Selling at shows...

Hey, to all those who have sold at shows, how was it? Is it fiscally better than just online sales? I am going to start selling at shows this year or next and I was just curious about these things. I am just curious as to peoples thoughts on selling at shows. Do you usually make up for crappy sells online by selling at shows? I have around 10 shows that are close enough to drive to yearly for me. I want to make sure I have a good stock of healthy different morphs and everything before going to the first show, which will probably be the Sacramento Reptile Show in September. I know there are issues with mite transfer for people handeling other snakes then handeling yours and stuff like that, but that can be avoided. I am going to sell on Fauna, here, and my own website (when finished) as well as locally (which I have done to this point), but I think selling at shows would definitely be beneficial. Any info is greatly appreciated!

No, you shouldn't plan on selling a lot of animals at the shows. What's happened for us, so far, is a lot of networking, and a few sales.
We did have several folks contact us AFTER the show to buy animals, who had seen us there and gotten business cards, too.

The vast majority of our sales are still online. If you're having issues selling animals online, I recommend:
Do more advertising.
Have great photos.
Make sure your prices are within market ranges (not too high or low).
Make sure you have references.

We've never regretted getting a table at a show, the networking opportunities and the future business are worth it, even if you barely make your table fee back some years.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

No, you shouldn't plan on selling a lot of animals at the shows. What's happened for us, so far, is a lot of networking, and a few sales.
We did have several folks contact us AFTER the show to buy animals, who had seen us there and gotten business cards, too.

The vast majority of our sales are still online. If you're having issues selling animals online, I recommend:
Do more advertising.
Have great photos.
Make sure your prices are within market ranges (not too high or low).
Make sure you have references.

We've never regretted getting a table at a show, the networking opportunities and the future business are worth it, even if you barely make your table fee back some years.

---

I have sold and traded locally, I am going to have a website soon and I will sell on fauna and here. I know the people that sold at this years Sacramento show did very well but the ones I know of didn't only sell ball pythons. A friend of mine owns a local reptile store and he cleaned up at the show, but they sold a bunch of different animals as well as supplies and enclosures...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

No, you shouldn't plan on selling a lot of animals at the shows. What's happened for us, so far, is a lot of networking, and a few sales.
We did have several folks contact us AFTER the show to buy animals, who had seen us there and gotten business cards, too.

The vast majority of our sales are still online. If you're having issues selling animals online, I recommend:
Do more advertising.
Have great photos.
Make sure your prices are within market ranges (not too high or low).
Make sure you have references.

We've never regretted getting a table at a show, the networking opportunities and the future business are worth it, even if you barely make your table fee back some years.

---

How much does a table fee cost? I hadnt even thought of that before...
Not that ill be selling at shows anytime soon lol, but im curious to know.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike41793

How much does a table fee cost? I hadnt even thought of that before...
Not that ill be selling at shows anytime soon lol, but im curious to know.

---

Around $300

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mike41793

How much does a table fee cost? I hadnt even thought of that before...
Not that ill be selling at shows anytime soon lol, but im curious to know.

---

Possibly varies based on the organizer or where you are, but the local expo I got Yuki from charges $75 for the first table and then $25 for additional tables. Tables are 6 feet long. Went and checked their website for you. :)

The sac show is $300 for a 10' table, Vegas show is $250 a table, and so on. They all vary depending on where you are, but around here $250-300 is average. Most if not all of the shows around here also require a seller's permit (which I already have).

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

Maybe you should ask the local breeders who vend at shows in addition to your friend. When I went to the Sacramento show last Fall, the ball python only breeders seemed to be doing pretty decent. I bought a female pastel from Heather Wong(Heather's Herps or LadyOhh here on Bp.net) at the last show. She vends in Socal as well. I'm sure she'll give some good pointers if you ask.

And Brian Gundy from For Goodness Snakes vends in Sacramento from the Bay Area. He has amazing looking balls. He's really helpful and good about responding to questions too.

Honestly, I find that shows are more for publicity than to get actual sales. As a new breeder, its important to get your name out there and get exposure. Have healthy animals, a nice table set up, decent buisness cards and you're good to go.

Good luck. I'll probably see you at the Sac show later this year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by satomi325

Maybe you should ask the local breeders who vend at shows in addition to your friend. When I went to the Sacramento show last Fall, the ball python only breeders seemed to be doing pretty decent. I bought a female pastel from Heather Wong(Heather's Herps or LadyOhh here on Bp.net) at the last show. She vends in Socal as well. I'm sure she'll give some good pointers if you ask.

And Brian Gundy from For Goodness Snakes vends in Sacramento from the Bay Area. He has amazing looking balls. He's really helpful and good about responding to questions too.

Honestly, I find that shows are more for publicity than to get actual sales. As a new breeder, its important to get your name out there and get exposure. Have healthy animals, a nice table set up, decent buisness cards and you're good to go.

Good luck. I'll probably see you at the Sac show later this year.

---

Some of the local breeders form clicks and may not be willing to help that much. I know you know one of them for sure. You may see me if I have enough animals to sell. My main goal is to find out if driving to some further away shoes is going to be worth it, ya know? Like Pomona and narbc in socal and the Reno repticon, etc. I guess I kinda just need to go and do it to see. You never know how much you can believe from local guys cause they may be not telling the truth trying to discourage competition (I don't believe heather or Brian would really do that, but the clicky types might)...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

We sell a lot of animals at shows. We love doing shows and do 3-4 a month. We were told by lots of others not to do one show or another for various reasons and we still did them and do very well at them. If nothing else you'll gain some contacts and your name will be out there in public.

