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Some Tips...

Meghan20 May 25, 2004 11:40 PM

I've read in a few different posts that some people are having trouble selling their beardies so I thought I might try to help by making a list of what I (a beardie buyer) look for when buying a beardie.

1. A nice website. If a breeders website is overly flashy (like fireworks in the backgound) or looks poorly put together (like tons of typos) it isn't very appealing. Just have a simple but nice looking site.

2. An updated website. It doesn't help a buyer to know that if they wait until 2002 your new peachy orangey whatevery morph will be available. It also isn't fun to try and buy a beardie that was actually sold a week ago but is for sale on your website.

3. PICTURES!!! You wouldn't believe how many people expect you to buy beardies without knowing what they look like. Have an individual (unaltered) picture of each beardie that is for sale with a description of how big it is, its sex (if known), and who its parents are. (pictures and descriptions of parents are very nice also)

4. If a buyer emails you, email them back by THE NEXT DAY. I don't care how busy you are, if someone is thinking of buying something from you as important and expensive as a bearded dragon you should be pleased and show it through being polite and helpful.

5. Nice emails. I absolutely hate it when I email a breeder and the response is brief and unfriendly.
Example:
Email to breeder: "Hey, I'm wondering when you'll have some of those hypo-yellows for sale, their parents are beautiful and I'm interested in buying. Thanks!"
What breeder says: "FOR SALE SOON I ACCEPT PAYPAL"
What breeder should say: "Well, thank you, I think they are beautiful too and their babies will look just as good. They'll be for sale around mid-July, I'll email you when I know a more exact time. Thanks!"

6. Fair prices. Don't try to sell a normal beardie for $250 just because its great-grandmother was one fourth sandfire. Don't alter photos with paint shop or colored lights so you can charge more for nice color. I think I speak for all beardie lovers when I say, if you rip one of us off we're going to tell every other beardie lover we can find...so don't even bother running a shady business 'cause we'll all find out.

7. And finally, links. Have links to other breeders that you know of, so that your buyers can have help if you are out of babies or don't breed a certain color they want. I will remember and go back to a breeder that truly cares that I get the beardie I want, not just a beardie they sell.

Thank you for reading this long ranting post, I hope it helps breeders and buyers.
Oh and one more thing...if you sell a beardie that looks like its been abused and mistreated...watch out. Rawr.

Replies (3)

kephy May 26, 2004 12:04 AM

I agree with all of that. Presentation and communication are so important.

Another one I'd like to add is showing an actual passion for what you do, especially when you're talking about living things. The breeders who stand out to me are the ones who take care with each and every little baby they produce and treat them like their own. Nothing turns me off more than a seller treating the animals like expendable merchandise.

As for the last bit, reminds me of an ad I saw today in the classifieds of a "very healthy" "400 gram" "giant" that showed a picture of an emaciated and dehydrated dragon that looks in need of medical attention. To top it off they were asking a rediculous price for it. I wonder how those people are in business. Are they really fooling anybody?
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)
0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

beginnersbasics May 26, 2004 07:46 AM

I wonder how those people are in business. Are they really fooling anybody?
>>-----

Problem is.... they ARE fooling some people
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Lisa
Cricket free babies!
LIVE hatchling web cam 8 - 8 EST
www.beginnersbasics.com

beginnersbasics May 26, 2004 07:45 AM

Geee

You just described my web site LOL

I agree. I like to see pictures of individual animals. Parents pictures are a BIG plus. Good prices and quality babies are also a MUST.
-----
Lisa
Cricket free babies!
LIVE hatchling web cam 8 - 8 EST
www.beginnersbasics.com

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