Reptile shows

Hi everyone. I've just got a quick question to shoot out to you all. I'm looking into buying another snake in a few months and I'm just curious - would buying from someone at a show be a good idea or buying from a reputable breeder online be better? I've never been to a reptile show before, and will likely go regardless of my desire to purchase anything or not, but I'm curious. I'm willing to spend 2-300 dollars on a snake, before enclosure costs, but I'm not sure how much it costs to ship a snake either :). Thanks!

Many good breeders are at the shows. I have never bought a snake from a breeder at a show but they have always been friendly and helped me. They generally have a large selection of breeders and snakes at these shows, so you can do a comparison. the prices seem pretty good as well.:snake:

if you where to buy a snake off line it would also cost to ship it and that wouldnt make it to happy aswell.you also can see the snake befor you buy it. with a breeder at the show they may let you handle it befor you make the decision.:snake:

the show that i go to is scott smiths all animal expo. tipe that in at google and you should be able to find it.

good luck

Seeing a snake online is a lot different than seeing a snake in person.
You would have to wait for a show to come into your area.
You could also maybe look for some breeders that are located in your area or are in a reasonable driving distance.

i like picking them at shows it just seems way better to get to choose and hold them before you make your choice.

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Originally Posted by DZ Reptiles

Seeing a snake online is a lot different than seeing a snake in person.
You would have to wait for a show to come into your area.
You could also maybe look for some breeders that are located in your area or are in a reasonable driving distance.

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x2

I will try to do some research and find a breeder in the Indianapolis area, unless someone here knows of one and feels like sharing :). Thanks! We're looking to get a female, preferably a hatchling so we can take a couple years to research and get the proper setup going to start breeding on a small scale.

I went to my first Repticon a couple of months ago, and was amazed at the sheer numbers of both beautiful reptiles, and knowledgable breeders.

To me, there's no good reason NOT to buy the snake you want at a show.

I've done both. Shows are cool cause you see and feel the snake before you purchase and it's awesome to check out what different breeders have and talk with them. Shippings okay too although it feels like until that fedex truck arrives the clock stands still. Either way do your research and buy from a reputable breeder.

Buying from a show is much more reliable and can cost a fraction of buying on the web. You can see the snakes, their parents and etc. The breeders there are always very friendly and helpful, sometimes you even see some familiar faces of highly known breeders on the web and what not. So all in all, each ways are good ways to purchase a BP, but in my opinion there is no better experience of purchasing a BP than at a show.

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Originally Posted by LeviBP

Buying from a show is much more reliable and can cost a fraction of buying on the web. You can see the snakes, their parents and etc. The breeders there are always very friendly and helpful, sometimes you even see some familiar faces of highly known breeders on the web and what not. So all in all, each ways are good ways to purchase a BP, but in my opinion there is no better experience of purchasing a BP than at a show.

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How is buying from a show more reliable? Don't get me wrong - I attend shows quite often, but I rarely bring anything home. Mostly because I don't find exactly what I'm looking for at the shows. I'm extremely picky in the look of the animal that I'm out to buy, and rarely find the "gems" at the shows.

Most of my buying has been online, my selling has been split between online and shows.

I'm more concerned about illnesses being shared at shows than when buying online from a reputable breeder. Because of this concern, every animal I take to a show goes directly into quarantine upon my return.

Go to the show with money in your pocket so if you see something that you just can't leave without, you can do so, but don't rule out buying online either. There are some amazing animals available online that you wouldn't be able to get at a show (because that particular breeder may not be in your area and doing YOUR shows).

i agree alot with whats already been said.. one thing is that alot of online breeders also hit the shows .so chances are if you are looking at some breeders page that they just may be at that show.. Also check out kingsnake adds im very sure ive seen more than a couple breeders from Indianapolis . i really think a show pick up would be so much more fun .

http://market.kingsnake.com/index.php?cat=32&page=1

good luck with your search.. what morph have you got in mind?

Thanks all, I really appreciate the advice. As for what morph, well, if I had the money, we'd get a pied, but that's out of my price range. I've been browsing online and I've seen some beautiful snakes, even different normals, I don't care...they are all gorgeous. Ultimately, it will be my girlfriend's choice (Unless I convince her that we need to buy two snakes to bring the total to three!) and I'm not sure what she wants.

At the shows you see alot of the same BP's the big breeders sell with out the crazy price tag because there from people less known and have not been in the game as long and well frankly, just cannot demand the same price because they will sit on that snake and not sell.

I'm actually going to a show this weeked and I hope to get some great deals:cool:

I got my first Normal at a show I had no intention of leaving with a snake as i mostly collect arachnids. But the cage price plus the stuff that thee cage came with blew my mind. I talked to a breeder who was very patient with me asked me what i was looking for lol I had new clue. I just wanted something that wont get huge and is mostly calm and he pointed me in the direction of the BP. An I took him home he was the first snake I held and now I own him:) well I house him:) I ordered my female online and I lost sleep waiting for her to arrive and now I am patiently waiting for her to acclimated so I can handle her. Online prices are okay but seeing the snake in person is almost priceless. and then if u factor in shipping which is standard 50 bucks not bad, but if u buy ur snakes from different places u end up spending money that u could be using to buy a better snake. This is just my opinion, ill be heading out to LA this weekend to pick 2 females from the show. Wish me luck