BP prices.

Why does it cost so much just to get a single gene or double gene morph? Yes some single gened prices are down some but I'm not looking to pay $500 for a single gene pet. These are beautiful animals and I want to expand my collection some. Yet I can't because the prices on the ones I like are so far out of reach. I'm not looking to buy a car here am I? Can anyone explain why the prices are so high?

Supply and demand. Without artificial ceilings or floors present, supply and demand drives the pricing on everything in the world.

Prices are coming down.

I saw a really pretty het that the person wanted $300 for. Then I look up what its het for and find out they are barren. No I don't plan to breed but why would I pay that much for a barren animal? What if I had to sell them because of health issues in me and the new owner was planning to breed? He couldn't with that girl. I guess I will wait till spring and see what prices are at then. I see a ton of BPs for sale and I really do mean a ton and the prices are astronomical. $25000 for certain morphs. Sorry but I can get a brand new truck with the accessories I want for that much. How do people afford them? Do they get a loan or finance it?

Some do payment plans for the higher priced ones. Some use credit cards and some just have that kinda money.
What het are referring to? If you're looking for a pet... there are many single gene for $100 or less, and look for male, they are always cheaper than females

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I was looking at the darker morphs. Yes the lighter ones are beautiful but I like the darker ones. I will just have to wait till spring when people are letting go of their "wash outs". I think the babies are really adorable but would prefer adults because thats how I've always been. If you get an animal at the shelter the puppies and kittens go first the older goobers get left there. I've always preferred older animals. Plus they are already established in their habits. I would prefer not to go through the same stress with a new BP as I did my girl. Although I know more now than I did then lol. Reading the info is totally different than experiencing it. I was just wondering if the prices I'm see is normal for this time of year and what goes through peoples heads when they pop a huge price tag like that on a baby BP. If it was me the most I would charge is around $800 for an extremely fancy morph. It just doesn't make sense to slap a huge price tag on something. Especially a living breathing thing.

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

What if I had to sell them because of health issues in me and the new owner was planning to breed? He couldn't with that girl.

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Why couldn't he breed that girl?

I found out all the females are barren (infertile). So no breeding for her. She would just be a very pretty sweet pet.

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

If it was me the most I would charge is around $800 for an extremely fancy morph. It just doesn't make sense to slap a huge price tag on something. Especially a living breathing thing.

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That's relative. To some people $800 is a huge price tag for a snake. Those people would be saying the same thing about you, you are saying about others now.

My understanding (which could very well be wrong) is a lot of the $20k, $25k, etc price tags are being sold to other breeders. It's an investment in their business.

True 200x. I can understand if the animal was going to a good breeder that wanted to further their lines like that. People like me that want a beautiful pet though its out of my price range. I would love to add a 5 gene morph but can not legitimately get one. If I was a millionaire or won the lottery then yeah I could see paying that kind of price. It's almost like its a status symbol if you can pay that much for just a tiny little baby that is completely adorable but what happens when it gets older and isn't as "cute" as it was? Or you get bored with a pet that just sleeps in its hide all the time? People neglect the poor thing. So I can understand putting a higher price tag on one of your "babies" to make sure it goes to a good home and is treated appropriately. Shoot my girl is 4 yrs and after getting her back I have gotten all of her problems sorted out very fast and easy. She is gaining weight again and she was only a $50 normal. I do take her out check her over and "play" with her but I still can't see paying so much for a pet. But then again I also have gotten most of my pets (they are all brats and fat and sassy) as freebies. They either just show up, or are given to me because they aren't small and cute anymore.

It's probably not cheaper to make your own multi-gene, but often more rewarding, and you can do it at your own pace, odds gods willing. Say you get a good tax return and can afford a 400-dollar multi gene dominant boy, he can do a lot with normal females, and as you have babies and sell them at market prices, do that for a few years, you might be able to afford a pair, perhaps 2 hets or a visual and a het. It's all about long term investment management.

