This is certainly an interesting discussion and one that we have internally battled with for a long time. What we ultimately decided, is that adoption fees were to be based on a case by case basis. What we take into consideration first is the cost of care for the animal, which includes feeding, housing, and medical. However, if the cost of care for an animal exceeds average market price, then we charge what we feel we can effectively get, and try to compensate elsewhere. Like you said, nobody is willing to pay $150 for a Columbian boa when they can go to petco and buy one for $100. So even if we end up with $150 into that animal, we only ask $75. So, if we get a higher end animal such as a Dumeril’s boa that comes in healthy and costs nothing more than a few mice and some space, we may ask $75- $100 to help offset the costs of the others. This does not by any means create a profit. We have far more animals come in where their medical expenses exceed the adoption fees, so overall we always end up in the red. We had a $500 vet bill (not to mention another $150 on follow-up care) on an albino burm that came in egg-bound, to get a C-section, and we only received $150 adoption fee for her. This is the reasons we do what we do. However, all adoption fees are negotiable as well. We have had a number of instances where we reduced the fees in order for someone to buy a nice habitat or assist with exorbitant shipping fees.
As for how do we screen applicants. We have an extensive application (based on Melissa Kaplans) that people must fill out thoroughly. I went through the application and it took me nearly an hour to complete it. Filling out a complete application is the first step in determining the seriousness of an applicant. We then meet as a group every couple/few weeks to review the applications. Local adoptions always get first preference, then order received after that. We look at overall stability in life, knowledge of the animals, passion - as can best be depicted from a piece of paper & thoroughness of the application. You'd be surprised how many people vaguely answer the question "what will the animal(s) be housed in and describe the set up" with "a cage with shavings".
If someone is approved, we have an adoption contract that they sign. The essence of that contract is that they agree to care for the animals, they realize that the animals can inflict harm, and that if they need to get rid of it, they must contact us and we have first option to get it back.
And to address the question about breeding, we do not condone or adopt to anyone wanting to breed iguanas, burmese pythons, or sulcatas as they seem to be the biggest problem animals. Most others such as corn snakes and kingsnakes are not a breeding concern for us.
Sorry this is so long, but I hope this helps shed a little light on this question.

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