Tips for vending your first show.

[frostysBP]

As the title says I am 99% positive I am going to be vending the 20th at the cold blooded expo..I'm working on getting everything I need in the last minute...I wont have much just 10 snakes and some frogs but its a start and there is not much of a local market were I am. I planned on just using deli containers this time because I don't have the time to get a display built buy Sunday. Any tips as far what I should have and shouldn't have....thanks you very much for any advice. My business cards will be Wednesday...


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[JoshSloane]

My advice would be to bring along a friend or family member to help out. Always is best to have another set of hands and eyes available. You will be surprised about how swamped you can get, and you don't want to lose track of your animals. Also, if you are going to allow people to handle your animals, don't pull out too many at once. It can get very confusing and stressful with similar looking animals being passed around.

[bcr229]

Bring lots of cash, especially small bills, so you can make change easily - or in case you catch an end-of-show deal. I would also have a fanny pack or cash box to keep it in.

Bring a friend to help with setup & takedown, and so you can step away for bathroom breaks, to check out other tables, grab a bite to eat, etc.

Bring snacks and drinks, you may not have time to go buy lunch.

Bring a way to heat your snakes in case the venue is cold. One of my first expos was in a fire hall - in February. While the heat was on for the day it was normally unheated and uninsulated space, so the most it ever got inside was 65*F at the end of the day. From experience I knew it would be cold so I covered the table with a heated massage table pad and then put a tablecloth on that.

Bring a tablecloth.

Bring hand sanitizer.

Since you don't have a lot of animals look around for any extra equipment you aren't using and want to get rid of, if you have any. Mark it at half retail and it will move.

[frostysBP]

Thanks guys...my roommate and fiance will be with to help out and. Do you think heat will be as big of a deal if your in a well heated ballroom at a hotel...I will probably bring something just in case. would you bring a light to for heat or should I wire up some 3 inch heat tape and bring my tstat for my incubator

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[JoshSloane]

I don't think that a tstat or heat tape is really necessary. The rooms we vended in were always pretty warm, and with display lights the temps were acceptable for the show.

[bcr229]

Lights should be adequate in a space that's normally kept at room temperature. The only reason I brought up having a separate heat source is I'd attended that particular expo in the past and knew the facilities weren't optimal. Since then it's been moved to a better venue.

[distaff]

With three people working the table, I would suggest just one handles the money.

Also, just one animal out for a customer at a time - no exceptions. Arrange the merchandise on the table so you can tell at a glance if something that hasn't been sold, was taken.

Assume a certain small percentage of people coming to this venue are there to steal. Be esp. wary of anyone who seems to be making a confusion/distraction. Also be extra wary if someone is trying to make you feel rushed.

Cash payment and change are counted slowly and deliberately in front of the customer.
CC's and checks? - insist on ID.

Sounds harsh, but that's sales.
Good luck.

[Tsanford]

Favorited this for excellent advice!

Also good luck with your first venue. At least you had some time to prepare even though not much!

I like the business cards.

[frostysBP]

Thanks guys for all your input...had a heck of a time finding deli cups anywhere around me and I wasn't going to pay to have them shipped overnight....got lucky and talked to a catering company and got black bottom with clearish lids...not the most ideal containers but they will work for my first show.. this has been a dream of mine for about 5 years and it finally happening..to see my name at the bottom of the vendor list makes it seam so real now. happening... thanks again and wish me luck emptying my table...

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[PitOnTheProwl]

Good luck.