Babies are hatching, and the fun of finding new owners begins!

Oh Joy!!! My favorite part of breeding...dealing with sales. Lots of window shoppers (Can I have 500 pictures of each snake, so I can then disappear into the night never to be heard from again :rage:) and people lowballing me for snakes I quoted at half the current market value. :confusd: Really??? And then my first potential solid buyer turns out to have page after page of drama on the BOI and everywhere else. Why do I have such dreadful luck at finding decent buyers? I try to be a good guy and give people good deals, only to find them trying to flip the snake I just sold them on Craigslist for a few extra bucks. Funny how he immediately falls in love with the snake, but a week later is trying to sell it. :mad: I guess I'm just a sucker. I've personally delivered snakes from here in Northern Virginia to Delaware, Philadelphia, New York and never asked for a penny extra. I try to bend over backwards for buyers but almost always seem to take it in the shorts. I'm seriously considering taking all my babies to a local pet store and handing them over so they can deal with it. That would be good to support a local business, right? They seem to take care of their animals. I don't know...I have two clutches I need to find homes for and I'm already sick of dealing with it.

What am I doing wrong? Where can I find sane, rationale buyers? Someone who doesn't use an on-line alias would be a great start.

I LOVE breeding, but man do I hate this part of it...

Sorry...I'm venting...I'm done\

Post ads with good pics and descriptions, and if the sale doesn't feel right, then you can always back out! Don't feel like you HAVE to sell them to that person. I haven't sold any before so idk... Thats all i got. I'm not looking forward to that part either lol.

You could hold back more babies...? Oh, or just give them all to me!!!! :p :rofl:

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Originally Posted by sho220

Oh Joy!!! My favorite part of breeding...dealing with sales. Lots of window shoppers (Can I have 500 pictures of each snake, so I can then disappear into the night never to be heard from again :rage:)

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You know people will want lots of pictures, so take lots. Put them on PhotoBucket and give each snake its own directory. Put a link to the directory in the ad for that snake. Done. Anyone wants more pictures, direct them to the link. Oh, and crappy cell phone pictures don't count either. The best deal I ever got was for a pewter - the crappy cell phone picture made her look like a normal so no one was biting on the ad.

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people lowballing me for snakes I quoted at half the current market value. :confusd: Really???

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"Market" value is determined by both the buyer and seller. If you're not a big-name breeder you won't get the prices seen elsewhere. So, don't blame the buyer for trying. That said, you can either ignore a true low-baller, counter-offer, or respond with a price higher than your advertised price if you want to tick him off.

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And then my first potential solid buyer turns out to have page after page of drama on the BOI and everywhere else.

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I have no idea why there's so much drama in the reptile world. I thought firearms industry was bad. That said, the horse industry is worse, probably because the number of people participating and the amount of money changing hands is much higher as well.

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Why do I have such dreadful luck at finding decent buyers? I try to be a good guy and give people good deals, only to find them trying to flip the snake I just sold them on Craigslist for a few extra bucks. Funny how he immediately falls in love with the snake, but a week later is trying to sell it. :mad:

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So have the buyer sign a first right of refusal contract with teeth - if he wants to sell the snake in the future, he has to call you first and give you the chance to buy it back at market price. Failure to do so is a breech of contract and he owes you $X (keep it under small claims, which is $5k in VA). Note you don't have to buy it back, you just have to get the opportunity to do so.

Also, where are you advertising? Here? Fauna? CL? FB? VAHerps?

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I guess I'm just a sucker. I've personally delivered snakes from here in Northern Virginia to Delaware, Philadelphia, New York and never asked for a penny extra. I try to bend over backwards for buyers but almost always seem to take it in the shorts. I'm seriously considering taking all my babies to a local pet store and handing them over so they can deal with it. That would be good to support a local business, right? They seem to take care of their animals. I don't know...I have two clutches I need to find homes for and I'm already sick of dealing with it.

What am I doing wrong?

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It sounds to me like you come across as either desperate to sell, or you got into BP breeding because you like BP's, and not because you understand marketing and sales. So, like others who go into business for themselves because they want to turn their passion into a business - whether it's firearms, restoring classic cars, customizing motorcycles, etc. - they have plenty of technical know-how, but no idea how to run the business, negotiate, and deal with people. Sure, you're doing this as a hobby, and that's why it's driving you nuts - all this other stuff isn't fun, and it's not something most folks care to do. Believe me, I know - I run a home-based biz (not BP's) and some days I just want to scream.

So, my advice: don't take the low-ballers personally since they're looking out for their own bottom line. Either ignore them, counter, or insult them if you have the time to mess with them. If you don't want to sell to "flippers" then draft a FROR contract. If your current advertising efforts aren't working, look for others.

You sound like the type of seller I would like to deal with, and you're geographically close enough that I probably would at some point.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Post ads with good pics and descriptions, and if the sale doesn't feel right, then you can always back out! Don't feel like you HAVE to sell them to that person. I haven't sold any before so idk... Thats all i got. I'm not looking forward to that part either lol.

You could hold back more babies...? Oh, or just give them all to me!!!! :p :rofl:

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Come and get 'em.

After more researching, my potential "buyer" has apparently done time in the poke for reptile related crimes. Oh joy. Glad I didn't invite him over to the house like I used to do.
:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by sho220

After more researching, my potential "buyer" has apparently done time in the poke for reptile related crimes. Oh joy. Glad I didn't invite him over to the house like I used to do.
:rolleyes:

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Unfortunately, the nature of any business is dealing with people. The positive side is that it also gives you the opportunity to meet like-minded and good people in the process, even if they seem outnumbered by the less-desirables at times.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Sure, you're doing this as a hobby, and that's why it's driving you nuts - all this other stuff isn't fun, and it's not something most folks care to do.

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Thanks for the info. Good stuff to consider. I think it all comes down to that ^^^ :D

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Unfortunately, the nature of any business is dealing with people. The positive side is that it also gives you the opportunity to meet like-minded and good people in the process, even if they seem outnumbered by the less-desirables at times.

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You are right. Thank you for showing me the silver lining. :)


It's still aggravating though!

:D

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Originally Posted by sho220

It's still aggravating though!

:D

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Without question! :) We all deal with this from time to time, and some times are harder than others!

I understand your frustration! Before I settled on a buyer for my spider girl, I went through several potential buyers. Trust your intuition. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Just hold off for the right buyer...they will come. You just have to have the patience to wait for them.

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Originally Posted by sho220

Come and get 'em.

After more researching, my potential "buyer" has apparently done time in the poke for reptile related crimes. Oh joy. Glad I didn't invite him over to the house like I used to do.
:rolleyes:

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2 questions:

With their be complimentary snacks and refreshments?

Will i get to take the FR-S for a test drive?

:D

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

2 questions:

With their be complimentary snacks and refreshments?

Will i get to take the FR-S for a test drive?

:D

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Of course, and can you drive stick? :D

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Originally Posted by BHReptiles

I understand your frustration! Before I settled on a buyer for my spider girl, I went through several potential buyers. Trust your intuition. If it doesn't feel right, it probably isn't. Just hold off for the right buyer...they will come. You just have to have the patience to wait for them.

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Serenity now...serenity now...


:D

Bro, I l know how ya feel. I thankfully work at a pet store, and we usually sell our babies to customers who know our quality and effort. However, I have had some****** when I tried to sell a few through CL. its seems like 70% of the CL people who respond to your ad either: 1. are flat out d-bags, 2. Ask you a million questions about the animal(s) and want a million pictures but never want to buy it, 3. Seem interested, agree on your price, and finally commit to purchasing but...seem to "disappear" when its time to set up a date and time to meet and do the exchange. I do like using CL to sell stuff, but sometimes people make you wanna :slamhead:

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Originally Posted by sho220

Of course, and can you drive stick? :D

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Seems like as good of time as any to learn!

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Seems like as good of time as any to learn!

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lol...not with my car. We also have an old Suby Forester affectionately know as "The Sh-- box"...you can learn on that. :D

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

Bro, I l know how ya feel. I thankfully work at a pet store, and we usually sell our babies to customers who know our quality and effort. However, I have had some****** when I tried to sell a few through CL. its seems like 70% of the CL people who respond to your ad either: 1. are flat out d-bags, 2. Ask you a million questions about the animal(s) and want a million pictures but never want to buy it, 3. Seem interested, agree on your price, and finally commit to purchasing but...seem to "disappear" when its time to set up a date and time to meet and do the exchange. I do like using CL to sell stuff, but sometimes people make you wanna :slamhead:

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I am not alone. :D

Please don't take offense to this as I'm only stating how I feel from what you vented on this forum.

You gotta breath man, first I think like others stated here you don't know all about the business and I think this is stressing you out. I think a lot of good advice was given to help you, but I also think you are doing a lot of great stuff to.

As far as getting low balled, reselling ect... It's part of any small business where prices arent really set in stone. ( I never low ball but I do try to get some what of a better deal if possible). I'm 26 and if you think lowballing is bad in snakes try hearing your dad talk about people coming in and trying to do that on cars for 22 years of your life. ( He owns 3 car lots).
Anyways I think you just need to remember that at one point this was your hobby before a business. tbh I think you need to hold back on some BPs and not get stressed from this and worry about business later and just sell to sell.

