Best time to go a show?

[JLC]

Are you looking for seasons? Or times of the day?

Seasonally, mid to late summer and early fall typically gives you the biggest selection of new hatchlings.

Times of day...sort of depends on what you're trying to do. Personally, I prefer arriving at a show as early as possible. You see more animals that way, and they tend to be a bit less crowded than later in the day. If you want to wheel 'n deal...then right before closing is often a good time, because vendors are eager to move as many animals off their table as they can and are likely to give better deals then they might have at the beginning of the show.

EDIT: started typing before the poll was posted. LOL

[kc261]

You left out my favorite! Be waiting in line at opening and stay until closing! I find that even if I'm not looking to buy anything, I just really enjoy looking at the animals and talking to the vendors.

As far as making purchases, I'd definitely want to be there first thing in the morning, to have better selection. While you might be able to get a lower price with at least some vendors if you are close to closing time, I think the real prizes are the top notch animals, which will already have sold. What's the point of getting a bargain on an animal you would never have purchased if you'd seen the one on the next table over that sold a few hours ago?

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

We went early on the 2nd day, and had happy results

[mainbutter]

agreed with kc261..

Hit up the earliest part of the sale for the best animals, stick around for deals.

[frankykeno]

You left out my favorite! Be waiting in line at opening and stay until closing! I find that even if I'm not looking to buy anything, I just really enjoy looking at the animals and talking to the vendors.

I'm with Casey!

[RebelYell83]

i go early on day one,and late on day 2 to sweep up some deals..however,,my best deal was vip at repticon(open an hour early one day one)100% het OG male,and yellow belly male for 75 for both...couldnt beat that

[kazboots]

I help out at the Bowling Green reptile lab's table so I am there from start to finish. I have gotten deals at all times of day. Sometimes vendors with a large stock of animals (like ball and corn hatching season) will put more out as some sell so the best one might not be on the table yet. Also some of the smaller vendors leave once they have sold most of their animals so may be gone a couple hours before show end. In addition to that you have the people walking around selling animals they don't want or can't keep and they can be there at any time of day. If you have the money buy what you want at the beginning and then stay to the end to get deals and too make sure you didn't miss anything.

[mrmertz]

Definately the end of the show, but that's for me. I look for the deals. Dealers begin to slash prices drastically to reduce inventory. Our guy was slashed $150 when we got him, and it was during the last hours of the show. We watched as some vendors began knocking 50% or more off prices during the last hour.

If you want selection, show up early. If you want ganga deals, go towards the close.

[Crazy4Herps]

THANK YOU for this thread! I've been debating about this for months... I still have a few months left, actually. I'm going to the Sac expo.

I am conflicted, though. I gather, from what everyone's said, that morning of the first day is for the higher quality animals, last few hours is for the good deals. When I go to Sac, I want one of two things, depending on what I can find; a Suri RTB (either gender, any age) or a female breeder pastel BP. I'd want a top-notch Suri, but a deal on a pastel.


Anyways, thanks so much everybody for the info, this has helped me a TON.

[cheesy feet]

Earliest and latest.For both the reasons you said.
You also get the rarest herps earlier on.