My thoughts are about the same as they always have been...

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Posted by Jim Demirjian on September 04, 2001 at 09:07:39:

In Reply to: First you post a male at $750 and now they're $2,250 a pair! posted by Adam Block on September 04, 2001 at 01:24:44:

Hello to everyone,
I would simply like to add my own thoughts about this issue in general.
How often is it that an animal becomes highly sought after, then, rather quickly in many cases, the animals begin to fall in monetary value? I feel it happens more than it should. When I first started collecting and breeding this happened to me often. I would buy a pair of animals, intent on breeding them, and then find out that when I did, despite the relative low numbers, everyone wanted to sell them for less than the other guy/gal. It doesn�t happen nearly as much anymore. I still see it take place though. The best thing I have learned to do is when I see the possible downsides on particular acquisitions, I simply bring it to the attention of my friends in the hobby. For the most part, I think that as long as we keep the animals we really feel passionate about, we will not rush into selling them. On the flip side, I don't think we need to just keep animals that are near impossible to keep, successfully that is, with low reproduction rates, particular quirks, etc just so we think we have a safe investment. I think that many of us who keep ratsnakes are at an advantage, since many of us seem to be quite loyal to the animals, as well as occasionally obsessed with them :)
The unfortunate thing about the good ol' U.S. of A. is that many of us are impatient and anxious when it comes to the market of anything, just look at the stock markets fluctuation since the burst theories :)
I am not sure why people cut prices on particular animals, when they were selling fine at a sustained higher price. Perhaps they feel they are doing an honorable thing for others? You would have to ask them really.
I do know that for me, it all goes back to what someone told me years ago. I would always rather pay more, and know what I am getting, who I am getting them from, make sure I know why I am getting them, and feel good about it. This has always made more sense to me, maybe I am just nuts, but I will always pay more for this, and when people slash prices on any of their animals, I always think they must have reasons, I just don't want to share in them, thanks anyway. What more can I personally do other than not partake in it. These same personal morals apply to illegal animals, habitat rape, and other things that get me us in an uproar. After all, it started by a love to be outside, the wonder of discovery is still there for me, and thankfully I can still get out with my camera, and capture some natural beauty.
I think that it may even come down to protecting prices, to a reasonable degree, equals protecting the actual animals. If people aren�t interested in protecting the animals, then keep bottle caps, not herps. � how�s that for a morning reach, coffee anyone? :)
These are some thoughts I have; other thoughts include moving to Texas and start collecting bees. :)
Sincerely
Jim Demirjian

: What did I tell you all? The first (well, second) price drop I've seen on coxi is now up in the colubrid classifieds. Guess I wasn't so far off when I said that coxi would be at $1500 a pair fairly soon. Sorry guys, I hated to say this was going to happen.

: What can be done?
: Adam Block

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Re: My thoughts are about the same as they always have been... Steve 09/04/01 (0)

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: Hello to everyone, : I would simply like to add my own thoughts about this issue in general. : How often is it that an animal becomes highly sought after, then, rather quickly in many cases, the animals begin to fall in monetary value? I feel it happens more than it should. When I first started collecting and breeding this happened to me often. I would buy a pair of animals, intent on breeding them, and then find out that when I did, despite the relative low numbers, everyone wanted to sell them for less than the other guy/gal. It doesn�t happen nearly as much anymore. I still see it take place though. The best thing I have learned to do is when I see the possible downsides on particular acquisitions, I simply bring it to the attention of my friends in the hobby. For the most part, I think that as long as we keep the animals we really feel passionate about, we will not rush into selling them. On the flip side, I don't think we need to just keep animals that are near impossible to keep, successfully that is, with low reproduction rates, particular quirks, etc just so we think we have a safe investment. I think that many of us who keep ratsnakes are at an advantage, since many of us seem to be quite loyal to the animals, as well as occasionally obsessed with them :) : The unfortunate thing about the good ol' U.S. of A. is that many of us are impatient and anxious when it comes to the market of anything, just look at the stock markets fluctuation since the burst theories :) : I am not sure why people cut prices on particular animals, when they were selling fine at a sustained higher price. Perhaps they feel they are doing an honorable thing for others? You would have to ask them really. : I do know that for me, it all goes back to what someone told me years ago. I would always rather pay more, and know what I am getting, who I am getting them from, make sure I know why I am getting them, and feel good about it. This has always made more sense to me, maybe I am just nuts, but I will always pay more for this, and when people slash prices on any of their animals, I always think they must have reasons, I just don't want to share in them, thanks anyway. What more can I personally do other than not partake in it. These same personal morals apply to illegal animals, habitat rape, and other things that get me us in an uproar. After all, it started by a love to be outside, the wonder of discovery is still there for me, and thankfully I can still get out with my camera, and capture some natural beauty. : I think that it may even come down to protecting prices, to a reasonable degree, equals protecting the actual animals. If people aren�t interested in protecting the animals, then keep bottle caps, not herps. � how�s that for a morning reach, coffee anyone? :) : These are some thoughts I have; other thoughts include moving to Texas and start collecting bees. :) : Sincerely : Jim Demirjian : : : What did I tell you all? The first (well, second) price drop I've seen on coxi is now up in the colubrid classifieds. Guess I wasn't so far off when I said that coxi would be at $1500 a pair fairly soon. Sorry guys, I hated to say this was going to happen. : : What can be done? : : Adam Block

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