I've heard you can get some really good deals at the herp shows and I'm hoping that's the case as we're attending our first one this month as well.
As has been said previously though, you get what you pay for. If you buy a pet on the cheap side, chances are the quality, markings, and so forth might not be as striking as a higher end pet. Patience is key in your search though. The right one will come along eventually.