Show ?'s

[greenmonkey51]

Im going to my first show this weekend I have a few questions. Are most deals cash. Also if you buy a herp, will most sellers hold it for a while, so you can go look around more w/o carrying a bunch of deli cups around.

[Shelby]

I have only been to a few shows, but many vendors will take a credit/debit card or even a check. I have had vendors hold snakes for me while I look. There should be no reason for them to refuse you this courtesy.

[JLC]

From the shows I've been to, as April says, many will take CC's or checks, but have a debit card handy and know where an ATM is, because some of the smaller ones may only take cash.


Once they've made the sale, I've never seen one who wouldn't hold the animal for you until you were ready to go.

[Gecko Den]

Im going to my first show this weekend I have a few questions. Are most deals cash. Also if you buy a herp, will most sellers hold it for a while, so you can go look around more w/o carrying a bunch of deli cups around.

Having stood behind a table at shows for more hours than I care to remember I'll take a stab at answering these questions.

Cash vs. Credit. You will see plenty of vendors out in front of the show holding their credit card machines above their heads, sideways, on top of their cars trying to get a good signal. However, I would guess more vendors do not take CC at the shows than those that do. Consider that depending on the show, probably a third or better of the vendors are hobby breeders that aren't set up for credit cards. When I first started, I had a merchant account and could accept CC's. It was a royal pain and after a while the fees for not having processed enough charges during the month made it not worth having. Seems that most of my internet sales preferred to use Pay Pal, so it wasn't a big deal after I cancelled the merchant account. Personally when I am a vendor at a show I price my geckos a little lower since it is usually a cash sale and there is no hassle with shipping, I'm also prone to let the customer haggle me down a bit just because many people go to the shows looking for a great deal. It's the swap meet mentality that Adam is so fond of... If I still accepted CC's at the show, I would have to add another 2.9% on to my starting price to account for the CC fees, or have a "cash" price and a "credit" price.

As for holding the animal until you are ready to leave, absolutely, no vendor should have a problem with that, I can't think of a single good reason why they wouldn't do that for you after you made the purchase.

[greenmonkey51]

I was thinking cash is the best way, but I'll bring my checkbook just in case.

[4theSNAKElady]

Most of the shows that I've been to are just like everyone says. The big morph breeders who are selling animals in the thousands of $$$ almost always take cards. The rest usually only take cash. Also, I have not met a vendor yet that would not hold for an already paid for animal. And yes, if you think the animal is a little out of your price range, definately do some haggling! Most vendors will work with you, for that cash sale. And look around! You'll be kicking yourself if you buy something right away cause it's the first thing you see, than later see it at another table for a lot less.....you'd be surprised to see the differences in price....one show I went to, one guy was selling LR's for $200!!!! I couldn't beleive it, I even took a pic with the price to show some of my shocked friends......most of the other vendors selling this same snake were asking between $45 and $75. Oh, and one other thing, I would bring a bottle of water or Gatorade with you...it gets really hot...really fast.

[Melicious]

I actually had a vendor hold one of the balls for me (Ody) before I bought him so I could look around. He also sexed him and removed some leftover eyecap scale. You can usually find some REALLY great vendors who are willing to be much nicer to you than usual. ^_^ Just be cautious. Definitely haggle your way into a better price. Either way, enjoy your first show! (Sunday was mine!)

[cassandra]

Oh, and one other thing, I would bring a bottle of water or Gatorade with you...it gets really hot...really fast.

I actually wondered that myself. I would assume that the show organizers would want to keep the expo hall temps up pretty high (80's?) to help keep the animals comfortable. If that's correct (?), I would guess sneakers and shorts would be de rigeur!

Rick and I are going to an IRBA show in San Diego next week - I CAN'T WAIT! (Dunno if Rick knows this or not, teehee!)

[gmmuscle91]

Hey, ill be there too with my father. maybe ill see u!!