Selling Ball Pythons to friends

Friends pay full price:salute:

I have sold snakes at 30% off listed price to friends in the past I have also gave away snakes in the past.

Does that mean I would discount any animal like this every time to every single friend? NO it varies depending on the friend and the value of the animal itself.

I stopped selling to most of my friends. I was getting really mad about the standards of care they held. They just don't look at them the same way I do. I however have a couple close friends that have the same standards as I do and id give a snake to them in a heartbeat. I get really ticked at the oh that's cool I want one thing.

ive given babies to friends and some family with the stipulation that if for what ever reason they couldnt care for it anymore or didnt want it anymore id get it back.

i had a really good friend in pittsburgh who liked babies so he'd raise up some babies for me till they got to breeding size then exchange them for a few more babies. worked out great.

I don't really know many people around here that want a baby from me should I start breeding except my mother-in-law. I think she's heard me talk about them enough that she knows basic care and keeping. She's also close enough so that if something were to go wrong, I could help, or if she needed me to, take the snake back. I'd likely give her one for free, but others? Doubtful. I have some friends back in Alaska and California that I'd consider giving a snake to, but most would pay close to full price..

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Originally Posted by Simple Man

If they can't afford or don't appreciate the cost of a snake at near retail prices, then they probably shouldn't be owning that snake. I have always found that people that pay little or nothing for things almost never appreciate them. The way I was raised, when you spend your hard earned money on something, you appreciate and take care of it. I've learned time and time again that is true. I don't want my hard earned time and money (in taking care of and providing top notch animals) to be wasted. They obviously don't appreciate the cost of a nice ball python morph. I have lots of friends that like the paint jobs on my snakes but when you explain the hard work and cost of keeping these snakes, they usually drop their jaw and say "I would never..." A respectable discount on a snake someone is really interested in and would probably pay retail for is one thing but just hooking them up because they balk at the price of a snake, nope. What are they going to do when they have buyers remorse? Just my $.02...

Regards,

B

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I am going to have to disagree. Just because someone can't afford something doesn't mean they can appreciate or value it appropriately. I can't afford a sports car. But if someone gave me one cheap or free I'd certainly treat that car like I paid full price.

The only reason I even have any Ball Pythons was that a guy at church bred them and gave me a great discount.

I think it's like a lot of people have said. It's all about the level of frienship and trust you have.

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

I am going to have to disagree. Just because someone can't afford something doesn't mean they can appreciate or value it appropriately. I can't afford a sports car. But if someone gave me one cheap or free I'd certainly treat that car like I paid full price.

The only reason I even have any Ball Pythons was that a guy at church bred them and gave me a great discount.

I think it's like a lot of people have said. It's all about the level of frienship and trust you have.

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I believe you're the exception, not the norm. I've seen time and time again that people given stuff don't take care of it. That goes for all things, cars, pets, houses, jobs, etc. There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of finally attaining something you have worked hard for. You don't get that satisfaction being given stuff. Add to the fact that if you can't afford a snake then you probably can't afford the care or any possible vet bills either. Just my $.02...

Regards,

B

Now I'm curious, Markie...
How did it turn out?

Selling a snake to a friend is a tricky business. What if you don't like the care they give them? What will you do? Can you turn and look the other way? What if they turn around and sell it? How would you feel (especially if you sold it to them for really cheap)? What if it got sick? How would you feel if they couldn't or wouldn't take it to the vet and it died? What about feeding? What if they power fed it or didn't feed it enough?

Giving away one so you can retain breeding rights on the snake is a very risky business!! It can ruin your relationship.

Bee there done that all all above accounts. The breeding loans went south in a HUGE hurry when they found out how much they could get from the babies. The ones I sold cheap was a bit different. They don't listen to me about the care but they do take decent care of the snakes so it is something I just grit my teeth over and vowed not to do again.

Depends on the friend and how well you really know them and if you have ever entrusted them with something as valuable as another life before.

What ever you decide good luck.

well if not a money issue and they trustable free snake and point out if they decide they don't want it later it comes back to you, they can't sell or trade it off.