Tips for vending your first show.

[MarkS]

I've vended there before, the room is pretty warm.

[Kittencaboodles]

is this for the minnesota expo next weekend? I'll be there! first convention I get to attend!

[frostysBP]

is this for the minnesota expo next weekend? I'll be there! first convention I get to attend!

Yes it is. stop by and say hi..its nice to put a face to the name.

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[MrLang]

Good suggestions by everyone. I second just about all of them.

Hand sanitizer - and in my case I actually don't let anyone handle my snakes unless they've already expressed a very focused interest in buying. A lot of germs in there and people who are handling for the sake of it are probably handling some cool rare reptiles (read: wild caught) that you don't want anything to do with.

In terms of selling ENGAGE THE CROWD. I see a lot of people that just sit there silently the whole time. This is not going to sell animals. Ask questions, talk to them about anything and everything. Be reputable and trustworthy and people are more likely to pick you instead of the other 80% of people selling the same thing. I also find having fewer animals like you will have tends to help my sell-through. People who are overwhelmed with options take a glance and keep moving.

Good luck!

[Freakie_frog]

Tips??

Speak when people walk up to your table. "If theres anything you want to see just let me know" and leave it at that.

Wear comfortable shoes. you should be standing behind your table 99% of the time.

Have your bottom price on animals so there's no calculations there is just a quick yes or no when haggling. Example if you have a Pied male for $350.00 and you know you wont take less than $290.00 when someone offers you $300.00 bag that bad boy up.

Dress semi professional, most soccer moms don't wont their kids buying a snake to start with but you're not helping your sale if you look like one of the Rocky Horror picture show cast.

Take animals to sell and ones you're willing to trade. You'd be surprise how much before and after trading goes on between breeders.

Remember peoples faces and what they were interested in. It makes and impression when someone comes back for a second look if you can sell them on a specific snake that they have been mulling over.

[wolfy-hound]

Mark prices on the animals clearly.

Do not badmouth other people, other animals or the venue. Period.

Don't brag that you have "the cheapest animals".

Be proud of the animals you have and don't hesitate to show how much you love the hobby. Take time to answer questions for a person buying a $10 normal just like you would someone looking at your $5000 snake. You never know when that person buying a $10 pet might end up a reliable customer or a link to more.

Hydrate. Take breaks and make CERTAIN that your assisting people also take breaks. If you have friends volunteering time to help you out, appreciate them and do something nice for them as thanks.

Keep the animals clean. Everyone knows that snakes poo but few people want to buy a poo-covered snake.

[AKA Dave]

Best of luck!

Dave

[Ax01]

good luck. take pix.

i hope u don't buy more than u sell.

[Albert Clark]

With everything everyone suggested, I agree but I know the brighter your lighting the more people will look at your table. Bring extra lamps if you can and a power strip cord. Usually the person next to you will have one but just in case. If you have any used or inexpensive extra items as giveaways to your buying customers as free gifts that goes a long way. Try to have a colorful tablecloth to cover your table too. It helps attract customers to your table.

[Rorschach]

As the title says I am 99% positive I am going to be vending the 20th at the cold blooded expo..I'm working on getting everything I need in the last minute...I wont have much just 10 snakes and some frogs but its a start and there is not much of a local market were I am. I planned on just using deli containers this time because I don't have the time to get a display built buy Sunday. Any tips as far what I should have and shouldn't have....thanks you very much for any advice. My business cards will be Wednesday...


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Not sure if this was mentioned, but let people haggle with you a little. I've gone to reptile expos and made really reasonable offers on items and got a dirty look at a straight up "NO". Dude, then bring it home with you, sit on it for a year, and watch the price drop to a tenth of what you were asking!

There is a shop here in NH, not NERD, but another that sells for retail at the expos, and promotes that he does on his site. I doubt he moves much stuff because he charges $150 for a normal western hognose hatchling... Come on dude, move your stuff and make room for new projects and have some funds to support them. Or carry everything home with you and keep it forever. Just my 2 cents. Also order buttons from me for your business to pass out to your customers or window shoppers