> > Because whether we want to admit it or not, people equaite monetary
>value
> > with "life value".
>
>But, I don't, and I see no reason to set the example that it is the
>same. <
Well its good you dont and I know others who dont, andi dont either- but we
are the exception. Even if most onthis list are liek us- the public
generally isnt and the public often needs a reason besides "its a loveable
little critter" to find any value, worth, respect etc int eh creature.
$10 may still sound "Token" but $10 for a mouse a gerbil is more "symbolic"
or worth than $3. I think its the symbolism that is important with the
money and the contracts. You are symbolizing that there a greater value and
that you are serious about the welfare of the animal.
If it was up to me how society operated- animals and even vet care and pet
supplies would all be free- becuase no "price" is great enough to account
for a life.... However- I dont design society- and we live in a commercial
one- so I have to use those same markettign strategies to promote my rodents
as quality pets whiel also ensureingt they are purchased by the ideal
demographic group (that one which will provide the animals with the best
possible care IMHO).... And at the same time, its that marketting that
influences how the public (including vets, petstore owners etc.) learn to
SEE these animals and in turn influence how they will treat them and their
owners!
Sorry if it sounds so "detatched", but whether we want to see it or not,
america is so commercial that these facts are really not escapable. So Id
rather use this to the benefit of our creatures tha not to.
BTW- when I feel torn about charging anythign for an animal (For exampel,
many times I dont want to charge much or anythign for an animal who is old
and therefor not going to live much longer- or an animal who was a
rescue/orphan and the new peopel will have (and they know this) work with
the animal to help it trust peopel again etc- then What I do is I include a
care package, start up kit (cage, accessories etc.) and Charge for the
supplies rather than for the pet itself. ;-) Hense, you CAN be charging $20
for a gerbil and not feel bad about it if you are sellign the gerbil, the
cage, the waterbottle, a small pack of bedding, toy tube, etc.. (This is
often recommended to peopel who want to place orphaned cats/dogs "free to
good home", to charge SOMETHING, ANYTHING to increase the "value" of the
animal without bothering their conscious about what they are "making" on the
animal (if anything).. Sell the merchandise for the pet, sell a copupon for
a free first vet visit, etc.. Then you know the petsoff to a good start too
because the peopel have everythign they need to start out right ;-)
>Is $10 really so much more than $3 that it would make that much of a
>difference? If they won't pay $10 they probably won't pay $3.
Actually it is. But that gets into marketing psychology. It has to do with
our monetary system. $3 is "thought of' by most peopel as "pocket change",
or a few "singles" and single bills are "easy" for peopel to "throw away"
(whcih is why so many products that are $3 or under are in checkout lines or
at the front of stores- its EASY for peopel to make an impulse purchase when
its "small bills or pocket change".
$10 on the other hand is TWO DIGITS. Its a crisp 10$ bill tht could be
broken into many little "singles". A $10 bill is *significant*. Peopel do
not casually throw away a $10 on a whim (enless they have an compuslive
shopping disorder thingy). When sell pettoys at pet expos, I COULD sell
them at $3 or $5=- but I dont sell many at those prices- because $3 is seen
as "cheep" and peopel assuem the materials or workmanship must be cheep and
therefor faulty. And $5 is a "significant" bill they dont want to causually
part with. But when i charge $4.50 peopel see this as avalueble product AND
a great bargain- its not a whole $5 (significant) bill- just soem singles
and pocket change... But its ALMOST $5 (significant) which equates to
"quality" but becuase its not QUITE $5, (by 50cents) its also a "great
deal".
Now, I dont care how much the peopel that buy a toy are goign to "love" that
toy you know- so I use $4.50 to obtainthe greatest # of customers. But when
I sell an animal, Im not lookign for "anyoen and their uncle", Im lookign
for soemone who sees the animal as beign "signficiant" and is happy therefor
to part with a "significant" bill- liek a $10 or a $20. In placing a
variety of critters over several years in a variety of settings (private in
my home, petshops, pet expos/fairs etc.) Yes I HAVE seen peopel "balk" at
$10. Ivehad peopel try to haggle with me thinkign they can offer me $5 and
Ill come down to $8 so they go up to $6 and we settle at $7. Uhm- NO.
Peopel try this with me and I tell them lives arent for barganing over.
They usally then say soemthign liek "How bout $9" and i say no, and they say
"ok, fine Ill pay $10" and then- I still tell them no- becuase I can see
down the line they will try haggling with a vet and they wont liek the vets
prices and they may instead try treating the animal themselves because its
"cheeper" or even not treated at all... and the animal deserves better than
that.
> > Considering EVERYTHIGN i doubt Id make money without chargign at least
>$100
> > per a critter, whcih is gettign rather ridiculous!
>
>Well, perhaps I don't have so many gerbs that I need to spend $200-300 a
>month. I usually spend about $25-30 plus I dip into my savings if I have
>an unforseen cost arise.
Well I dont have many gerbis, but I have mice and rats and hamsters and all
together thats alot- and its alot of bedding and food to buy etc..
>Unfortunately, being 16 I not only can't sign a contract, my parents
>would also think I was nuts to take someone to court over a gerbil, no
>matter how much I charge for them, be it $3, $10 or $100. (I'm not
>saying *I* think it's nuts!)
I understand that- I wasnt speaign to you directly- or anyone, just in
general. You may want to consider these things for when you are older and
can sign contracts.
Ill also add that the idea is often well received by peoepl who get animals
from me. They have told me they liek to see peopel taking rats, mice,
hamsters, gerbils etc "so seriously" "treating them liek any other animals
liek a cat or a dog". I think if more peopel do this, more stores and
shelters and vets will see these little creatures as beign just as important
to treat as any cat or dog.
ag
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