Pastel Prices

Is is safe to say that Pastel prices have dropped to a stable rate. Not sure if i'm phrasing this correctly but do you guys and gals expect pastel prices to go down anymore or have they pretty muched reached the prices they will probably stay at?

Pastels are pretty common and look like they are settling down into a price for something just above a *nice normal.* Which is totally OK...really bright yellow pastels should sell easy to buyers looking for outstanding looking ball pythons. Once prices dip into pet range, not everyone and their brother buying them will actually breed them, so the supply shouldn't continue to increase at the rate it has over the past couple of years. I wouldn't in the least be suprised to see a good looking $150 male pastel next summer.

I think there will be a huge demand for pastels in the $100-200 range...

It seems like a lot of the KS adds I see now are in the 250-600 range for males, with the 600 being really nice quality snakes, but a lot of the big name breeders still have a high price tag, so I was curious as to why the big discrepency in price and when we can expect to see a level playing field. I guess some of it has to do with the repuation associated with the breeder which is totally ok by me, but does it justify the difference in price...i dunno, thats my current dilema.

You could land a pastel for cheap at a show from joe blow....a pro breeder is going to give you much more support, a warranty so to speak.

For a live animal that you could have for 20 years, I think that paying another hundred or two above market price is certainly worth it for quality.

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

It seems like a lot of the KS adds I see now are in the 250-600 range for males, with the 600 being really nice quality snakes, but a lot of the big name breeders still have a high price tag, so I was curious as to why the big discrepency in price and when we can expect to see a level playing field. I guess some of it has to do with the repuation associated with the breeder which is totally ok by me, but does it justify the difference in price...i dunno, thats my current dilema.

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I saw a bunch of cheap pastels at Daytona that didn't look much better than normals ... there are deals to be had out there, but be careful ... for the most part, you get what you pay for.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I saw a bunch of cheap pastels at Daytona that didn't look much better than normals ... there are deals to be had out there, but be careful ... for the most part, you get what you pay for.

-adam

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Yea I know what you mean, sometimes they look so normal I question whether they're really pastels or not. If I don't see anything nice at the expo I think I'm going to purchase one from Greg Graziani, he has some beautiful pastels up for sale.

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I saw a bunch of cheap pastels at Daytona that didn't look much better than normals ... there are deals to be had out there, but be careful ... for the most part, you get what you pay for.

-adam

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100% right. At white plains I saw pastels and I have a nicer looking normal. At the stage that pastels are at now, I would only buy a lemon. Lemons get brighter as they age unlike most pastels. For now most lemons go for around 350-even 700. They are sweet

I guess it really depends on what you like in a pastel. Personally, when I researched pastels, I was not as much impressed with the bright yellow ones, as I was with the stunning blushing this morph has. I bought mine based on that, and also the blushing on his sire. I have never seen a normal that comes close in the blushing department. Not to mention that BLACK contrasting pattern coloration!
Honestly, a Pastel is the only morph i can afford; too many realistic monthly expenses that I will not put aside for a snake. And when they were 1500 (in the low range) they were out of my reach; heck, that's more than I paid for both of our horses put together. But I became awed by that darned blushing in this guy's pattern, not to mention the obvious brightness;difference in color from my normals; it was a perfect fit. I plan on using this guy to "earn" super pastels one day, which stun me beyond belief!

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

I think I'm going to purchase one from Greg Graziani, he has some beautiful pastels up for sale.

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So does Adam! :sweeet:

I love the Grazianis! Mine is one.. it is about killing waiting for him to arrive today! I keep obsessively checking the FedEx tracking thingie :)

I've seen 06 & some 05 Pastels (Graziani mainly) from as low as $150, but $250-$400 on average. Some, of course nicer than others.

I always say you buy what you get.
If you buy cheap then you are getting something not all that great. If you buy something a bit more expensive, then you are going to get that.

Cheep stuff does not always have a good worth about it.
I'd rather spend a few extra dollars and get something I know is going to be good.

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Originally Posted by lillyorchid

I always say you buy what you get.
If you buy cheap then you are getting something not all that great. If you buy something a bit more expensive, then you are going to get that.

Cheep stuff does not always have a good worth about it.
I'd rather spend a few extra dollars and get something I know is going to be good.

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Usually this is the general rule (you get what you pay for!), but you could also get a great deal at the lower end of the price range as well as you could easily pay too much for crap.

I think it's 99.9% doing your homework and research, research and then some more research. Know what you want, what your buying and what it's worth to you. As long as you're happy with your purchase and what you paid for it, that's all that matters. Whether you pay $800 or $200, as long as you're happy, it's all good. :D

I'm with Gerry on this. What's it matter what you paid as long as you are thrilled with your new pastel and happy with the breeder you chose to go with. Whether you like lemons, grazianis, blondes, a lot of blushing, whatever...it's your personal choice and up to you to find the snake you want from a reputable breeder that will be there before, during and after the sale. Then whatever you paid, I figure you certainly got your money's worth.

