First reptile expo - tips?

[Pareeeee]

Going to my first reptile expo in the spring with the intention of buying an Okeetee Corn.

Any tips?

How early should you show up so you can be sure all the good stock isn't sold?

I've heard you can haggle prices but I don't know if that's true - I don't want to insult anyone.

Any other tips??

Can't wait!!!

[Mikoh4792]

throw clothes in the washer and take a long shower afterwards!

Wouldn't want any nasties coming in with you.

[Pareeeee]

throw clothes in the washer and take a long shower afterwards!

Wouldn't want any nasties coming in with you.

Oh thanks for that, never even thought but you're so right!

[Aaron_S]

Do your research before even going.

There's a vendors list and it will be updated. Find out who will have corns there and then e-mail them ahead of time. You can set up a deal beforehand.

You can haggle at times but what is your goal? To get the cheapest corn okeetee or to buy a good one? Find a reputable dealer/breeder and if they offer a price where you're comfortable go for it. Who cares if there's one 10 bucks cheaper because will it affect your happiness with your purchase?

[TheFrogman]

The only tip I have is this, and its from experience, go early, all the good stuff goes fast and most important to me, because I screwed myself, If there is something that's gorgeous, and you want it, BUY IT. If you say, "Ill come back later for it" , It will NOT be there.

If you want it but not have to carry it around, pay for it and let him hold it with a sold sticker on it

[psychocircus]

I agree. I would look into vendors before attending. Find a couple that look good to you. Get there as soon as you can get in.
Find the vendor you looked into and buy what you want and ask them to hold onto it so you can continue to look.
You may find other things you like as well, but it's best not to buy on impulse.

[smy_749]

I like Aarons idea. I always have my deals ready before I go, no need to drive 2 hours to window shop. Make a list of supplies you might need too, when I get there I usually forget 3/4's of what I needed. And don't pick up anything you dont have housing for, its a real pain in the *** to try to scramble something together once you get home, and you won't have time to test temps and what not.

Don't bring more cash than you plan on spending! And don't have high hopes, unless your going to an expo in Cali, Florida or hamburg :P

Disregard the last part, forgot your in Canada lol

[Donnie]

Take only the cash you will need as if you have it in your pocket you'll only want to spend it when you are there ;)

[wrecker45]

You can get deals on frozen rodents, uth, lighting. Look for reptile rescues. I buy my lighting from one. And most importantly enjoy.

[TheFrogman]

LOL, I have researched and had ideas and as soon as I walk in the door the plan goes to hell and I always say crap, Ill be right back, Im running to the ATM......so now, I make no plans and I always bring minimum $700 in with me. Ha Ha ha

[DragonsEye]

In this it is like many types of expos, I suspect.

1) Best selection is always at the beginning of the show.

2) Some vendors will be willing to haggle, others won't. And those that ARE willing to haggle will typically only be willing to do so at the END of the show (or if you are purchasing several animals from them). By the end of the show you, of course, are looking at the "leftovers". So you may be getting a "deal" but usually the best specimens are long gone.

3) Completely agree -- check out which vendors will be attending. If the vendor has an online store, you can then check out what they have to offer. This will help you determine who might have what you really want and not "waste time" on those who don't. Doing so will also help you compare prices. If one has exactly what you are looking for, you can ask them to bring it to the show. Not only do you avoid shipping fees, but you then get to check out the animal before laying the money down.

4) If, while at the show, you see a nice specimen but want to check out the competition first, then you can ask the vendor if they would be willing to hold the animal for you for 5-10 mins or so. Some vendors will say "no." Can't fault them as holding an animal for a "maybe" could cost them a sale from another customer. However, some vendors will be willing to hold the animal for a short time. But if they hold it for you and you decide to go with a different vendor's animal, please remember to go back to the first vendor to let them know and thank them for being willing to do you the favor. (Seems like a no brainer but "common courtesy" is another thing that is no longer quite so common.)

5) If after making your purchase you wish to look around the rest of the expo but don't want to carry your new charge around, feel free to ask if the vendor would mark the animal "sold" (with your name on it) and hold it for you while you peruse the rest of the expo. I haven't met any vendors yet who would have an issue with doing so.

