New York Metro Reptile Expo

[Malum Argenteum]

A couple more fun notes from the expo:

• I got to handle an Angolan python. Their scales weren't as strongly keeled as I had expected. He had a nice disposition though. Vendor told me that he has a fatty deposit in his neck. I didn't notice it. I wasn't considering buying it, but I appreciate the forthright disclosure. It's the kind of thing that makes me trust a vendor.
• I asked a vendor to tell me about his Chinese King Snake. He responded like he had been waiting his whole life for someone to ask him that question. It wasn't salesmanship. It was pure passion. And it was infectious. I'm still not considering getting one, but, now, I feel like I'm missing out.
• I caught the tail-end of a negotiation for an adult black-headed python. Beautiful animal. The price was $3500. She said she really ought to talk to her spouse first. The salesman responded, "It's better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission." She started to walk away. The price dropped to $3000. Though it clearly pained her, she kept going.

These are some great observations on the variety of expo experiences that you can't get from online discussions and transactions.

Interesting that the first bullet and the last one seem to be at opposite ends of the 'trustworthiness' spectrum -- the first seems like an honest vendor who is there to spread good vibes and make positive waves, and the last looks a lot like someone trying to slip something by a buyer (responding to reluctance over snap decisionmaking with a price drop is sketchy). And that second point is something that I probably do when I'm behind the table more than I realize -- I get all excited about Black Milks (mentioned earlier), since they're the coolest snake that I feel comfortable selling to a keeper of any skill level.

[Homebody]

Well, I vote you should get one, & then give us a thread on raising it. It is interesting to watch snakes change appearance as they grow- I like that about so many of the rat snakes too.

Fine. You talked me into it. I'll just have to run it by my wife. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll have to mention the gag-inducing stink, but I'm sure that won't be a problem.

[Bogertophis]

Fine. You talked me into it. I'll just have to run it by my wife. In the interest of full disclosure, I'll have to mention the gag-inducing stink, but I'm sure that won't be a problem.

Just ask the seller if they'll throw in some nose plugs. I'm sure you can make a deal.

I was going to suggest getting a "corpse flower" plant (Titan Arum, Amorphophallus titanum) to "cover" the snake odor, but unfortunately, I see they only bloom about every 5 years, & not for long, plus you have to wait at least 7 years for the first bloom. Well, scratch that...there must be something else?

[Homebody]

Just ask the seller if they'll throw in some nose plugs. I'm sure you can make a deal.

I was going to suggest getting a "corpse flower" plant (Titan Arum, Amorphophallus titanum) to "cover" the snake odor, but unfortunately, I see they only bloom about every 5 years, & not for long, plus you have to wait at least 7 years for the first bloom. Well, scratch that...there must be something else?

I'm afraid it's a no-go, and I didn't even mention the retching stench. It was the 8 foot enclosure. They say you can get by with a 6 foot, but I'm not sticking a colubrid in a minimum sized enclosure.

[mistergreen]

Since a good thread about shows has been started, and just speaking for myself in this area, I've wondered and noticed really that shows/conventions have obviously changed.
By that I mean with the new technology enabling people to use credit rather than cash, like the good old days. I'll add that when I first started with reptiles way backin the early 90's with geckos and into this century these shows, and all other (musical instruments, memorabilia) the shows werre all cash. There were always dealers who weren’t the straightest, but thats normal. You could easily figure them out.
But now all we have to do is carry a phone. And as I read in one of the posts about the seller having to look up everything on the phone, I think this has led to more highly questionable sellers and buyers. In 2022I went to my first reptile show in a good 20 years. I think it was the last show at Suffolk CC on Long Island. It was vastly different. There were people there selling plants, plants I say! for a hundred buck a pop! And no, they werent any thing rare and exotic. And even the prices of BP's were high in my opinion. And yes, I beieve the pandemic had something to do with it. But it sounds as though it hasn't calmed or cooled so I just thought I'd share this observation.

[mlededee]

Back in the day...not that long ago it seems Yes, the shows were cash only. I have fond memories of bringing only a set amount of cash in order to limit my purchases. And then running multiple transactions on the ATM machines at the shows because they would only give out $200 at a time. And at the bigger shows, the ATMs would run out of cash and someone would have to be called to come refill them. While you waited to see if what you wanted to purchase got snatched up by someone that still had cash. Good times! But they really were good though. Everyone hung out and talked and got to know everyone else and phones were not a part of it at all.