Repticon queston!

[CALM Pythons]

Hello,
Sorry if I am not suppose to post this in this forum. Didn't know where it belongs.

I am planning on my repticon visit next month to get my first ball python. I have some questions before I head there so I can be successful!
First, I was wondering if it is little cheaper to buy in repticon. Might sound cheap but I have set budget and if the price is little cheaper, I can probably look into wider range of morphs. Is it rude to ask to get 5~10 dollars off? I just saw some people saying you can talk and get some deal at repticon so I was wondering. This might all sound like I am trying to be cheap, but as college student, it would be great to save some money honestly.

What should I look for when buying my ball python? I am going to buy a baby male. I know basic stuff like dehydration, mites or stuck skin but since it is my first time, I don't know if I can look at the right stuff. Could I ask to show if it is male, to check if there's no mites kind of stuff?

Do they get sold out pretty fast? I might be there couple hours before it closes.

I am probably over thinking but first time is always a concern.
Thank you!

The most important part to me is to research the venders. There are some you may NOT want to buy from period. Google them and also check Fauna BOI ect...
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/foru...splay.php?f=13
As far as getting a % off price.. Depending on what your looking for and the prices they go for is how to go about this. A $600 snake i don't mind trying to get for no less than $50-$100 off depending on how many days are left of the function, how many people might want that specific snake etc...
A Normal Ball thats $59.99 you cant expect to get for much less. A $2500 Ball try and get for $2000....& so on.
I would also only buy a snake the vender produced himself and knows how old it is etc...