color me stupid but why are redknees so expensive?

[Botar]

Re: very slow growth...

Originally posted by Phillip

Takes a lot longer than two to three months to get that kinda size on smithi. They are very slow growers.

Phil

You took the words right out of my mouth... or off my fingertips, as the case may be.

Botar

 

[Morr]

But still..even if they are very slow growing, the rip-off prices seem a bit ..just that. It's not like they require a whole lot to grow and exist.

 

[si_sleaf]

Expensive it may be, but people are clearly willing to pay those high prices otherwise they would not be so high.

How many T collectors would like a B smithi? Exactly. It's all about supply and demand. If there is not enough supply to meet demand the price goes up.

 

[MrT]

Originally posted by Botar
It is the law of supply and demand with a bit of CITES thrown in. .

Botar

This tells it all.
15 years ago they were like G. rosea's, $15.00 and everywhere.

I'd like to know how many of us own B. smithi's ?

Ernie

 

[Crotalus]

I buy mine for 35 dollars for 10 slings 75 dollar for a adult female. But thats in Europe ;-)

/Lelle

 

[Phillip]

But still..even if they are very slow growing, the rip-off prices seem a bit ..just that. It's not like they require a whole lot to grow and exist.


What they do require however is a lot of time put into growing them and that's where some of the price comes in. After all you aren't going to sell a T that takes some 3 years plus to get size on it for just a little over what you sell a 1/4 inch sling for. You don't see a ton of large ones for sale because folks usually do something foolish like drop them before they get that big. And due to that cost goes up. Also you have to consider what you're getting ... an extremely long lived very docile species that has great color to boot. There is a reason why they have been the number one pet T for a long time.

Phil

 

[Professor T]

B. smithi

I paid $50 for a 2.5" female at a reptile show in Tampa. It was sexed, unsexed was $40 same size. I shopped around the show, and that was the best deal given price and size. Some 1" B. smithi were selling for $40 at other tables. There was a 5+" female going for $250. She was a beauty, but the price was steep. I'm very pleased with the one I purchased. =D

They have great color, are active, visiable, easy to care for, and are very docile. Their abdominal setae flicking usually results in a zero to mild reaction in most people. They are what comes to mind when someone says "tarantula", because it is the Hollywood Classic T. In my opinion, it is an all time top 5 must have T for collectors. Not many species more classic than the Redknee.

 

[nocturnalpulsem]

I got mine at about 3.5 in. for $80, which from what I've seen elsewhere is a deal. I looked at some online breeders and for a female of the same size you're lookin at about $135.

N.

BTW- why do you want a pet rock anyway?

 

[arachnopunks]

Originally posted by Static_69
$35!?

The shops that even get them in around here sell them from about $60-$75 for a 1-2 inch sling.




Risto

Online is the best way to purchase T's in most situations. When you consider that most Pet shops have a 200-300% mark-up on retail stock then the idea of paying for shipping isn't so unattractive. Besides if you save the money to buy a few at a time then shipping is very cost effective.

-Johnny