Question about clientele for breeders

[MattP]

Hi,

I was wondering who your guys' main clients are. Are they internet folks like us? People at shows? Locals? The reason I'm asking is because I was wondering if local people buy lots of your geckos. I recently went into a local herp musuem with some of my geckos produced by Kelli, and their babies produced by me . And the employees and the customers went nuts. They started asking all kinds of questions. I figured that if more of the general population new about our geckos they would be in higher demand.

Thanks for reading,

Matt

 

[diablohogs]

i agree. but try explaining to the general public the difference between a LV albino and a tremper albino or a hypo and a super hypo or what you will get if you cross a blizzard with a patternless though. i find myself having to explain genetics to them first. and that takes a while.

i bet if there was a video game where you bred geckos everyone would pick up on it in no time. sort of a fishing game mixed with a pokemon type game. go around trading geckos or sometihng. a breeding game. it would sell alot of copies i would think. i would surely buy it.

i learned craps, chess and golf all thanks to video games. even refined my understanding of the rules of monopoly thanks to a super nintendo game. just seems like when its in a video game its easier to pick up. just a thought.

 

[Critterfarm]

Chad -
I tell you what. You provide me with a list of the known makeup of the different morphs, something like this below:

normal + Het for purple = 33% normal, 33% purple, 33% het for purple

Yes I know the numbers are wrong. I breed scorpions and tarantulas not herps . But I think you get the idea.

I can then make a really easy to use program that allows you to select the father and mothers morphs, hit a button and get the answer for what the babies would be. Given time I could then turn that into a "Go-Fish" type of card game.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

good question!

I sell approximately 25% locally, and the rest is split between internet (website) and show sales. I do not wholesale or sell to pet shops. I am more concerned about educating people in the proper care and husbandry if they are inexperienced, and try to downplay the breeding and genetics aspect until they are ready to get their second or third geckos! Fortunately, I get a pretty good share of repeat business and referrals.

OK, so somebody needs to come up with a "Name that Morph" Leopard Gecko game so we can sell it on our websites!

 

[Blazin]

THE MAIN THING IS TO HAVE FUN!!

I sell mainly on the internet as well as some local sales. I find there is no need to explain genetics at all! I think your making this too complicated Mr. Diablosnakefarm. The average person out there is not looking to get a huge colony and start breeding right away. Most people are looking for an easy to keep reptile pet that looks good. They are not concerned if its co-dominant or simple recessive or whatever. They are concerned that it looks good and hopefully with husbandry needs. I don't even get involved with discussions like those unless someone shows extra interest. For the most part Matt if someone likes the way an animal looks thats enough for them to buy it as long as they feel its a reasonable price. It all boils down to having fun! We aren't saving the rainforests or finding a cure for cancer. Just be yourself Matt offer a good product and the rest will come naturally.

Oh I almost forgot. Everyday or so we all have to eat a little HUMBLE PIE. If we don't someone comes along and CRAMS THE WHOLE THING IN OUR MOUTH!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

yup!

Blazin... you and I are on the same page. Well stated!

 

[riverjop]

you guys must have seen this before?

http://www.geckogenetics.com/





EDIT: I have to agree with Chad s !
I think that the average and majority of the people who are interested, would have very little interest in all that genetics stuff. They just want that beautiful little lizard with the built in smile

The average person out there is not looking to get a huge colony and start breeding right away. Most people are looking for an easy to keep reptile pet that looks good.

 

[diablohogs]

I find there is no need to explain genetics at all! I think your making this too complicated Mr. Diablosnakefarm

i would imagine your right. i may try to educate people too much. its the breeding and producing of morphs that excites me, which is why i make it a point to tell anyone whose interested about the different possibilities with breeding leopard geckos.

i think once i start explaining a morph i end up explaining the genetics of it. that leads to to having to explain the basic principals of genetics. it tends to be a long explaination.

i want people to get into the breeding of leopard geckos. i figure the more the merrier.

but i can see where all that can become overwhelming to a person who just wants a pet.

i just figure letting them pick...they may pick a $250 lizard, right? and try explaining to them why it costs so much without mentioning genetics.

 

[Snakebyt]

Tell them that is cost more because Of the colors, and/or pattern, they really dont need to know all the details, but basicly they are higher because of there color or pattern or lack of pattern on some cases.

 

[KelliH]

I would say I sell 90% of my geckos online and the other 10% at shows.

I sell mainly to hobbiests that are interested in starting a breeding project with leopard geckos.

 

[dwedeking]

Not really a gecko person but...

Up until recently we sold 90% of our stuff online and at shows. 2 weeks ago we opened a reptile specialty store. I've spent the last two weeks observing local retail customers, their comments, expressions and requests. They are 100% different than what you'll run into at the shows or online.

Local customers are wary of the higher end (and therefore higher priced animals). They think they are awesome looking and cool, but balk at the pricing because they haven't been bit by the bug yet. They have a price range they are looking for and will walk around the shop comparing those animals that fit that price range.

Online/Trade show customers are heavy addicts. They're looking specifically for color or newness. Discussions are usually about how long they will have to eat macaronni and cheese to get that high end animal on your table instead of which one to get, price is not much of an object.

The major thing to do is figure out what you like about the hobby and target your breeding plans towards that. Then market to the correct area. Your enthusiasm will come through in your sales. You can always tell when someone isn't excited about what they are selling you. Don't try to force your animals into a market that doesn't see the value of them (normals at a reptile show, or $1000 animals to little tommy and his soccer mom walking through the store) as it will only lead to frustration and failure.

 

[E2MacPets]

What I still find amazing...

Here we have Ron Tremper, able to sell $1000 leopard geckos with ease right along side his $4 wholesale geckos.

And yet Bell albinos, which have been on the market for such a brief amount of time and are still truly unique, sell for no more than low end Tremper or Rainwater albinos.

 

[riverjop]

I think it's because it's such a small percentage over all, of the people who really know and recognize the differance of the two albinos. To the average buyer it's just another albino and therefore price is driven by demand.

Here we have Ron Tremper, able to sell $1000 leopard geckos with ease right along side his $4 wholesale geckos.