Earlier today i went to the petstore in my area called plano pets so i can try to get a baby or juvenile veiled's well i know they can be from $50-100. I see the prices for the babies size of a thumb male was $119 and female was $109 adult was $199 it looked stressed that was ridiculous how much it cost. So i ended up getting at a expo a baby Senegal and a juvenile Carpets chameleon.
Overpriced Veiled's
- Thread starter Anitec21
- Start date
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
Yea, it can be a little ridiculous. I just started working at my local exotic pet store in the reptile department and we have WILD CAUGHT adult veiled chameleons for nearly $300. And we just got in some baby 2-week-old veileds and they're asking $100 for them. I've already told my boss that I think it's unethical to even consider selling the babies for another few weeks, so we'll see if he respects me as the chameleon "expert" he hired me as. They are beautiful individuals, but it's a bit much for veileds.
At any rate, congrats on the new additions. How are you liking the carpet? I have two and just adore the species now.
At any rate, congrats on the new additions. How are you liking the carpet? I have two and just adore the species now.
ataraxia
Avid Member
Many dont understand the cost of a brick and mortar shop. Lease, electric, gas, employees wages, insurances, phone, feeding the animals, marketing, water, animal upkeep AND this list keeps going. I owned a shop for 3 years and it is extremely tough to compete with online stores, expo's and even established local competition.
I urge you to try setting up a store front. Try selling baby veileds that you will be able to get wholesale for 35.oo for 45.oo. Let me know how you pay them bills guys and gals
I have to laugh a minute..If you have that baby for 2 weeks before your sell it,,,Think how much money you will have in food, employee wages to help take care of that animal, water, electric and so on..See how much that animal cost you before the final sale. Try it and then come back and let me know how this worked out for you. Dont expect wholesale, expo or even breeder pricing in a pet store.
I urge you to try setting up a store front. Try selling baby veileds that you will be able to get wholesale for 35.oo for 45.oo. Let me know how you pay them bills guys and gals
I have to laugh a minute..If you have that baby for 2 weeks before your sell it,,,Think how much money you will have in food, employee wages to help take care of that animal, water, electric and so on..See how much that animal cost you before the final sale. Try it and then come back and let me know how this worked out for you. Dont expect wholesale, expo or even breeder pricing in a pet store.Thank you Its great the carpets is a nice looking chameleon it loves to be handled
how are yours?
Vegun
New Member
Many dont understand the cost of a brick and mortar shop. Lease, electric, gas, employees wages, insurances, phone, feeding the animals, marketing, water, animal upkeep AND this list keeps going. I owned a shop for 3 years and it is extremely tough to compete with online stores, expo's and even established local competition.
I urge you to try setting up a store front. Try selling baby veileds that you will be able to get wholesale for 35.oo for 45.oo. Let me know how you pay them bills guys and gals
I hate that this is my first post here but bravo.
As a fellow business owner it comes as a shock sometimes at how ignert "employees" are about the true cost of running a shop or service.
Zen Reptiles
Avid Member
I am with the above posts supporting business.
I am a small business owner (family business) and I am always amazed how 99% of my friends are towards the cost of things at some places compared to others (wal mart for example).
We live in a capitalist, free-market society, where the economy is built on the backs of businessmen and businesswomen alike. Every dollar you spend is a VOTE how you want things to be run. EVERY problem faced by mankind can be solved by proper capitalism. I'm not talking greed, but rather by the proper use of profit.
Example: in India there is an uproar across the world about their annual festival where thousands of rare and endangered turtles are sacrificed and consumed. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...itual-slaughter-celebrate-Hindu-festival.html
Capitalist solution: FARM THEM! Even if you sold them at a small profit, that's a big profit in India (which has more people living in Poverty than all the poorest countries in Africa). The same has been accomplished with some alligators and crocodiles that were on the verge of extinction: 10% were released into the wild while 90% was turned into leather...it saved them.
Do you want China to become the next superpower to dominate the earth? I think the US is doing a much better job at it, and buying local (within your province, state, or country) is paramount.
That petstore might buy that chameleon for 30$ and sell it for 119$. It also has to spend $10,000+ a month on rent. Pay a $20,000 salary to 10 employees, and take risks on selling animals like chameleons.
Sorry to rant but I have seen 3 or 5 posts about this in the last month and it's disgusting to see people complaining about the virtues that an entire nation was built on.
I am a small business owner (family business) and I am always amazed how 99% of my friends are towards the cost of things at some places compared to others (wal mart for example).
We live in a capitalist, free-market society, where the economy is built on the backs of businessmen and businesswomen alike. Every dollar you spend is a VOTE how you want things to be run. EVERY problem faced by mankind can be solved by proper capitalism. I'm not talking greed, but rather by the proper use of profit.
Example: in India there is an uproar across the world about their annual festival where thousands of rare and endangered turtles are sacrificed and consumed. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...itual-slaughter-celebrate-Hindu-festival.html
Capitalist solution: FARM THEM! Even if you sold them at a small profit, that's a big profit in India (which has more people living in Poverty than all the poorest countries in Africa). The same has been accomplished with some alligators and crocodiles that were on the verge of extinction: 10% were released into the wild while 90% was turned into leather...it saved them.
Do you want China to become the next superpower to dominate the earth? I think the US is doing a much better job at it, and buying local (within your province, state, or country) is paramount.
