Have you unknowingly purchased a pregnant hamster or accidentally bred female hamsters and ended up with a bunch of unwanted babies? Selling a few can be a great idea especially when you lack the space or resources to commit to their care.
This article provides in-depth answers on how to sell hamsters online revealing the various marketplaces you can find buyers for the surplus babies. We also look at common pricing ranges and valuable information for getting rid of unwanted baby hamsters in an ethical manner.
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How to Sell Hamsters Online
Hamsters may be listed for sale online on personal or business websites, Facebook Groups, forums, or classified ads websites. You typically have to create listings with details such as age, breed, gender, and images of the baby hamster as well as vital information such as your asking price. You should also add contact details and the mode of delivery after purchase.
It is always a good idea to conduct a few background checks about prospective buyers to decide whether they can be responsible hamster parents or not. It is unethical to sell your fur babies to individuals who may be showing signs of mental or physical incapacitation.
This is necessary because those deficiencies can make it impossible for them to provide the right care for the pocket rodents.
Is It Legal To Sell Hamsters On the Internet?
If you’re thinking about selling surplus hamster babies online, seeking legal advice can be smart. Some states prohibit the sale of pets over the internet and consulting an attorney can save you from running foul of local laws.
Failure to seek legal advice has resulted in folks ending up on the wrong side of the law and getting penalized via substantial financial fines or even incarceration. Once you’re clear that online hamster sales are legal in your state, it is time to come up with a marketing strategy.
Best Places to Sell Hamsters Online
Here are a few of the best places to find buyers for your surplus baby hamsters.
1. Personal or Business Websites
A personal website might seem like overkill for selling hamsters online but if you see yourself engaging in more of these transactions in the near future, it could be the perfect platform for secured sales. Websites can show a high level of professionalism compared to the other methods listed below.
A personal or professional website could also make it easier to accept payments and make shipping arrangements. If you intend to create a thriving business from hammy sales, perhaps a business name may be the way to go.
You can then purchase a domain with the name of the business for the website creation. Websites provide total control over what to upload unlike the other options below that often require moderators to approve your posts before they become live.
2. Facebook Groups
There are hundreds of Facebook Groups dedicated to raising hamsters and sharing valuable information about them. These groups can also be a great avenue to sell surplus babies from accidental or intentional breeding.
Each group has different governing rules so you may want to check with moderators to find out whether advertising the sale of live hamsters is allowed. Once you get the green light, feel free to post details of the little guys available for sale.
There’s always a higher probability of finding buyers especially if you end up breeding rare babies like hairless or albino hamsters. Facebook allows businesses with storefronts or websites to sell live animals but not individuals at the moment so you may want to think about that.
3. Classified Ads
There are several classified ads websites at your disposal when you have baby hamsters available for sale. While many of these sites may be paid, you can equally find free options for listing live animals.
Classified ad sites have a “Live Animals” section where breeders and private sellers create ads with various pictures and details of whatever pets are available for sale. Do not hesitate to provide as many details about the baby hamsters in your listings including your resident city and pick-up arrangements.
Offering Baby Hamsters To Pet Charities
Unsold hamsters may be offered to pet charities free of charge for rehoming purposes. This can save you the cost of providing food and accessories for the surplus hamsters even though you may not exactly get paid for them.
This tactic can be employed after all attempts at selling hamsters online have proven futile. It gives baby hamsters the chance to arrive at new homes where they can receive love and care so it’s a win-win for everyone.
How Can I Sell My Hamster Offline?
If the online route looks too sophisticated, there are always ways to sell surplus baby hamsters offline and a few of those include:
Family and Friends
You can arrange private sales with family members and friends interested in getting new hamsters. Good discounts may have to be offered but the sale is often quick and stress-free, saving everyone some time.
These sales are often ethical as you probably have an idea of the buyer’s level of commitment even before selling. The knowledge that the baby hamster will end up in good hands can also help you sleep better at night.
Local Newspapers
Local newspapers feature Classifieds sections where anyone can place an ad either for free or for a small fee. These can be great avenues to find buyers for your hamster babies and fortunately, interested buyers will be local residents.
Pickup arrangements can be sorted out quickly allowing both parties to go home happy after the transaction. Buyers often do not have to spend too much money on shipping charges.
Local Vet’s Bulletin Board
Your local vet could be another great resource when you have surplus hamster babies for sale. Not only can the vet be a good word of mouth agent but you may also seek his or her permission to post an ad on the bulletin board at the clinic.
This can get more eyes on your ad and who knows? You may find a serious buyer within a couple of days if not hours.
Office Notice Board
If you work in a large office where finding the time to speak to everyone is impossible, posting an ad on the official notice board can also provide some leads that may end in sales. Ads should feature clear pics of the baby hamsters and additional information buyers may find attractive.
How Much Can You Sell a Hamster?
Hamsters typically sell for $5 to $20 depending on factors such as age, breed, and features. Distinct characteristics such as albinism can increase the market demand so the price could be a bit on the higher side.
While Dwarf hamsters can be priced up to $20, Syrian breeds often sell for no more than $10 due to the relatively lower demand. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide how much to price your baby hamster taking into account existing market conditions.
Can You Ship Hamsters?
Hamsters can be shipped via mail but only through Next Day Guaranteed Delivery UPS services. Shipments on Fridays or the day before a public holiday in the destination are prohibited because that can hinder the ability to execute next-day deliveries.
Conclusion: How to Sell Hamsters Online
Hamsters can be sold online via personal or business websites, Facebook Groups, or online Classifieds websites that allow listings of live animals. Be sure to provide detailed information about the baby hamsters including age, breed, gender, and distinct features such as albinism or even birth defects.
Do not forget to add clear images of the hamsters as well as your asking price to weed out non-serious inquiries. Hopefully, you should find the right buyer within a short period but conduct a few background checks about him or her to be sure your baby hamsters will be ending up in good hands before the sale.
If your efforts online prove futile, do not hesitate to use offline marketing strategies including advertising to family and friends as well as placing ads in local newspapers. You may also put up ads on notice boards at your local vet’s clinic or even in your own office.