6) Definitely make a list of supplies you need before going. It often is far cheaper to get them at an expo.

[Aaron_S]

3) Completely agree -- check out which vendors will be attending. If the vendor has an online store, you can then check out what they have to offer. This will help you determine who might have what you really want and not "waste time" on those who don't. Doing so will also help you compare prices. If one has exactly what you are looking for, you can ask them to bring it to the show. Not only do you avoid shipping fees, but you then get to check out the animal before laying the money down....

I would like to add to this.

A really good idea is to ask them to bring it because not everyone will bring everything they have for sale. They have limited space so they may decide to leave it back so it's something else to think about.

[TheFrogman]

Always haggle !

[Aaron_S]

Always haggle !

Why?

Personally, I rarely do. If I see an animal I like and I am comfortable with the price then I pay it, no questions ask.

I end up with this kind of mentality... "Did I get what I want? Am I happy with it? Am I going to care that I paid X dollars more for it when I'm happy I got what I wanted?"

The truest question is, what is more important, the price or "deal" I got or that I'm happy with getting what I want?

[psychocircus]

Why?

Personally, I rarely do. If I see an animal I like and I am comfortable with the price then I pay it, no questions ask.

I end up with this kind of mentality... "Did I get what I want? Am I happy with it? Am I going to care that I paid X dollars more for it when I'm happy I got what I wanted?"

The truest question is, what is more important, the price or "deal" I got or that I'm happy with getting what I want?

Yep.
You get what you pay for.
You build a better relationship with the breeder.
The deals are typically already good anyway.

[TheFrogman]

Why?

Personally, I rarely do. If I see an animal I like and I am comfortable with the price then I pay it, no questions ask.

I end up with this kind of mentality... "Did I get what I want? Am I happy with it? Am I going to care that I paid X dollars more for it when I'm happy I got what I wanted?"

The truest question is, what is more important, the price or "deal" I got or that I'm happy with getting what I want?

Because if you can save money why not? I got my last snake at repticon for $25 less that was priced. If you can get what you want and discount......

[Aaron_S]

Because if you can save money why not? I got my last snake at repticon for $25 less that was priced. If you can get what you want and discount......

What if they say no? Are you going to walk away? Are you going to go around the show and hopefully find the same animal for $25 less than the other guy? What if you do find it and it isn't as healthy but it's $50 off? Still buying it?

What if you decide to go back and it's sold already. Who really lost here? Over a whole $25.

Is the $25 really worth the trouble?

I get what you're saying but I just have a different philosphy when it comes to buying what I want.

[TheFrogman]

What if they say no? Are you going to walk away? Are you going to go around the show and hopefully find the same animal for $25 less than the other guy? What if you do find it and it isn't as healthy but it's $50 off? Still buying it?

What if you decide to go back and it's sold already. Who really lost here? Over a whole $25.

Is the $25 really worth the trouble?

I get what you're saying but I just have a different philosphy when it comes to buying what I want.

If I ask the vendor to come down on price and he does then great, If he says no and I want the animal I will still buy it. No harm no foul.

I don't buy unhealthy animals no matter what the price, but If I can get a quality animal and the vendor is willing to come down...then he's happy, and I'm happy, were both happy, whats the issue?

easy peasy

[EL Ziggy]

If I ask the vendor to come down on price and he does then great, If he says no and I want the animal I will still buy it. No harm no foul.

I don't buy unhealthy animals no matter wha the price, but If I can get a quality animal and the vendor is willing to come down...great

easy peasy

^^same here. One polite question could save you 15% or more :)

[TheFrogman]

^^same here. One polite question could save you 15% or more :)

Exactly, I don't badger, I'm not rude, I ask politely and they usually always come down a little.

[Aaron_S]

If I ask the vendor to come down on price and he does then great, If he says no and I want the animal I will still buy it. No harm no foul.

I don't buy unhealthy animals no matter what the price, but If I can get a quality animal and the vendor is willing to come down...then he's happy, and I'm happy, were both happy, whats the issue?

easy peasy

There is no issue.

As I stated we just differ on how we do business. Am I not allowed to express a differing opinion any longer?