That petstore might buy that chameleon for 30$ and sell it for 119$. It also has to spend $10,000+ a month on rent. Pay a $20,000 salary to 10 employees, and take risks on selling animals like chameleons.
Sorry to rant but I have seen 3 or 5 posts about this in the last month and it's disgusting to see people complaining about the virtues that an entire nation was built on.
Zen Reptiles
Avid Member
PS let us know how that Senegal and carpet do....................
Your money would have been better spent on the veileds.
Your money would have been better spent on the veileds.
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
Doesn't make it any less ridiculous when I have to tell the price to someone who knows that they usually go for everywhere else, usually replied with a "WHAT?" and a walk away. I can't even say that we guarantee excellent health, because we can't. Or I wouldn't, in good conscience. But I work there now so I'm trying to get the chameleons the level of care I'd give my own animals, to be able to make that claim.
My father owns a handful of offices in several countries, so I know the money it costs to keep them all open and staffed. But it doesn't justify cutting corners and quality and then marking the price up to keep profits high, at least not in my family's book.
I don't mind spending more on something to get better quality, I really don't. I'll buy $300 Cole Haan heels over $20 Walmart heels because I know that the leather is real, the suede is real, and the craftsmanship is superior. But to pay 3-4x the price of other sources for less quality... huh? How can we justify that?
My father owns a handful of offices in several countries, so I know the money it costs to keep them all open and staffed. But it doesn't justify cutting corners and quality and then marking the price up to keep profits high, at least not in my family's book.
I don't mind spending more on something to get better quality, I really don't. I'll buy $300 Cole Haan heels over $20 Walmart heels because I know that the leather is real, the suede is real, and the craftsmanship is superior. But to pay 3-4x the price of other sources for less quality... huh? How can we justify that?
Rodger
New Member
Many dont understand the cost of a brick and mortar shop. Lease, electric, gas, employees wages, insurances, phone, feeding the animals, marketing, water, animal upkeep AND this list keeps going. I owned a shop for 3 years and it is extremely tough to compete with online stores, expo's and even established local competition.
I urge you to try setting up a store front. Try selling baby veileds that you will be able to get wholesale for 35.oo for 45.oo. Let me know how you pay them bills guys and gals
PetsSmart sells what looks like 4-6 month old females for $99 all the time & have sales for $69 . All the things you say are true , especially in a small set-up . But the bigger a business , the smaller % of profit they charge . i find it hard to believe , but read where McDonalds work on a 1% profit . Small shops are fighting a steep uphill battle , unless a huge nest egg & have alot of stuff to sell . Home Depot did the same thing to Hechinger's & all the small hardware stires around Annaplis & Glen Burnie Md .
ataraxia
Avid Member
I hope more read this, understand it and put it to practice.
ataraxia
Avid Member
I understand that frustration. I truly do. You are now a employee of this est. and have to have faith in your knowledge and care given to these animals they bring in to offer to people. So what they have the same veiled at petsmart for 69.99. Let them know this veiled comes with something that veiled doesnt..EXPERT ADVICE NOW AND AFTER THE SALE. If they chose to go pay less than so be it but take pride in your animals and people will start to understand.... believe me.
Now if your boss is doing some shady stuff..let he/she know you arent standing for it.
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Vegun
New Member
I understand now but fyi I spend my money at that store so I am supporting it pretty much I buy tarantulas I got one that was a $100 and I understood the price cause I did reasearch on it and it was a endangered type (Mexican redknee) but the point is im eventually im going to buy it cause it would be $10 more I would have no choice petco/petsmart dont wanna order more veiled's. The new chams are good im showing them to not fear me and its going succeedingPS let us know how that Senegal and carpet do....................
Your money would have been better spent on the veileds.
ASublimeDay
Member
A-freaking-men
ASublimeDay
Member
Its just best to have a live person you can communicate with.
Why would it be unethical? It is what it is - The research is up to the customer is it not? You can give someone care advice untill your blue in the face, but it is up to them to follow through........Will they? Probably not......
By the way - Those animals were firmly established......I made sure of that before I even considered letting any go......
Olimpia
Biologist & Ecologist
Because they are too fragile, no one sells chameleons at 2-3 weeks of age to people. By selling them at 2-3 months of age at least you're increasing the chances of someone having to be able to care for them and not have them drop dead at the first mistake they make. It's why all reputable breeders will not let them go before then. So that's why I think it's unethical for us to then sell them to other people immediately (the chams now have to deal with the stress of two moves, not eating for a little due to the stress of changes, etc.). I'm sure that if you asked on here if others think it's right or not you'd get a very similar sentiment.
IronHulk
New Member
To the OP , not to repeat what others are saying but, How do you think the shop owner pays you ? (or do you work for free ?) If he can get $1000 for a cham power to him. It is up to the buyer to do the research. Maybe th ebuyer feels better about supporting a local business, or maybe they feel better about buying the cham at the store and not shipping it through the mail, to each their own. If you go into a nice privately owned store expect to pay FULL RETAIL. In addition to paying the rent, the utilites, all the food, no one mentioned workmans comp., or insurance. Truth is the younger generation has no idea what things cost and think everything should be free. At My last job I managed close to 200 people mostly in their 20's , all I can say is This country is in trouble if this is the future of america.
IronHulk
New Member
sad but true.
