Reptile & Amphibian Forums

About 3 years ago I said the herp market was crashing in my area. I can't speak for all markets of course, but the people in my area seem to think it is "dead".

That's not to say there are not people buying, but sales are off, also forum activity. "Soft economy" and any other terms people want to use, money is tight for many people.

So what should herp people do? If it were me, I'd look for as many local deals on good stock you can get. Also buy newer higher end corns, even if babies. As long as you know they are prime stock. All things are cyclical and the economy will come back, and herp interest will too, if it isn't in your area. So if your trying to profit a bit you'll be set with nice stock for more avg corns (and other snakes) plus in 3 years or so, those prime higher end purchases will be breedable.

NOW, this is just my opinion, but I did seem to be quite correct on my local herp market. Since I have nothing to do with the higher end stock, and very little in sales on others, I feel I am clearly not promoting myself or anyone. Herps are a commodity just like anything else and value goes up with supply and demand. Demand is weak, but it will come back as it always has. Those that plan, and make the right decisions do well.

Even if you are not trying to make any profit, it's a good time to find stuff you like. Just don't spend the kids college money.

Any thought?
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com

Well, things go up and down over the years (I started beeding seriously in the 80s). To me last season didn't seem the best, nor the worst. Honduran milks did seem a bit slow, except for the higher end. But it is definitely cyclical-what sells poorly one year will be "hot" a few years later!

I stopped breeding Giant Day Geckos in the late 90s, when their price dropped below $25-wish I'd kept them now!
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Brad Chambers

The Avalanche has already started-it is too late for the pebbles to vote....

ya know its so funny. When the herps were selling good 5 years ago or so, I saaw ppl drooling for dumeril boas. They just do not sell in our shop. And I had a 7' female for 2 years.

If I had any ambition with herps, I'd have a great collection of nice breeding stuff. But that's just not me.

As for the day gecko, they never sell either. And go up and down more than,,,, (BLANK). They also crap a lot lol.

If noting real bad happens, I think the market will be real good in 2010 and for a few years again. But we need a better economy. Reports of people making 6 figures are cutting back on there spending. And I guess that has not happened since 1979. Economics is not my area at all, but being at home all day, I'm burnt out on tv shows and it seems i'm getting old and watching news channels.

In ways, I'm glad my life is widing down. I should be off working a real job to make serious money. But that would require the W word, and it's no fun. I prefer to drive 60 miles, make $6 an hour from my friend, and get to do what ever I want.

Life is pretty good over all, now if I can just get that Tim Spuckler guy to come back in on my days. I do miss the GURU talks.

Take care
Tom
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com

in virginia... the richmond area... almost all of the petshops that sold snakes are gone.. only 1 family owned petshop survived. eventhough sales are down... i am still going on with breedings. heck, just a few weeks ago i sold 2 hatchlings from last year to someone in ohio. they said $25 for a hatchling is much less than the $55 they ask for them in ohio. and they said they would come back down to get other morphs later this year... so i guess different places are getting different outcomes...maybe? anyway... happy breeding!!!
~kin
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~Sober Serpents~
Corns, Creamsicles, A Black Rat, Thayeri, Cal Kings, A Jungle Corn(Just A Pet), A Bearded dragon, Leopard Geckos, a Snapping turtle, and a white cheeked mud turtle

That is another good point. Some areas are being hit harder than others right now. Not to recommend kicking someone when they are down but if you find the hardest hit areas you are likely to get the best deals. I am still in the debate mode. Half of me wants to just keep my snakes apart this year but the other half wants to breed them. I however am lucky in that if nothing sells for my this year I really don't care. Its all fun anyway and the more snakes I have the more fun so oh well.
Foot Hill Reptiles

So then would corn snake prices be low this season if the demand for them continues to be low?

I would really like to start breeding corns and the ones I have right will be ready to breed by the 2009 season. Also I wouldn't mind adding a few more to my collection if the prices are low.
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The day I give up my dreams is the day I have strategic grill locations. A dreamer has a philosophy: the entire grill is hot.

prices low good for you if you want to get some of the higher end stuff. But demand is only low for the common stuff. Your still going to have to pay some for the higher ends. BUT! those prices will fall too as people get sick of still having last years stuff and already have their breeders out of hibernation. I've watched the ads, I still see some of the same babies up for sale that I saw back in June! Now don't let that mean you shouldn't breed. I think you should if that's your intention over the long run. Breed only pairings that your wanting to keep something back from that clutch. Then wholesale the rest as quick as you can. Just breeding to get as many babies as you can wouldn't be a good idea considering how stuff isn't moving fast.

