Buying a Snake @ a Show

[wolfy-hound]

1) Tampa Repicons usually aren't like Daytona, but they ARE decent size and have a lot to see. I used to drive the 3 hours to attend on a regular basis without qualm, and might do that this sunday too.

2)I think the VIP thing only gets you in early, not that sellers will offer any special deals, but I could be wrong. I never bothered, but if you'll be there, it's only $2. Let us know how that goes!

3)Most sellers will put aside a snake IF YOU PAID FOR IT. If you did pay, they usually will put it in its bag or delicup in the back of the table with a name on it, so people know it's sold, but on occasion it might get sold accidentally. If you're careful while walking around with it(and it's a smaller snake, not a 50 lb one) you should be fine carrying it with you. Remember that you CANNOT bring an animal in to the show once it leaves, so no walking out to the car and coming back with it. I usually trust most sellers to hold my purchase after I pay for it.

4) As long as the car temps are okay, you should be fine. You can get a bin or box of some sort and set the snake in it's transport bag or cup into the bin in the floorboards where it won't fall over. Make sure you set it in the direct sun or the direct flow of AC vents or right beside the speaker if you play the radio loud.

5)Always Quarentine. The more distance from your snake the better. Even though you only have one snake(I think), how upset would you be to have him die in addition to the new snake, IF the new one has something? Even just treating for illness or mites would be doubley hard and doubley pricy, because yours was exposed. Best to quarentine.

6) The idea of a notepad and pen is great. Look over the entire show before you decide. Many venders take plastic now, but the very one with that perfect snake might not. If you get cash from the ATM(yes they usually have one at the show) get it early, because others will hit the ATM as well and if it runs out of cash, you'll out of luck. I've gotten killer deals on sunday(including on feeder insects). Also, be understanding if a seller is busy with other people. You'll probably see a lot of what appears to just be chatting when you(as a potential customer) is standing there waiting. A lot of the chatter is business deals and contacts. If you're ignored too long, you can always try a polite interuption, or go to another vender. Since I go on sunday, I see a lot of very tired venders who sometimes are "over it" and thus not as quick to jump at a potential customer because they've already dealt with 50 people asking questions and not spending money. A good vender should be willing to answer any questions you have about the animal honestly. If anything feels off, just walk away from the deal.

I hope you have a blast. I like to attend reptile shows when I can, and hopefully I might actually be able to hit the place on sunday, depending on several factors. Hope this helped.