animal prices

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Originally Posted by Lucas339

post on a ball python forum sites (such as this one) and wait for the breeders who come here often to answer.

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yes but some one those breeders are the same ones setting the price on kingsnake.

Until some one comes up with another option its the way it is. I liked the article (Yes I said to check CL) but even the author has said that until a better option comes along its all we have. One thing that is missed in the article is that (unless Im wrong) it costs money to post on KS. Now granted its a small price to save large amounts of money but alot of the scammers are going to stick with the free web sites like Craigslist and such.

One piece of wording I thought was funny was when he said pastel clowns were "selling" for 12,000 one year.... Listed at 12,000 doesn't mean selling at 12,000. I've seen the same snakes listed for months and months on KS at prices in the 5,000 - 12,000 range.... I'm just guessing but I would think if they were selling for that amount they wouldn't still be listed.

People should list their animals for whatever they want for them, if someone makes an offer they either take it or they dont simple as that. I dont know why people follow market so closely anyway, a lower quality example shouldnt cost they same as a nice one and people shouldnt expect to pay the same price for both. Nor should you pay the same price for an animal thats not as well established. I think a consistant aggressive feeding ball python should tack on some extra value. Just my 2 cents.

A snake is worth what someone is willing to pay you for that snake. There is more to pricing than just some little turd trying to outsmart the industry. The economy has cooled snake prices over the last 18 months. Many are not spending the money on the high end morphs, so the breeders are lowering thir prices to move the snakes.

If you think your snake is worth $5000, sell it for that. The industry will tell you where it's price really is. When you get no calls on that snake, you will drop the price to $4000, then to $3000, then to $2000, until you start getting calls. Then you realize the true value of that snake.

Also, the same type snake will sell for a different price in different parts of the country. It's not so much of an issue now, but 20 years ago, snakes could sell for 100% more in one part of the country over another.

Availablity is also an issue. This is obvious when a new morph hits the market. They sell for a lot of money because there's only a handful available. Look at the Pied morph. Talk about losing it's value over the years.

Time of year is also very important in pricing your snakes. When the breeders have millions of hatchlings for sale is the best time to buy, but not a great time to sell. Again, supply and demand is key. Don't expect to get top dollar for your snake, when there's 3000 of the same morph for sale. But come February, your snake tends to retain more of it's value because there's not many around.

Good luck trying to sell you snakes, they cost a lot more to hatch and raise, than anyone thinks. They never seem to sell for what you think they should. In the end, enjoy the life of a breeder, make as much money as you can. It probably won't be enough to sustain the hobby, but as long as you love what you're doing, that's what it's all about.

Good Luck!
Jim Smith