Shows here are only $60 for a table, but then, it's a small show, and that's what makes the difference.
If you have a good number of animals, and you're shelling out for an expensive table at a bigger show, you're probably going to do very well...smaller show, less expensive table, and fewer sales. (Of course).

It seems like some years, some types of animals will sell better than others, too.

We actually have a decent ball python community locally and I think that selling at the sac show is a good idea. Just gotta jump in I guess. If my table fee is $300 and I only sold one $300 snake, I think it would still be worth the networking that came with it...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zombie

We actually have a decent ball python community locally and I think that selling at the sac show is a good idea. Just gotta jump in I guess. If my table fee is $300 and I only sold one $300 snake, I think it would still be worth the networking that came with it...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

---

Yea this was my exact thought process too. I mean one snake could get me that money back. And i bet i could sell a couple of snakes, not just one lol.

Shows are hit or miss. But even the bad shows are great for networking. Also you want to have stuff that bring people to the tables. If you have a high end norph your not selling its not a bad idea to bring it just to use as a display animal. I usually get 3 tables at a show. Presentation is key. Make sure you have good table coverings, lights, etc. I use heat panels i made with flexwatt and luan for under all ny displays so i can keep my guys warm during the show. I also pack all my animals in foam insulated big tubs. Another thing that helps draw crowds to your tables are creepy crawlys. Spiders, centipedes, scorpions, etc. They sell like candy. The real profit is in bugs. Years ago i used to have a big asian water monitor and a big tegu i used to bring and set em up in an 8 ft neodesha and let me tell ya. I would have tons of people coming over to the tables to look at em. And this was a great networking tool.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by snake lab

Shows are hit or miss. But even the bad shows are great for networking. Also you want to have stuff that bring people to the tables. If you have a high end norph your not selling its not a bad idea to bring it just to use as a display animal. I usually get 3 tables at a show. Presentation is key. Make sure you have good table coverings, lights, etc. I use heat panels i made with flexwatt and luan for under all ny displays so i can keep my guys warm during the show. I also pack all my animals in foam insulated big tubs. Another thing that helps draw crowds to your tables are creepy crawlys. Spiders, centipedes, scorpions, etc. They sell like candy. The real profit is in bugs. Years ago i used to have a big asian water monitor and a big tegu i used to bring and set em up in an 8 ft neodesha and let me tell ya. I would have tons of people coming over to the tables to look at em. And this was a great networking tool.

---

That's a great idea, I have a H20 monitor that's growing up, maybe I will buy him a great show display home. I was also thinking of using my name to my advantage, making up some shirts with zombies and ball pythons, stickers, stuff like that. I am for sure getting a few large banners with my logo and I think that will help draw attention. I have a friend that is a spider breeder that isn't allowed to sell at the sac show because he works for a large reptile/invertebrate store and its considered conflict of interest. I could sell for him for a cut of the profit. You definitely got my ideas flowing more!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

I agree with snake lab. If I don't have alot of animals I won't do a show because presentation is important and a table with 8 snakes doesn't get much attention. Last year we had a horribly slow season and I didn't do one show where I probably did 3-4 the year before. This year we already have 5 clutches and counting so I already booked the San Diego Super show and will probably do several more. I also sell some exotic plants and reptile jewelery which helps make a few extra bucks but at the end of the day people are there to look at and then possibly buy reptiles. When you starting out its not a bad idea to share a table so you have more stuff;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by West Coast Jungle

I agree with snake lab. If I don't have alot of animals I won't do a show because presentation is important and a table with 8 snakes doesn't get much attention. Last year we had a horribly slow season and I didn't do one show where I probably did 3-4 the year before. This year we already have 5 clutches and counting so I already booked the San Diego Super show and will probably do several more. I also sell some exotic plants and reptile jewelery which helps make a few extra bucks but at the end of the day people are there to look at and then possibly buy reptiles. When you starting out its not a bad idea to share a table so you have more stuff;)

---

Definitely, I should (knock on wood) have 7 clutches hatch before the next sac show, I will hopefully get a lot if double genes and some singles. I also have 3 chances for triples but am prolly holding them back (unless I get a few of course). I wouldn't go to a show without about 30-40 snakes to sell. That way I have a variety.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Zombie

Definitely, I should (knock on wood) have 7 clutches hatch before the next sac show, I will hopefully get a lot if double genes and some singles. I also have 3 chances for triples but am prolly holding them back (unless I get a few of course). I wouldn't go to a show without about 30-40 snakes to sell. That way I have a variety.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk

---

Cool that was my other question. 30-40 is basically what i was thinking. I think if it was a really big show though you couldnt really go wrong with bringing extras.
What snakes do you guys find sell the best? Single gene, double, triple or more? Just curious bc when i see a like quadruple gene bp for $20k at a show i always wonder if anyone actually comes up to the table with $20k cash and buys it lol...

Snakebytes just did a video on this and said they sell a ton of low-end stuff and a little medium-end. The high end stuff is mostly eye-candy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jinx667

Snakebytes just did a video on this and said they sell a ton of low-end stuff and a little medium-end. The high end stuff is mostly eye-candy.

---

Got a link by chance?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I997 using Tapatalk