Why are shows so lame now?

I attended a show recently, and to be blunt, I swear most tables were filled with nothing but low end BP's, crested geckos, wild caught junk, et al.

I always try to talk to people and network, and almost every conversation was:

"Oh, what do I keep? Mr. Snuggles, my ball python from petco. I also have a leopard gecko that my cousin gave me. His name is Aragorn. I was going to buy a corn snake from mega breeder today, but $40 is way too much."

I swear it didn't used to be like this.

i wasn't around back then, but please tell me about the good ol' days. :)

Edit: FWIW i enjoy my local shows. we have a nice mix of peeps and animals and vendors.

Edit2: i like making the rounds, chatting w/ breeders, talking about projects and i always see something unexpected. like one time a guy was selling his own captive bred Satanic Leaf Tail Geckos!

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Originally Posted by Ernie Mccracken

I attended a show recently, and to be blunt, I swear most tables were filled with nothing but low end BP's, crested geckos, wild caught junk, et al.

I always try to talk to people and network, and almost every conversation was:

"Oh, what do I keep? Mr. Snuggles, my ball python from petco. I also have a leopard gecko that my cousin gave me. His name is Aragorn. I was going to buy a corn snake from mega breeder today, but $40 is way too much."

I swear it didn't used to be like this.

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I personally think it is great that some people care for the "less desired" morphs and/or normal reptiles. My largest issue with shows is that every animal should come with an educational "care sheet" that would help to educate the owner about the needs of the animals and a phone number to answer questions that might arise at a later date. Sure it is rare to see a "rare or expensive morph" but isn't that what makes them so special? Small breeders can not always compete with larger breeders in the variety of what they have to offer and so they sell what they can produce because they are, well, small breeders. Sure there are the rare finds that are golden. If you want something specific, I suggest finding an online breeder to purchase from.

Because people expect they can pay cheap prices for a snake is why. It's the side effect of the hobby becoming more expanded. Both a good and bad thing.

The local show we have monthly is usually nice, there's always a lot of bps and geckos as one would expect but there's usually a decent variety.

Internet...... why go to a show when i can buy from the comfort of my arm chair... personally I love going to showes...

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Originally Posted by Scherf

Internet...... why go to a show when i can buy from the comfort of my arm chair... personally I love going to showes...

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I second this response! It’s like anything else the Internet dwindles the local stuff. Just like toys Arras going out of business because people can buy things cheaper and easier from Amazon or somewhere else. You also have to factor in the cost of the shows the travel expenses the wear and tear on the animals and vehicles. For someone to justify going to a show they really need to sell a good amount of stuff

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ernie Mccracken

I attended a show recently, and to be blunt, I swear most tables were filled with nothing but low end BP's, crested geckos, wild caught junk, et al.

I always try to talk to people and network, and almost every conversation was:

"Oh, what do I keep? Mr. Snuggles, my ball python from petco. I also have a leopard gecko that my cousin gave me. His name is Aragorn. I was going to buy a corn snake from mega breeder today, but $40 is way too much."

I swear it didn't used to be like this.

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Depends on the show but yes, I agree, generally they are not the same as they used to be.

I remember the first show I went to, IRBA* 1999 in SoCal, I was there doing outreach and education with the NIAD (National Iguana Awareness Day). One of the first people I struck up a friendly conversation with was none other than Bob Applegate. I really didn't know names much back then so I didn't recognize him. Such a nice down to earth guy, especially for being a big name breeder at that time. Hardly saw any ball pythons, various colubrids were all the rage (which has been replaced by BPs now). You could see more of a variety of species. The vendors seemed more outgoing/goofy and were going to each others tables to chat with each other and the people browsing. Hardly ever heard about theft happening.

More recent shows, still lots of nice vendors but more vendors that chill at their booth, not a lot of small talk and can't leave the booth because someone might try to slip that deli cup under the netting to steal (I exaggerate but it just wasn't something that seemed to be an issue before). Most vendors tend to have the same stock, don't see quite as much variety as you used to, especially from the smaller breeders. Tables are a lot more crowded, lots more lookie-loos and parents bringing their kids to see stuff as an outing and not people there just to buy. I'm not saying that last bit is a bad thing by any means, just different. It does expose more people to the hobby which is a good thing.

My experiences are based on the shows I've been to, mostly in CA. Never been to the big shows in FL or overseas and again, I do want to qualify that it depends on the show (size and vendor variety).

*International Reptile Breeders Association

Doesn't the time of year dictate when new BPs are around? Sometimes you have to act quick to get that rare specimen you desire.

I don’t go to shows because of the risk of introducing hitchhikers (mites) to my collection.

The risk may be small, but I’ve heard too many horror stories.