In a message dated 2/11/01 10:29:46 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< I guess my
question is how hard is it to sell the babies assuming you have a more high
end (designer gecko) $75.00 -$125.00 range?
At this range is your market just to other breeders? Or would someone in
your
area looking for pet gecko pay this price for a more unusual color, rather
then go down to the local pet store and pay $18.00 for a plan color leopard
gecko. >>
Hi-
A few things will make the difference as to what your leopard geckos will
bring in price.
One is how many breeders will you have? 5 females could give you between
25-50 eggs. Maybe more. When you have alot for sale, they become costly to
keep. You may then be forced to wholesale them out for $15 (if you're lucky)
How do you intend to sell them? Internet? Shows?
If you have fewer animals, or are setup to raise hatchlings to subadults, you
can get more for them when they are bigger, sexable and breedable. Plus you
can see what they end up looking like, and you can wait for your price.
"Designer" morphs are harder to price. And - Are you sure your morph will
breed true? Chances are some will look normal, or sell at a normal price.
People do pay more for nice looking colors and patterns so some hatchlings
will get a better price.
You never know what the market will be like. One day you could be sitting
pretty with a bunch of rare geckos. The next day a bogus shipment of wild
caughts floods the market and you can't give yours away. (See Comoros and
Mauritius)
Not exactly a problem for leos, but the prices do drop quickly. Wasn't too
long ago that albino leopards were in the thousands of dollars each. I've
seen them for $350.
Personally, if I were getting into leopard breeding, I think I would buy a
male redeyed albino and mate him with blizzard or leucistic females and see
what happens.
Kudos for researching first- I'm sure others will chime in.
Jason
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