Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've noticed on Craigslist under pets (where pet sales and breeding are prohibited) they are no longer policing posts by breeders who say have just had a clutch of designer morphs hatch out that need to "find good homes" at $100 each, intending to breed more with this free advertising. How do you feel about this? I myself have bought and sold herps and equipment on the same page, but only actual adoptions. With a local trading forum for every town where we can make friendly exchanges, indeed there is an occasional goldmine that can make a buyer or seller very happy, that isn't the problem. The problem is this forum becoming a replacement for Kingsnake classifieds or even pet shops. Here are some factors as I see it...
1. I think it's safe to say there are more ball pythons than homes right now so that a standard ball python is worth nothing, just like dogs and cats. And yet I see them posted for $100-$150 each when they are clearly unwanted and there are so many available.
2. Like many herpers when I go to buy mice or chew the fat at the pet shop I don't actually buy an $80 juv. cal king that's been sitting there for 2 years, nor do I understand retail pricing very well. I don't pay or ask retail for anything, so my posts get responses and someone gets a good deal, an animal gets a home and I get paid. Maybe other people are in different situations, but if you're asking for pet shop prices on an adoption board you obviously don't need the money.
3. There is an increasing number of herps posted for sale that people obviously caught in their yard. I have mixed feelings about this because I love natives and sometimes trade with other conservationists. Breeding them reduces the demand on the wild population and increases awareness, but why does a worm snake need to find a home at $5?
I know this board has many retail breeders and newbies compared to the longer threads on the more specific boards. Interested in other opinions.
Len

>>1. I think it's safe to say there are more ball pythons than homes right now so that a standard ball python is worth nothing, just like dogs and cats. And yet I see them posted for $100-$150 each when they are clearly unwanted and there are so many available.

An animals worth is what someone will pay for it! That is the honest truth! I have been doing rescue for over 20 years on the reptile end. Here is an interesting tidbit. I have beardies a plenty, but I dopt out a green iguana instead! How bizarre is that. The pet over population thing that is taunted by big orgs like ASPCA, HSUS, it is in a way hooey. It is very hard to explain if you are not familiar with it, but the no-kill movement in dogs and cats is proving that wrong. Plus who wants to give you money if you say there are enough homes and you dont have to kill. Marketing
>>2. Maybe other people are in different situations, but if you're asking for pet shop prices on an adoption board you obviously don't need the money.
>>3. There is an increasing number of herps posted for sale that people obviously caught in their yard. I have mixed feelings about this because I love natives and sometimes trade with other conservationists. Breeding them reduces the demand on the wild population and increases awareness, but why does a worm snake need to find a home at $5?
These two are somewhat along the same lines. People will ask prices they want and get prices they want. It depends on how long they are willing to wait. My adoption fees are set. $50 pretty much across the board but I run a rescue that does a basic vet exam on each animal including fecal. Why people get and sell wild caught? Its cheap. It is not always hardy, but it is essentially free. Another point to consider is people feel better "adopting" over "buying". In the 20 years I have been around, I will easily say that wild caught is about 10% of what it was.