The ball python market

[knightfall]

I in n way believe that the ball market is dead and even if it was dying id still breed them there my favorite snake but be honest what's your opinion on the market is it going to end or will it be around forever and new base morphs will always be coming correct ?

[redshepherd]

It's not that the market is dying, but that since more and more people are getting into the hobby = more and more people are breeding and trying to sell... And so the value of ball pythons are an exponentially depreciating asset. The market will probably be much like how corn snake morphs are now, maybe 10 years in the future (maybe even less), I'm guessing.

[Chkadii]

The market isn't dying, it's just fluctuating faster than it used to. It used to be that new genes took a while to produce so prices stayed high for a long time. Hobbyists discovering new genes didn't have a ton of stock to breed it to. Now, as soon as a morph is proven the hatchlings are sold and bigger breeders that buy them maximize profits by breeding a lot of offspring of that gene. So the prices are initially very high in anticipation of the market flooding, and as soon as hobbyists can afford those genes they also produce more themselves. It's a lot like the fashion industry - a style debuts on the runway and it's met with skepticism. Then it becomes popular but out of reach of most people with designer labels. As derivatives are produced, it becomes more accessible to "regular folks" and then you see it in the local mall or Target. That said, just because the price went down it doesn't make the clothes obsolete. Pea coats and little black dresses are staples, as are pieds and mojaves. This is why quality is so important. It's quality that distinguishes what stays around from what ends up being a flash in the pan. As a hobbyist, be highly discriminating when you select your projects. I've waited years to find the right animals to represent the genes I wanted. I've also paid more for quality.

There's only so far this strategy of high production will take people. Notice how some bigger breeders are downsizing or leaving the industry? It's a lot of work to produce and maintain the number of animals needed to profit from high production strategies. People get burnt out. They realize it's more profitable to produce feeders instead. They take risks with their investments to have the hot new gene, and sometimes those risks don't pay out. There's a lot working against them, and only their name and reputation working for them. What I personally think is that the market will go to hobbyists, much like how small businesses are making a comeback. And as people develop their own reputations and keep smaller, high quality collections, there will be higher quality animals and less of them produced in a season. As more people become hobbyists themselves (after falling in love with a quality snake), they will get multiple BPs rather than just one as a pet. It's evolution in a sense; the market will only expand as much as it can support, and then as people stop feeling the payoff is worthwhile the market with self-regulate down to a sustainable size. Hobbyists aren't feeling the hurt as much because they're not as financially invested in it. They can take their time and don't have any quotas to meet.

Breeding BPs is a lot like breeding dogs. Don't do it just because you could. Only do it if the offspring will be an improvement on the species/gene, and if you have the means to support them for life if they don't sell. It's a pursuit of passion, not a way of making profit. The money from selling offspring only really makes breeding sustainable for most of us, not profitable.

[Dave Green]

The market is fine if you are okay with selling babies for a few hundred dollars vs. a few thousand dollars. I'm still selling and shipping snakes every week. I actually made my first sale today before 9:00 am as I was drinking my coffee. I love this business and expect to be doing this for many years to come.

[MidSouthMorphs]

The market is not dead, I will quote Raphy Martinez on this one "the Ball Python market isn't dead or dying, your marketing skills suck." This isn't directed at anyone here just to clarify.

With that said, it isn't falling any faster or slower than the Yellow Bellies, Fires, or Mojaves did. I remember people crying and selling out back then advising everyone to get out while they can. The ones who stuck around knew how to market themselves, invested in their projects, and networked at shows all over. This topic has been brought up many many times since I got my first Het Pied pair back in 2005. I am going to link a video on this topic.

[Ax01]

well, i'm just gonna continue to drive the market. 4 BP's in a month and more in the works.

[Yodawagon]

It's hard to not get discouraged though. When you go on kingsnake and see the same ads for the same snakes relisted over and over and over again. I know the king snake is only one website, but I also see it on breeder web sites as well. Things have at least slowed down out have to see. I think the days of selling snakes for 5 figures is long gone. Sure there are some still willing to pay that, but I don't think very many breeders are going to be coughing up that money knowing that things are kind of slowing down.

[AKA Dave]

well, i'm just gonna continue to drive the market. 4 BP's in a month and more in the works.

Right there with you. Just sealed a deal on 4 more for myself!

Dave

[Ax01]

well, i'm just gonna continue to drive the market. 4 BP's in a month and more in the works.

Right there with you. Just sealed a deal on 4 more for myself!

Dave

ha! well u are my forum join date buddy. lol. i guess we'll be posting more pix in the near future.

how's your modular PVC display wall of snake enclosures build thingy going BTW? the plans u had looked awesome.

[Galaxygirl]

It's hard to not get discouraged though. When you go on kingsnake and see the same ads for the same snakes relisted over and over and over again. I know the king snake is only one website, but I also see it on breeder web sites as well. Things have at least slowed down out have to see. I think the days of selling snakes for 5 figures is long gone. Sure there are some still willing to pay that, but I don't think very many breeders are going to be coughing up that money knowing that things are kind of slowing down.

I've honestly never sold a snake on kingsnake or faunaclassifieds. I sell on Facebook groups and locally with much better results. Even sold one on this site (: