Over priced BPs?

The local pet store here wants $60 for baby BPs and they also have a larger 14 yr old that they want $99.99 for...I saw on line that I can get babies for $19.99 and adults for around $40-$50 at another place over in California but I still have to pay shipping (I still think that it would be cheaper than the store here)...

Whats the average price where you live? I kind of think that my local store is over pricing?

I think that all pet stores have overpriced ball pythons. The local pet stores in my area sell them for $70 to $80!

Buying from a breeder is usually best.

That's pretty consistent with what you'll find anywhere. It's always cheaper to buy directly from a breeder online than from a store (if you don't count shipping..). I've seen normal babies in stores for $125 :rolleyes:

local petco's are like $60 for a baby ball python

local reptile stores are like $50 for a baby and $80 for an adult

local pet stores that only have 1 or 2 snakes sell adult ball pythons for $80-$150

(all of these are normals and the stores I'm looking at are in the Long Island, NY area)

How much would i be looking at if purchasing from a breeder? Im talking just the normal pattern. I was thinking that a breeder would charge more?

Tampa Repticon had ten baby BP's for $100...

Check on kingsnake and see if there are any shows in your area. You can usually pick up a little normal for 20-25 at a show, and no shipping! Good luck!

Well, they are overpricing because they have to. Think about it. Someone who keeps, feeds, and breeds their own snakes can sell a baby for $40 and technically still make a profit. But pet stores do not breed for their own animals. They have to buy them from someone else. That person sells a normal ball python for $20, the petstore has to make a profit. If they want that $40 profit, they have to sell it at a minimum of $60. Then there is the cost of feeding and housing it during the time it is there. Working in a pet store I can tell you that sometimes a snake will stay with us for a month or more. That is at least 4 feedings and the cost of the heat and bedding. So that is usually why they have to up the price a lot when you get them from a pet store.

Just my :twocents:

I think that is a great price for a quality CBB Ball Python..there are advantages to slightly higher priced "pet" snakes

1: cuts down on the number of Impulse buy's
2: Higher prices means the retailer can afford better quality stock
3: People that Pay more for things tend to take better care of them

Higher isn't always a bad thing.. I think 60.00+ for a good well established baby ball python is a perfect price after all they will live for many Decades so why price them live gold fish..

Breeders are going to charge anywhere from $20 for a normal male to $40 for a normal female baby. If it's a particularly pretty baby, they might charge more.

The prices that you see in the stores is the market price from a retail store - and consistently priced amongst most pet stores.

Keep in mind though - you'd need to find a local breeder, otherwise, you'll pay close to $50 for the shipping alone.