How much should I pay?

[Haydenphoto]

A top quality one from a stand up breeder, I'd say $800-1000. Others who are just looking to make a buck and move their animals, will be low balling the prices on their animals. I'd rather pay the higher price to get that kind of quality of a snake. Then to give a person who is just out to make a few quick bucks, my hard earned money. Then again I have no problam working hard to get that extra money to later on get the snake I've always wanted that exact match in my mind instead of just going "ohhhh a morph, I want one this kind... here that $". When in my mind it's now the pattern or quality I really want. I don't buy a morph on a whim just because it may have a low ball sales tag.

This past weekend, at a local show here. People were selling albino balls for 500-550ish. One breeder (I wont say who) was selling his for $400 and had one for $300 on Saturday. I didn't think "OH awesome price" BUT first thought to my mind was "OMG whats wrong with them" (the snakes). Sunday he had his priced at $250. I saw that and refused to even look this this guys table. I just wanted to smack him.

So what your telling us is if there cheaper there sick ? Or are you telling us that if he is not a big breeder there is something wrong with them ? And now you say you want to smack him ? Maybe you need to look at yourself ! Just because there are a lot of lower end breeders out there selling for a less money does not mean there is anything wrong with there animals some just would like to move them and not have to deal with feeding an animal they can move ! My thought i would lower the price to move an animal one less to feed and clean up after ! I can't wait for the tinley show with the price drops i have seen so far it's going to be a good weekend for some pic ups

[nixer]

So what your telling us is if there cheaper there sick ? Or are you telling us that if he is not a big breeder there is something wrong with them ? And now you say you want to smack him ? Maybe you need to look at yourself ! Just because there are a lot of lower end breeders out there selling for a less money does not mean there is anything wrong with there animals some just would like to move them and not have to deal with feeding an animal they can move ! My thought i would lower the price to move an animal one less to feed and clean up after ! I can't wait for the tinley show with the price drops i have seen so far it's going to be a good weekend for some pic ups

i also have to dispute this because i got my 2 albino females last year for 400$ each and they were nice HC ones and also from a big breeder... there was no haggling for a lower price he said he wanted 400 and i told him to bag them up

[BPelizabeth]

Well I am certainly a novice....I just started my collection and I am not so sure what is considered a "nice" morph. I just know which one I like best! I am sure as I mature in this area I will become more and more picky. I just went to the Tucson Expo and picked up a male bee that was 1 month old. (My Birthday present from the best hubby ever) I did my research and from what I could tell this was a very reputable breeder. Very clean, very anal about the snakes, took the time to talk to me allot about what he does and really seemed to care. It also helped that he was recommended as a great breeder. From what I saw the prices were all about the same. Anywhere from $500 to $600 at the show. Mine started at $575 and I walked out for $500 with him. Again....I just started this so the only thing I look at other than the breeders reputation and attitude is do I like the look of the snake, that is what is important to me and of course health goes without being said.

On the other hand I met a couple of breeders that had nice tables...very clean but in talking to them I just wanted to take all of their snakes away and never let them breed again! One was talking about power breeding and not feeding his snake for 5 months and breeding him to 8 females. It made me quite sad for the snake as what I have read is that you can cause the snake to die breeding it that much all at one time. For him it was ALL about the money and he could care less about the snakes well being. I would never buy a snake from anyone like that...even if he had a beautiful snake.

[lillyorchid]

So what your telling us is if there cheaper there sick ? Or are you telling us that if he is not a big breeder there is something wrong with them ? And now you say you want to smack him ? Maybe you need to look at yourself ! Just because there are a lot of lower end breeders out there selling for a less money does not mean there is anything wrong with there animals some just would like to move them and not have to deal with feeding an animal they can move ! My thought i would lower the price to move an animal one less to feed and clean up after ! I can't wait for the tinley show with the price drops i have seen so far it's going to be a good weekend for some pic ups

There may have been nothing wrong with the snakes and they were healthy for all I know. I do support little and big breeders. I just won't support people who low ball their prices that is all. I remember all to well where this industry and hobby was years ago, and I look at it now and am just disgusted. And people wonder why the snake world is tumbling down.

[Strtaylor]

So wait your saying that small breeders should charge the same price as Large well known breeders and just pray that someone stumbles across there table and likes there snake without having a known name? If i were to breed and i had no name and just wanted to move extra BPs becaues i didnt want to house that many. I would deff drop my price below a well known breeders just to move the snake. Its not like im a breeder who keeps my price at that i just want to move it. Those arent the people hurting the BP industry its the people who breed on a yearly basis that low ball everyone constantly and still the vets in this industry know who they want to buy from what there looking for and know that spending money isnt an issue when it comes to what they want so im sorry i have to disagree with your statment saying that. This is why the industry is spiraling down.

[waltah!]

I pay for the animal not the breeder. If I have 2 NERD animals their offspring wouldn't be worth any less than ones bred at NERD. Why wouldn't anyone pay as much for the animal if it's a quality example that you want.

[Neal]

I have to agree with waltah, if a no-name breeder, and a big time breeder produced about the same quality morph, i'm not going to give the bigger breeder more money because he's more known.

[wilomn]

I have to agree with waltah, if a no-name breeder, and a big time breeder produced about the same quality morph, i'm not going to give the bigger breeder more money because he's more known.

Others not only would, but do and then brag about it.

People are funny. Especially in what they think is important and what they think is important for others to know about them. You can get some fantastic insights into people from threads like this.

[lepidunce]

Ok. I'm looking at a captive bred Ball Python, 29" long, and almost two years old. He is in good health, and he has no feeding problems (I've seen multiple feedings). What would I expect to pay? The breeder wants 80 usd for him. Is that suspicious?

[BPelizabeth]

Aren't you all just talking about the basic componets of Free Enterprise. Kind of like if you want an Acura or a Honda. To me they are the same thing....only Honda's are a bit cheaper. Now I am not saying every snake is the same...totally not...however you do your homework on each indivdual breeder. In the end....YOU make your own decision!

And please no Pro Acura ppl....it was just an example!!