The_TurtleArkangel_Raph
Member
Does anyone have any information on MorphMarket in Memphis TN? I live near that area and I am thinking of buying a tortoise from them. Wanted to know if they were a good breeder.
Morph Market
- Thread starter The_TurtleArkangel_Raph
- Start date
Thread 'MorphMarket.... Anyone got any info?' https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/morphmarket-anyone-got-any-info.181957/
I would consider an active member of this forum first.
Fauna classified is reliable too
I know nothing about Morph Market, but what I have seen in some posts on here, it all depends on the actual breeder you deal with.
Fauna classified is reliable too
I know nothing about Morph Market, but what I have seen in some posts on here, it all depends on the actual breeder you deal with.
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2013
- Messages
- 158
You have to look at reviews for the actual breeder you are considering. Morphmarket is just a host
Wherever you find a breeder, just ask the right questions. The vast majority of tortoise breeders do not start babies correctly and this forum is full of the sad stories that ensue. You are not likely to get a healthy baby from a pet store, an expo, or a large online seller, unless you happen to find a good seller like tortoisesupply. Most of what is out there is dismal. If you read those threads I linked for you, you will know and understand more than the breeders you are talking to.
Morph Market is an online marketplace where people can sign up and then sell their animals. Is there a brick and mortar store called "Morph Market" in Memphis?
Just my opinion ..... Morph Market is solely concerned with profit not animals. Morph Market allows and encourages overpriced and iffy on health animals for a commision, not concern ever for ANY animal. I've seen torts on there that were rescues and being sold for $200 each .... WHAT .... WHY? Profit!!! Places such as this only exist because an untold amount of animals suffer for every penny they make, No Thank You. In my opinion look for a breeder such as @Tom that will not accept death of any hatchling, there truly is no reason any % should die.
This is much too broad a brush my friend, and that makes your assertions largely untrue. The vast majority of people who are in to reptiles, breeding and selling them, are no different than me. We all do this because we love the animals and enjoy having them around. There are admittedly bad apples in every bunch, but your mental picture of suffering animals and all the doom and gloom just isn't true. Many of these animals are very valuable. Most breeders take great care to house and feed them correctly. When a person takes on the numbers and facilities necessary for breeding properly, it can get very expensive. There is nothing wrong with recovering some of those expenses.
I spent $14,000 on my first Burmese stars. Then I spent several thousand housing them. Then I spend about $100 a week heating and feeding them. My electric bill in winter is around $900 a month. I've spent countless hours of my time caring for them every single day, 365 days a year. After all of that, heck yeah I sell the babies. Most breeders are lucky to break even. We do it because we love it. I enjoyed raising my babies tremendously. They brought me immeasurable happiness and joy. When I sell one of their babies to someone now, I am smiling ear to ear, not because I just recouped a few bucks, but because I know how much happiness and enjoyment that person is now going to experience as I did with that baby's parents. When I buy babies from other breeders, I get the same sentiment from them. They see my awe and wonderment while holding the baby that they produced, and the money is almost an after thought.
I make my living with animals one way or another. Not everyone who does this is greedy and unscrupulous. In fact, most are not. There are bad people like that in every walk of life, and I shun them whenever I discover them.
I agree with you hence .....
I actually just had a conversation (since I posted this morning) about a rescue here in CA that charges a 'Surrender Fee' as well as an 'Adoption Fee' and IS selling rescues they have on Morph Market for $200 for Hermanns, Russians and other small torts ...... It ( In my opinion) can't always be about the money, then the tortoise suffers.
I've heard the old saying "I charge so that only good people respond, and will adopt" all kinds of terrible pet owners have lots of money so that's just BS and another excuse. The question was about Morph Market and maybe I painted some of the sellers on there with a broad brush but Morph Market seems to not mind at all. In some ways they aren't helping true lovers of these animals with a good look, and again only my opinion based on my experience.
The_Four_Toed_Edward
Well-Known Member
I think platforms like MorphMarket have a certain responsibility of monitoring their sellers, but at the same time it is not easy. This is a fact we have to keep in mind when using these kind of platforms. Really, it is a complex question the more you think about it.
Yes, this would be almost impossible to monitor and 'Rate' all it's sellers. Since yesterday I have done a little more 'Looking Into' of Morph Market and found even more issues. There are at least 2 "Sulcata Rescues" that breed those rescues and then sell the babies on Morph Market. It does not matter how many great breeders Morph Market has it really is no different than any pet store, just on the internet. It also doesn't matter how many great breeders it has, it will not make these facts I have laid out here Untrue.
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- Jan 15, 2013
- Messages
- 158
I have to agree to an extent. If you go to an expo with small scale breeders you can find some amazing breeders. One at my local expo actually has helped lead the research on pancake tortoises and their reproduction. You just have to talk to them and find the right people and do your research. Know the red flags etc. Though like any other place selling reptiles the number that shouldn’t be doing it and are doing it for the wrong reasons often outnumber those doing it properly and that truly care and are up to date.
tempest979
Active Member
I've bought twice on MorphMarket, 1 was good(Southern Reptiles), the other was not even though the guy seemed very nice and has quite a name in a certain species of tortoises, later found out guy flips tortoises, doesn't feed them the correct diet and when there's a problem he's no longer that really nice guy. I would say probably buy from someone who actually breeds them at the minimal and not someone who flips anything he thinks he can make a buck on.
