Should I Take Them Up On This?

[Jaded12]

The best lfs around me has asked me if I'd start supplying their bettas, because their current breeder has been sending in less and less bettas and the ones they do send in aren't very healthy. This is a really good lfs, everyone is very knowledgable, the fish are all healthy and well cared for, they won't sell tanks/bowls for bettas that are less then 1 gallon and the longest I've ever seen a betta stay on the shelves is a week. Everyone goes there cause they're the best in the county. What do you guys think, should I take them up on it?

 

[zoekin8yg]

I think you would have to work out how much that you will get from them money wise and if its enough to cover your expenses for breeding and if you have the time and space

 

[FBTgirl]

If they are good ones than I would do what Zoe says.


Sorry I meant I agree with Zoe

 

[davidnso]

Well, it's like running your own business...it would take a lot of planning..I suggest you take a lot of time to think it over, some of what zoekin said about money+space+breeding time etc...imo its a big undertaking

 

[Jaded12]

I agree I need to talk it over with them some more, maybe will over summer, idk

 

[Amunet]

I think it sounds like a good plan if you have the space for it.
Since they take good care of their fish, I think it would be a great oppurtunity.
Plus you could start experimenting and trying to get certain color types! Ooo that would be fun... You could also provide them with different tail types and introduce the public to tail types that most are probably not familiar with and of course charge more for!
And and.. if you get some really good quality ones, put them on aquabid so I.. I mean.. *cough* other people in the US won't have to get their bettas from Thailand lol.
Cause I just know you'd have some healthy pretty bettas!
Whatever you decide.. Good luck!

 

[Jaded12]

I'm very tempted to do this... hmmm need to look through the bettas, see who's in there to try out... who would be interested in red white and blue halfsuns? and if anyones interested I do actually have a pair for sale, that I got 2 months ago to breed but don't think I ever will and they're so pretty and good quality, to nice to just be pretty pets, lol. Pm me for details.

 

[Tolak]

Space & time, don't think income at first. This will come if and when you make a good name for yourself. You will lose money at first, be happy if you are breaking even after 6 months. You will notice there are no fish breeders on the Fortune 500 list. If you are making enough after a year to break even, with money for occasional upgrades to your setup, along with being able to buy a pizza or groceries once in a while you are doing well.

My wife loves when I sell fish, and buy groceries on the way home. I sold more than enough fish to one shop to more than pay for my dog being groomed. After a couple years if you do things right it tends to work out this way. A friend of mine is retired on disability, sells 3 times what I do, and pays for a couple nice vacations every year for him & his wife.

I say if your heart is into it, go for it. There will be some bumps in the road, but it seems you are building a god network of info. This is important. Study up on sales as well, this is half of breeding fish to sell.

 

[dsingleton]

Hey Jaded. Great news that they have asked you, as other people have said, this could be a great opportunity. But you need to know how much they are willing to give you for each Betta, and how many they will be expecting each week/month. If you can't keep up with their demand, they are likely to go off somewhere else again.

Good luck, and keep up informed.

 

[*Fishkies*]

That's so cool!! That would be a great oppurtunity, but yes watch how much space, time, money and etc. that you have to give to this operation.

best of luck in whatever you decide!

 

[vanvran]

I agree with Amunet--it sounds like a great opportunity if you have the time--just be sure to get everything in writing--I'm sure you know that. You want to be careful that if you aren't able to meet their demands, you don't get sued. That seems to be the new trend these days. Good luck! So happy for you!

 

[Bert]

Like everyone else space and time are the big ones. But yeah, I would take up the offer if I were you

 

[K.J.]

It depends. Will you be able to supply them well? Will you be willing to cut off the offer if, for whatever reason, they begin to mistreat the bettas? I'd say do it, personally. If only I lived in NY...

 

[MoonstruckMuse]

If you wouldn't mind PMing me the name of the LFS, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm always on the lookout for a good LFS, and NY isn't too far from me.

Breeding pretty bettas for a living....

But, back on topic...
Have you sold to them often, before? I know you must have sold some for them to even consider it, but there's quite a difference between sending a few of your spawns over when space/time/money runs low, and being on a regular schedule and having a quota to meet.
Would you be able to devote a good chunk of your time to this? For me, I know for sure that I couldn't keep up with the stress & constant need for more bettas. However, it does sound like a great way to break into the betta business with a bang, and of course, it's an amazing offer. Congrats on the offer, hehehe.
Perhaps you can be erm, like, half a supplier. Start off with half the load of a normal suppliers schedule, or even less, and then work your way up. If they really want your support strongly enough, I'm sure the LFS would be willing to guide you through the process of going from a betta owner/breeder to a fulltime betta supplier.

Best of luck with whichever path you choose!