just rescued this guy from one of those chain stores

[Eric Alan]

Thanks, Rob! I agree that some of the criticism is warranted. Much of the rest is because they are easy targets for bandwagon "down with the man" types.

I'm sure the higher-ups are, and have been, well aware of the stigma. How could they not be? As in any business, you are only as good as your employees. It's the education and buy-in of how many thousands of part-time types where the opportunity is - especially when it involves reptiles that they may or may not be thrilled to learn about. Let's face it - we aren't talking about cute and cuddly here. Not every employee can be expected to know the ins and outs of dog, cat, fish, small animal, bird, reptile, and amphibian care for every customer that comes in the door. Basics? Sure. Details? No. The flat out wrong information is most likely the employee going rogue because they are too embarrassed to ask or look for help. They feel like they are expected to know all of the answers because they are wearing the company shirt. When they don't, they refer back to what they think is tribal knowledge. Is that OK? No. Is it reality? Yes. If that kind of incorrect spew was coming from corporate, the companies would be in a lot worse off shape.

As far as pricing goes, the $25 vs $200 example is extreme, but I see what you're going for. Truth is, though, comparing retail vs hobbyist prices is like comparing apples and toasters. I would argue that it costs most hobbyists more to produce that lower priced animal than the price they get from selling it. Probably quite a bit more if they actually took the time to factor in all they have spent doing so. Unfortunately, most hobbyists have no clue what it costs them to make their animals. After all of that, whose pricing ends up sounding more crazy - hobbyist breeder or profitable retailer? We can't both complain about the state of the hobby and in the same breath complain about high retail prices.

Sorry, se7en, for hijacking your post. If you'd like, I can split this off and we can continue elsewhere.