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Originally Posted by BTennant

Please don't take offense to this as I'm only stating how I feel from what you vented on this forum.

You gotta breath man, first I think like others stated here you don't know all about the business and I think this is stressing you out. I think a lot of good advice was given to help you, but I also think you are doing a lot of great stuff to.

As far as getting low balled, reselling ect... It's part of any small business where prices arent really set in stone. ( I never low ball but I do try to get some what of a better deal if possible). I'm 26 and if you think lowballing is bad in snakes try hearing your dad talk about people coming in and trying to do that on cars for 22 years of your life. ( He owns 3 car lots). Anyways I think you just need to remember that at one point this was your hobby before a business and tbh I think you need to hold back on some BPs and not get stressed from this and worry about business later and just sell what you don't want.

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Thanks for the reply. I don't breed as a business, strictly hobby. I would fail miserably as a business. :D

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Originally Posted by sho220

I am not alone. :D

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Nope. ;) What did you have, anyway? Pastels? Normals? Maybe I could help you out....I always have customers lookin for quality BPs.

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

Nope. ;) What did you have, anyway? Pastels? Normals?

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Have a mix of Lessers, Spiders, Cinny's, a Yellowbelly, one normal, a Lesserbee, a Lesser Yellowbelly, a Spider Yellowbelly (I think) and a few others I haven't figured out yet. All from Lesserbee x Cinny and Lesserbee x Yellowbelly pairings. Last one is still sitting in the egg as I type. Hopefully he'll be out by morning. :)

Lol your experience selling sounds ridiculous!!! I guess I don't have enough snakes to sell to feel the burn yet!

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

Lol your experience selling sounds ridiculous!!! I guess I don't have enough snakes to sell to feel the burn yet!

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I had a buyer back out last year because I was too slow. We exchanged emails Thursday and Friday and came to an agreement. By Saturday afternoon I was working up a shipping quote for her. I then get an email Saturday night saying she backed out because I was too slow. I was all set to ship out on Monday...the deal couldn't have possibly gone any quicker. :fishslap: Some people just need a fish slap...

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Originally Posted by sho220

Have a mix of Lessers, Spiders, Cinny's, a Yellowbelly, one normal, a Lesserbee, a Lesser Yellowbelly, a Spider Yellowbelly (I think) and a few others I haven't figured out yet. All from Lesserbee x Cinny and Lesserbee x Yellowbelly pairings. Last one is still sitting in the egg as I type. Hopefully he'll be out by morning. :)

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PM me with your info n prices, and Ill spread a good word. Im in DE.

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

PM me with your info n prices, and Ill spread a good word. Im in DE.

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Cool...just up the road from me. :D I'll shoot you a pm shortly...

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Originally Posted by sho220

Have a mix of Lessers, Spiders, Cinny's, a Yellowbelly, one normal, a Lesserbee, a Lesser Yellowbelly, a Spider Yellowbelly (I think) and a few others I haven't figured out yet. All from Lesserbee x Cinny and Lesserbee x Yellowbelly pairings. Last one is still sitting in the egg as I type. Hopefully he'll be out by morning. :)

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Let me know if any of the yellowbelly morphs are girls, that's one gene not in my collection yet.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Let me know if any of the yellowbelly morphs are girls, that's one gene not in my collection yet.

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Will do. :)

Sounds like a regular business, lol.

The waiting, or me being too slow for the buyer's liking, is one thing that REALLY gets to me. Lately, I'm facing the problem of it being too hot. We had a high of 97 degrees today. It will probably not be for another 8 weeks or more until temps are low enough here to ship. When I tell a potential buyer this, most of them first say something of the sort of "it's not that hot where I am, so I don't see the problem." Then they seem to disappear.

I don't want anything to do with a buyer that doesn't care about the snake's safety/health. If it's highly recommended NOT to ship above 90 degrees, then why push the luck? Anyway... the same thing happens in the winter, but not as much, it seems, as in the summer.

Good luck selling, and try to enjoy that part of it, too.

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Originally Posted by ClarkT

Sounds like a regular business, lol.

The waiting, or me being too slow for the buyer's liking, is one thing that REALLY gets to me. Lately, I'm facing the problem of it being too hot. We had a high of 97 degrees today. It will probably not be for another 8 weeks or more until temps are low enough here to ship. When I tell a potential buyer this, most of them first say something of the sort of "it's not that hot where I am, so I don't see the problem." Then they seem to disappear.

