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I recently purchased a one-year old amelanistic corn snake (red albino) at a reputable reptile shop for $70. The snake is extremely docile and does not try to scoot away the few times that I've handled it (I'm trying to leave it alone in its new home for at least a week). It is very curious of its new habitat and I often see it moving under the aspen substrate or hanging out on the "lip" at the top of the terrarium (properly secured of course). It has gorgeous orange and red coloration with minimal white. The shop normally sells hatchlings for between $30-40.

1.0 amelanistic corn snake
0.1 normal ball python

0.2 English Bulldogs
0.1 Piebald Daschund

a year old amel? and your happy with it? I don't think ou overpaid. Everyone really has their own set of limits where they think they overpaid. There are people out there that think five bucks is too much for ANY snake! And your going to find people that will pay a couple hundred for a certain bloodline just because... So it's really to each their own. A hatchling amel retail price is from 30 to 40. And a general rule can be that a yearling should cost twice to three times as much. And cause you bought it from a pet store, you can expect to pay a little more yet. So for 70 bucks from a pet store, consider that you got a deal!

i just paid $90 for a miami phase female the plus to this is she was was bred to a snow. and $125 for a pair of candy canes. so it really depends on what you think. i actually paid $200 for a pair a few months back.
Tom

If you're happy with your purchase, then you didn't overpay.
In addition, exceptionally colored or patterned snakes cost more than average ones - it's what you pay for selective breeding.
70 bucks for a yearling pet shop corn is a pretty good deal in most parts of the United States.

Tim

Third Eye

>>I recently purchased a one-year old amelanistic corn snake (red albino) at a reputable reptile shop for $70. The snake is extremely docile and does not try to scoot away the few times that I've handled it (I'm trying to leave it alone in its new home for at least a week). It is very curious of its new habitat and I often see it moving under the aspen substrate or hanging out on the "lip" at the top of the terrarium (properly secured of course). It has gorgeous orange and red coloration with minimal white. The shop normally sells hatchlings for between $30-40.
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Older corns cost more then hatchlings...that's the way it is.
Now, it seems you are happy with your snake and are enjoying it.
So, NO I don't see how you could have over paid if you got what you want.
Sure you MIGHT have been able to find something cheaper at a show (if there are shows near you) but hey, with gas prices today it probably would have cost just as much in driving as you could have saved at a show.
Through the internet you probably could have found a yearling amel at a lower price but then with $45.00 to $50.00 for shipping it still wouldn't have made a significant difference.
so, once again I will say NO you did not over pay.

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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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they say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, if you are happy with your cornsnake purchase then that's all that matters, ya can't put a price on happiness.
greg

Hi Greg,
That is an outstanding corn snake. Here is my average looking female amel. Buddy.

thanks buddy,
greg

Pet stores generally charge more than breeders / show prices because it costs them money to house them, display them, feed them, clean their cages, and they are there to make a profit.

Remember that pet stores have overhead costs such as lease on the commercial zoned retail space, theft, etc.

$70 for a normal corn from a retail pet store IMHO is a good deal - so no, I don't think you over paid.

It is possible you could have gotten a very similarly patterned corn for less from a breeder or at a show, but in all honesty - the difference would be very a very small percentage of the cost involved in keeping your corn for a year.

Unless the breeder/dealer is asking an insane price, it generally is not worth worrying about whether you paid too much if the corn is a corn that you like.
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I decided my old sig was too big.