Reptile Show Etiquette and Questions from a Newbie

[rlditmars]

Thanks again for all the info! You guys have mentioned some things I didn't even think about (i.e. asking them to hold my purchases and taking pics).

kameo37- I still have my heart set on a hoggie...but if that falls through I would be happy with a KSB for now...I'd love to get both at the show but not sure if hubby would approve.

If your looking for a Hoggie, Cahaba River Reptiles will be there and they usually have some very nice animals. They are out of AL and have a website. Have a great time and hope you find all your looking for.

[JMinILM]

[QUOTE=artgecko;2109278


From what everyone's said:
- I'll bring cash
- I'll check prices on what I'm looking for before I go to know if I should haggle
- I'll purchase the frozen rodents asap (will have to wait until after I purchase my snake so I know what size)
- I'll troll all the tables.
- I'll keep the reptiles I buy in their containers out of direct sunlight. If we do stop to eat I'll just bring a BIG stinking purse so they can go incognito with me into the restaurant.

QUOTE]

Sounds like you are all over it. The only thing I would add is that if you buy a snake hours before you are going to leave just leave it with the vender until you are ready to leave. Less stress for the snake and makes it easier for you to look at other ones without having to keep track of what you already got.

You will have fun. I love going to shows.

[kameo37]

Artgecko, I went to that show last weekend and I did hold a KSB. I gotta say, I did not fall in love. It was really, really different than holding a corn or bp. I guess that should be obvious, buy it just felt weird. Kind of like holding a worm instead of a snake. It doesn't grip (or this one didn't) at all. I decided then that a KSB wasn't a good fit for me.
I'm interested to see what you think!
The hognose breeder that comes to my local show isn't very open to people holding/checking out their snakes. I don't know if it's the mildly venomous thing or if they just aren't good salesman. It's kind of a shame. I would never buy a snake that I couldn't handle first, though.

[artgecko]

Thanks so much guys again for the great info!
rlditmars- I will check out cahaba river.
kameo37- one of the breeders that has the hogs (envy) also sells ksb. I may ask them to handle one to compare with the hoggie while I'm there.

Based on everyone's input I'll add getting the sellers to hold my purchased animals to the list.

One other question here, if you guys don't mind...

I am getting my first snake at this show (the hoggie hopefully) but I'd love to be able to handle some of the others, especially the BPs.. (at this point I wasn't sure if a BP would be too much snake for me so handling an adult at a show would be great to find that out). Would it be rude of me to ask to handle a seller's snakes? I may not be buying a BP at this show, but if there's a prospect of me buying one in the future, would the seller mind? There's a seller in particular that's located in my hometown and has BPs frequently for sale, so maybe he would be a good person to ask.

Thanks again for your time and help!
Artgecko

[treeboa]

I never minded people wanting to hold my animals. Some people do mind, but I don't think I've ever seen a vendor get upset by someone asking. They usually just politely say no and tell you why.

[Annarose15]

When multiple people want to hold a snake just because, it opens a seller up to all kind of nasties that can be transmitted to their entire collection (mites, disease, or theft of the animal when they turn to a paying customer). They don't know what else you have handled, and hand sanitizer only does so much. You shouldn't handle multiple animals for the same reason.

Just something to consider.

[JMinILM]

Holding balls is ok, just ask first and don't squeeze too hard. :-)

[JMinILM]

When multiple people want to hold a snake just because, it opens a seller up to all kind of nasties that can be transmitted to their entire collection (mites, disease, or theft of the animal when they turn to a paying customer). They don't know what else you have handled, and hand sanitizer only does so much. You shouldn't handle multiple animals for the same reason.

Just something to consider.

This can be true too. Pick you spots and you should be able to hold a couple without much trouble. There are usually people that have them out already that are either walking around or just sitting there holding them. That would be a better opportunity, then a fancy hatchling at a busy table. And always hand sanitizer before and after you hold it.

[DestinyLynette]

Glad you made this thread, I hope to go to my first ReptiCon or two this year and had these exact questions.

I have an odd question: how do you haggle? I mean I know you're trying to get a lower price, but I guess how do you know how low to ask for, do you go a little lower than what you actually expect for "wiggle room", do you have a strategy, how do you bring it up or ask... I've never haggled for anything, I always feel rude or timid even though I know there's no reason to. But if it can save me on a few animals...
(Like as not I'll probably still have the fiancee do it.)

[Artemille]

Glad you made this thread, I hope to go to my first ReptiCon or two this year and had these exact questions.

I have an odd question: how do you haggle? I mean I know you're trying to get a lower price, but I guess how do you know how low to ask for, do you go a little lower than what you actually expect for "wiggle room", do you have a strategy, how do you bring it up or ask... I've never haggled for anything, I always feel rude or timid even though I know there's no reason to. But if it can save me on a few animals...
(Like as not I'll probably still have the fiancee do it.)

That's why you want to go to a reptile show with a general idea of what you're looking for and what it's value is. Know what a quality specimen looks like and that people will generally ask more for a cleaner, brighter, larger, etc animal. Some sellers will outright offer you a lower price if they see you staring at something for a while. Otherwise, make a reduced offer, I've gotten away with a 16-33% reduction. Some buyers will make especially good deals if you're getting two or more animals. Show that you're really interested in the animal and that you appreciate it's appearance. Don't start pointing out flaws on the snake or you'll just insult them on their stock.