I don't want anything to do with a buyer that doesn't care about the snake's safety/health. If it's highly recommended NOT to ship above 90 degrees, then why push the luck? Anyway... the same thing happens in the winter, but not as much, it seems, as in the summer.

Good luck selling, and try to enjoy that part of it, too.

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Be glad your not here, It was 118 when I got into my truck parked in the shade at my shop today, and its cooling down a bit from last week.

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Originally Posted by Seth702

It was 118 when I got into my truck parked in the shade

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That's crazy...:O

"Time burglars". Somebody at a show called the window shoppers "time burglars". I loved it.

I'm trying to remember what I put on my ads which sharply curtailed the window shoppers. "Serious inquiries only" didn't seem to have much effect. I was considering "Serious inquires only comma jerkfaces", but I figured that wasn't professional...

...oh yeah. "NO TRADES."

Once I stated NO TRADES, the number of inquiries from obvious time burglars dropped sharply.

(I also have a secret rule about legibility of text messages. The first year I sold hatchlings, I really did try to respond to everyone. Absolutely everyone. Now if someone texts or e-mails and I can't make heads or tails of the message, I just quietly ignore them. This is a sale. A business transaction. Some little animal's life is at stake. Bust out a keyboard and a spell checker, for heaven's sake.)

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

Bro, I l know how ya feel. I thankfully work at a pet store, and we usually sell our babies to customers who know our quality and effort. However, I have had some****** when I tried to sell a few through CL. its seems like 70% of the CL people who respond to your ad either: 1. are flat out d-bags, 2. Ask you a million questions about the animal(s) and want a million pictures but never want to buy it, 3. Seem interested, agree on your price, and finally commit to purchasing but...seem to "disappear" when its time to set up a date and time to meet and do the exchange. I do like using CL to sell stuff, but sometimes people make you wanna :slamhead:

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This. This x100. Whenever I breed I'm doing all KS or Fauna or here or something. No matter what I am trying to do on Craigslist- look for a job, sell a piece of furniture, etc, I am met with an attempted molestation and asking for my picture or number. What? You don't need a picture of me to buy a sofa bro. Go to the personal section. >[ Plus reading other people's ads, most just sound so shady... I dunno. Craigslist is like the internet's blackmarket.

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Originally Posted by sho220

I had a buyer back out last year because I was too slow. We exchanged emails Thursday and Friday and came to an agreement. By Saturday afternoon I was working up a shipping quote for her. I then get an email Saturday night saying she backed out because I was too slow. I was all set to ship out on Monday...the deal couldn't have possibly gone any quicker. :fishslap: Some people just need a fish slap...

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Lol what? I literally did that exact thing with a Pastave coming in... My fiancee is deployed and wanted to buy me a snake, but his Paypal is bust so he had to wire me money, which takes a few days... the seller was great, agreed to hold the snake over the weekend, we paid today, she shipped this evening and I get her tomorrow morning. :P Same with bumblebee... Can't ship over memorial day? No problem, we can handle waiting another day... People are so pushy.

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Originally Posted by loonunit

"Time burglars". Somebody at a show called the window shoppers "time burglars". I loved it.

I'm trying to remember what I put on my ads which sharply curtailed the window shoppers. "Serious inquiries only" didn't seem to have much effect. I was considering "Serious inquires only comma jerkfaces", but I figured that wasn't professional...

...oh yeah. "NO TRADES."

Once I stated NO TRADES, the number of inquiries from obvious time burglars dropped sharply.

(I also have a secret rule about legibility of text messages. The first year I sold hatchlings, I really did try to respond to everyone. Absolutely everyone. Now if someone texts or e-mails and I can't make heads or tails of the message, I just quietly ignore them. This is a sale. A business transaction. Some little animal's life is at stake. Bust out a keyboard and a spell checker, for heaven's sake.)

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I'm starting to feel better that it's not just me. :)

And if you don't mind, I'd like to borrow this for future sales: "Serious inquires only comma jerkfaces"

I'm sure I'm not the only one to experience this one: You work with someone sending them additional pictures, answering all their questions, work with them to set up a ship date, go over feeding schedules, provide pictures of the parents, go over enclosures and husbandry, and then when it's time to show me the money.....................it's "let me talk to my Mom (or girl friend, husband, wife, landlord, barber, check-out girl at the local grocery store, etc)".........................couldn't have gotten that little detail settled before you wasted all my time??? :rage:

I'm thinking Seller Horror Stories would make an interesting thread...

A good way to differentiate serious inquiries from casual inquiries, is to ask a question in the ad, like 'respond with your snake experience and why you want my snake'. or something simple that the responder can just answer, so you can easily see what kind of person they are due to the response they provide.