I hope to see something nice at the expo in white plains but if I don't find one there; then I'm off to search the web. Its just a shame cause I don't think you can really appreciate a snake unless in person, cameras just don't do them justice. I've yet to see a Pastel or any morph in person so I'm hoping white plains won't let me down.

I recently saw my first pastel, bumblebee, lesser platty, butter and pinstripe and was just blown away. Pics on the internet just don't do them the justice of their full beauty. I was literally shaking when the breeder let me hold his lovely pinstripe.

I think sooner or later pastels will reach a plateau they can't or shouldn't go under. I think they should probably stay in the $250 to 300 range and if they are nicer of course you would pay more.

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Originally Posted by emilio

I think sooner or later pastels will reach a plateau they can't or shouldn't go under. I think they should probably stay in the $250 to 300 range and if they are nicer of course you would pay more.

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What do you think the guys that are selling pastels for $250 this year will be selling them for next season when their customers produce pastels and try to sell them for $250 each?

Undercutters will always undercut ... I don't see pastel prices leveling off anytime soon.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

What do you think the guys that are selling pastels for $250 this year will be selling them for next season when their customers produce pastels and try to sell them for $250 each?

Undercutters will always undercut ... I don't see pastel prices leveling off anytime soon.

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It has to level sooner or later, or else the undercutters will be PAYING people to take them. :)

If pet store normals are going for $50 to $100 for CH imports, I would think a CB Pastel couldn't get lower than $100 wholesale. Although I'm probably underestimating the power of Jimmy.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

It has to level sooner or later, or else the undercutters will be PAYING people to take them. :)

If pet store normals are going for $50 to $100 for CH imports, I would think a CB Pastel couldn't get lower than $100 wholesale. Although I'm probably underestimating the power of Jimmy.

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The pet stores that are selling those CH imports aren't paying $50 to $100 for them ... they are buying them for much cheaper ... and the distributers that supply the pet stores are buying them for even cheaper than that ... I can get CH males less than $8.00 each.

Prices will level off when the $$$$ dries up for the flippers.

-adam

When people who are selling these animals don't operate like a business and compete on price alone as the only factor of them making a sale, undercutting is going to keep happening and prices will go lower and lower.

Its amazing to me that people are in this for such short-term return that they'd rather sell a pastel for $250 immediately as a hatchling, as opposed to raising it up to 300-400 grams and watch it fly out of your rack for $400........

In no way am I advocating a price decrease I don't think it should go down.But I'll tell you this even the biggest breeders in daytona were undercutting.

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

The pet stores that are selling those CH imports aren't paying $50 to $100 for them ... they are buying them for much cheaper ... and the distributers that supply the pet stores are buying them for even cheaper than that ... I can get CH males less than $8.00 each.

Prices will level off when the $$$$ dries up for the flippers.

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I realize that, which was why I placed the wholesale price at the retail level. If the wholesale price for pastels was less than that it would compete with the retailers and their cheap imports. So either the pet stores will have to take less of a profit or the African exporters will charge less in order to compete with the Pastels. Then of course the Pastels would probably drop as well.

Gotta love a place where you can talk herps and economics...when prices start to drop don't you think its viable that the people looking for a quick buck will move onto some other co-dom trait to completely oversupply? And if this does happen hopefully the deminishing supply will bring prices back to more present scenerario? Just a thought.

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Originally Posted by xdeus

I realize that, which was why I placed the wholesale price at the retail level. If the wholesale price for pastels was less than that it would compete with the retailers and their cheap imports. So either the pet stores will have to take less of a profit or the African exporters will charge less in order to compete with the Pastels. Then of course the Pastels would probably drop as well.

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Not really sure what you're trying to say, but the wholesale price for pastels is already below $100 ... and it will be lower next year.

-adam

Which co-dom will be next as far as this drastic price drop, or will there be one.

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Originally Posted by greenmonkey51

Which co-dom will be next as far as this drastic price drop, or will there be one.

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Drastic is a relative term ... I paid $6500 for a lemon pastel 7 years ago ... not bad IMHO ... I paid $5,000 for a het albino male over 10 years ago ... still not bad ... all prices are going to come down ... the good news is that the ball market is strong and there will always be money to be made breeding these amazing animals ... how much depends on your goals and what you put into it.

-adam

prices on alot of morphs are all over the place right now. imo, i think alot of people are buying morphs as pets now, that's good too. so they are shopping for the best deal because they aren't interested in breeding or making a "return". nothing wrong with that, just a different mindset from someone looking at "investment purchases". i.e. i would spend 5-10k on a good investment, not near that on a pet with no plans for a return.



vaughn

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Not really sure what you're trying to say, but the wholesale price for pastels is already below $100 ... and it will be lower next year.

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Wow... didn't realize that. I guess it will come down to how much it costs to produce a clutch and how much profit people are willing to accept per snake.

imo, when talking about wholesale prices, you are also talking wholesale quantity. to me wholesale prices are on 10-20 lot and above quantities.



vaughn

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Not really sure what you're trying to say, but the wholesale price for pastels is already below $100 ... and it will be lower next year.

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I will take 0.10 Pastels....PLEASE :D :D :D