I agree about people being strapped for cash due to the hurricane and the rising prices of fuels. It isn't going to get any better due to the New Orleans area being responsible for 25% of the US's natural gas and winter is vastly approaching (lock in those rates) and Christmas. However---if you have money to spend, you will spend it. I also deal with asian ratsnakes, where morphs are scarce. Normal production occurred and after only a day and a 1/2 of posting wild type offspring, I sold out at full price on all my hatchlings. People felt confident without the fear of a market crash. They were marketed correctly by the asian ratsnake enthusiasts. I understand breeders need to make their money, but I know people out there are just waiting for the prices to keep dropping. They see the trend, which Terry touched upon, about the animal not selling and the breeder getting worried--then dropping after 1-2 reposts.



This basically can be attributed to 1 situation that went south (not naming but most know)from bad marketing and a chain reaction was caused for everybody else to drop prices to compete. All the other morphs for hondos are suffering a bit, but not to the extent of ghosts and especially snows. The only way they will recover is if there is less production next year (ie. supply and demand that everyone commented on). I know it won't happen but breeders should concentrate their efforts elswhere producing less ghosts and snows and more triple hets, hybino project animals, or refinement morphs (better hypos, anerys, etc). Producing more hets will also give the market a bit more time to restabilize being that the animals will take longer to get to breeding age. I hope this whole scenario doesn't happen to extreme hypos--producing 30 and expecting them to sell in a week---but I bet it will.



People, however, need to make money--especially breeders that do this full time. Recouping costs put in, time put in, and breeding stock. Hence "Catch 22"



The system will only work if everyone in already and new members coming in (the hondo family) abide by the unwritten economic rules. What would everyone say if I produced 30 extremes next year and sold them for $150 each. I still make $4500 but everyone suffers (also in subsequent years--including myself).



The only logical solution is to eliminate availability--supply and demand.



Another thought would be to possibly assemble a panel of honduran experts/top breeders/etc. of 10 or so and have them all agree on a baseline market price. People chosen should be voted upon by knowledge, experience, quality, economic knowledge, etc. This should be what is made available to the public with little deviation on the classifieds--although, yes, I realize everyone has the right to sell what they want for as much as they want. This may help those unfamiliar with economics acquire selling tips.



Just my thoughts and experiences from other species markets.

mgl

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