Couple months back I went to a store with a batch of snakes and they only wanted my babies. They said for them, only baby corns sell. Something to think about.

>>So what should herp people do? If it were me, I'd look for as many local deals on good stock you can get. Also buy newer higher end corns, even if babies. As long as you know they are prime stock. All things are cyclical and the economy will come back, and herp interest will too, if it isn't in your area. So if your trying to profit a bit you'll be set with nice stock for more avg corns (and other snakes) plus in 3 years or so, those prime higher end purchases will be breedable.
>>

why buy newer and high end morphs?
why not buy what YOU as the breeder hobbiest would prefer to own and work with.
that, to me, is the problem..everyone trying jump on the "newest and greatest" bandwagon.
go for what YOU like
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

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>>>>happens all the time.
something new hits the market and everyone and their mother ties to get some.
By the time they hit the market and the general public is able to get them the "big" breeders have already been working with them for at least a couple of generations. meaning you pay big when they hit the market and two years later everyone has them and the market drops out the bottom on them.
like I said earlier...buy what YOU like and are willing to spend the time working with. If it happens to be one of the "newer" "hotter" morphs, fine go for it, but don't buy them just because they are hot and new.
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Corn snakes and rat snakes..No one can have just one.
"Resistance is futile"
Jimmy Johnson
(Draybar)
Draybars Snakes

_____

I totaly agree with you. I get criticized for having a certain morph but bottom line is that I and I alone like them and wanted them so thats all that matters to me!!!!
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I have come to the conclusion that there is no cure for snake addiction!

you want stuff for you. Thats the same as me.. Please read my other post.

Some have and maybe breed herps for enjoyment. Some just for the money. Some can balance the two, which can be difficult.

Example,, I want a crazy little lizard Cyrtodactylus peguensis.
I've been looking 6 years for a lot of them. They use to be dirt cheap, now there seems to be a lot of interest and driving up the price. But i can not evne find 2-3 of them. Clealry not a money making lizard, just something I like. I also prefer Uromastyx hardwicki to all the others. Again, not a animal must people have an interest in.

I'd prefer to enjoy what I have.
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com

i agree totally ive been looking in to maybe getting a trio of uro's myself but cant decide between reds yellows or ornates. when in daytona last year i was scoping the ornates hardcore and wish i would of picked them up now but space is a comoditie right now and a baby on the way so right now its a pipe dream.
adam.
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" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
hybrid breeders association
1.1 puebladurans
1.1 sinacorns
1.1 hypo corns
1.1 kenyan sand boas
1.1 mbk
1.1 albino corns
1.1 childrens python
1.2 ghost corns
2.2 butter(both females motley)
2.2 pyroxgreerixruthvenixalternaxcampbellixholbrooki
0.1 hypo pyroxgreerixruthvenixalternaxcampbellixholbrooki
1.0 snow corns
1.0 jurassic milk
1.0 house snake
1.0 crimson corns
0.2 albino pueblacorns
0.1 striped ghosts
0.1 anery pueblacorn
0.1 bloodred
0.1 striped albino corn
0.1 albino nelsons
0.1 anery motley
0.1 normal corn het hypo,anery
0.1 hypo tang hondo
0.1 rosy boa

it MAY have the best bang for the buck. The post was kind of geared towards good buys. I just bought a spankin 3 1/2' 3 year old corn for $25. Female too, even though the GURU says we never get females.

I presume a creamcicle, but no way to know for sure.

But if you got into the right highend stuff it may hold its value. Now thats for a money project.

Me I buy what I like. If I wanted to make money I would have snagged up 5-8 of the BCI that came thru the shop and be breeding them. Thats not me. I gave my beardies o a gal I know will take good care of them. If my hge female breeds, I may take a few babies? But I'm not doing herps for money. It destroys the fun.

I do hope to make stuff for herps. But time will tell if that ever can happen.
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Thanks for reading.
Big Tom

www.HerpZillA.com