Buying a Snake @ a Show

So...Tampa Repticon is this Saturday, and if the right price/snake/breeder is there, I will likely be bringing home a new addition, a buddy for Wyatt. Before I make the trip to the show, I have a few questions for the wise BP.netters:

1) Has anyone made it to previous Tampa Repticons? What can I expect? How are the vendors/prices/atmosphere?

2) I went ahead and bought the VIP ticket on the Repticon website. What does this get me? I read that I can pick up tickets that morning, and enter at 9 rather than 10..any other perks? Does this cover only one day or both? Did I waste a whopping $2?

3) I will have the truck packed so if I do make a purchase, I can head back up to Gainesville straight from the show to get the possible purchase right into it's new home.If I do find something before the show starts for non-vip's, or early in the show, will the seller hold the snake for me until I'm ready to leave, or will I have to hold the snake as I make my rounds?

4) Once I get the snake and leave the show, any tips for transporting the snake in the car? It will be a 2 hour ride from Tampa-Gainesville.

5) (This may get me some flack, but I'd rather ask it and get a proper response then not ask and make a mistake). I have a 3 tub rack where my one BP Wyatt is in the top tub, and the other two are unused. The temps and humidity are perfect and all that good stuff. Here's the controversial question: with a snake from a reputable breeder at the show, how necessary is the quarantine process (be gentle...at least I'm asking...)? Would putting the snake in the rack be a huge no-no?

6) Any show wisdom? Just want to hear everyones experiences, what they do, or wish they had done, and anything I need to know before I go to make sure I make smart decisions, and make the most of the show that will likely be the only one I go to this year, or for a long time. Are there ATM's? Do breeders take plastic (sorry if this is a silly question)? I've heard random info such as "sunday sales" or deals during the 9-10 "VIP" time...

You guys, as always, ROCK! Thanks! :salute::snake::salute::snake::salute:

I cant answer the first two, so ill start at three. Vendors will usually hold the snake at the table for you so you wont have to carry around the snake and possibly harm it or cause any more stress.

Next the fourth question. I made a 5 hour trip home from the expo with two boas, and bci and an argentine. I kept them in their containters under some blankets and made sure the car wasnt ridiculously cold. A two hour ride will be no problem.

Five, quarantining is always highly recommended. Ive put new additions in racks with previous tennants. I know i may catch some flak from this, but i have never had any problems with my collection and all are healthy, and i dont ever skimp on what my herps need. If your going to do the rack thing you need to really wash your hands anytime after you handle, clean, or touch the tub, snake.

My expo experience was amazing. You'll be psyched when you get there and you see all of the reptiles everywhere. You'll be a kid in a candy shop. Just ask questions about the snake, care, hatch date, what its eating, how well its eating, just stuff to ask the breeder. If they are a reputable breeder they will have no problem answering the questions and will enjoy talking to you. There should be an ATM somewhere in the building. Some of the breeders will take plastic, some wont be able to. If you only pay in cash you avoid all tax though too.

Hope this helps. And have a blast!:banana:

1 No im in colorado But i will give my info based on what I have seen.

2 no clue

3 It depends on each vendor. Some will some wont. IF you have them hold it make sure you bought it. I have seen snakes put on hold then get sold to the next person with money. Personally I would carry it. If nothing else take a back pack to carry the snake in just make sure it doesnt get to hot and has enough air.

4 If you can deal with the teps try to keep your car about 87ish. They should give you a plastic cup or a bag to hold the snake in. It should be ok in there.

5 Personally I like to keep em in a seperate tub on the other end of the room or in a diff room. Just to make sure.

6 the biggest thing I can reccomend is HAVE FUN. Try to be there towards the end of the show as the sellers will alot of times drop the prices some. The show should have a website. Check out what breeders are going to be there, check out the vendors ect. WEAR SHOES YOU CAN WALK IN.

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Try to be there towards the end of the show as the sellers will alot of times drop the prices some.

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Deffinetly. I stayed to the absolute end and I ended up getting a albino BCI male for 175. Cant beat that!

Not sure if I'll be able to stay till Sunday...so I may miss the last minute deals...

Anyone else?

Take a pen, notepad, camera. Make notes of which vendors have the snakes you are interested inand take pics. It's no fun when you walk around and see a few specimens you are interested in, then cant remember who had what. Go sit down somewhere or grab some lunch, look over your notes and pics and decide what you want...

