Reptile show expectations.

[robert7107]

I haven't been too a reptile show in 10yrs and I haven't Ever bought from a show. I am hoping to get some amazing lowon price deals on some killer morphs . Going on last day of show do you think I'll be disappointed? Not sure what to expect i know what I'll be looking for specifically...

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[Stewart_Reptiles]

Depends on the show, local shows will not have much high end stuff, large show will.

As for real low prices, personally I would rather shop on day one (VIP) pick up a killer animal than get a real low price on something not as great just to say I have it.

I believe in investing in the market get the best animals (selective breeding) which ALWAYS pays off in my projects.

If you don't support a strong market why would people invest with YOU in the future? And remember usually people wanting the low prices are the first to complain about the market when it's their turn to be on the other side

[Bigfish1975]

Deborah said it right. You can get some low prices on the picked over animals at the end of the show. I must say that when I started out and was building the base of the collection, I did this a lot. I still bough nice animals. They were just base morph females to start. However, now that the collection has grown and I've began to have some direction with my projects, I'd say getting there early and making some good contacts is a better option to getting higher quality morphs. Now that I've done that, bred some nice quality offspring and have been vending shows here in Southern California, I get an even better opportunity to acquire nicer animals. Often off trade...

[voodoolamb]

I've gone both first day VIP to a larger show and last day late afternoon to a smaller one, and mid first day to another smallish one this summer. They were all repticon in the south East US for whatever that's worth

To be honest... I wasn't blown away by any of the stock there. Could just be that the projects I want in on aren't very popular or that lots of the breeders DO sell online as well as shows and those super special animals sell via that route. I didn't really see anything "high end" at my shows.

As far as prices, I found them all to be slightly higher then listed prices online. I'm sure you can haggle a bit and bring down the price a bit, I definitely overheard some haggling, but not exactly into killer deal territory.

The best luck I've had with shows has been "shopping between the deli cups" so to speak. Like for example, I saw a booth with a little banana mahogony. I asked about other mahogany hatchlings they might have as I am looking for something specific. Turns out they have a clutch in the incubator that might pop out what I want. We exchanged info and I get first dibs if that morph is produced.

Also I do think it's important to go and support these shows! Everytime I see a bunch of squeamish moms with their kiddos there. I see a lot of people looking for a new pet. People just getting into the hobby. I think these shows are vital to the hobby in general. So I go to everyone I can so they atleast get my entrance fee. All and all I have found the shows to be a place to get a fair price on some base and mid line morphs and a place to network and just be around like minded people lol.

Hopefully one day I will get to one of the big big shows I'm sure that's a whole different ball game!

Oh. As for killer deals... the only ones I personally have found are on local online groups and craigslist from people who are either looking to get out of the hobby or have a financial emergency and need to raise some quick cash. Of course that comes with its own host of problems.

[BMorrison]

I've only went to one show and that's where I got my Mojave I went there with a grand to spend and told my now wife the only thing I want is a female Mojave so after about 4 hours walking around I found Carl Aiken (who I don't know if he's still in the game or not, he was from Ohio and the show was in Flint MI) I believe back then about $500 maybe $550 was the price for a female Mojave, I asked to see her held her and said yeah I'll take her his response "300 if you buy her right now and I'll hold her until you're done shopping around"

I didn't see anything that blew my mind at that show other than my now big girl but at the time the only thing other than my normal that even interested me was the Mojave pattern and coloration so I was very happy for a show that's nowhere near a Tinley or Daytona show which I will get to at some point I'm sure! It all depends if a breeder is there with what you have your eyes on, if you don't have something specific you may be surprised, if you do you may be disappointed it's kind of a crap shoot at small local shows. I still attend the ones in my area just incase (St.Louis) if nothing else I can usually get Dubias for my dragons pretty cheap.


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[robert7107]

Mainly will be looking for females in these morph... Already have a Mojave want to have a 1.3
Fire pastel or super pastel
Yellow belly, fire

If not... These are other ones iam interested in...
Vanilla pastel or super pastel
Pinstripe yellow belly
Fire lesser


Plan to get a male sometime next year..
Killer bee with yellow belly
Or
Pinstripe yellow belly super pastel..

Wanting to get ivory's .. daughters request...




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[wolfy-hound]

For small local shows, you might find a great little show with several good breeders, or you might have lousy one room 'shows' with a couple dealers and some craft tables. It all depends.

I will say that it's always best to remember that the breeders selling at ANY show are members of your hobby. If you go to the show hoping to 'talk down' prices and brag about how low a price you paid, or say to breeders how you always get the lowest priced deals, etc... then don't expect a really good outcome. It's one thing to haggle a price, it's another to insult the breeder and pitch a fit that you didn't get your lowball price. It's one thing to talk about your own collection and plans and another to say you'll undercut anyone's prices when you're selling.

I've heard someone literally brag to a breeder about how they will be selling their animals at prices lower than anyone else's... while trying to get a half-price deal on animals from that breeder! That's hardly the way to endear yourself to the hobby.

If you attend the show with the intention to make contacts, see fellow reptile lovers and make some killer deals on awesome animals, you're certain to have a good time. Don't get so set on buying that you end up at home afterwards regretting the sale, but also don't get so hung up on price that you pass on a deal that would have been a great one.

[robert7107]

For small local shows, you might find a great little show with several good breeders, or you might have lousy one room 'shows' with a couple dealers and some craft tables. It all depends.

I will say that it's always best to remember that the breeders selling at ANY show are members of your hobby. If you go to the show hoping to 'talk down' prices and brag about how low a price you paid, or say to breeders how you always get the lowest priced deals, etc... then don't expect a really good outcome. It's one thing to haggle a price, it's another to insult the breeder and pitch a fit that you didn't get your lowball price. It's one thing to talk about your own collection and plans and another to say you'll undercut anyone's prices when you're selling.

I've heard someone literally brag to a breeder about how they will be selling their animals at prices lower than anyone else's... while trying to get a half-price deal on animals from that breeder! That's hardly the way to endear yourself to the hobby.

If you attend the show with the intention to make contacts, see fellow reptile lovers and make some killer deals on awesome animals, you're certain to have a good time. Don't get so set on buying that you end up at home afterwards regretting the sale, but also don't get so hung up on price that you pass on a deal that would have been a great one.

No I would never resort too those tactics that's not right. I was thinking if I go on last day of show and their is something I really want I would ask if they would be willing too go lower..

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[wolfy-hound]

That should always be acceptable. I just wanted to put it out there for anyone who goes to shows, be aware of what you're saying to a breeder. Sometimes I've said something that came out completely wrong and I've had to backpedal quickly. My most appalling moment in recent history was looking at a cinnamon hatchling and having the breeder ask if I wanted him to take it out and I absently said "Oh no, my cinnamon is way hotter..." I didn't mean to demean his animals, I'm just super proud of MY animal and wasn't thinking. With some very quick backpedaling and apologies, it was okay but still. Praise happens all day but one rude remark will be remembered forever.

[Freakie_frog]

As someone that has vended shows for the past few years I can tell you that the most of my sells of higher end animals are normally with in the first 2 hours of the show opening to the VIP. Prices are pretty much stable these days so I wouldn't go in to it thinking you're going to get some 1/2 off deal or find a scaleless head for 500.00. 99% of the people that vend these shows know what the market price is for the animals they are selling.