hmph..so it aint gonna happen

[latazyo]

bartman, nobody knows how old you are by looking at a website, maybe by talking on teh phone, but maybe not...dont let the age thing get to you

[Bartman]

Meh..it wasnt only that. But like I said..I also dont think I can compete with the big name people. No biggy

Where ARE you shopping????

Thats not what I pay but thats what ive seen at a store I will not say. I bought one of those when I first got into reptiles thinking that was an ok price Now I can get one for 20 bucks...

This little experience also taught me how to build glass cages and that I have a huge hook up for cheep glass. But even with that I wouldnt be making enough profit...so ill make cages for myself

[Lisa]

I don't think I've paid more then $1 per gallon for any tank. Some I've gotten for free.

[Bryce Masuk]

I think you would have a better chance if you built cages out of melimine just basic design's that are versitile like 4x2x2 with a glass front you can build one from a sheet of melimine that way material cost stays low and the price stays low they are easy to make and you can make them quick once you get good at it
Because there is no sanding or painting.

Figure out your costs and see what you can sell them at. I bet you wouldnt have too much trouble selling them. You wont be able to find as big of a prebuilt for that kind of price
and a lot of people lay down big dollars for that kind of thing because they dont have the tools or the ability to built it and they have no other option.

Give them that option

[Gary D.]

If I were to go into the cage biz, melamine would be the last. I'd invest in making quality plastics like Jeff Rone or Visions. melamine sels distructs, contains glues etc. I'm not yet sure are not harmful long term, is brittle and weighs far to much to be able to ship.

Build a better mouse trap.

[Bartman]

Yea I was thinking melamine at first..but then someone enlightended me and told me any schmoe with a hammer and nails can build his OWN cage..so why does he need me...and hes right. Most people looking for a cage that big most likely already have experience with reptiles..meaning they know how to look for low price, meaning they dont need me.

[Bryce Masuk]

It doesnt last forever but it doesnt instantly destroy itself its going to last a long time with a snake in it but lizards will wear it out in a few years

I wouldnt ship it do it locally only

I wouldnt even think of driving a nail into melamine it will split I pre drill every hole then screw in the screws

You could probley make and sell them for around 150 bucks or so 4x2x2 will work for a ton of different animal's

You can knock one together pretty damn fast. All you have to do is cut the sheet into 4 quarters then cut one of those in half and screw it together and silicone it then stick in your slider setup and glass

[Bartman]

See but i dunno where you get wood, but the materials alone would cost me more then 150..with glass wood trim etc.

[Matt_K]

A sheet of Melamine costs $23 and is available at any, Home Depot, Rona or Home Hardware... The melamine laminate for the trim (covering the cuts) costs $6 for 50' of it.. Glass track is an average of $8.. So, unless you're paying $110 for two sheets of glass, how is the cost MORE then $150???

[Bartman]

Hmm..well I havnt personally gone out and bought most the stuff..but my dad told me my 5x2x2 cost us 200 with plexiglass, but I recently found out plexi is more..is this true? That could have been the reason for the higher price.

[Mark]

When I use to build 4x2x2 your looking at around $40-50 for the glass. Still lookingf at a $50 profit. The problem was always transporting them.

[Lisa]

Transporting them is something that eats into profit too...

[Matt_K]

Yes, i too have found that Plexi is more expensive..

For my cages, I pay a maximum of $20 for glass (per cage)..

[Bartman]

Yea I have an amazing hook up for glass...ive decided ill take a couple tanks to not the sep 4th show causs i would htink its to late to book a table and we probably wont be ready by then but i think were going to take a couple tanks..glass ones (that the factory told us they would seal for us) and a couple melamine ones we would make..small like 2x1x1 sizes..or maybe bigger if we can get a bigger car..and we'll see how it goes