Breeding and where to sell excess slings and how to ship questions

Drezan

Arachnosquire
Joined
Sep 13, 2018
Messages
54
So I'm getting into breeding and I was wondering if anyone had any information on where to sell excess slings? I don't want to use them as feeder if I don't have to. I live in Indiana and the only thing I know of is the Midwest Reptile show. That's where I buy all of my T's, but I want to know if anyone knows of other places.
 

KezyGLA

Arachnoking
Joined
Apr 8, 2016
Messages
3,013
So I'm getting into breeding and I was wondering if anyone had any information on where to sell excess slings? I don't want to use them as feeder if I don't have to. I live in Indiana and the only thing I know of is the Midwest Reptile show. That's where I buy all of my T's, but I want to know if anyone knows of other places.
Why on earth would you use them as a feeder?

I recommend you find a seller whom you can wholesale your stock too. Prior to breeding.
 

PanzoN88

Arachnodemon
Old Timer
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Sep 15, 2014
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712
So I'm getting into breeding and I was wondering if anyone had any information on where to sell excess slings? I don't want to use them as feeder if I don't have to. I live in Indiana and the only thing I know of is the Midwest Reptile show. That's where I buy all of my T's, but I want to know if anyone knows of other places.
Online sellers may buy in bulk or you can sell or trade to other nembers here on the forum, i'm from indiana myself (living in ohio) and i know there aren't many options within the state.

On an unrelated note, where is this expo you speak of?
 

Drezan

Arachnosquire
Joined
Sep 13, 2018
Messages
54
I wouldn't use them as feeder, but I've read posts on here saying that's what other people do. Also the Midwest Reptile Show is in Indianapolis State Fairgrounds. Next show is next Sunday, 30th of September.
 

antinous

Pamphopharaoh
Old Timer
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Not being rude, but if you're asking a question like this, I don't suggest you start breeding. Many breeders have to 'sit' on a large amount of slings while they're selling them. Some do sell them wholesale, while others will sell them themselves. Know the market beforehand and then plan on breeding. And I've never heard of someone using 'excess' slings as feeders or the term 'excess slings' in general.
 

z32upgrader

Arachnobaron
Old Timer
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Mar 13, 2012
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I wouldn't use them as feeder, but I've read posts on here saying that's what other people do. Also the Midwest Reptile Show is in Indianapolis State Fairgrounds. Next show is next Sunday, 30th of September.
I think anyone who said that was making a joke. No one seriously uses tarantulas as feeders for other tarantulas. Perhaps they were just saying some species are slow to sell. I have 345 albopilosum slings at the moment. Sales are slow, but I'd never do that.
 

PanzoN88

Arachnodemon
Old Timer
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Sep 15, 2014
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I wouldn't use them as feeder, but I've read posts on here saying that's what other people do. Also the Midwest Reptile Show is in Indianapolis State Fairgrounds. Next show is next Sunday, 30th of September.
Ah good so it's somewhat nearby.

I think the feeder posts you might have read have to do with sac mates consuming one another.
 

Drezan

Arachnosquire
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Sep 13, 2018
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Okay, I'll do more research and find places that I can depend on to sell.
 

spookyvibes

Arachnobaron
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Nov 28, 2017
Messages
366
You could just give them to me:angelic:

As others have said, wholesale them or find a little bit of patience.

What species are you trying to sell anyways?
 

Theneil

Arachnoprince
Joined
Oct 18, 2017
Messages
1,291
I think anyone who said that was making a joke. No one seriously uses tarantulas as feeders for other tarantulas. Perhaps they were just saying some species are slow to sell. I have 345 albopilosum slings at the moment. Sales are slow, but I'd never do that.
I have actually read of feeding them off to other Ts or inverts on several occasions. While i don't think it is common, it does happen.

OP, i have never actually sold any, but i would think that simply contacting all the "retailers" would likely help to sell many of them wholesale, as long as you are willing to sell at wholesale prices.

Otherwise, post in the classifieds here on arachnoboards, as well as craigslist and Facebook etc if you use social media.
 

Drezan

Arachnosquire
Joined
Sep 13, 2018
Messages
54
I have actually read of feeding them off to other Ts or inverts on several occasions. While i don't think it is common, it does happen.