Of course, if you're looking for a multi gene pet without all the prior investment, they're gonna be a lot harder to get a hold of off the bat, because with that kind of price tag breeders are looking to extend the line-- and the investment they already made to produce that animal.


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Which morph in particular are you referring to?

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Then go buy a truck and not a snake.

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

I was looking at the darker morphs. Yes the lighter ones are beautiful but I like the darker ones. I will just have to wait till spring when people are letting go of their "wash outs". I think the babies are really adorable but would prefer adults because thats how I've always been. If you get an animal at the shelter the puppies and kittens go first the older goobers get left there. I've always preferred older animals. Plus they are already established in their habits. I would prefer not to go through the same stress with a new BP as I did my girl. Although I know more now than I did then lol. Reading the info is totally different than experiencing it. I was just wondering if the prices I'm see is normal for this time of year and what goes through peoples heads when they pop a huge price tag like that on a baby BP. If it was me the most I would charge is around $800 for an extremely fancy morph. It just doesn't make sense to slap a huge price tag on something. Especially a living breathing thing.

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Because they can and people will pay it. If you make a new truck you're not gonna sell it for $500 right off, the things that went in to it cost well over that.

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Not sure what morph your talking about here OP. To my knowlege Deserts are the only infertile/egglaying issue females. You might be getting Desert Ghosts and Deserts mixed up. There are Desert Ghosts which is one gene, there are Deserts which are a seperate gene, and then there are Ghosts/Hypos which are again a seperate gene from the previous two.

My truck works great thanks I don't need another one lol. I like BPs because they are so sweet. Even when she's having a temper tantrum my girl has never bitten. It's also getting harder for me to play with my brat dog and like that BPs will relax with you. I also am just fascinated by how they move. So I would like to get another one. I am just curious what constitutes a really high price tag on a beautiful animal like these are. Yes supply and demand, and investments are good reasons for having a higher price tag. What makes them so high is my question. This is a conversation that I like I like knowing the reasons behind things. I'm not a person that will say ok this is what they are charging. I am a person that wants to know how can they garantee what I'm buying is what they say it is. Shoot I haven't even gotten a new cell phone lately because they are too high priced and have a lot of glitches going on. I guess I'm kind of a skeptic when someone say "oh this is the best" and then you find out nope sorry charlie not by a long shot.
By the way Cooper I've been on your site. You have some very gorgeous animals on there. I wish I had the energy to deal with babies lol. I would have bought some of yours if I had the money.
Ive also seen some people getting out of the BP trade because it wasn't the instant money maker they thought it would be. What happens to those babies because the person got bored and wanted out? Thats why I am going for BPs as pets. If I were to breed it would be a very long way down the road. I would love to pick up a good 2 gene girl that was a visible for both but know I couldn't afford her. I am just a curious person I guess.

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

Which morph in particular are you referring to?

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More than likely, deserts...the females of that morph are barren to my knowledge.


There are a lot of sales going on right now for Christmas, and obviously most of them are fine with payment plans due to weather.

Sorry brain shut down on morph for a minute. I went to look it up lol. Its the desert morph. If the females are barren why do they still try to sell them for so much? For breeders they won't be worth anything. They would basically be the equivalent of a normal wouldn't they? I'm full of questions this morning. Couldn't sleep and they are popping out now. Yes normals are really beautiful, because they range so much in color and pattern. Yes the prices are up and down right now because of Christmas. It's almost like BPs are the new puppy for Christmas. Does anyone else feel this way?

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

More than likely, deserts...the females of that morph are barren to my knowledge.


There are a lot of sales going on right now for Christmas, and obviously most of them are fine with payment plans due to weather.

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He said it was a het though, deserts are codom aren't they?

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

Yes supply and demand, and investments are good reasons for having a higher price tag. What makes them so high is my question.

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Supply and demand is not a reason for higher price tags. It's the reason for all pricing, high or low.

If something has a high price tag it's because supply is low and demand is high. There are not a lot of [insert 5 gene combo] snakes, and a lot of people want them. Prices will be high.

