Reptile Basics
New member
labeling snakes
Funny, I got exactly the response I expected from you.<p>Back in the "good 'ole days" these were just snakes. some were nicer looking than others and some cost more than others but they were just snakes. one could breed these snakes in peace and sell them at shows or to other snake minded people. Mass merchandising had not yet reared its ugly head, nor had the "morph wars". That being said, I personally do not care for 99% of the ridiculous names that have been applied to some "nice looking snakes", especially ball pythons that are "pastelish" or "spiderish" but as this business has evolved and taken shape more and more people have jumped in either to make a buck or just because they like snakes. With money and more people comes the advertising and marketing minded people. They have seen through varying degreees of success or failure that a catchy name sells. Why do you buy most of the consumer items that you do?? It works on cars, softdrinks, and now reptiles. I imagine, john, you got into this business of "living and breathing" snakes because you enjoy them and frankly thought you could make a buck. The only reason that you can get away with not getting a real job and playing with snakes like I do is because of groundwork laid by many a smarter businessman than I. Catchy names and colors sell animals. It is what has built this industry. Like anything, some of it is good and some bad. I expect I could be a lot more successful than I have been over the years if I used some of the techniques used by the pseudo-namers ( I like that one!) of non reproduceable patterns/colors but I have chosen not to because I feel as you do that it is somewhat deceiving and tasteless. I look at their ads everyday and laugh. Sometimes it pisses me off. Oh well, if I dont like it then I wont respond to it or buy it. I am no better, or worse than they are as long as they sell healthy animals. <p> Something that I think gets forgotten very quickly in this business is that other than natures pest control, a snake has no inherent monetary value. It is on this earth to do a job. The only reason any of these animals are worth any money is because someone else wants to pay for them. They are a luxury item. While I hope it doesent happen, everyone could wake up in the morning and decide to breed ant "morphs" and snakes are a thing of the past and this whole industry folds. If someone thinks bill cagles snake is worth what he is asking for it then whether you like it or not that is what it is worth. It may or may not prove to be a good move as an investment but maybe they just like it and have a few hundred dollars to burn. I have bought animals for way more than their market value over the years just because I liked them. They were worth what I paid for them to me at the time. If that person is not aware of the market value and mechanics of the animal industry then they are a fool for investing in animals. Just like the stock market. I would rather see him sell healthy snakes with crazy names than someone else sell sick ones.<p>Whether it was your intent or not you jumped all over this thread in a hugely antagonistic way. As far as I can tell you have never, and likely will never, done business with Bill. Perhaps somone has appointed you as snake cop? Perhaps you would not get tied up in crazy arguments and have a warning level of 7 or what ever it is if you stood back and watched and learned. Perhaps comment when you have a direct dealing with someone. Yelling at people doesent make your "stones" any bigger. If someone asks what everyone thinks about the "morph" maybe then offer an opinion. Just an idea for you. Before I even got through reading your second post on this thread I was left wondering why you where being so beligerent with Darkside. Your basic message was "i hope you werent stupid enough to buy this!". Real helpful. Is he guilty of something because he bought a boa he liked? Who cares what it is and what he paid. Regardless of what it is, I would expect it to be in excellent health because it came from Bill. In the end isnt what counts the health and quality of the animal and that the buyer got what he wanted?
Funny, I got exactly the response I expected from you.<p>Back in the "good 'ole days" these were just snakes. some were nicer looking than others and some cost more than others but they were just snakes. one could breed these snakes in peace and sell them at shows or to other snake minded people. Mass merchandising had not yet reared its ugly head, nor had the "morph wars". That being said, I personally do not care for 99% of the ridiculous names that have been applied to some "nice looking snakes", especially ball pythons that are "pastelish" or "spiderish" but as this business has evolved and taken shape more and more people have jumped in either to make a buck or just because they like snakes. With money and more people comes the advertising and marketing minded people. They have seen through varying degreees of success or failure that a catchy name sells. Why do you buy most of the consumer items that you do?? It works on cars, softdrinks, and now reptiles. I imagine, john, you got into this business of "living and breathing" snakes because you enjoy them and frankly thought you could make a buck. The only reason that you can get away with not getting a real job and playing with snakes like I do is because of groundwork laid by many a smarter businessman than I. Catchy names and colors sell animals. It is what has built this industry. Like anything, some of it is good and some bad. I expect I could be a lot more successful than I have been over the years if I used some of the techniques used by the pseudo-namers ( I like that one!) of non reproduceable patterns/colors but I have chosen not to because I feel as you do that it is somewhat deceiving and tasteless. I look at their ads everyday and laugh. Sometimes it pisses me off. Oh well, if I dont like it then I wont respond to it or buy it. I am no better, or worse than they are as long as they sell healthy animals. <p> Something that I think gets forgotten very quickly in this business is that other than natures pest control, a snake has no inherent monetary value. It is on this earth to do a job. The only reason any of these animals are worth any money is because someone else wants to pay for them. They are a luxury item. While I hope it doesent happen, everyone could wake up in the morning and decide to breed ant "morphs" and snakes are a thing of the past and this whole industry folds. If someone thinks bill cagles snake is worth what he is asking for it then whether you like it or not that is what it is worth. It may or may not prove to be a good move as an investment but maybe they just like it and have a few hundred dollars to burn. I have bought animals for way more than their market value over the years just because I liked them. They were worth what I paid for them to me at the time. If that person is not aware of the market value and mechanics of the animal industry then they are a fool for investing in animals. Just like the stock market. I would rather see him sell healthy snakes with crazy names than someone else sell sick ones.<p>Whether it was your intent or not you jumped all over this thread in a hugely antagonistic way. As far as I can tell you have never, and likely will never, done business with Bill. Perhaps somone has appointed you as snake cop? Perhaps you would not get tied up in crazy arguments and have a warning level of 7 or what ever it is if you stood back and watched and learned. Perhaps comment when you have a direct dealing with someone. Yelling at people doesent make your "stones" any bigger. If someone asks what everyone thinks about the "morph" maybe then offer an opinion. Just an idea for you. Before I even got through reading your second post on this thread I was left wondering why you where being so beligerent with Darkside. Your basic message was "i hope you werent stupid enough to buy this!". Real helpful. Is he guilty of something because he bought a boa he liked? Who cares what it is and what he paid. Regardless of what it is, I would expect it to be in excellent health because it came from Bill. In the end isnt what counts the health and quality of the animal and that the buyer got what he wanted?
