Reptile expo question.

Marked prices at shows are starting points. As the others have said, don't offer too low. Offer what you are willing to pay based off the listed price.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Negotiating is expected as long as you don't low-ball.
Tips:
- Bring cash.
- Don't touch anything (both animals and equipment) you're not buying.
- Even if you don't buy anything shower immediately when you get home.

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This guy has some great tips. Cash is always KING and by saying you'll pay straight up in cash the vendor may be willing to wiggle a little bit more. Using cards generally means the vendor has to pay fees, though very small they can add up.

His second tip about not touching animals is great, unless the vendor hands the animal to you. Who knows what germs you may come in contact with, you don't want to be accidentally spreading them around and possibly hurt someone's collection. Some people are not as anal about this and have never had issues, but you can never tell which vendors care and which don't off the bat so it's better to be safe than sorry.

Haggling is always expected, and it never hurts to ask... But be respectful! Always using nice manners goes a long way too :p

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Originally Posted by AlysonAME

This guy has some great tips.

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Psst... I'm female. :P

Sorry breeders, but be polite. Don't insult. And never pay full price if you can help it. There was some good advice in this thread, take it. Sometimes just asking nicely will get you a deal. And buying more than one at a time will get you even better deals, it makes both sides happy. XD

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Psst... I'm female. :P

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Haha oh my I apologize, still new to this forums :p

This gal has some awesome ideas then!

Ahhh, the "which day do I go to the Expo to get the best deal" dilemma. Basically, for a weekend expo, the first day has the best selection but higher prices; the second day has less of a selection, but better deals.

There is an expo coming up in August that will be the first one I am able to go to. I plan on getting weekend passes for my husband and I, and one day passes for the kiddos. I'll take the kids on Saturday, where we'll get necessities and look for a couple snakes that they have been asking for (they're fairly cheap options, so haggling not required, but my husband never pays full price if he doesn't have to, lol). Since it's the first day, we should get to see a lot of new and exciting things. On the second day, my husband and I will go alone so that we can have reptile play time without having to keep an eye on the little ones. While the two of us are there, we'll look for deals and haggle to see what we can get away with. :D Like already mentioned, the breeders would rather not take their animals home.

I have an empty 55g tank that's in need of an occupant. ;)