Quote Originally Posted by SnakeySnakeSnake
In my opinion there are two main circumstances. 1) Everything goes right 2) Something goes wrong.

I can safely say it won't matter much who you got the snake from if #1 is true (unless you are re-selling babies based on name), but when #2 is true, who you got the snake from almost always matters.

If a small breeder is extremely educated, plans very well, and has all of his ducks in a row, and is established, then there is no reason to hesitate buying from them. Finding out that this is true is the tricky part.

A few questions I would ask a smaller breeder. (no particular order)
1) how did you verify the sex
2) do you guarantee the health (short term) and genetics/sex(long term) of this snake
3) Did you produce this snake! (pictures of parents, and background on where they came from)
4) replacement policy if #2 becomes an issue. Do you keep enough of each back to cover mistakes in sexing


If you are buying from someone simply because the price is low, do a reality check. If this person is undercutting and selling super low, why? Is someone like this very likely to have a lot of extra money sitting around in case they need to do a refund? Are they likely to patiently hold onto snakes in case they need to offer a replacement for any reason? Small breeders may have less overhead than bigger/established breeders, but that doesn't mean their prices reflect a responsible approach to running a business.


I am a small/new/unestablished breeder. I have about 30-40 females that will go this year, and by next season probably 60'ish. After watching market prices and the way people are treating this hobby, I plan on keeping all of my prices up where the sane breeders have theirs. If the snakes don't sell, I will keep them and continue to feed them. For every X number of male _____ I sell, I plan on keeping at least 1 back. This is for the above reason, to have replacements available if needed. If I end up with them for a full year, I will rotate them into the breeding mix, and be able to sell them as proven breeders after that if I really have no need for them. I plan on having enough cash available to me to handle any additional shipping costs required to make mistakes right, as well as to handle refunds. Money from sales will go into an account, and a certain percentage will always stay in that account to cover any requested refunds. I am not putting myself in a position where I have to sell ANY snakes next year. I can keep or sell whatever I decide I want to, and my hand will not be forced to jump on the newest low market price in order to stay afloat.

I don't have a perfect picture/plan, but it is coming together. I think what I stated above is a good plan in order to avoid alot of the mistakes I have seen/experienced already as someone who has bought from smaller breeders. Heck, I even bought from a decent sized breeder who was somewhat established, and they came into money problems and couldn't refund me right away. S**T happens, but by going with someone who has a good system, and has proven it over and over again, you lower your chances for problems.

It will take me years to establish myself as a reputable breeder who always makes things right, but I am willing to put the time and effort and work my way up one sale at a time, and one satisifed customer at a time. I understand that I could have more sales if I dropped prices, but that isn't responsible, in my opinion.

I also understand that my earlier argument says "don't buy from people like me", who are small and haven't built up a name yet. If you do, it requires a lot of discretion and a lot of questions. Everyone has to start somewhere, but make sure if you are buying from a small breeder it is for reasons regarding the way they run things, rather than that they are selling at lower prices. Even small breeders can run things like the big guys as far as customer service, they just can't overextend themselves or they will run into trouble.
Bryan, when you have snakes available this season give me a call and we'll do some business. I'd like to support you any way that I can.

BRAVO!

-adam