NERD reptiles fairly priced?

[neting4luv]

Was wondering why nerd prices are so far off from other breeders prices. I understand they have higher over heads and have pioneered some great python morphs but jeez the prices! Want to pick up a queen bee and a superfly female. They want 3250 for the queen bee and 3500 for the superfly. They were willing to give me a deal for 6000.00 for the both of them. Which I appreciate. So im thinking 750 off what a great deal! But it still doesn't add up. I found queen bees to be in the price range of about a 1800 through dynasty rep, and 2000 through bhb. 1000 difference. And the superfly I've seen the for about 2200 to 2500 range. Am I crazy or is there something missing? I don't mind spending more money for a quality morph. But were talking about a huge difference is prices here. Would like your thoughts and advice about this subject. Hopefully someone can shed some light. Cause right now im blind! I could be spending 4000 versus 6000. And by the way these will be my first two females. Thanks in advance. My passionate addiction begins.

A little bit about me. I started this hobby surprisingly through my beautiful daughter. My brother inlaw took her to the mall to buy her gift for her 11th birthday. Low and behold she comes home with a normal ball python. My wife and I were shocked to say the least. She didn't even want it in the house. She warmed up to the idea pretty quickly though. In the end she loves our normal ball python pepper. My wife and I were born in the year of the snake. And granted I have two large tattoos of snakes on my body along with the first tattoo that reads snake in Chinese. Ive never thought to myself hey I'll buy a snake. I sorta feel destined to breed snakes now that it's been introduced to me. Thank god for my brother inlaw and daughter for sparking my interest and passion for wanting to collect and breed these beautiful reptiles.

[Skittles1101]

If you want quality, you have to pay for it. A good majority of NERDs snake's are very good quality and health, therefore you'll pay more through them than some breeders. It's kind of the difference between a $75 pastel and a $250 pastel. You'll see the big difference as they grow up. Some private breeders also charge higher prices for their morphs because of the quality. As with anything else, a better quality "product" will cost more. And the name brand sometimes has a pull on it too.

[Rob]

You pay for the trusted name

[Simple Man]

The value of an animal always lies in the person spending the money. Compare all the different examples of the morph you want to add and select the one that best represents the ideal you are seeking to breed. You will pay more to buy from a big name but that doesn't always mean they have the best looking snake. I've made some fantastic deals negotiating prices on snakes that I have found to be top notch examples of their respective morphs. I've paid under market pricing on many snakes in my collection. Find the snake you want and then negotiate a price. Any other way of doing it is setting you up to spend too much or to get a snake that is a poor example of the morph. Just some advice for you and welcome to the board and hobby!

Regards,

B

[Slim]

While I also think NERD's prices are on the high side, he can charge what he wants, and obviously he's selling enough animals to stay in business.

Do I think his morphs are better than anyone else’s and deserve the higher price points? Depends on the morph. Personally, I wouldn't put either Queen Bees or Super Flys in that category. Especially Queen Bees, as there are lots of breeders out there producing great Bees at significantly lower prices.

On the other hand, If I were in the market for a Soul Sucker, there's only one place I would go, and yes, I'd pay the premium.

Please keep in mind that being the biggest breeder on the block doesn't automatically make you the best breeder on the block. At this point in the history of the BP trade, there are many small hobby breeders out there consistently producing high quality animals. The trick is to find out who they are and develop a relationship with them.

[Kinra]

If you want quality, you have to pay for it. A good majority of NERDs snake's are very good quality and health, therefore you'll pay more through them than some breeders. It's kind of the difference between a $75 pastel and a $250 pastel. You'll see the big difference as they grow up. Some private breeders also charge higher prices for their morphs because of the quality. As with anything else, a better quality "product" will cost more. And the name brand sometimes has a pull on it too.

X2

The NERD name does have some pull to it, but they also produce high quality animals. I got my lemon pastel from them and she was way more than most pastels on the market but worth every penny. She's pushing almost 1300-1400g right now and looks fantastic.

[JTrott]

NERD charges what snakes are worth, not what somone dropped their prices to get to. Honestly, I think that queenbees should be 3000 because of the amount of work that goes into making that animal......NERD will sell it for 3250 because SOMEONE will appreciate the work that it took to make that animal.....honestly, I still get 750-800 for lesser females because of the quality I produce......just saying.....I don't sell them in a week, but they are quality, and usually over 400 grams......I don't buy from people who have the lowest prices, and I don't mind kicking out for quality animals.....and most other people don't either.......the people who look for the cheapest price, are usually the people who are gonna cut your throat next year when they drop the price LOWER to sell their animal cheaper than you......just a little something to think about.....I am sure NERD has their price that high because they would not mind keeping it, and if you want it, you are gonna pay for it......

Jason

[RobNJ]

NERD's been doing their thing well enough and long enough that they can price how they'd like and still make a lot of sales...if you don't like the price, move on to the next seller, nobody loses out. To answer your question, if people are willing to pay NERD's prices to have a NERD ball python in their collection, then they are priced fairly, and more power to them for being able to sell at those prices.

To be honest(and I'm assuming this is the first time you're loooking at potentially buying from them), I'm wondering what's going through your head questioning if they price fairly when they offer you an 11% discount on your first purchase from them.

[Slim]

NERD charges what snakes are worth, not what somone dropped their prices to get to.

Prices are set by the seller. Worth is determined by the market and the buyer. A subtle distinction, but an important one.

[Royal Hijinx]

I think the OP has a fair question.

I see the OP's question as "Are the NERD snakes worth the premium over current market?". He does not seem to be saying that he will not pay it if they really are. Also, he is not the first person to dare utter that NERD pricing may be out of whack with the market.

The folks above are correct that NERD can and will charge what they think they can get for the animals. I always look at that they have, but have passed on them at this point die to pricing. I have found equal or better examples of the morph I was looking for from other breeders at better pricing. I still look, and I reckon I will buy from them at somewhat of a premium for a especially nice animal.

For example: I am always looking at Champ females. NERD asks well over 3K for them still. Is anyone really going to state that the stock is better than say Dave Green or Mark Petros (as an example, not drag in another name) or any other good smaller breeder at 1/3 to 1/2 the price? NERD does add that their Champs are used in the PCP Ball, but does not state that there is any special genetics that make it particular. In this case, I can see charging somewhat over market, but the mark-up is too high. I have seen this happen when someone does not care to sell the animal, and that is fine but it needs to be seen for what it is.

Another example is they want $1000 for a Honey Bee female (versus the market of around $800). She is a very nice example and would (and might) pay this for her. Not because she is at NERD, but because she is awesome.

As far as animal health goes, a BP can only be in so perfect of health, and any small breeder I have dealt with has perfectly healthy snakes. NERD snakes are then not generally "healthier". On a scale of 1-100, a ton of smaller breeders are easily at 100 health wise, right up there with NERD.

It appears they are willing to negotiate a bit (as most folks are). And, that is cool. But to be honest, 11% off something marked up 60% is not that much. Kind of reminds me of department store jewelry.

So in summary. I am willing to pay premium for a premium example of a morph. I do not believe that the big name always indicates a better, healthier example. NERD has awesome stock, but so do a handful of other breeders. I will likely buy from them in the future if I find an animal that fits my plans and aesthetic, but not for the name.

As for the person who agrees with the pricing because they "think" that the snake should be worth that much, good luck. Market dynamics determine the worth of anything. Look at Hypos, they are as hard to make as a Pied, but the value is not there.

Dang that was long.