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

Sorry brain shut down on morph for a minute. I went to look it up lol. Its the desert morph. If the females are barren why do they still try to sell them for so much? For breeders they won't be worth anything. They would basically be the equivalent of a normal wouldn't they? I'm full of questions this morning. Couldn't sleep and they are popping out now. Yes normals are really beautiful, because they range so much in color and pattern. Yes the prices are up and down right now because of Christmas. It's almost like BPs are the new puppy for Christmas. Does anyone else feel this way?

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The prices for deserts are high because they are pretty and there aren't many. Not everyone breeds, some people just want a nice-looking pet. However, to a breeder a desert female is worth less than a normal female, because at least the normal female can be bred, and while she can't produce combo morphs, depending on her looks she may help to improve certain genes.

If you're strictly looking for a pet try to find a normal with a sweet disposition. One of my favorites is a normal girl who isn't much to look at from a "morph" standpoint, but she's on my list of ambassador snakes and is one of just two that will come to the front of the tub to check you out when you slide it out of the rack. All of my others race to the back or duck into a hide, hiss, strike, etc.

My girl is the sweetest thing. The only time she has a "temper tantrum" is when I don't feed her right when she wants. She's a greedy thing now that she is getting a steady diet. She's a gorgeous normal also to me. I wouldn't trade her for the world. I have heard and this is just hearsay that some of these new morphs coming out aren't so pleasant to be around. I also have a yellow belly boy and he's a sweetheart too but the one I prefer is my original girl. I only have the 2 BPs and am thinking I will stick with them till I find the right morph, sex, and temperament that I want. Also thank you all for making this a good informative conversation instead of a jump down the throat because I asked a question thread. I like discussions like this. Thanks again and lets keep this going some more.

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Originally Posted by Kodieh

He said it was a het though, deserts are codom aren't they?

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Yes it's a codominant/incomplete dominant (or possibly dominant) mutation, and yes it's also heterozygous for that mutation (there are no homozygous deserts)

Just some thoughts...

I've had this question come up quite a bit when I was doing shows. I once heard another breeder answer this question with "why is a Mickey Mantle baseball card worth so much?" It's a photo and some stats printed on the same cardboard as the Joe Smith card. It's based on rarity and/or demand.

I've also heard the truck/car analogy but if you put two cars in a garage you'll never come home to six more. Most people who spend a lot of money on a snake do it as an investment as they plan to breed it and make more, combos, etc.

If someone wants a pet but wants something more "exotic" then a normal there are plenty of neat options that are affordable, Lesser, Mojave, Pastel, Pinstripe, Spider, etc. You can also spend a bit more if you have the means, albino. pied, etc. There are also folks who may spend more.

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Originally Posted by MarkS

Yes it's a codominant/incomplete dominant (or possibly dominant) mutation, and yes it's also heterozygous for that mutation (there are no homozygous deserts)

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Yeah I think he's thinking of desert ghost...which is recessive. And those hets are worth every penny!

Very nicely put. See now this is explaining why. I like looking around at all the morphs out there and seeing what is going on. I have noticed a lot of high priced single gene morphs. I love the thought of getting a low white black pastel pied but can't afford iy and know I can't. So even though I love the look I don't go near it because I know I would get it lol. Now iF and its a big if something comes of my husband's accidental breeding of my yb and normal I do plan to keep a yb female. I like the looks. Especially if they come out as dark as the possible momma.

Also recessives will remain higher priced because of the extra time and effort needed. I have always found myself drawn to recessives for some reason, even in GSD I based on the sable gene :)

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What is my time worth?
In the garage you pay me for what I know, not what I do. ;)
In my reptile room, you pay me for what I know AND what I do.
You do pay more for quality as well.
Some people like clean and others like dirty patterns in certain morphs.
Bottom line is that it is only worth what people will pay however I am not one to drop a price on my labor of love either.:gj:

The prices are high because people will pay that much. Heck, in the few short years I've been in the hobby, prices have come down drastically. It's a buyers market for sure.

