Price difference in morphs at shows vs. online breeder purchase?

I was discussing this topic with a few of my other herper friends on the way to a show about a month ago. I was curious of buying directly from a breeder online would be less or more than buying directly from a breeder's table at a show. Of course online you have to pay for shipping, but you also have to pay for gas, tolls, and lunch and or breakfast when you go to a show. And you get to see the animal in person before you but it. One friend of mine was on the fence, but the other said he thought the show price would definately be cheaper, because the guy at the show wants to SELL. He's packed up a lot of animals, carted them across many miles, and wants to sell at a show. The show dealer can be haggled for a lower price, as well as may offer a lesser price if you're paying cash. i was wondering what your thoughts were.

For me I would prefer buying directly, either at a show or just meeting up with them. It gives me the chance to really get to know them and I will be able to see the snakes they are selling in person.

i agree that i really like to do business at the shows around me. on the other hand if i was buying a champainge i would probably be more tempted to buy it and then pick it up at a show if it were available i just dont ever want to carry that kind of cash on me at anytime.

For me, it's better to buy in person, so you can have a chance to look what you are interested to buy. Going at the shows is the best thing to do if you don't want to buy online, because of the scams and other stuff, having the animal shipped and finally ending up all stressed up.

I know exactly who I am getting animals from either way..

But you will find cheaper snakes and better deals at shows.:D

You can get some good deals at shows because of the competion and wide variety. It costs $ to participate in a show so vendors are motivated to get the most out of the investment of time and $ and that means moving inventory:snake:

I'm going to the daytona, it'll be my first show for me. I will fly out tomorrow so I have some quick question regarding buying at the show.

Should I get what I want on the first day or at the last day of the show? I know I might get a better deal on the last day, but I'm afraid what I want will be gone by then. Is there any trick regarding getting animals at the show?

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Originally Posted by hgrub

I'm going to the daytona, it'll be my first show for me. I will fly out tomorrow so I have some quick question regarding buying at the show.

Should I get what I want on the first day or at the last day of the show? I know I might get a better deal on the last day, but I'm afraid what I want will be gone by then. Is there any trick regarding getting animals at the show?

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Most of the "better" deals are made on Sunday.

I'm assuming you've already worked with someone to get the CITES paperwork processed for the animals you purchase and will ship them to you when you get back?

Be sure to stop by the Ball-pythons.net table (#548) and say hi!

table 548, will you guys be there from Friday? What do you guys sell?

Any bp.net member wants anything(legal) from Thailand?

For me I prefer to buy online or visit one of the larger shows. Here in ATL the show prices are kinda so-so unless it's a big one.

However last time I went to a show there was a guy who had this Ball Python that looked insane, I mean it was seriously a new morph IMHO but he said it was just a WC normal...I think he had no idea what he was talking about. He wanted $100 for it but I was mainly there to find a local rat breeder (which I didn't find...) so I didn't have any $ to buy him. :(

Personally when it comes to shows I go there both days and if there's something I just have to have in my collection I get it on the first day (although I do wait until I've made a complete loop around the place so I can see what everyone has and I just go back to the table for my must haves. I also keep in mind animals I'd like to have in my collection but I'd like a bit better price and you just have to decide what is more important, waiting to get a better price, or having that animal in your collection. There are some I choose having the animal and I pay what they're asking, then there are others that I'd like but I decide to wait till the end of the show. Sometimes they're gone, sometimes they're not. It's a risk you take but it can be well worth it, I've gotten great deals on snakes before that I didn't think I'd be able to get because they were out of my price range but in that last hour of the show it's dropped into my price range.

Hey T,
Make sure you stop by and say hi! We may do some shark fishing or go for Redfish on thurs night if you want to come, give me a ring on thurs and we can set something up.

Are you going out with Rob and Vicki on thurs or friday? If so we should be with them...

As far as buying at the show...
If its a one of a kind animal get it saturday. If you can find a bunch of them, get them sunday...

I've gotten some great deals both online and at the show -- I think it's more dealer oriented than anything -- there are some people at shows that just won't deal as there are online.

That being said -- I don't really like buying from shows just because of the number of animals that snake is exposed to sitting on that table -- not to mention the amount of stress it goes through being packed up and carted down there and stored and displayed and picked up and poked and prodded before it gets home. But that's just me - I'm a little wacko :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by Tosha_Mc

I've gotten some great deals both online and at the show -- I think it's more dealer oriented than anything -- there are some people at shows that just won't deal as there are online.

