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The cost of ball python morphs

jlsreptiles2011 May 26, 2010 03:27 PM

Im not here to complain about the cost of morphs. Im here to simply ask a question about where the prices are going to go? I mean the normal ball python started off at higher price than it's generally wholesale average of $15 - $25 and retail $30 - $50. It seems as if the ball python community would come to an agreement to not let all of their hard work boil down to charging less and less on these beautiful single morphs. I believe they should hold at a considerably higher price than the normal ball. Im not saying keep them at hundreds, but don't let them slip away for nothing. I would think most breeders out there would agree with me that some sort of pricing system needs to be set forth. Such as a pastel use to cost in the $1500 range and now you can get them for $150 - $200 or less. I think they should be kept at around the $100 range as well as the other various color and pattern mutations. Just a little bit of what I think. Let me know what you guys think.

Replies (12)

Doogie May 26, 2010 03:45 PM

I think it is a capitalist system and the price is determined by what a seller is willing to take and a buyer is willing to pay.

Also, if all ball breeders decided that pastels should be from $100-$150 then that is price fixing and against the law.

thunderpaws May 26, 2010 05:08 PM

Supply and demand is an economic model based of price determination in a market. It concludes that in a competitive market, price will function to equalize the quantity demanded by consumers, and the quantity supplied by producers, resulting in an economic equilibrium of price and quantity.

Any other questions?

Bill
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cyn May 26, 2010 05:30 PM

The way I see it happening is this: "big" breeders A, B, and C are all selling snake Z for $200.00. "small" breeder D says, "well if I sell mine for $150.00 I'll get rid of mine quick." Pretty soon everyone has to adjust their prices to get a sale.

Shadow4108 May 26, 2010 08:35 PM

goes back to supply and demand. When they were 2000.00 not everyone had them and the select few could name their price, but now almost every table in the shows has a pastel on it. They all arent going to go for that anymore.
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This is courage.. to bear unflinching what heaven sends. -unknown

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John_Yezbak May 26, 2010 08:40 PM

Welcome to the fun world of reptiles! Where you lay out hundreds or thousands of dollars for the newest and coolest thing...wait several years for it to be big enough to breed...anxiously wait for the eggs to hatch...and find out that nobody gives a crap about that 'old' morph anymore.
20 years of experience has taught me that you can't win!

John

Orre May 27, 2010 10:57 AM

Maybe You can't win, but alot of people make their living out of breeding ball pythons today!

Do your research and don't buy animals that are overprized. Expect the prices to drop, because they will, we all know that now.

pitoon May 27, 2010 02:33 AM

There is no agreement when it comes to money……

Everything that is sold has a value price…but just because there’s a value price doesn’t mean it’s the sale price. Of course the higher the sale price the more profit will be made.
As for selling anything……an item is only worth what a person is willing to spend for it. Therefore there is no “real” set price for something. It fall backs onto the seller and if they are willing to accept the buyers offer. If the seller folds and accepts the buyers offer, it just sets precedence for other buyers as well as other sellers.

When it comes to money…it’s amazing what people will do. There are so many different factors….personal problems, collection reduction, favors…etc…

If you haven’t heard this saying….you haven’t been in the club long enough….”your customer today, is your competition tomorrow” everything sold is affected by…”supply and demand”…with more and more breeders popping up the market is continuously providing more and more stock to a market that is only buying a certain percentage of that stock. It is inevitable that the going price is going to drop if the availability of an item is overstocked….it’s when the stock is limited when prices hold, but rarely go up….unless the demand is more than the supply and the seller can take advantage of this.

It’s no surprise that most of the richest people in this world are also the most frugal. If you have a set price that is fair….you need to hold your grounds. Selling cheaper than your competitor only to make a sale is nothing more than cheating yourself of all the hard work you put into producing that animal.

Like Smokey Bear says…..”Only you can prevent a forest fire…only you” You, I, we….control the market price….no one else.

Pitoon

>>Im not here to complain about the cost of morphs. Im here to simply ask a question about where the prices are going to go? I mean the normal ball python started off at higher price than it's generally wholesale average of $15 - $25 and retail $30 - $50. It seems as if the ball python community would come to an agreement to not let all of their hard work boil down to charging less and less on these beautiful single morphs. I believe they should hold at a considerably higher price than the normal ball. Im not saying keep them at hundreds, but don't let them slip away for nothing. I would think most breeders out there would agree with me that some sort of pricing system needs to be set forth. Such as a pastel use to cost in the $1500 range and now you can get them for $150 - $200 or less. I think they should be kept at around the $100 range as well as the other various color and pattern mutations. Just a little bit of what I think. Let me know what you guys think.
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WALL2WALLREPTILE May 27, 2010 11:45 PM

WELL SAID!
I agree.

Your friend,
Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!
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amcroyals Jun 01, 2010 01:43 AM

Agreed on all points!

Best regards,
Alan Cole

boacraze May 27, 2010 05:51 AM

i have to say breed what you like! if you open the drawer and youre jaw drops or a animal on a table at a show makes youre head snap back as you pass! thats what its about. because no matter how much value is put on any given animal if it dont exite you it dont matter if its a hundred bucks or ten thousand! it just dont matter! personaly i love clowns! hands down my all time favorite they been around a long time and still demand a commendable price! but if the dropped tommorow O-well i really dont care i hope they dont but i still love the morph and i think the combo potential is truely spetacular!

zippy00_99 May 27, 2010 04:44 PM

I COMPLETELY agree!!!! I personally don't like the Champagne or any of it's crosses and it takes HUGE money to acquire anything Champagne. If it doesn't make your jaw drop then it has no business in your possession. I still have a normal that makes my jaw drop, but to most of you looks just like another normal, and thats ok with me .

And here he is. He doesn't have any alien eyes, and too me thats really cool.

jlsreptiles2011 May 27, 2010 08:25 AM

The only reason I started this thread is because I looked at the dog market. Any dog that is a pure breed dog goes for an average price. There are some low end prices and there are some high end prices. Everything usually stays at or around the average price for that certain breed. Except for some exceptions like champion line show dogs and other exceptions and their prices soar from the average. I know snakes aren't dogs and dogs aren't snakes. Neither industry is alike, but the dogs prices hold strong. Like the one guy said, “Your customer one day will be your competition the next.” I have been on the reptile scene for 18 years now. I got my first snake when I was 12 and read books and alot of Reptiles Magazines. I have played around at reptile expos to see who would give me the better price. So back to the point of the convo. I know there is going to be some one out there to cut throat someone elses prices. I just thought I would see what kind of response I would get. You never know until you ask. Thanks for the responses. I hope to talk to you guys more often. I will be starting my own breeding project this fall so wish me luck.

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