Pretty Nice Lesser - Need help with an offer

[SinCityBPs]

I found this girl on my local Craigslist... I think she is a beauty; however, I believe the asking price is a bit high. I want her bad, but at $1800 it is not going to happen right now. I have not yet contacted him, nor have I seen her personally, so I am only going off of the pics at this point.





I know the whole Craigslist thing in general is not the best place to get snakes, and there are a lot of haters (I am not the biggest fan myself); however, I saw her, and just can't stop thinking about her . If it did happen there would be a thorough examination and quarantine, so that is not a concern.

Her weight is 1447 grams, and he says she has locked a few times with a bee (doesn't say how recently, and wouldn't be my pairing if I got her).

Would love to hear what you all think of her, and what you believe a fair price for her is. I have looked around kingsnake and have not seen anything to compare her to in terms of size and quality. She looks very clean with only couple eyes in her alien heads, that I can see, a short ways behind her head.

Thanks in advance for your time and input.

[meowmeowkazoo]

She looks...small. It might just be the pics, but she doesn't look like an adult female ball python. She looks almost like a juvenile ball.

And honestly, the fact that she has locked with a bee and he's selling her raises a bunch of red flags. Why would he sell a nice looking lesser female that's already locked up with a male?

She's *barely* breeding size, so if she is actually 1447 grams, then this year is probably the first year she is breeding. Why would somebody spend all that time to raise a female up, then sell her after she locks, before they even get one clutch of eggs from her?

I would put my money on it being a male, if the pictures and weight are being accurately represented. If you decide to go through with it, definitely get it probed before you hand over any cash.

If you have the guy's name, do a search on Fauna to see if he has any reputation within the reptile community. If he does not, I'd be even more cautious about this deal.

[Evenstar]

Ok, I'm no expert, but $1800 for a lesser????

I know this is not a hatchling, and yes she is very clean, but you can pick up a female lesser that's just as nice from a known and respected breeder for about $400.

I'll be interested in what others have to say about this, but I can't see a female lesser being worth $1800. Even if she was up to breeding weight (imo, she should be closer to 1800-2000 grams to be considered large enough for breeding), I don't think she'd be worth quite that much. I think I'd walk away from this and look for a nice female somewhere else. You can pick up several nice babies from a good breeder (even taking shipping into account) for $1800....

Just my

[RobNJ]

I'd walk away...there's a reason you don't see many breeding size lesser females around. Unless the guy is getting entirely out of balls, I don't know why he'd let that one go, especially with the chance of hitting a $2,000+ clutch shortly down the road.

As for the asking price, $1,800 seems a bit high, but then again it appears to be a very nice snake. I think for lessers that size, $1,200-1,500 is not unreasonable though.

If you're set on getting a female ready to breed lesser, I'd find one from a reputable source...it'll carry a heavy price tag, but you breed what you buy.

[Beardedragon]

" She " Looks kinda wormy like my lesser males and Bels would get. My female lesser pastel was a fatty though. If you look hard enough you could find something just as nice for much less, and more reliable .

[MrBig]

If she weighs 1500+ and its a she then its a good deal. You don't find alot of females that are that nice and breeding size up for sale. I would only do that deal in person, pop and probe it and you should be good. If she is a she and up to size and I lived close I would take her.

[SinCityBPs]

She looks...small. It might just be the pics, but she doesn't look like an adult female ball python. She looks almost like a juvenile ball.

And honestly, the fact that she has locked with a bee and he's selling her raises a bunch of red flags. Why would he sell a nice looking lesser female that's already locked up with a male?

She's *barely* breeding size, so if she is actually 1447 grams, then this year is probably the first year she is breeding. Why would somebody spend all that time to raise a female up, then sell her after she locks, before they even get one clutch of eggs from her?

I would put my money on it being a male, if the pictures and weight are being accurately represented. If you decide to go through with it, definitely get it probed before you hand over any cash.

If you have the guy's name, do a search on Fauna to see if he has any reputation within the reptile community. If he does not, I'd be even more cautious about this deal.

I too thought she looked on the small side... Could be old pics though. Also, he didn't put his name in the add, but would definitley do a rep search after I talked to him the first time and got the pertinant info... I did think the same thing about why he would let go of her. He does have about 5 pretty nice looking Balls up there right now, but this was the one that caught my eye. I will absolutely be cautious... exactly why I hit up you fine folks here first... Lots to think about and take into consideration.

Ok, I'm no expert, but $1800 for a lesser????

I know this is not a hatchling, and yes she is very clean, but you can pick up a female lesser that's just as nice from a known and respected breeder for about $400.

I'll be interested in what others have to say about this, but I can't see a female lesser being worth $1800. Even if she was up to breeding weight (imo, she should be closer to 1800-2000 grams to be considered large enough for breeding), I don't think she'd be worth quite that much. I think I'd walk away from this and look for a nice female somewhere else. You can pick up several nice babies from a good breeder (even taking shipping into account) for $1800....

Just my

Thanks for the input... Walking away is probably going to be the case, as I agree not worth $1800. I would raise up a nice hatchling or 4 before going that high on a near ready Lesser.

I respect and appreciate all the responses.

[bubblz]

Call, talk to him and make a reasonable offer, the worse that can happen is he'll say no. He has more than one ad up and he's selling his whole collection to concentrate on other projects. He had a package deal posted before but it looks like he may have changed is mind and is now selling them separately.

I just met up with him yesterday and picked up 2 of his babies. I wasn't in the market for Cinnys and have no plans for them but,.. I love their pattern so I got'em. They were obviously not normal and he didn't advertise them as Cinnys just baby bps but he gave more info when I called.

[SlitherinSisters]

Wow that does seem like a lot, but a breedable female morph that makes awesome combos is worth quite a bit to a lot of people.

[SinCityBPs]

Call, talk to him and make a reasonable offer, the worse that can happen is he'll say no. He has more than one ad up and he's selling his whole collection to concentrate on other projects. He had a package deal posted before but it looks like he may have changed is mind and is now selling them separately.

I just met up with him yesterday and picked up 2 of his babies. I wasn't in the market for Cinnys and have no plans for them but,.. I love their pattern so I got'em. They were obviously not normal and he didn't advertise them as Cinnys just baby bps but he gave more info when I called.

Bubblz,

Thanks for the info. Can you pm me his name so I can research? I will probably call him, but I want to make sure I am in a fully knowledgeable and financial position to make a serious offer, as to not waste his or my time. It is nice to know someone on here has some experience with him.

I have dealt with a few of the Vegas breeders, but his number does not look familiar.

That is kind of my dilemma at this point. Just not sure what a reasonable offer is at this point.

Another issue is that I am not in a major need for more lesser gene, but she looks to be a great example from what I can tell (if she is a she and a good rat eater), and I wouldn't mind a little more lesser (that just sound funny ) in my stable.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback. I am so torn right now. Head says forget about it, you don't need her, heart says why not just talk to him and see how it goes.

With thoughtful time and all of your input, I am sure I will come to the right decision.

Regards,