Selling at shows...

[Zombie]

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!

[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.

[Zombie]

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...

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[Mike41793]

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.

[Zombie]

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

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[Himitsu]

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. :)

[Zombie]

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).

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[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.

[Zombie]

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)...

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[meeistom]

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.