How Do You Establish a Reputation?

Hey, I have a simple question - how does one establish a reputation, when you are new to the business?  All my stock comes from really reputable guys - the majority of them from John and Ruth Meltzer of RJ Reptiles and Mr. Webslave himself. I know what NOT to do, how NOT to treat people, etc - but in a couple months, I'm going to be selling some nice animals, and would like some advice on getting into the "biz".  I'm not a big breeder - just have some nice leos I'm producing, which I would like to sell so my wife wouldn't get so angry with the cricket bill all the time!

I just started thinking that when I post my ads this summer and somebody does a BOI check on me and says, "Who in the heck is that idiot?"  

Thanks for any tips you can give me.

In another industry I was able to do this. The main thing is under promise and over deliver. You may not be able to get the high end prices that a known breeder could get for the same animal but with time you will build your reputation this way. The other thing is that a reputation takes a long time to build (and as you can see on the posts of the BOI only a few minutes to destroy).

my .02

Also go to all the Reptile expo you can make friends with large breeders or just breeders period. once they get to know you and have done some business with you. (and share a couple drinks with you) they can vouch for you, but you will def. need to be honest and curtiouse in constumer relations. because if a well known breeder vouch for you and you don't follow up on your reputation it makes him look bad. Another thing would be COMMUNICATION!!!!!!! most important thing. just make sure your customers are happy with what they have and represent your product truthfully

Hope this help

Winston <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Just sell your animals.  If you take care of them and you properly represent what you are selling, you should have no problems.

Also when you are a buyer your building a reputation. Because it speaks on how you handled a deal with a seller. Because there are also people you might not want to sell to either. It works both ways. Just my opinion.

You have an advantage over the big breeders. You don't have the overhead they do, so you can sell your animals a little cheaper. You'd be surprised what $5 or $10 means to some people. That will get them in the door, then it's up to you to build a base of satisfied customers. Treat your customers right and the word will spread. If there is a problem make it right. In fact when there is a problem I alway ask them what will it take to make it right? That little statement will usually calm the most upset customer. Getting a table at a reptile show is another good way to meet the public and build that customer base. I hope this helps

Hey, everybody who has posted - thanks for the advice.  It really helps.  

I'll work very hard at keeping myself off of the "Dark Side" of the BOI!!!

Thanks again everybody.  And if anyone else has tips, please chime in.

Hi, I have built my reputation on selling high quality animals at the best prices I could. I also back every animal I sell 100%.I also believe that customer satisfaction, and support is the best way to build your buisness, and reputation. Also, when selling on line, make sure you represent the animal for sale the best you can.
Be honest, and you will go far!

Rick Steward/ Ricks Reptiles

I guess I've been doing this for a while, and have heard on the grapevine that I have a pretty fair reptutation in this business, so let me see if I can come up with a few tips.

(1)  Don't try to take short cuts.  MANY people have tried to take the short road and became flashes in the pan.  Work on being in this for the long haul.

(2)  Treat it like a hobby rather than a business.  Watching the bottom line all of the time will kill you.  When you start thinking about cutting back the amount of food you feed your animals in order to increase your profit margin, you are dead in this business.  People want to buy from people whom love their animals, not the money it makes for them.

(3)  Never lie to anyone.  It is OK to not know something, to be wrong in a belief, and to change your mind.  But once you tell the first lie and get caught in it, everything you have ever said, and everything you will every say, will be suspect.

(4)  Always remember the excitement you had when you got your box of reptiles and opened it up.  Remember the pure joy of seeing those living jewels when you saw them for the first time.  Do you best to give your customers that same experience EVERY time.

(5)  Consider the way that you handle problems as the largest part of your advertising budget.  Yes, it will cost you money, but whenever your name will come up in a conversation, this is what the people will be talking about.

I can probably come up with more things, but I hear the reptile building calling my name right now.  Got to get off of the keyboard...........

Good luck!

Well Rich said just about all off it.

I want to reitirate....Do not be in a hurry.
Someguy decided to call himself "a big boa breeder" the first year he ever bred anything.  Then told lies to everyone about how big he was.....IT BACK FIRED


The best way is one person at a time.
Someone will be willing to take a chance and buy from you....treat them right and they will be your new reference.
And from there go one person at a time...until one day you will have a million gazzillion references.



The golden rule of becoming "reputable"
This one pretty much encompasses a lot of the "rules"
TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED

Again, everybody, i just want to say a big thank you for all the advice!  I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.  

Ritchie - I will take it slow.  I have no designs on becoming some big-time breeder.  I like my other job too well.  Like I said earlier, this give me an opportunity to pay for a few crix and supplies every now and then (I hope), plus share some really neat leos that might spring up now and then.

I have to say that I learned a lot also by all those who shipped herps and supplies to me.  The best, I have to say was Mr. Webslave himself - (and I'm not sucking up).   That was really an education on how to do things the right way.  

Again - I really appreciate all the advice.  If anyone else would like to chime in, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks! <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Monte - I'd like to echo the sentiments of the others on this thread.. The actions you take, and the way you handle your customers, will define you as a reputable dealer.  Everyone has to start somewhere, and it sounds like you're serious about being in the business for the long haul, and that's commendable.. Just remember a few rules and you'll do fine..

1) Customer is always right - If there's even a chance you sold an animal that fails to thrive, give them a refund or offer a replacement animal in exchange.. Be prompt in your response.. You've probably read on the BOI how disappointed customers can get with dealers taking a year or more to make good on a bad transaction.
2) Represent the animals as they truly are - Remember the person receiving the package is waiting eagerly for that animal, and once they open the package that's going to be their opinion of you and your business for years to come.
3) Treat your animals as living things, not income.. I don't think I've pulled a profit yet since I put together my breeding stock.. Usually I just pull even each year.. My whole reason for breeding is the love of the hobby.  Nothing like getting a pair of snakes that are tough to breed and having success with them.  Using inferior caging, heating, lighting, food etc. is not only unfair to your customers, but the animals themselves.  
4) Limit your projects - Until you become one of the "big guys" who are always tooting their own horns, carefully select what you breed.  I've found this out the hard way in the past by branching too far out and realizing I couldn't care for everything I was breeding.. Things had to go (at a fraction of what I paid for them) to be fair to the animals and maintain my sanity ..

I'm sure there's plenty of advice I'm neglecting to mention, but I wish you the best of luck in your endeavor!  You're taking a big step by finding out about the business prior to jumping in...

Stephen Emerick

Napa Valley Snakes <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>