Everyone has valid points. Myself, I am currently "0 for 3 years" and have lost 2 females to dystocia. I am down to 1 pair of Easterns due my extensive traveling. I sold a pair to Tony, (the female never bred) and she lays him a nice batch of fertile eggs the first try! Great for Tony, don't misunderstand me. I'm just trying to point out how hard it is for most of us to get a good batch of eggs even every so often! Robert "the Bruce", while a good guy, openly told me he breeds and keeps Indigos strictly to allow him to breed his other nice species and projects. The indies pay the freight is the way he put it. He keeps them in those damn plastic boxes and shelves! He has a huge breeding colony and always gets a good clutches every year, but even for him, sometimes not enough!
IMO, we sell them way too cheaply. I think RB's prices should be the baseline and they should go up. How much, I don't know(see DT's post)I think TXN's should be every bit as costly as Couperi, too..
AC, I agree with most everything you said. I'm not above giving a price break to the regulars. Does that mean I should gouge a newcomer? Probably not, but I should get a fair return on my upkeep,etc. I bet we have some of the highest feeding bills of any herpers!
I don't know about you guys, but I worry every time I sell a Dry to a newcomer(hasn't happened in a while obviously!) Are they going to take care of them like me, are they getting in over their heads, etc. Maybe $1500 per animal would weed out those who just want one because they are the greatest snakes extent..It's just like selling one of my pointing Lab pups. I want to know they are going to a good home!
I've gone on long enuff..I'm in Whacko, TX working so I've got too much time on my hands..Ya'll take care..
-----
Carl W Gossett
Garage Door Herps
Monument,Colorado...northern territory of the Great Republic of Texas

[ Show Entire Thread ]