Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Greetings all.

I have a question regarding the term "Market Price". Now I understand the principle of what the market will bear but, I wonder how these prices are determined.

Do all of the breeders of a particularlly rare morph or breed get together and decide what they will charge? That sounds like price fixing.

Does that same group wait for the person that they know will, "come out of the chute" first with a high price that they can undershoot slightly?

Do they take last year's quantity available and do some calculating on who has their offspring and how long it will take those purchasers to reproduce the same snakes thus, theoretically, driving down the price if only by a fraction?

Or, do they just flip a coin?

Let me say I am not a conspiracy nut. I am a herp nut. Or just a nut.

I really would like to hear from people that make these kinds of calls.

Lastly, let me say that I blame nobody for the prices of rare morph or species. ((We can blame the Govt. Regulators and Foreign laws and C.I.T.E.S. for that)) If I had to wait 7 years to prove a new morph I would want not only all of your money but you undying allegiance (just kidding)....(about the allegiance part only)

I say they deserve every penny but, let me know what the system is so I can sell off a few snakes or sell of the farm in order to purchase that glow-in-the-dark snake that tucks the kids into bed at night.

Thanks,
Mike

Most breeders simply see the snakes as a product. Therefore, I want to get as much for my product as I can, but I don't want to be so much more expensive than the other guy that I end up keeping (and feeding!) my baby snakes.

People generally know what their snakes are worth by comparison shopping. It isn't too hard to search online anymore and see what others are asking for babies of similar morphs.

If you are setting up a table at an expo, many breeders don't commit to pricing their snakes until they have walked around the room prior to opening and seen how many others have the same thing and what they are asking. They generally (if they are decent human beings) price their animals at that level. If you are a jerk, you undercut their price.

If choosing a species/morph to breed, you should choose something you like. Don't be sucked in by the promise of quick profits, because they aren't there. 90%+ of all breeders are lucky if they sell enough animals to offset some of the expenses of their hobby. If you look at it that way, you will be much happier.
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Chris Harrison

Very nicely said.

I, personally, will probably never breed for the money. I have read too many forum posts and web sites that say the same thing that you mentioned. Heck, the price of feeding just about any snake for one year outways the cost of everything but the most expensive morphs. Like you said, keep what you like.

Thanks,
Mike