Listing 'Inquire' for pricing unattractive?

Anyone else think that this is unattractive to see on breeder websites when shopping for your new animal?

To me it just makes me think they are probably ridiculously high priced and I move onto the next breeder site.

I might be wrong, there may be something behind it that I'm unaware of.

i think the same thing

I shop the animal first! If it says inquire and I want the animal I inquire. If its out of my budget I move on. To me price is only a numerical value the breeder places on the quality of the animal.

If I see that, I rarely "inquire".

i agree if the snake is for sale why not post it with a price.

I think it's more like a car salesman type deal.

Buyer: "Tell me the price of the snake."
Seller: "Let's make a deal!"

While I personally pass on those, I do think that they can be helpful for your reputation if done right. Instead of "Inquire" I'd list it as "Negotiable" because to me that seems like more of an invitation to discuss the pricing.

I've been trying to put together a price list of various breeders and it makes my job here rather difficult to accomplish when half of available snakes are listed as "Inquire" lol.

its because the price is high, and if some joe down the street that isnt "in the industry" calls and inquires about it, its going to be a different price then if a big name calls and inquires about it.

I think most people do this to make sure that only serious buyers contact them; because as previously said if you really want that animal you will go after it and won't hesitate to inquire. From my experience (both in business and in snakes) when I see "Inquire" the animal in question is usually worth more than a few hundred dollars; again this is to ensure that they only get serious calls about the animal.

Same with car listings; some dealerships don't post prices because they want you to either come in or contact them about it, its just a way of doing business and generating attention.

The other thing to consider is that personal contact increases the sellers odds of making a sale..So by making you call or email they can take that opportunity to try and persuade you that you have found the snake your looking for.

It's merely a way for the seller to give you a little more personal attention that you might need to help decide on that snake.

I can tell you guys this. I recently inquired about a couple snakes on a big breeders site(who frequents this site, so I won't say his name). I inquired both by email and a few phone calls. No answer either times. At the time I was definately in the market to purchase exactly what he had. Had the price been listed I most likely would have not given up trying to contact him. It was kinda shotty to me to have "inquire" listed on an animal and to not have him respond(mind you I was a serious buyer). I guess I'll take my business elsewhere.

It's been said that the price is too high, and that is why they do it.

I just wanted to point out that it could also be that the price is too low. It may be below that of the set market value on that animal, for any number of reasons.

Perhaps there is some history with the animal that the seller would rather not place in the ad, but is willing to disclose to potential buyers?

Maybe the seller just needs to raise some cash quick like, and Instead of advertising animals below standard price and being black listed as a "market crasher" the seller simply say's "please inquire."

Even if they list a price you still have to "inquire" to begin the transaction.

Ads without a picture are more of an issue than the ones without a price, IMO.

Either way, I still think it drives away potential customers more than it does bringing business inbound.

I don't like seeing it, I find "price negotiable" is much more inviting and pleasing.

However, I hate negotiating. I'm more than willing to pay a few dollars more simply because a price is upfront and I can avoid the hassle of arguing over a price.

I hate shopping sites with no idea of the prices.

If I enquired and got a full list of prices I could accept that. having to ask about each snake is a pain. especially since when I buy it's usually with partners and 40+ snakes...

Shawn

I also never "inquire". I feel that something for sale should be listed will ALL information that would be valuble to a sale. This info includes price, pictures, weights (unless a hatchling), sex (this really bothers me at shows, if the sex is not listed it makes me think that they have not cared enough for the animal to even sex it), and if it is a normal-het something (especially pieds and albino balls) post a pic of the morph parent. These are just my thoughts, as I do not look at cars without prices either. I do not like to "sell" people on anything and do not like being sold.

I have no problem with sending an inquiry.

I hate it when you do inquire and ask the price and they come back with "what do you want to pay?"

That is just a STUPID reply and I'll lowball like crazy just for getting that response.

I think that with some of the crazy combos it can be a "feeling out" process for what buyers would be willing to pay. It's gotta be tough sometimes to come up with hard prices for some of the really high end stuff.
I will say that if it's for a simple base morph it doesn't make much sense as most have an idea of an acceptable price range.

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Originally Posted by adrenalinejunkie

I think most people do this to make sure that only serious buyers contact them [...] again this is to ensure that they only get serious calls about the animal.

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I don't think that's it. If the animals had prices, people would see the price and either be willing to pay it, or they would move on. If every animal has "Inquire" where the prices should be, I would think that the breeder would be getting all kinds of calls and emails, with a lot of them being out of curiosity only, not from serious buyers.

I don't like seeing the Inquire for prices, especially when it's for every snake a breeder has available. And it's definitely not a smart thing to do if you don't answer your phone every time it rings, or return emails promptly.

90% of the time, if I don't see a price listed, I move on. This includes just about everything I am looking for, not just snakes. As for snakes, again I usually pass and don't bother contacting the seller. That is unless it is one of those OMG, I HAVE TO HAVE IT!!!! snakes:P

Reminds me of a saying...."If you have to ask, you can't afford it"

I don't want to work to give you my money. You should be working to GET my money.

Making me take a step just to see if you are in my price range doesn't fly; unless:
1. It's a KILLER animal, one of a kind, and you know it is.
2. That's all the reasons I can think of...

Just sayin'.