Check out craigslist

[larry26]

Here is another example of something that is very over priced on craigslist.
http://westernmass.craigslist.org/pet/1053658270.html

First thing is that the person is trying to get $200 for the whole thing.
Some problems that i see: sand in tank, skinny gecko, and what ever is in the feeding dish.(it looks like vegtables)

 

[pandress]

I think there’s a big difference between a rescue shelter, or a person who takes care of the animal and just doesn’t have the means to do so anymore, and somebody looking to make a profit on these animals without putting in the proper work, and neglecting the animals.

Correct. And I think that it's pretty easy to tell the difference between a 'back yard breeder' and someone who genuinely just got in over their head with an animal. Even if someone charges an adoption fee, if it includes the enclosure, they are rarely even breaking even, let alone making money.

I see nothing wrong with someone trying to re-home an animal that they understand they can't care for properly. Obviously, it would be better if they never had gotten the animal in the first place...

The people who do care for the well being of the animal will come down on their 'adoption' fee and often give the animal away for free once they've figured out the adopter will be able to provide the animal with a better life. Generally the initial adoption fee was only stated as a deterrent to those who might have a sinister use for free animals.

Depending on what area of the country you are in, you might not be able to just surrender the animal to a rescue, so craigslist serves as the 'lesser of evils'.