I have to agree with everyone else - the price rise is a GOOD thing, since it's going to weed out all non-serious buyers. I was at the local reptile store the other day and this father was in there with his two children to buy snakes. The little girl (no taller than my knee caps) had a bp in one hand, and a boa in a snake bag in the other, just absent-mindedly twirling around the store. The father couldn't have cared less, and was busy talking to the store clerk about housing two ball pythons together because, "They're only $30 and the kids both want one". OBVIOUSLY they did NOT need another snake.

/rant

I paid $120 for my normal girl a little over a year ago. This was from an online, reputable source and I don't think it included shipping. (Can't remember, though). Anyway, I knew the price was high but I immediately fell in love with the look of her, so I was willing to pay it.