As for the multi-thousand dollar animals, money is often not even exchanged . There are a lot of value based trades between breeders (at least from what I have seen).

That's funny, prices are not high. A female desert is about $300, that's not expensive.
Prices drop every month its ridiculous. I paid $900 for my male Albino Spider a year ago and just last week they were selling for $450-$550.
You blink and the price drops $100.

I have seen people willing to trade for certain morphs, but I would not give up my girl for any kind of trade even for a panda pied lol. I would eventually like to get into breeding but not for a long time. My husband probably wouldn't let me till I built a building for it away from the house and the boys were in their teens lol. He still doesn't see why I like my snakes. I am just looking around right now and seeing whats what. I do wonder if people that are trading between each other really know about the other person. I saw a post of fauna about a guy who traded 2 breeder girls for 5 babies and 2 had nasty bite wounds. I wouldn't want that to happen to me, or to anyone.

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

I do wonder if people that are trading between each other really know about the other person. I saw a post of fauna about a guy who traded 2 breeder girls for 5 babies and 2 had nasty bite wounds. I wouldn't want that to happen to me, or to anyone.

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There are thieves, criminals, and scam artists in most industries. Unfortunately when dealing with animals, not just people can get hurt. While there are precautions that both buyers and sellers can take to avoid getting burned, the animals really have little say in the matter.

You say you like darker morphs. Have you looked at cinnamon? It is dark, and they are reasonably priced.

Desert is an unproven dominate because the females cant thermoregulate their eggs because of a problem with the desert gene so there wouldnt be any het deserts there is a recessive gene called dessert ghost and as far as i know there are no issues with there females. As to why the prices are so high or so low its all a supply and demand. To get a 5 gene morph it can take years and lots of luck every gene you add to a snake ups the price because the more genes the more time it takes to produce and then these animals are on high demand and low supply so say theres only 5 of one morph out there for those 5 snakes there could be thousands of people who want that one morph so the price is going to be high. then when you add in a recessive gene the price goes up more because the recessive gene adds even more time to the production

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There are many cheap single genes under $100. Mojaves, cinnamons, black pastels, etc etc are affordable dark genes.



When I first started a few years ago, I thought a $100 female pastel hatching was expensive. It was a good deal at the time. And now I think it was a dirt cheap purchase considering that I've since gotten animals over $1k. And in perspective, that $1k is peanuts compared to what other people have paid for snakes.

People price their animals based on quality, genetics, sex, demand, and rarity. And people pay what they think is fair. No one is forcing you to pay a certain amount. Pay what you want to pay.

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Originally Posted by Phantomtip

I love the thought of getting a low white black pastel pied but can't afford iy and know I can't.

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All black pastel Pieds are high white animals.

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You know, I used a lot of green to get my NERD lemon boy, and think he was worth every penny...it was love at first sight. Color and pattern, he's kept it well.

It all depends on why you are here. For me, finding a snake is like choosing a piece of art...

For what it's worth, I love the desert gene and will probably pick up a female in the future...would make a lovely pet!!!

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There are many cheap single genes under $100. Mojaves, cinnamons, black pastels

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P

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eople price their animals based on quality, genetics, sex, demand, and rarity

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Was going to purchase a cinnamon last week til the breeder said he wanted $250 for a female, I was expecting somewhere between $90-$130, I offer $150 he refuse. :(

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Originally Posted by jessica87

P

Was going to purchase a cinnamon last week til the breeder said he wanted $250 for a female, I was expecting somewhere between $90-$130, I offer $150 he refuse. :(

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Thats someone over valuing an animal. Unless it was large.

I picked up a gorgeous cinnamon female for $80 and he was asking $150. Art of the deal.

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Originally Posted by jessica87

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Was going to purchase a cinnamon last week til the breeder said he wanted $250 for a female, I was expecting somewhere between $90-$130, I offer $150 he refuse. :(

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The show last Saturday, a guy had a simply stunning cinnamon hatchling for $50, I literally had to tear myself away. It was gorgeous. They are out there... trust me!
I'm hoping he's at the next one :)
I needed the female I purchased more and even at the price getting two wasn't an option since I promised my other half he could get another hognose.

