Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I thought it was bad last year. Man this year people are undercutting even worse than last year. By mid summer I see things getting down right drastic. BREEDER BEWARE!!! Think before you breed! You might end up with too many animals to take care of!

It's important to remember principles of economics and markets when talking about these things. Prices will drop when the supply outweighs the demand.

For those who continue to breed primarily for the hobby aspect, and sell their animals to help with costs, they can afford sitting on a couple geckos until they get their $25 asking price, or selling them both for $40. It's the people who spend $1000 on one animal and have 5 $300 offspring to sell but must sell the 5 for $500 to remain competitive, that will be seeing their "market crashing." With so many breeders offering these high end animals, buyers are able to shop around and find something they really like for a great price, and in turn sellers must continue lowering their price to try to get the sale. Please note that some breeders do not lower their prices and they continue to sell out their entire stock. That is undoubtedly due to "added value" and "perceived higher quality," two lessons that can be discussed another day.

I agree that the market isn't what it was 5 years ago (high yellows with a little orange were selling for $150), but it's also important to note that while the high end prices are coming down to a more "normal" range, the price of wholesale leopard geckos has remained steady at $15-$20 each, although the standard for a wholesaler is now a "high yellow" for $15 where as 5 years ago the standard was a "normal" for $15.

I think there is too much emphasis these days on what something is worth. Keep breeding to further the species and develop morphs that you like. Buy animals that you like at a price you like, and remember why you started keeping this beautiful animal in the first place!

Andy Ghertner

CaptiveBredGeckos.com

np
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5.6 leopard geckos

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