Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am toying with the idea opening a store that sells snakes. only snakes. corns, kings, boas, pythons, you name it. it would be in Connecticut. i'm just taking opinions. think it would do well? anyone in the new england area who would be a regular customer?
thanks,
me

>>I am toying with the idea opening a store that sells snakes. only snakes. corns, kings, boas, pythons, you name it. it would be in Connecticut. i'm just taking opinions. think it would do well? anyone in the new england area who would be a regular customer?
>>thanks,
>>me

I think many retail stores fail because the average person just wants to look, not buy, and then the 'snake-savvy' people probably already know where to find the same animals without the retail markup.
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-audri
Webpage/Pics

It would be hard to open a successful business that is selling just snakes. You would have to offer a large variety of products too so that people who arent necessarily there to buy a snake but maybe food for some other reptile will see the snakes and purchase one.

I work 2 days a month at a place called superpets.Im there general friday midmornings when the reptiles come in.Reptiles just arent big sellers here.Lot's of people go into our reptile area just to browse.We have a great selection of everything any animal could want or need.We have do it yourself dog baths,about 100 exotic birds,most hand fed and tame.Unfortunetly we also have puppy farm dogs.All those things put together mean business.I forgot we have zillions of fresh and salt water fish.What you could do is see if any petstores will buy your captive born reptiles.You wont make a living off it but it's less of a pain in the a$$ than answering 40 emails a day with no takers.Prehistoric Pet's in california is doing ok but there prices are thru the roof.Im just jabbering on now,on 7th beck's beer...Good Luck..Paul.

I was talking to one very successful reptile dealer in my area about how he stays afloat the other day and I've concluded there are a few keys to it.

1.) He has 300 mice/rat cages for breeding directly under the shop in the basement that he produces all the feed for the store plus frozen stock.

2.) YOU HAVE TO BE AN IN YOUR FACE SALESMAN, he is extremely in your face, he's kind of wierd but I've seen him sell "just browsing" people on a pair of corns in no time flat, what a freekin salesman. People need that nudge when it comes to reptiles.

3.) Supplies, tanks, etc, you definitely have to have variety of animals and supplies to back it up...

Things I suggest personally:

1.) An internet customer base.

2.) "READY TO GO REPTILE KITS" definitely advertise and make getting introduced to reptiles as easy as possible by offering great deals on "start-up" kits that include substrate, tank, first months frozen feed and animals all for $99.99!!!

3.) LUCK, patience and a lot of hard work, every meal you end up feeding stock you can't get rid of is money lost, it's a tough business but people manage. We have a few local dealers that flounder because they just leave the snakes in a tank on display and never "push" them.

Thats my suggestions if you do do it, tough economy to get into the reptile trade, I'd wait till we're out of the recession or work up a reptile and rodent breeding base before you even think about heading to the bank for a loan. Maybe even have a go at internet shop before a real shop. Who knows

Good luck.

I'm in RI, and I would come to the store! A few things to point out, though...

1)People don't buy a snake a week, so repeat customers would probably be for supplies and feeders.

2)You may want to consider a different reason for people coming to your store. This may sound silly, but an education program for birthday parties, schools, etc and/or a petting zoo in the store (where you charge people for access).

3) Accessories! T-shirts, kids toys (I spend at least $10.00 in Regal Reptiles on rubber lizards and snakes every time I go for a $5.00 feeder order...), reptile jewelry, etc.

If you DO open a store, give a yell! Good reptile stores are few and far between in the NE.

Kath
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1.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 corn snake
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish
1.2 cats
3.1 kids
1.0 husband

i was vague in my first post.

I was definately going to sell food, caging and the such. i am thinking posters and such around the store with neat little facts about snakes, for decor.
books, stuffed animals and the such.
the main LIVE animal was going to be snakes.

I was thinking "The Everything Snake Shop" or something like that.
the mouse/rat breeding was a must. no questions asked.
i was debating breeding some of the easier stock too, like amel, anery and snow corns, and getting my "exotics" from dealers and such.
and driving out of state to reptile shows, so i can have a mild retail markup without worrying about the shipping costs and such.
that's the problem with snakes via mail.
you find a $20 corn. that's a nice price. but overnight shipping is $30. So it's $50 for the snake. it's easier to go to a pet store and get that same snake for $45. saves time, and you can check the snake with your eyes. make SURE it's a good snake.

and the educational suggestion. Good idea. have snake classes that talk about do's and don'ts and need to know facts. like, $10 a class or something.

well, thank you all. i value your opinions, and when i decide the time is right to open this store, I will drop a line.
-Luke

Sounds like a plan. Being as close to NY as we are, you could probably pick up some neat animals at the shows (like White Plains this weekend) for decent prices. I know what you mean about shipping costs, plus I am a big "hands on" person. I want to see, touch, feel, look at my animals before I buy them, which is why I value actual stores as much as i do.
I had another idea for you, based on what the 2 local people here do. Boarding. When you go away on vacation, who watches your animals? Albeit, snakes are easier. You can feed them and then go away for up to 10 days if you want...but alot of people are in need of exotic animal boarding, and it can be hard to find.
If you find yourself in the RI area, visit Regal Reptiles in Providence. They just made a huge move to a new store, and are trying to do what you are thinking of. So far, it's working....they also sell reptiles, but it'll give you an idea. Good luck!!
Kathy
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1.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 corn snake
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.0.2 fish
1.2 cats
3.1 kids
1.0 husband

My biggest problem with a snake store would be retail prices. I buy my mice and rats at a Feed/Pet store. They sell pinkies for .69 and live rats for 1.50. great prices. But last week I saw amel hatchlings for 69.00. I think I paid 30.00 for my amelxstripe at a show last year. I even got a charcoal for 20.00 at the same show. So if you offer good pricing and services like sexing snakes with exellent service you might be on to something.