Normal ball prices?

[patattack]

I'm looking into getting my first normal ball python as a pet. I'm just curious...what should I be expecting to pay for one?

The local chain pet stores (PetCo, PetSmart, etc.) are all selling baby ball pythons for $80. There's another store called Savanna Exotics, an independent store owned by a friend of a friend, selling babies for $40. I was a little suspicious of such a huge drop in price, but the owner said they just "get a better deal" from the breeders. Your thoughts?

[littleindiangirl]

If the small store is selling them as retail for $40, and they bought them from a breeder, I'd expect that it's an OK price for hatchlings.

Ask them if they are captive HATCHED or captive bred, or wild caught. That will give some insite on their prices. WC and captive hatched will cost less than captive bred.

Of course, local markets define it as well. Someplace that doesnt have too many pet stores can get away charging more.

All in all, I wouldnt buy from petsmart, and I would rather put my money to small time hobbyists (or even big time like Ralph and NERD). Good breeders with good reputations sell quality stock at very affordable prices.

[JASBALLS]

I'm looking into getting my first normal ball python as a pet. I'm just curious...what should I be expecting to pay for one?

The local chain pet stores (PetCo, PetSmart, etc.) are all selling baby ball pythons for $80. There's another store called Savanna Exotics, an independent store owned by a friend of a friend, selling babies for $40. I was a little suspicious of such a huge drop in price, but the owner said they just "get a better deal" from the breeders. Your thoughts?

Breeders here sell them for even less then $40. And you know your getting a healthy animal!

[FIEND_FO_LYFE]

"normal" balls, can range between 30 - 90 bucks.
its a extreem price difference.
if you buy from petsmart, petco, and larger pet stores expect to pay around the upwards of 80-90 dollars.
i belive our first ball we paid... 80 for...
but our 2 new ones, we paid 50 each.
so, just look around, and youll find a deal for a loving lil fella

[patattack]

If the small store is selling them as retail for $40, and they bought them from a breeder, I'd expect that it's an OK price for hatchlings.

Ask them if they are captive HATCHED or captive bred, or wild caught. That will give some insite on their prices. WC and captive hatched will cost less than captive bred.

Of course, local markets define it as well. Someplace that doesnt have too many pet stores can get away charging more.

All in all, I wouldnt buy from petsmart, and I would rather put my money to small time hobbyists (or even big time like Ralph and NERD). Good breeders with good reputations sell quality stock at very affordable prices.

Every place I asked - the chain stores AND the small one - said their babies were captive bred, so I knew that wasn't accounting for the difference in price.

My initial desire was to support the small store as well - the only problem is that I'll have to borrow a car to get there (rather than take a bus), which means I'll have to wait longer!

Breeders here sell them for even less then $40. And you know your getting a healthy animal!

"Here" being this website? The only problem with that is I'd have to have the snake shipped, which would add a lot of money to the price, right?

[littleindiangirl]

Well, we have many breeders as members of this site I would buy from in a heart beat. Even that loveable cuddle bear Jas!

[JASBALLS]

Well, we have many breeders as members of this site I would buy from in a heart beat. Even that loveable cuddle bear Jas!

Easy now.... I have this rep to uphold!

[patattack]

Well, if I DO want to consider a breeder here, how much does shipping cost? I would imagine quite a bit, for a live animal.

[littleindiangirl]

You never know, you may have a reptile show local to you. I drive down to the one in Detroit every once in a while. Lots of nice breeders and I know their reputations well through forums like this or just word of mouth.

You may even have a breeder right by you, shipping does cost a little extra, but it's a lot of times worth it to have a healthy and chunky BP.

You may even decide to skip the normal and go for something fancy like a pastel or mojave!

[patattack]

You never know, you may have a reptile show local to you. I drive down to the one in Detroit every once in a while. Lots of nice breeders and I know their reputations well through forums like this or just word of mouth.

You may even have a breeder right by you, shipping does cost a little extra, but it's a lot of times worth it to have a healthy and chunky BP.

You may even decide to skip the normal and go for something fancy like a pastel or mojave!

Fancy morphs? Not on a college student's budget!

What's this about a Detroit reptile show? When does it happen? (Of course, I'd still need to borrow a car for that...)