If it's too good to be true....

[snake lab]

Ummmm....here's where you're messed up. You seem to think (based on your own words) that it's up to YOU how Mike (or anyone else) should value their animals. You don't "have a clue" how Mike chooses to value his animals or what he might look for and find value in even a typical petco type store. Just because YOU don't see value in those animals doesn't mean they don't have value.

Personally, I've seen a few examples over the years of very very nice "normal" ball pythons at petco and petsmart and even at petland (ick)....that had I been able to at the time, I would have gladly paid their retail price for. (Well, honestly I wouldn't buy ANYthing from petland, but that's an entirely different topic.)

I understand personal connection pet wise whatever. Forgive me if im wrong but this whole thread was about worth as in value $$$$$ and quality. Dollar for dollar if you are saying that those imported babies at petco are worth the 80 bucks people are spending. So to clear it up are we talking worth as in money or worth in some other way. All im saying is value wise your getting ripped off at those prices. Would you buy a pure bred dog from a pet store where you know they come from puppy mills or would you buy from a reputable breeder? Reptiles are no different. And this is why ive said in other threads i dont think pet stores should sell either. Thats just my oppinion. But again this thread was about market value and the balls at those stores are way below market value quality