The price coming down on basic mophs is normal. Its also a good thing to an extent for people lile me that can't afford the morphs that are going for $1000s of dollars. I would love to get a beautiful morph but cant afford that kind of money. I have responsibilities to pay my bills and keeps everyone in my care (2legged, 4legged and no legged) fed, housed, and taken care of. If you're just starting out in the ball python trade you need to build your reputation, your stock and your trust. It's not handed to you on a silver platter. I have seen some people advertising a 2011 male pastel for $50. Would I trust that person? No I would go to someone who has the rep and trust already there. I don't breed, but I still want an animal that wasbred from quality stock and isn't going to die on me in a week and then have the breeder tell me oh well. I want someone who will say ok here is what we are going to do. If I did breed I would try my hardest to get one of the big names out there to "apapprentice" me and show me how to do things right from the beginning. I know the world isn't fair. You buy a beautiful morph for over $5000 you want it to pay for itself. It does in beauty. This I not a hobby to expect to get rich. If you want one that does choose another. These are living, breathing beautiful animals. Yes after you buy it for x amount it does decrease in value, as other people breed the same morph it decreases it even more. Patience, passion for the species,and love of the animal sshould be your priority. Nothing in life is guaranteed, unlike what they are teaching in schools now a days.