$500 isn't far off for Pearls..... I sold a female not long ago for that. But llike mentioned they're just like Marbles. Run of the mill costs pennies compared to quality. Average Marble is what? 300-400, yet quality can run $1500. Pearls are the same. I'd expect to pay $1500-$2k for nice white Pearls. And I'd only believe them to be real whites by the parents, and the breeder. Just cause a Pearl is light at 10" doesn't mean it's not gonna hit maturity then turn dark. The whole light based/dark based thing in Marbles and Pearls is kind of funny after watching so many change.
However, when you breed them paying for quality goes out the window. Buyers compare your prices to the cheapest they can find. Just like what's going on in this thread..... $700 landed Pearls? They must be what $250-300 when they leave there, then you got freight here, transhipper/clearing fees, shipping again, trust issues on if you'll even get a ray, and if you do will it even live? How many do you need to buy to get that price? Think they're gonna gaurentee the ray till it hits your water???? lol Why do you think most of us breeding quality brown rays keep them or sell/trade them amongst similar minded hobbyists? I feel sorry for people in the import/export game these days, so much risk involved and the whole numbers game that makes them sound cheap then after you're all done you paid through the teeth and health is usually poor. Hard to compare apples to apples when your talking importing vs captive bred.
Most people want price over quality. I used to think that a pair of top shelf Marbles producing top quality pups should be worth prices reflecting thier quality.... Wrong. Why pay $500 for a nice CB when you can get a pair of wild caughts for the same money?
All boils down to what you like..... Some say blackies are nicest, and stand out the most. I strongly disagree. I have a few nice ones and I'd much prefer a quality Marble or Pearl. I could care less about status symbols or "appeal". I'd pay more to be different..... lol.
However, when you breed them paying for quality goes out the window. Buyers compare your prices to the cheapest they can find. Just like what's going on in this thread..... $700 landed Pearls? They must be what $250-300 when they leave there, then you got freight here, transhipper/clearing fees, shipping again, trust issues on if you'll even get a ray, and if you do will it even live? How many do you need to buy to get that price? Think they're gonna gaurentee the ray till it hits your water???? lol Why do you think most of us breeding quality brown rays keep them or sell/trade them amongst similar minded hobbyists? I feel sorry for people in the import/export game these days, so much risk involved and the whole numbers game that makes them sound cheap then after you're all done you paid through the teeth and health is usually poor. Hard to compare apples to apples when your talking importing vs captive bred.
Most people want price over quality. I used to think that a pair of top shelf Marbles producing top quality pups should be worth prices reflecting thier quality.... Wrong. Why pay $500 for a nice CB when you can get a pair of wild caughts for the same money?
All boils down to what you like..... Some say blackies are nicest, and stand out the most. I strongly disagree. I have a few nice ones and I'd much prefer a quality Marble or Pearl. I could care less about status symbols or "appeal". I'd pay more to be different..... lol.