From my experience with shows (which is limited) one thing I'd make sure to do is check very, very closely for mites before you decide not to quarantine. In that atmosphere, with so many people and animals so close together mites seem to spread quickly.

Shows are fun though and sometimes you can find a deal!

I love the notepad and camera idea...will do for sure

Any other experiences? possibly anyone who has been to the Tampa show? I'm practically counting down the hours:taz:

If you feel safe enough not to quarantine, that is your call. I would quarantine at least for a few weeks though. It is the smart thing to do. You never know what that snake could be carrying.

People have had their entire collections wiped out by some crazy virus. Why? because they rushed and did not quarantine. :/

I agree with you, and will definitely do some sort of quarantine

omg make sure u ask to enter the raffle for the bunny rabbit :D awwie

Don't really have much to say as it seems most of your questions have been answered, but have fun! And I second the waiting around until the end suggestion, you can get some really good deals that way.

Best of luck at the show.

Sadly, I have work Saturday night in Gainesville, so there's really no way to go back Sunday night to find the last minute deals...

I heard rumblings about some breeders having low "VIP" prices from 9-10, but that may just be a load of bull to make people pay for $2 extra

I've got the digital SLR all charged, so no matter what I'll be DUW-ing it up, hopefully with a ton of pictures of a new addition!!!!:snake:

1) Tampa Repicons usually aren't like Daytona, but they ARE decent size and have a lot to see. I used to drive the 3 hours to attend on a regular basis without qualm, and might do that this sunday too.

2)I think the VIP thing only gets you in early, not that sellers will offer any special deals, but I could be wrong. I never bothered, but if you'll be there, it's only $2. Let us know how that goes!

3)Most sellers will put aside a snake IF YOU PAID FOR IT. If you did pay, they usually will put it in its bag or delicup in the back of the table with a name on it, so people know it's sold, but on occasion it might get sold accidentally. If you're careful while walking around with it(and it's a smaller snake, not a 50 lb one) you should be fine carrying it with you. Remember that you CANNOT bring an animal in to the show once it leaves, so no walking out to the car and coming back with it. I usually trust most sellers to hold my purchase after I pay for it.

4) As long as the car temps are okay, you should be fine. You can get a bin or box of some sort and set the snake in it's transport bag or cup into the bin in the floorboards where it won't fall over. Make sure you set it in the direct sun or the direct flow of AC vents or right beside the speaker if you play the radio loud.

5)Always Quarentine. The more distance from your snake the better. Even though you only have one snake(I think), how upset would you be to have him die in addition to the new snake, IF the new one has something? Even just treating for illness or mites would be doubley hard and doubley pricy, because yours was exposed. Best to quarentine.

6) The idea of a notepad and pen is great. Look over the entire show before you decide. Many venders take plastic now, but the very one with that perfect snake might not. If you get cash from the ATM(yes they usually have one at the show) get it early, because others will hit the ATM as well and if it runs out of cash, you'll out of luck. I've gotten killer deals on sunday(including on feeder insects). Also, be understanding if a seller is busy with other people. You'll probably see a lot of what appears to just be chatting when you(as a potential customer) is standing there waiting. A lot of the chatter is business deals and contacts. If you're ignored too long, you can always try a polite interuption, or go to another vender. Since I go on sunday, I see a lot of very tired venders who sometimes are "over it" and thus not as quick to jump at a potential customer because they've already dealt with 50 people asking questions and not spending money. A good vender should be willing to answer any questions you have about the animal honestly. If anything feels off, just walk away from the deal.

I hope you have a blast. I like to attend reptile shows when I can, and hopefully I might actually be able to hit the place on sunday, depending on several factors. Hope this helped.

I like the Pen & Pad idea myself. Im going to the Hamburg show tomorrow! I cant wait! God Im so excited!

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Originally Posted by Chuckels

God Im so excited!

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I can hardly stand it! Love the Phil 4:13 signature, I have the roman numerals IV:XIII tattooed for that verse!

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Originally Posted by herekitkitty

omg make sure u ask to enter the raffle for the bunny rabbit :D awwie

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Haha that would be the ONLY thing I brought home from the show that the girlfriend would be happy about...

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Originally Posted by ALTownsend1

I can hardly stand it! Love the Phil 4:13 signature, I have the roman numerals IV:XIII tattooed for that verse!

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I have a tattoo with the bible open with a ribbon draped over it with that verse! Its my favorite verse. Not trying to steer off the thread.

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Remember that you CANNOT bring an animal in to the show once it leaves, so no walking out to the car and coming back with it. I usually trust most sellers to hold my purchase after I pay for it.

