How do you sell your gecko's

[shogun607]

Hey guys now i myself have not sold any geckos before and i started thinking about what kinda stuff goes into it. So i wanted to ask you guys whats your method for selling your leopard geckos? Few main questions that i been wondering on the subject are
1- how do you guys determine pricing for the different morphs you sell?

2- Where is the best place for you to sell yours? (craigslist, Facebook, your own webpage, forums etc...)

3- For geckos do you have standers that the gecko needs to meet before sale. example of what im asking for hatching's do you only sell if they are certain size, weight etc...

Sorry for the noob questions but i have been looking at different people that sell their own and really wanted to learn more about what goes on.

 

[marauderhex]

I determine prices by looking at the average prices I see at shows and adjusting up or down based on whether I think mine are a better representative of the morph, or aren't as good. I'd say you should sell at shows (small ones are easier to get a table at). That way you can see who is buying your leos. I'm a super small time breeder, so I am also highly selective about who buys my babies. I'd say that you should raise all of your leos for at least 4-8 weeks before selling. That way you have a long time to observe if they have any ticks about them, like a poor eater/shedder/etc. I wouldn't sell any that fall into those categories. You want to sell high quality leos and competitive prices. Having a caresheet that you made, or use by permission, to hand out along with your contact info if the buyer has any questions is also good to have.

 

[OnlineGeckos]

1. Price is usually determined by the looks, quality, and market value. You look at what others are selling something for, and come up with your own price. If you are a new breeder, prepare to sell yours at almost half the market value in order to sell anything.

2. Anywhere and everywhere you can sell your geckos at, it's not easy to sell them. Forums, websites, classifieds, expos, craigslist, etc etc..

3. Most people wait until at least 15g before shipping a hatchling out. Once a gecko reaches 15g it usually means they're eating and growing. You don't want to sell a gecko that's too young and too small, it would be taking a big risk.

 

[acpart]

Most of what I have to say about selling geckos I've already said here:
http://www.geckotime.com/how-to-sell-your-geckos/

Aliza

 

[Tanggecko]

1. Like others have said look at the current market value for that morph. Your probably not going to get the same amount as a well known breeder.

2. My favorite way to sell is reptile shows. You get to meet the new owner. Their is no shipping!!! You can sell a lot of geckos in one day. I tend to sell more of the common gecko morphs at shows.

3. I wait until my geckos are at least 15-20g before they are sold.

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

1. I determine my prices based on the quality of the individual animals as well as the market value from reputable breeders with similar quality (as long as there are others producing geckos that I am). The biggest mistake people do is look at a big breeders site and think they can get the same price for their animals. A lot of the time the quality is incomparable, but also the reputation and lineage of animals coming from an established breeder can hold a higher asking price.

2.I am not big on advertising your animals everywhere. I personally pick one or two forums to advertise in, my website, fb, and shows. If you are active on forums and produce animals of quality, that is advertising in itself. Anyone can produce one nice animal and say they have a nice collection...but when you continually post pictures of animals you produce and they are of good quality people will notice that and come to you.

3.For me there are two parts to this answer. I will SOMETIMES sell an animal at a very young age (5-15g). However, I will not advertise these animals but people will inquire and pick them off the market before they are posted. That being said I will NEVER ship an animal until/unless it is a minimal 15g, eating routinely, sheds good, defecates normally, and exhibits overall good health and activity. I will hold onto any animal until it is of the health and quality that I would expect to receive from an order.

The biggest suggestion I can give you is to price yourself within the market for your quality and to ONLY sell animals that are in perfect (as much as you have the ability of determining "perfect") health. One bad sell for quick cash can and will ruin your reputation and engrave a permanent appearance of your ethics and business. That's where a lot of first time breeders go wrong...its not about the sale (money) its about finding a good home for your animals.

 

[Josh P.]

Most of what I have to say about selling geckos I've already said here:
http://www.geckotime.com/how-to-sell-your-geckos/

Aliza

Great article, Aliza. Always a pleasure to read your work on Gecko Time.

 

[acpart]

Thank you.

Aliza