That being said -- I don't really like buying from shows just because of the number of animals that snake is exposed to sitting on that table -- not to mention the amount of stress it goes through being packed up and carted down there and stored and displayed and picked up and poked and prodded before it gets home. But that's just me - I'm a little wacko :rolleye2:

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I am with Tosha on this. I would much rather buy online from a quality breeder (note I said quality and not big) where the animal has only left it’s enclosure for cleaning and maintenance than one that has been carted to who knows how many shows before I purchase it. Online the longest it will take to get the animals is around 18 hours at the most. At shows the animal is sitting around for 2 or 3 days or more. During the day it is baking under hot lights to show off its color and at night the Temp. in the room goes down to about 65 degrees. Now we are talking stress. About five or six years ago when I was still doing shows besides the National Reptile Breeders Expo I did five of them from August to December. I saw the same Super Pastel (when Super Pastel’s were selling for $20,000.00 before the bubble burst) on one venders table at each of those shows. I don’t think it was any bigger in December then it was in August. I have bought at shows but I would much rather buy online.

Honestly, I don't buy the whole "its better to buy online then it is in person at a show" thing. Is it really that you are concerned with the stress the snake goes through at the show, or is it maybe more of a shameless plug for your own online business?

There are good guys and there are bad guys. The good guys I am buying from at the show know how to take care of their snakes. They are not going to expose the snakes to 65 degree temperatures at night just because they are on the road.

Sure, the show is probably stressfull for the snake, but at least during the entire trip it is being cared for by someone who knows what they are doing. Safe to say that I trust a reputable breeder a little more then the mail man!

Now don't get me wrong, there is NOTHING wrong with buying online from a reputable breeder...

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Originally Posted by NextWorldExotics

Hey T,
Make sure you stop by and say hi! We may do some shark fishing or go for Redfish on thurs night if you want to come, give me a ring on thurs and we can set something up.

Are you going out with Rob and Vicki on thurs or friday? If so we should be with them...

As far as buying at the show...
If its a one of a kind animal get it saturday. If you can find a bunch of them, get them sunday...

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Redfish huh? Must be coming down to my neck of the woods (Mosquito Lagoon) if your looking for good reds.

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Originally Posted by mcavana

They are not going to expose the snakes to 65 degree temperatures at night just because they are on the road.

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Snakes stay in the expo center overnight so it can get that cold in there

I prefer a purchase that I meet the person face to face the first time at least. Yes, I have bought from several breeders that I did not meet face to face, but I've also been burnt through some of those dealings. Their are still some breeders that I have purchased from and not had the opportunity to meet and hope to someday get the chance to meet them. Michael Cole Ball room pythons south , Josh and Jen of JNJ, and Scott at CV exotics are just a couple I would like to meet in person as I have purchased from them and found the overall transaction(s) very good. I've also bought at shows and had pleasant dealings and bad ones. The overall best I've found is arranging the purchase over the phone and finalizing the transaction at a show on a pre-arranged date. The reptile is generally not hauled all over the place and is kept behind the counter and not handled by bunches of people coming through.

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Originally Posted by FIREball

Redfish huh? Must be coming down to my neck of the woods (Mosquito Lagoon) if your looking for good reds.

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I don't know... we could give you a run for your money in Jax.....

every snake I own except for my ghost corn has been an online purchase. Research the people you want to buy from, do your homework. I am very pleased with my purchases. Would I purchase from a show, I dont know. I'd have to research the vendors before I go to be comfortable. Will I still purchase online, you bet!

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Originally Posted by FIREball

Redfish huh? Must be coming down to my neck of the woods (Mosquito Lagoon) if your looking for good reds.

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My "good" :D Reds come from sebastain inlet... They are HUGE there... check out www.nextworldexotics.com/photo.htm to see some of the monster reds... Usually when im in Daytona for the show, i just fish Sunglow pier and we usually get a bunch of slot Reds and nice Black Drum. I will say Matazas inlet has some killer Red fishing! Havent been to the lagoon yet but i do want to bring the Kayaks up there sometime this year... Any interest?

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Originally Posted by mcavana

or is it maybe more of a shameless plug for your own online business?

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Is this really called for? :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by mcavana

... or is it maybe more of a shameless plug for your own online business?
...

