Tips on "how to sell" large lots of snakes pleez....

[4theSNAKElady]

So, me and my hubby to be need to let go of a large portion of our collection...(its very hard for us to choose which ones go ). Its roughly about 15 BPs and one lucy ratsnake. Now, weve posted smaller lots before on CL and fauna, here, even little paper flyers, but we haven't had much success. We've sold one here and there, but we need to move more snakes than just two or three. And it seems that weve had people that are interested them and never call us back, or say they will meet us to buy them, but then never answer the calls from us on the day we agreed to meet. Any of you out there have success in selling groups of animals? What tips could you give us to help sell them better (other then making them super cheap), make them more appealing, and guarantee a sale and not get someone whos just gonna *@!# us around??? Its hard to have to sell that many in our collection, but we have a wedding to pay for, and have decided to concentrate on multiple gene animals. Your success stories would be great to hear about too!

[coldbloodaddict]

Kingsnake.com...You'll have a harder time retailing the group all at once...If you need them all gone ASAP your best bet is to reach out to a Flipper...

[RobNJ]

Exactly what Jon said...not too many people are interested in large group purchases, and those that are will be looking to turn them around for a quick sale to make some $$. If you have time to part them out and sell individually, definitely the way to go...in a group like that, I'd say you'd be fortunate for someone to offer 50-60 cents to the dollar you're looking for.

[BciJoe]

In my experience, very few people are interested in large group purchases unless they can instantly and easily flip them.

Think about it, with so many types of BPs, very few people will want the exact grouping that you are offering. and in most cases, if someone has, let's say, the $5000 to buy a group of 15 low/mid-end snakes that they don't all want (just an example), most would rather buy a couple high end snakes that they would want, that would give them the best bang for their buck. That's why it's very hard to sell a group unless at wholesale pricing.

Another thing to consider is the massive relief and convenience of getting rid of all of them at once... this saves you alot of time, effort, feeding, headaches, etc. and this translates into an even lower price for the group because all the work is now dumped on the buyer. The larger, the lower.. lol

How low? Well if I had to buy a group and am not thrilled with every animal in the group, or don't have the space (because let's face it, we snake addicts don't usually have empty cage space at all, not to mention 15 empties.. lol.. this cost the buyer more money and/or more work), I would have to buy it so cheap, that I can flip them quick, which means cheap, and still male a little. Let's say purchase at 50% of value, and quickly turn for 70% of value, so i'm not sitting on them. and this is still work and hassle for the flipper, even though it's what they may like to do and may pay dividends at the end like a free snake or two.

So the cheap option is obvious... post the group at about 60% of value and take 50%. Hey i've taken 30% of value on a large group because the hassle it saves me is priceless. But this can still take long.. for reasons i've already mentioned and because most snake people don't have $5k-$10k laying around... they get some extra money and buy another BP, one at a time.. lol... like good little addicts.. lol (who me? )

I think a better option would be to post a good individual ad with great pics and price them at about 70%-75% of value.

In my experience, a great ad for a good snake that is cheap, ALWAYS sells faster than a group that is even cheaper. ALWAYS!

and reach out to people who do this.. pet stores, vendors at shows, etc. I know lots of vendors that buy pre-show and dump post-show, because once you have to take it home, lots of real profit is gone.

also consider trading for something that would be easier to sell, and even bartering for something you initially intended to use the money on!



Just my experience...

BTW, where is teh list... can we see it?

[Wapadi]

PICTURES PICTURES AND MORE PICTURES!!!

Pictures say a thousand words and when you are attempting to sell an animal for hundreds of dollars you really need a great picture. And cell phones do not take GREAT pictures. Take a look at some of John's at ColdBlooded Addictions pictures or mine.....lol. I also second the kingsnake idea and facebook is another great media.

Also where is the list? I havent seen it.

[mainbutter]

To move a snake fast, you have to have:
1) someone who's interested see your animal
2) see a price for it that you are asking
3) think that price is a great price to pay
4) is able to pay that price
5) REALLY want the snake

So if you have BEAUTIFUL snakes, they will move faster. If you have snakes that are priced competitively, they will move faster.

In general, you're not going to sell a ball python fast at a price you think is fair, because most people base "fair" prices on the asking price of what already exists in zillions of posts on fauna.. the exception being if your snake is a prettier version than all the other similar ones out there. If your animals aren't moving fast, it's because your price point is off, relative to both the perceived value of your animals and how fast you want your animals to be sold.

Cheap morphs that aren't well above average in looks are just plain hard to move.

I'd stay away from Craigslist unless you're giving a snake away for free or selling an animal for $25. The demand for morphs just isn't there.

Plus, feel free to utilize the bp.net classifieds.

[Inknsteel]

Definitely post a list of what you're looking to sell. I'm in NJ and while I can't buy the whole lot, I might be interested in some if you've got what I want/need at the right price.

[dr del]

Hi,

Please remember we do not allow sales language in the main forums - so if the OP had taken your request and posted a list they would likely have gotten into trouble.

We have a specific for sale forum and a PM system - neither of those will cause anyone to break the rules of the site.


dr del

[Inknsteel]

Hi,

Please remember we do not allow sales language in the main forums - so if the OP had taken your request and posted a list they would likely have gotten into trouble.

We have a specific for sale forum and a PM system - neither of those will cause anyone to break the rules of the site.


dr del

Of course... I would never condone breaking forum rules. What I meant to say was PM me the list or start a new thread in the appropriate forum...

[BciJoe]

also please PM me the list or PM me the link to the sales post. thanks