I believe if someone has a price for something and if I'm comfortable with it I will pay them their asking price. I believe they deserve it and I shouldn't try to short change them.

Again, we just differ on how we do business.

[Pareeeee]

Wow! Lots of responses!
Thanks everyone for your info, I've read it all and it's very helpful. Can't wait to go.

I usually buy my thermostats and supplies on eBay - are you saying it will be cheaper to wait and get that stuff at the expo? I know American expos have crazy cheap prices on things - is it the same with Canadian expos?

[Aaron_S]

Wow! Lots of responses!
Thanks everyone for your info, I've read it all and it's very helpful. Can't wait to go.

I usually buy my thermostats and supplies on eBay - are you saying it will be cheaper to wait and get that stuff at the expo? I know American expos have crazy cheap prices on things - is it the same with Canadian expos?

Like anything it can be.

I personally have never seen any ridiculous cheap prices but I don't normally go to them for supplies so I'm not looking for them specifically. I also find just importing the items to be cheaper a lot of the time too.

However, you may not necessarily find them on a discount or steep discount but you may be able to find some hard to get supplies there at the show.

[Sharlynn93]

the 1 expo I attended so far, the heating, enclosures, etc, were about the same as online..small stuff like hides, plants, accessories, were super cheap...I would be safe and order the main stuff ahead of time, and concentrate on animals (if that's what you are looking for) at the expo...

[TheFrogman]

There is no issue.

As I stated we just differ on how we do business. Am I not allowed to express a differing opinion any longer?

I believe if someone has a price for something and if I'm comfortable with it I will pay them their asking price. I believe they deserve it and I shouldn't try to short change them.

Again, we just differ on how we do business.

Of course you are allowed to express your opinion just as I am, I was merely responding to your post #17.

But let me ask, how is this short changing someone If that person is agreeing on the discount? IMO, short changing would be intentionally screwing the vendor out of his/her money which by asking for a discount is not.

And let me also ask this, Is this any different than me, being a Veteran asking a store If they offer a Military Discount as many do, and that store giving me that store discount?

Now I feel this thread has been hijacked enough, so ill simply say, the original topic was that "Pareeeee" asked for tips on shopping at the expo, I expressed my tips, he can choose to use them or not .

[Pareeeee]

I always ask for a discount if I'm at a place I can haggle. (just making sure out wasn't taboo at an expo) I don't bug them about it if they won't put the price down though. Like in the classifieds, some people (like me) put their prices a little high, expecting to be haggled down.

PS: Do 90% of the people here still think I'm a guy? lol

[Aaron_S]

I always ask for a discount if I'm at a place I can haggle. (just making sure out wasn't taboo at an expo) I don't bug them about it if they won't put the price down though. Like in the classifieds, some people (like me) put their prices a little high, expecting to be haggled down.

PS: Do 90% of the people here still think I'm a guy? lol

Apparently they do Paris.




Also, I just see things differently. If we're talking snakes here then it's silly to post higher prices to be haggled down. Why? It's sending the wrong message on what an animal is worth. It sends a wrong image to new people who think if they buy this animal that it will be worth far more than they paid for it. This is mostly specific to breeding animals.

In regards to haggling at shows. There's no harm in asking for a price except you may be insulting the person behind the table. Why? Because they value their animals and time and effort. So why shouldn't they be compensated for it? Again, it's situational. Even if you pay the original price you may have just solidified never getting a discount from that vendor in the future.

As someone who sells animals I am giving the viewpoint of the other side of the table.

It's frustrating to see everyone want our community looked at in a better light so why not start with honest pricing?

[Tsubaki]

I have to look at a snake and go : That's the one!, i don't settle for 'thats the species i want, and it looks ok' So if i find exactly what i am looking for, but the price is a little over the top. Only then will i try to haggle, but if i can't get it down and i think the animal is worth it. I take it anyway.. So i walk through expo's pretty fast, and always make sure i am one of the first there. Because if i don't see that one i love, i go home empty handed. I don't do second bests. - Ps i have been on the other side as well, and i don't mind haggling. As long as it is not on a already decent priced animal.

