think consumables and the equipment where having spares is a good thing, or when people run out they can't wait on shipping. You're looking at live or frozen feeders, bedding, F10, feeding tongs, mite spray, decent mid-range thermostats, UTH's, heat tape, digital thermometers/hygrometers, hides, deli cups and lids, shipping supplies, RHP's, CHE's and heat lamps, etc. Have a very few animals - maybe even your own, but not necessarily for sale - to bring people into the shop, to show off a safe and healthy enclosure setup, to be "ambassadors" to the public, etc.

[ajmreptiles]

Nope. No No No No. If you're going to open a shop, sell supplies - stuff that turns over quickly. Think consumables and the equipment where having spares is a good thing, or when people run out they can't wait on shipping. You're looking at live or frozen feeders, bedding, F10, feeding tongs, mite spray, decent mid-range thermostats, UTH's, heat tape, digital thermometers/hygrometers, hides, deli cups and lids, shipping supplies, RHP's, CHE's and heat lamps, etc. Have a very few animals - maybe even your own, but not necessarily for sale - to bring people into the shop, to show off a safe and healthy enclosure setup, to be "ambassadors" to the public, etc.

If I were to open a physical store, that's what I would do. mulch/other bedding and feeders would be your biggest selling items.

[Eric Hoff]

Point well taken guys. Although it would be great to work with animals all day in a store setting, it is clear that it would not be a successful endeavor. Appreciate the feedback.

[Brandon Osborne]

Very few reptile specialty stores survive. Even those that do count on big shows and probably account for about 90% shipping. It will likely bankrupt you quickly, especially in today's economy.