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Originally Posted by jessica87

P

Was going to purchase a cinnamon last week til the breeder said he wanted $250 for a female, I was expecting somewhere between $90-$130, I offer $150 he refuse. :(

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Depends on her age/size/proven breeder/etc. IMO your offer was about right for a hatchling, way low for an adult.

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Depends on her age/size/proven breeder/etc. IMO your offer was about right for a hatchling, way low for an adult.

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I forgot to add that, the cinnamon wasn't even 125 grams yet and on live mice hoppers still, he didn't have any adults.

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Originally Posted by jessica87

I forgot to add that, the cinnamon wasn't even 125 grams yet and on live mice hoppers still, he didn't have any adults.

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Simply over valuing. You can value your snakes at billions, doesn't mean that's what you get.

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This is what I mean. Some people think because they bred and hatched the animal its worth its weight in gold. I've seen some that over 300 for a tiny baby, almost what you would say a runt.

I think offering $150 for a baby cinnamon was a fair deal.

For a high quality cinnamon female, I'd also charge $150. If she doesn't sell, I'll just keep her. When she's put on more weight, I can sell her for more or keep her for my own breeding.

My cinnamons have floating connected pattern down the sides, and amazing blushing, both traits that command more than the "normal" patterned cinnies.

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The price isn't controlled by how much 'you' are willing to pay, it's controlled by the most (read: average) that someone is.

its funny to see someone complaining about too high prices, while people complain about how the prices are dropping all the time :)

but seriously, you can now even get combos at really low prices. pewter, bee, firefly, super pastel, lemonblast, i often see posts where people mention that they got one of these and paid in the very low 3 digits for it.

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Originally Posted by Pythonfriend

its funny to see someone complaining about too high prices, while people complain about how the prices are dropping all the time :)

but seriously, you can now even get combos at really low prices. pewter, bee, firefly, super pastel, lemonblast, i often see posts where people mention that they got one of these and paid in the very low 3 digits for it.

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I think many people haggle, which is fine but I think sometimes breeders feel a need to move things fast so they go ahead and knock off the $50 that they would agree to and on the last day of the show go ahead and accept the $30 under offer from a buyer.

If you feel like breeding might be where you are heading, then the investment in the higher dollar morphs might be something to aim for in the future since while you will not sell too many of those offspring at the original market value, as the market price comes down and more people can afford the morph, you will have plenty of well started or maybe even adult specimens that can be sold readily and at least let you break even. Obviously though there are no guarantees.

I have just read through this and thought "He he he; you think your prices are high?!"

I'm in the UK: (all prices converted to dollars to help you guys :) ) most of these are breeders prices so miles cheaper than the rep stores!
My pastel was $285
Lesser was $360
Mojave was only $131 as I got him in a deal with the lesser; should have been $196
My het albino boy was $115
My bee, albino and het gs cost $575 I got them together. My albino by herself should have cost this!
Finally my spider was $164

You pay for the work gone into these beautiful animals I think, a 5 gene animal can take years! Whilst we all like to grab our bargains we have to be willing to pay the price at times too. I would be like a kid in a sweet shop over in the US. You guys have a buyer's market, whilst the UK sits in the seller's market (just). If a BP became too cheap they would possibly be more over-bred and end up like bearded dragons over here; too many animals not enough demand.


Just to add: At these prices I got many of these at such ridiculous deals other buyer's here have been shocked at my fortune!

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Originally Posted by rabernet

For a high quality cinnamon female, I'd also charge $150. If she doesn't sell, I'll just keep her. When she's put on more weight, I can sell her for more or keep her for my own breeding.

My cinnamons have floating connected pattern down the sides, and amazing blushing, both traits that command more than the "normal" patterned cinnies.

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http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/12/u8uzy8y6.jpg

Something like this? :)

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I bought my male cinnamon for 50bucks from a local breeder friend of mine

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