would anyone recommend reptile expos?

[RU_snake_guy]

i have a question. i bought my ball python from a reptile expo in manassas, va in january. he is very healthy and is doing well. he is actualy my first snake, however i have kept retpiles for a while. but i was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or comments on purchasing snakes at reptile shows. i got Knuckels for $25. he was the fattest or the group. i thought this was an awesome deal, b/c all of the balls at the petsores in my area, were mal-nourished and very expensive. would anyone have any suggestoins on what to look for or any good reptile shows in my area? any info is good.

[Smynx]

We got 8 of our snakes from reptile shows - 4 from the one in Manassas just a couple of weeks ago. All of ours are healthy, and you just can't beat the prices. I also like talking to the breeders to get a history of the snakes and their parents.

[Smulkin]

Agree - you can find great deals, good breeders, see what you're buying up close (as opposed to internet or other remote ordering). Good deals also on enclosures, grapevine, substrate (if you use) hell you name it. If nothing else it is great to go and just look and talk with folks who share our common fascination.

Radford, eh? Man I killed a TON of brain cells over that way when I was going to VaTech - ya'll throw a mean halloween party!

[Tigergenesis]

6 of my 7 are from reptile shows. They're cheaper, it's great to get to interact with the snake and the breeder, and breeders have more personal info on the snakes than petstores. I also love meeting other people in the hobby. But I am very careful about who I buy from - I have to get a good vibe from the breeder and look for those with records they can give me and have a good reputation among the other breeders. I also go for those that seem to be cleaner and professional when I talk to them.

[Smynx]

Good points, Tigergenesis. A good breeder will have a clean, neat, professional looking setup. He or she will also be able to talk to you extensively about the animals, how they were bred, what their temperaments are like, what their feeding habits are. Ask lots of questions. A good breeder will be very knowledgeable and be happy to talk to you.

[Tigergenesis]

I've purchased from 4 different breeders at the reptile show - 3 of them keep in contact with me via email to see how things are going, if I have any quesitons, and they give me first dibs on new snakes or when they are cutting down their own collection they offer them to me first - and give me good deals for being a repeat customer. They always email me before a show and tell me to make sure I stop by to say 'hi'. These are the best kind of breeders to do business with.