Selling Geckos: What do you guys do?

[Turtlestork]

I'm a relative beginner when it comes to gecko breeding. I'm just starting to get to the point where I can sell off my surplus. What do you guys do when you sell geckos? I've seen so many different experience levels apparent in posting on this and other forums. Is it just a chance you take when you sell a gecko, or do you guys ask your buyers any questions to know your gecko is getting proper care? It's just nerve wracking I guess.

Thanks,
TS

 

[Lordoftheswarms]

Some people might hand over an animal to anyone that has the cash. I wouldn't. I have a conversation with them about the animal, and evaluate whether or not I like them and if they will take good care of the animal. Seems like common sense to me. I care more for the animal than for the sale or for upsetting some people that don't get their way.

 

[gizmo143]

You could say that in like a few months or something that you would go check and if they aren't taking proper care of it in your opinion take it back. there are dog rescues that do that and have a contract and everything...just and idea

 

[Turtlestork]

Ok. That makes sense and all, but how do you tell a potential buyer no? I mean I guess all you say is no, but I don't want to get a bad rep at the same time. I was thinking I could do research on the forums, as they are quite accurate as to a person's experience and all. I care more for my animals, too, but at the same time the reason you breed is to improve the geckos, and spread that to others. I can't be too strict I guess....

TS

 

[acpart]

I always talk to potential buyers and stress what they have to have in order to successfully keep the geckos (I sell leopard and fat tail geckos). I usually have complete set-ups available so they can buy the whole deal from me. If they don't have, or are unwilling to provide the set-up (or unwilling to quarantine) I have a concrete reason not to sell to them. I have not yet (in 5 years) had to tell anyone an outright "no". A few times I'll admit I've sold to a person where I wasn't 100% sure, but I also couldn't put my finger on something specific so I took the risk. Other times, I haven't had to say "no" because as a consequence of our discussion, I've gotten them to come around to the idea that this is not a good idea. In those cases, it's usually because they don't have or won't provide something, or they're not so sure and I give them my card and say "if and when you're ready, let me know". A number of people (usually parents of small children) at shows have thanked me for not doing a hard sell. Being willing to discuss the situation and not sell any gecko to any person "no questions asked" eliminates most of the potential problem. On the other hand, I don't feel the need to grill everyone endlessly about how they're going to take care of the geckos and to obsess about how everyone is doing.

Aliza

 

[Lizardman]

You can also write a care sheet of the species that you are selling, that goes with the animal when it gets sold. I do that myself to buyers, except for my friends that I know have kept reptiles for many years and I know that they know what they are doing.

Just a tip.

Regards

 

[sune jensen]

I'd say that once you are over the first problems and have started breeding your animals regularily you will learn that many species are easy to reproduce in relatively large numbers. At that point you will also learn, especially if you have a large collection of adult breeders, that geckos are most often not that easy to sell in larger numbers. At that point most people tend to be happy with just being able to sell their surplus offspring, and most often you are simply not in a position to make demands of a potential buyer, just as you will not have time to check every buyer carefully. In that case you will be happy just to make a sale, and you will have to rely on the buyer doing his homework. I dont know whether that is good or bad, but in my experience that is simply the reality of large scale gecko breeding.

 

[Turtlestork]

Ok. I plan on doing that, sending care sheets. The thing is I don't really plan on "large-scale" gecko breeding so to speak, just have a few projects. I just wanted to know experience. I know most people will have done homework, and won't be so worried. However, I'm sure some people contact you that just seem to not know what is going on. I'm not really in it for money, or the sales, (Mainly because there really isn't much) just to really gain the experience of breeding the wonderful species.


TS

 

[acpart]

Good point about the caresheets. I have caresheets for all the species I sell and even have a sign I put on my table that says "if you don't know how to care for it, don't buy it".

Aliza