Posted by:
DISCERN
at Thu Jul 21 18:47:59 2011 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by DISCERN ]
" I do wish the "pet" snake was a bigger reality....It seems 95% or more of the people who purchase or receive a snake from me are breeders too or folks that want to eventually breed......
Few just want pet snakes....... "
John,
I firmly believe that reality alone is the single, solitary reason the market appears very crowded. Everyone breeds snakes. Not enough demand for the increased supply. Demand is not exceeding supply. No matter what anyone says, or what any breeder tries to give the illusion of, there are so many snakes on the classifieds being posted over and over again, and not anyone sells out at shows. There is not enough buyers for all of these snakes, IMO.
So, the problem is, like you said, not enough of the " pet snake " mentality is abounding. I saw that attitude more in the early to mid nineties fortunately, and had the pleasure of selling to many people who wanted pet snakes at shows, along with the wholesaling I did. Now, times are different. IMO, the differences are:
A) The existence of the internet. Now, you can make yourself look like a professional business with the help of technology.
B) The growth of the reptile industry has resulted in more breeders within providing business to each other, rather than the average joe off the street looking for a pet. Problem is, the amount of breeders can either grow or shrink at any given time, which then decreases or increases sales to each other. Then the cycle happens, the all too familiar result of everyone buying everything: Supply outweighs demand, prices fall, then people whine, and then, the next " big thing " in breeding is discovered. Cycle repeated.
The herp market does have itself to blame though. Think about it...books, literature, and information give breeding details, promote breeding, and encourage reproduction. Classified ads and sales are geared a lot of the times to sell as pairs only. All of this is a great thing!!!!!!!! The main thing to remember, is that any customer that buys a pair of snakes off of you will be your competition in the future, if they keep that pair and breed it. It is just that simple.
It is just appearing that having snakes just as pets, like you said, has fallen behind, and that bothers me. I have known some who will not buy a snake unless as a pair. I mean, come on! If you see something you like, you don't HAVE to breed it. Buy it and enjoy have another aspect of difference in your collection.
As someone who buys for pets only, and has for 14 years now, I love it, and enjoy it immensely. I have paid and will pay top dollar for the most choice of specimens, if it is something I am dying to have. To me, that is just part of having a collection of pets you love and enjoy studying and admiring in detail, their habits and wonder.
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Genesis 1:1
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RE: Correction, oh no - DISCERN, Thu Jul 21 18:47:59 2011