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Unless Repticon has changed their rules, they've always allowed outside animals into the show - it's one thing that I haven't agreed with. At least at the Atlanta Repticon shows, there's always someone walking around with a pet snake to trade or sell that walked in from the street.

One thing that I'd recommend is to do some homework before the show - print the vendor list, and then go to the BOI and just do some searches to see if any of the vendors have any bad guy thread (legitimate ones and a record of not being there after the sale, or not taking care of their customer). Make sure to put a big X by their name to not buy from them - it will save you a lot of heartache if for some reason you need to contact them again.

I agree with waiting till the end to a certain extent. I mean, if you find a really great looking animal that just blows you away and it's within your budget don't chance it and hope that it's still there at the end so u can get a few bucks off the price (u can always simply offer a bit less than the asking pricem the worst they can say is no)
Go for quality over price but remember that a higher price doesn't always mean better quality.

:gj:

I'm actually in the unique position of having a dinker normal high on my want list, so for me it may be more of a situation where I'm just trying to be the first to snag a normal that is already at a low price, but just has looks that catch my eye...Either way, I won't be making any huge purchases... I'm looking at dinker normal females, mojaves, albinos, lesser/butter, spiders...all of the "lower-level" morphs that are either already in my range, or may be found (hopefully) in my range that normally wouldn't. No matter the deal, a pied or BEL won't be in my price range, not even 50% off (this year ;))

I know all say a lot of good info, but i found that if you go to a show come home set up new snake(s) then take a shower before doing anything in the room with your current reptiles. I managed to bring home mites form the show some how. I had set up the new snakes and went ot check on my other and the little sob spread to the rest of my collection. you know how hard it is to figure out how a week later. and the new snakes are still mite free. I was pulling my hair out, then mom asked me could it been when I got the aspen for the new snakes. I was like yeah my luck the new guys ar clean and the rest get mites. I guess leaving them in their deli bowl was the best preventive I had that night.

I also think a backpack id a great ideal ( unless gf or kid with you) I picked up every bit of 40 cards in the last 2 shows ( not counting doubles) and I was like quick pic and a cards( some times with a card so I know were I seen a snake at)

I avoided the atm myself by taking money along with me. ( went to the bank the day before and pulled the cash out), some vendors ( when I went in MD ) were more willing to deal some with cash. not sureif it cause they can get around reporting it as income or cause it givesd them some spending money on hand for a snake or 2 befoer they go home lol..
I betting the second would be what happens the most. cause I not sure how credit cards/debit cards are done I prefer cash it makes it easier for me.

agreeing with Mechnut there, a lot of vendors won't even accept plastic. I bring cash for anything i want to buy at any show.

Now the real question, like going to the casino:

How much do I withdraw/How much am I willing to spend:confused::confused::confused:

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Originally Posted by MAballs

I agree with waiting till the end to a certain extent. I mean, if you find a really great looking animal that just blows you away and it's within your budget don't chance it and hope that it's still there at the end so u can get a few bucks off the price (u can always simply offer a bit less than the asking pricem the worst they can say is no)
Go for quality over price but remember that a higher price doesn't always mean better quality.

:gj:

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I agree there. The comment was more along the lines of, I have x left and wouldnt mind 1 more but im a little shy of what they want. I do agree with every one about take cash. More people are willing to haggle the price if they see cash over a card.

I appreciate everyones advice! Keep it coming, I need something to make the time pass haha

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Originally Posted by ALTownsend1

Now the real question, like going to the casino:

How much do I withdraw/How much am I willing to spend:confused::confused::confused:

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I actually looked on kingsnake at the morphs I wanted. and add that up and then I figure there will be a slight differnce in prices most the time lower. and got from there.
I never have much money to go to shows( take me mostte summer to save up for a signal show) I supply my snake buying money though my odd jobs I able to do. I think the maxed i was able to take at any one show was 700. that was what I had after the tolls, fuel and everything. but food once we got there/ and on way home. I always take out a little more than the amount it cost me to get ther for the return trip since I will stop on the way home ( closer to it than anything) and get dinner if i been most the day.

Someone mentioned something in a recent thread about shows having certain breeders at shows who will have a tub or barrel full of CH normals, some with reduced, stripe, dark, etc. dinker style patterns, and you can pick and choose any that you want...

Is this true, or do only a select few breeders do this? I wouldn't mind coming home with a cool female dinker and a much smaller dent in my pocketbook than I expected...

Anyone?