Competing with lowballers

[andyroof1979]

So I picked up a breedable sandfire bearded dragon at a show the other day, 20" long, 376 grams and19 months old.....ready to go. The people i got her from sold her for $75. Awesome deal I know but it concerns me.

They also sold 2 other adults, about 10 4 month old dragons for $40, and 6 or 7 3 month old dragons for $30. Fair prices on these animals would be $150-$175, $60-$75 and $40-$50 respectivley. All color and all quality animals.

By 4 months a bd should have cost $75 to raise it that long.

How am i supposed to compete with people like this, it is very frustrating. In the past when i bred dragons i always answered the question "why are your dragons $65 when those other ones are $30?" with "look at the coloring, I know my bloodlines and buy expensive parents."

Well this argument will be null and void with these people because they have some really nice stuff.

Fortunately I am producing leatherbacks so i have that going and have a couple extremely nice dragons coming.

One is paid for and awaiting shipping weather, and I am still shopping for a dunner.

It really sucks, I only do one show that they do but my tables are right next to theirs. I think I will have to push more dragons on FB.

Would it be out of line to suggest they increase their prices?

[bcr229]

Would it be out of line to suggest they increase their prices?

Yes.

[Reinz]

It doesn't matter what business you're in, what you're selling, and what show, in my experience I have come across this problem many times.
It's called business and it's a fact of life.

You just have to find your own niche or out smart the other guy/gal.

Best of Luck

[h20hunter]

Yes.

10x yes, it would be.

Thats called price fixing.

[andyroof1979]

10x yes, it would be.

Thats called price fixing.

No it is not, and the term you are looking for is collusion

[andyroof1979]

Collusion...or price fixing would be us agreeing to sell our dragons for $XX.

I was thinking of telling them to charge what the market will bear as opposed to selling at an outright loss. This would be good for everyone.

Or i could tell them that I'll trade them 2 twenty dollar bills for three all day long.

They don't realize it, but they messaged me on fb this morning interested in my last baby leatherback

[h20hunter]

I may be incorrect in my term use, sorry. However, asking another booth to charge more is simply unprofessional. The market is what the market is. Kind of like value. If the booth next to you wants to sell for $1 that is their choice. The "market" is now changed. If they change their prices, or you do, then the market has changed again. If your animals are above average quality and you charge above average buyers you will attract less buyers because you are in a different catagory. The everyday person looking for a pet will simply not be interested in your wares. It is not a slight to you, your prices, or animals. It is simply fact.

Just like in the bp world....exotic morphs and other unique animals cost a premium. Sounds like you are selling high end next to "normals". So really, you sell the same animals but cater to different markets.

[Lizardlicks]

I would imagine that if they're charging less than what it costs to put into the animal in the first place all the time, then they aren't going to be selling next to your table, or anywhere at all for that matter, for very long. The answer to the "why are your animals more expensive?" question remains the same: because you think they're worth that. You know their bloodlines, you've put time into their care and development. If you sell that aspect confidently when at your venue, people will notice, and it will stand out. When the other guy is undercutting the market, the answer remains the same no matter what you're selling. Quality service, and quality product will keep people coming back.

[Felidae]

That one from my favorite breeder. I can find cheaper, but I buy many snakes from him /quality, support, professionalism/ Isn't true?

[Ransack]

They will be out of the hobby in a bit so don't worry. There is no money to made selling animals for $25-30 dollars they are already bleeding cash like a sieve.