I partially agree with what you're saying here.
People are realizing that yes, if you spend 5K on an animal today, the babies won't be worth that amount in 2-3 years.

The way I look at it, who cares! The market used to be like that, but how crazy was that? It was only a matter of time before the market adjusted itself. It was unreal that you could but a Motley boa for $5-7K, then in 2-3 year produce 10 Motleys and sell them for at least 5K each!

I can't speak for anyone else, but I LOVE my snakes and always have. I will still spend over 5K on an animal today....and actually, I did this year...3 times!
It still makes total sense for me to spend that kind of money on a snake that I'm excited about and be totally happy if the market adjusts it self again in 2-3 years where the offspring from that 5K snake might only be 1K. The challenge is....raise them right, and produce a healthy litter of babies.
To me that's just the tip of the iceberg if you consider the hot comobs I can make with my new snake(s)!

Again, I can only speak for myself, but the financial part of this business/hobby act only as supplemental income for me as I work full time and so does my wife. That's not to say it's not important to me as money to pay for racks, rodents, supplies, and facility costs must come from somewhere...
It would be too much for me if my snakes depended on my day job to maintain them.

Also, I wanted to mention...the reptile shop near my house seems consistently packed with people each time I go there to pick up specific rodents I need. That alone motivates me and helps off set some of the things I hear people say about how the market is not so good.

Anyways, I feel like I'm rambling now.

Thanks!!
Alex

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