Reptile expo etiquette

[LittleTreeGuy]

Question for those of you who vend/sale at expos and anyone who has been to a lot of them.

If I happen to see a snake or gecko at a local expo and the vendors have the animal labeled with a certain price, that I feel is high, is it rude of me to make a counter offer, or ask if they would take less?

For example: Let's say the vendor has a Mojave female for $100. Now, I know a place online I can get a seemingly equal one for $60, but I have to pay $50 in shipping. In theory, his snake is $40 over what I'd get online. Would it be wrong to ask him if he'd sell it for $80? I'm sure he knows that essentially, for me to get one online, I'm going to pay more, but when you sell locally, do you all adjust your prices to compete with shipped prices online? (or is that a trade secret? LOL )


I don't mean to be ignorant, but at the same time, I want to get the best deal that I can. Now, I know the "quality" of the snake may come into play, but I'm looking at simple 1 trait or recessive morphs, nothing too crazy. I prefer to be able to buy an animal I can see and hold first hand, but if I find better deals online, I'm not afraid to go that route either.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

It is expected and will not be considered rude unless your counter offer is 50% off the price.

Understand that there are several price retail price, vendor's price (vendors selling among themselves), return customer's price, friend's price

Usually prices at show are the same than the one you will find online sometimes even cheaper.

Because I breed and have friends who do that for a living I know that with snakes under $100 there is very little money being made if any at all if the animal has some size to it, so I personally I chose not haggle and if I did I don't think I would counter offer much probably 10% / 15% off max.

Good news for the buyers is that there is plenty of choices at shows that will fit you price range and some breeder might bulge with their prices while other may not, all you can do is ask and they will either accept or pass.

[Albert Clark]

Pretty much any reasonable offer from a customer is usually entertained. Any ordering you do online will usually have shipping costs that you have to pay. So more times than not its better to work with the vendor. Also, the later you get to the expo the more chances you will have of scoring a fantastic deal. Most vendors don't want to go home with inventory that they came to the expo with. On the same token, hopefully what you're looking for is still on the table.

[cron14]

Great question! I'm planing on going to an expo in July 1) to take a look at all the awesome animals and 2) I really would love to pick up a banana or coral glow (whatever anyone calls them anymore). I had the same question as you and didn't want to offend anyone at the show as well.

[DennisM]

I've never been a vendor at the shows , but I've attended quite a few. I always offer lower than the asking price on animals that are several hundred or more $, but never offer a discount of more than 20% off or ask for a discount on low priced animals. The 20% off offers are sometimes accepted and sometimes not. Sometimes you'll get a counter offer and sometimes the price is firm. I've never had the sense that a vendor was offended. as others have stated, it's expected. Don't push it if the vendor is unwilling. Generally show prices are not out of line with online breeder direct prices. I also ask for discounts there. If the price is firm, then it's up to you to choose. I've paid full asking price for animals that were non negotiable plenty of times. And I've gotten the 20% discount plenty of times. After a few transactions with one of the very large breeders online, he replied that he would open a wholesale account for me (always 20% off) so I wouldn't have to ask anymore!

[DennisM]

Another show thing is this; the vendors will also make a quick trip around the show to see what the competition's prices are. If for some reason they realize that their original asking price is non-competitive, they will make the appropriate change in asking price.

[DennisM]

As for a snake costing $60 online plus $50 shipping, thus being a $60 snake; keep in mind there are expenses associated with vending at a show also, especially if the breeder is not local.

[DennisM]

It is expected however and will not be considered rude unless your counter offer is 50% off

50%, I'm surprised to hear that. I would've expected a smaller discount than that before offense set in. I look forward to your 2016 clutches! I think you just recruited a new customer!