sell feeders to local petstore

[ss10gotanks]

I've gotten a lot of great advice on here in the year or so I've been breeding rats. Well I have been selling locally but I just met someone that says he is starting a reptile shop in 2 weeks. After talking with him I found out that he didn't have a rat supplier. So long story short I'm going to be selling his store roughly 120 rats per week. Do yall have any advice? I know a lot about husbandry but not so much on the business side of it. I just picked up 20 breeder females to match the supply there going to be wanting. So that will give me roughly 50 female.
What he's suggested to me is selling the rats at my prices and keeping 10 cents off of every rat. Doesn't that sound like a bad deal for them? I feel like its in my best interest for them to succeed so that I have a consistent buyer. I was thinking of lowering my prices if they buy like 10 or 20 more of a size.
Here's my normal prices
Pinky 75 c
Fuzzy 1.00
Pup 1.50
Small 2.00
Medium 3.75
Large 5.00
Jumbo 7.00
Instead of 10 cents a rat I was thinking of selling the rats for
25 to 75 cents cheaper depending on the size. When there bought in bulk. That seems like that would give both of us a little profit. What do yall think?
Also what do yall do to hold rats back to grow to a certain size? I'm not used to growing past smalls for what I normally sell. Do you just choose a percentage out of every litter to grow to a certain size? Any advice is greatly appreciated. I buy my food and aspen in bulk from a supply store so that's not really a factoR.
Please let me know what yall think!

[Jessica Loesch]

That seems like a fine idea for prices, maybe a percentage instead of a monetary value less.

As far as holdbacks, I know that you're supposed to keep males in one area females in another and just grow them up to whatever size desired.

[jasbus]

Well, I read the post, and debated whether to post of not....
Take no offense please, just trying to help.....

When someone says they'll supply me with x amount of rodent, and they're not in production yet, I wouldn't take it with a grain of salt. Nothing personal, but if you're not already producing enough, it can take weeks if not months to get up and running for a constant ready number to be sold. I produce thousands a month, and sometimes I still can't get the numbers I need for a particular wholesaler or breeder, or pet store. The other thing is, don't sell yourself short just because they are gonna buy a large amount... they have to buy them anyway, be consistant on your pricing.
Now, his side.... How does he know he'll need 120 rats per week? He hasn't started yet. It may take him 6 months or more before he needs that many, or he may need more right of the bat...
Like I said, not trying to be mean, but before you say you can produce x amount, be sure you can...
I own a pet store, and I get this story alot, but very rarely do they actually come thru....

[Jessica Loesch]

Good advice.