Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

Deviance · Contributing Member Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 150

I know this has been going for some time, but lately more and more I am seeing people advertising snakes at 1 price one week and then 4 weeks later at a cheaper price just to sell the animal. Everyone has the right to sell an animal at the price they feel fit, but when there are guided market prices, under-cutting everyone damages the complete market!

I won't mention any names or websites, but I have just seen someone advertising jaguar carpet python morphs at around £6000 when in Europe these animals are fetching around £1000-1300 depending on where you go.

Why can't people think ahead and see that their actions will cause problems for the hobby in the future! Rolling Eyes

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negri · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 585

is it not called supply and demand ?

the market dictates what prices will be , no ?

if the seller is getting his first price because there are enough buyers then they wouldnt need to reduce the prices . if these buyers arent there then surely it makes sence to bring prices down to release stock

i dont know specifically what your talking about so cant comment on how much the prices are coming down

edited to say : your two examples are on different scales . . on one hand your complaining about prices coming down too much and on the other hand your saying some breeders are putting there prices too high ?

surely the reputation of a breeder and his stock is more important than a fluctuation in price ?
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Deviance · Contributing Member Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 150

Negri you have totally misunderstood what I am saying. Laughing

I am not complaining at the European higher price as I think it is just for the animals in question, I have one of those animals myself. Smile

I don't agree with certain individuals lowering their prices beyond what is reasonable and it affecting the stability of the reptile industry - people see these prices and think it is the correct price when in fact it is not the 'true' price.

In economic turns it is not good for the hobby. If people want the more expensive morphs etc they should be prepared to save and buy them at their value! Smile

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Jase · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject:

I presume you mean £600, therefore undercutting by around half...

It happens in all areas of business, surely?! But as Negri says, it's all about supply and demand. If no one is buying, prices drop, if everyone is buying prices rise or are maintained.

Also, established breeders can and will charge slightly more as the have a reputation for quality etc, smaller breeders or hobbyist breeders don't have this reputation and in order to attract customers they cut the prices.
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Central Scotland Reptiles · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject:

Pricing of animals is a very contentious issue. To be honest i don't really see a right or wrong answer here either.

Let me provide you with an example:

If you have a well respected breeder offering an animal for £1500. Why can't Joe Public sell his / her animals for £1500? Especially when their animals were originally purchased from the said respected breeder!!!

Personally, as i have said before, the buyer needs to take into account the whole package when purchasing an animal. Not just the price.
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negri · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 585

SteveL · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:57 pm Post subject:

I have to chip in on this one Laughing

Its upto the indivudual what they sell there snakes for ..

if you have gotten into co dom snakes late then you will loose out if your after breeding for a proffit ,as prices fall .Paul harris dropped his 50% jungle jaguars to 600 last year so i had too drop mine from £800 to suit or i would have been stuck with two many snakes for the room i was working from ..i had already sold one for £800 and luckily for me the guy is a returning customer who understands the market ..he then had another for £500 .this year mine will be sold cheaper thats how it goes .
Luckily for me i have payed for my entire collection and some from last years babies Wink

if people think they are going to make loads of money in snakes they are onto a looser Confused

unless of course they have thousands of snakes and thousands of customers to buy them . beleive me its hard to find buyers for crossed carpets let alone jaguar crosses .

I see SteveC advertising jaguars for £300 i think thats good for carpets in general myself,The more people that can afford this type of snake will increase the general interest in them as lets be fair they have not been to popular until recently .the simple fact of the matter is if you buy into co doms prepare for a price drop sooner than a price drop on recessives

i will have jags for £300 this season also any takers Laughing

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Deviance · Contributing Member Joined: 13 Jan 2006 Posts: 150

I totally agree Steve with what you're saying regarding the comment about being in it for the money - unless you can import and export animals and own a shop I do not think you can make any reasonable amount of money from the hobby.

I also agree that prices have to come down to meet what people can afford in today's economy, BUT I do not agree with aggressive price cuts on animals just to get rid of them. Just becausea snake doesn't sell 1 week, doesn't mean it might not sell in 1,2,3 months time Smile

I got into morelia because of their head shape I have always liked arrow-headed snakes and this includes pit vipers Laughing

I have my professioanl job and my private company to make me money, the snakes are an interest, although I already have a waiting list if my Carpondros successfully breed this coming season Cool

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Scott W · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:28 pm Post subject:

Similar thread to the many ball python threads Laughing

Just one thing I'd pick up on is the fact that if you can't house the offspring you breed then perhaps you shouldn't breed that many rather than dumping them on the market cheaply.

The annoying thing is that anyone who doesn't wish to sit with baby snakes too long can ALWAYS wholesale them out to any of the larger reptile wholesalers, just be aware that obviously they will expect much much lower prices (which is fair enough as they are buying a larger amount Wink

) So there really is no reason to sh1t on the market due to lazyness or lack of space.
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SteveL · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:38 pm Post subject:

The market for jaguars is simply not there Confused

i know of three breeders who struggled to sell snakes last year and simply had to lower prices .they still have 07 snakes they do not want
so yes i agree with you on that one Scott if they are not prepared to hang onto them dont breed them ..

this is nothing like the ball python thing as that is a big market jaguars are not
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