OP, i have never actually sold any, but i would think that simply contacting all the "retailers" would likely help to sell many of them wholesale, as long as you are willing to sell at wholesale prices.

Otherwise, post in the classifieds here on arachnoboards, as well as craigslist and Facebook etc if you use social media.
Sadly, you can't sell animals on Facebook or Craigslist. So I may just try to sell them on here.
 

Drezan

Arachnosquire
Joined
Sep 13, 2018
Messages
54
Does anyone know how to go about shipping slings and possibly adults? I want to be able to sell online, but I have never shipped anything and idk what carriers would allow me to ship live spiders. Also, what would to process be if I can ship them?
 

Theneil

Arachnoprince
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Oct 18, 2017
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FedEx is the shipper that is supposed to be used.

As for packing some use chopped up straws with napkin in either end to contain slings or vials with the interior completely cushioned with paper towels. Then whatecer holds the spider is placed in a bigger, usually insulated box with lots of packing material all around it and possibly a heat ot cool pack to help maintain temps depending on the weather. Note: Hot and cold packs should always be as far from the spiders as possible and possibly even isolated with insulating material.

Here are a couple images of things i used for a larger spider. Basically just scale down the container size to snugly fit the spider.

 

KezyGLA

Arachnoking
Joined
Apr 8, 2016
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3,013
Sadly, you can't sell animals on Facebook or Craigslist. So I may just try to sell them on here.
You can sell arachnids on Facebook. It’s where 90% of the spiders in hobby here in Europe are bought/sold.
 

Teal

Arachnoemperor
Old Timer
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Jan 11, 2009
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The Classifieds here on the forum (there are several retailers who post looking for bulk sling buys also), Facebook groups, Craigslist... there are MANY options for selling slings. Watch packing tutorials if you are unfamiliar with how to ship slings, especially in large quantities (straw packing).

I agree though that if you are asking this, you aren't ready to be breeding Ts.

Right now I'm breeding P. Sazimai's.
* P. sazimais , or just P. sazimai

Species names are not captitalized and no apostrophe for multiples (apostrophes are for possession or contractions). Just for future reference for your "For Sale" ads to look more professional (;

You can sell arachnids on Facebook. It’s where 90% of the spiders in hobby here in Europe are bought/sold.
For the US, there is a group called Arachnids Classifieds that is dedicated to selling tarantulas. There is also the US Invert Auction group, and probably others I am not aware of.

I tried to reply to your thread regarding shipping but I guess it was moved/combined? So here is what I said...

"Does anyone" - LOTS of folks ship tarantulas. There are a ton of tutorial videos on YouTube, I am sure.

But the process is fairly simple - for small slings in bulk, I use straws (the larger kind). Pack both ends with moistened paper toweling, then put the staws into a vial or deli that has been padded with paper toweling. For slings in smaller quanitites or anything bigger, I use vials and delis. Make a snug bed from moist paper toweling, leaving an indentation in the middle for the spider. Insert spider and add a layer of paper toweling to the top before putting on the lid. I like to tape on the lids of deli cups, just in case.

Your box should, ideally, have styrofoam lining. Fill the space with packing product - "peanuts" or newspaper. Put the vial/deli into the middle and add packing material to the top and styrofoam.

If you are using a cold or heat pack, I create a separate little area on one side of the box and make sure there is plenty of packing product providing a buffer between the vial/deli.

I tape up my packages like my life deoends on it (sorry to all my receivers LOL) and put "Fragile" on the box.

Note that it is ILLEGAL to ship through USPS (being a federal institution that restricts it), and it is against their policy to use UPS. FedEx prefers you use a labeling service like ShipYourReptiles or ReptilesExpress as, to them, it implies you know what you're doing. You are NOT supposed to take live animal shipments to shipping/packing centers... only official FedEx hubs accept them.
 
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Drezan

Arachnosquire
Joined
Sep 13, 2018
Messages
54
Thanks for all of the help everyone! I see I need to do a lot more research if I ever plan to breed. I'm sure I'll get there someday. I do have one last question though. If I do start breeding and plan on shipping, what are shipping rates like for Fedex and UPS?
 
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