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So cynical! Just because someone's opinion about the quality and risks of buying at shows differs from yours doesn't mean they are all about self-promotion. We ALL have different priorities of risk management and quality concerns. So some will see more advantages to buying from reputable business online...some will see more advantages to buying from vendors at a show.

It's helpful to share WHY you hold the opinion you do about shows vs. online...but it's not helpful to cut someone else down for sharing their own valid reasons.

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Originally Posted by mcavana

Is it really that you are concerned with the stress the snake goes through at the show, or is it maybe more of a shameless plug for your own online business?

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Mike, you are way out of line. It is painfully obvious that you don't know Albey, otherwise you would have never even suggested something so stupid.

We grow some BIG reds here in texas...yall should come on down, nothing better than fishing the flats! My dad caught a huge 42in bull a few years ago off the jetis! Reds are my fav fish for sure, and they taste good to!! Post some pics of the catch!:D

Yall fish out of kayaks too? We started 2 christmas's ago. What brand?

Take it easy folks!!! Perhaps my off beat humor was missed in the typed words. I appologize! I was not trying to offend anyone!

For the record, no I don't know Albey... and I think Tosha has one of the best "small breeder" web sites out there.

Settle down now!

JEESH!

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Originally Posted by stangs13

We grow some BIG reds here in texas...yall should come on down, nothing better than fishing the flats! My dad caught a huge 42in bull a few years ago off the jetis! Reds are my fav fish for sure, and they taste good to!! Post some pics of the catch!:D

Yall fish out of kayaks too? We started 2 christmas's ago. What brand?

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Hey, Flats are the way to do it! I fish a Hobie Outback for offshore and a Heritage Redfish 12' for inshore... you? We are also starting Kayak charters for Peacoks and Snake heads... Down here though (in West Palm) I mostly fish Snook and Tarpon

Redfish from sebastian:
http://www.nextworldexotics.com/images/sebastian2.jpg

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Originally Posted by NextWorldExotics

Havent been to the lagoon yet but i do want to bring the Kayaks up there sometime this year... Any interest?

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I dont know, seems like a lot of work. Im just use to sitting in my buddies Hewes drinking some cold ones and doing a little fishing. LOL

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Originally Posted by FIREball

I dont know, seems like a lot of work. Im just use to sitting in my buddies Hewes drinking some cold ones and doing a little fishing. LOL

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Well if you have room... i guess i could leave the yaks at home :gj:

Ok time to officially hijack this thread and show a few redfish pics...

Keep in mind, I am 6'3" 280 lbs... (14 miles offshore Jax)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...ana/bigred.jpg

My boys first... I believe he was 6 at the time (JaxJetties)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...a/fbaf0e40.jpg


Here are 2 - 28 inchers.. (28" longest you can keep) (honey hole near Jax Jetties)

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...a/fbb72f50.jpg

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Originally Posted by NextWorldExotics

My "good" :D Reds come from sebastain inlet... They are HUGE there... check out www.nextworldexotics.com/photo.htm to see some of the monster reds... Usually when im in Daytona for the show, i just fish Sunglow pier and we usually get a bunch of slot Reds and nice Black Drum. I will say Matazas inlet has some killer Red fishing! Havent been to the lagoon yet but i do want to bring the Kayaks up there sometime this year... Any interest?

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Damn Jon looks like I need to move down to FL for some real fishing. One of these days when I take my son to Disney World we're going to have to visit you so you can take us fishing!! I didn't even know you could catch peacock bass there and those monster snake heads.

Sam Leam

Now now guys....thank you for all of your opinions, I just wanted to see what they were. For me personally, I think buying from someone online os always more of a risk (IMO) unless you KNOW the breeder. I have seen some good deals online, and plus if you are looking for a "certain something" and you go to a show, you are limited to what is there, and may not find it. Where as if you had access online to a plethora of breeders, you may just find it. However, yes, people have been burnt by online purchases and recieved a snake with mites or some otherwise not before known ailment. If you go to a show, you get to see the animal, and inspect it for yourself. Not to mention, you see it's weight,pattern, and proportions, whereas a picture does not tell you this. Another thing I've noticed is that of course any snake you get from a show is stressed, but I've actually had snakes eat whatever I've offered them the night they came home from the show. So, with that in mind, I know that this snake will still have a good feeding response "under pressure".