600.00 isn't really an "investment" amount to spend on a Ball. Now that's not to say that its pocket change by any ones standards. 600.00 is 600 buck all day long but this years 600.00 animal could very well be next years 250.00 animal.. given the time it takes to grow a snake to maturity and the added expense of food housing and any medical your 600.00 snake will cost you 1200.00 easy before you ever even pair up the first time.
If your considering a real investment in ball pythons consider something in the 2-5K range..yes its tons more money but the market for that price range is smaller and more competitive. Look at things like the "Desert" or "Lavender Albinos"..