But Honestly? i prefer never to go to one at all, idk what expo's are like there but here.. Ugh, its a stinky Very overcrowded building, and if you are not one of the first, you have to shovel people out of the way to get a glimpse of anything...


PS: Do 90% of the people here still think I'm a guy? lol

That happens to me as well :D but it doesn't really matter to me much.

[Charis]

Oops! Pareeeee, I'd assumed you were a woman but apparently I guessed wrong about Tsubaki! That is always the interesting part with forums and the English language to me, don't really have gender neutral words to address or talk about someone, so you must guess and hope you got it right! Not always easy to tell by user names.

On topic, I have nothing more to add about expo tips. Everyone else covered that well.

Personally, I'm always to afraid of insulting people to ask to haggle but on the other hand, I don't mind taking a tiny bit off my own prices for someone, I usually price stuff (animals but also everything else I'm trying to sell, generally) $5, $10, $15 more than I'm comfortable letting it go for, then you can give someone a little bit off, making them even happier with their purchase and still be happy with the deal yourself.
But I do often get hit up by very rude people that want to pay you next to nothing for what you are offering and they do piss me off and tend to make me less flexible about price for the next person who asks!

[Pareeeee]

$120 snake. "Will you take $15.00?"

lol...

I don't do that.

[Tsubaki]

Heh.. Some guy once offered to take my last neo couple Iquitos Peruvian red-tailed boa's off my hands for 100,- ... Because they 'Weren't really to his taste because their tail was pretty dark for 'Surinam's', he had seen nicer ones for 120 -" . I did not even try to explain a thing.. Just requested to take his business elsewhere, the person with the stall next to me refused to sell him a snake after he overheard the conversation haha!

Served him right :p

And thats ok Charis, you're not the first and probably not the last.

[CK SandBoas]

I honestly will not haggle on price when i go to one of my local expos. If i see an animal i love, i look it over thoroughly and i pay the asking price. I did though get 10 dollars taken off the price of my Anery female when i purchased her after i told the vendor i wasn't sure if i wanted to buy or not....They did not have to do that, because i truly wasn't looking to buy one at the time, but when they offered to take 10 dollars off, i could not turn the female down:)

[Sharlynn93]

the expo I went to, I was told up front by some vendors the prices were negotiable...another one offered a discount just to entice me to buy..(didn't take it)..but some of the vendors may be looking to not have to pack up as many to go home, or to make room for new ones on the way, too...I wouldn't "haggle" persay, but maybe feel them out by being indecisive and they may counter with a lower price...

[Pareeeee]

Yeah, the word "haggle" might be the wrong word, it somehow sounds rude. I would never nag or be rude about it, but I don't see harm in asking nicely if they'd go down (a reasonable and not outrageous amount) on the price.

[BIGT FROM F.B.]

I keep it simple. Have access to money (very important), buy something you have always been interested in. Just make sure you know any special requirements to keeping first.

[DragonsEye]

I usually buy my thermostats and supplies on eBay - are you saying it will be cheaper to wait and get that stuff at the expo?

the 1 expo I attended so far, the heating, enclosures, etc, were about the same as online..small stuff like hides, plants, accessories, were super cheap....

As with anything Paris, what may hold true for the expos I attend may not hold true for those you do -- and unfortunately I can tell you nothing about what maybe typical for a Canadian expo. But I can tell you that items like frozen feeders are far, far cheaper for me to obtain from the expo I attend (even when taking into account gasoline and the $5 admission fee) than if I were to get them at a pet store. Not sure how it would match up to mail order, but since I go to the shows in part to chat to a few of the vendors I have gotten to know and just for the fun of "window shopping" it's all good. With regard to enclosures and such ... I have found that enclosures are either the same price or slightly less than if ordered online BUT by getting it at a show one does not pay the shipping fees nor worry about the shipping service damaging the tank.

PS: Do 90% of the people here still think I'm a guy? lol

That happens to me as well :D but it doesn't really matter to me much.

Definitely doesn't help matters either when the forum names are gender neutral or are actual names but of a language different from one's own. I know on a different forum there was a gent of Japanese descent who I thought was a woman because his name ended in an "a". In languages like those of Slavic origin, typically only feminine names end in "a".


I But Honestly? i prefer never to go to one at all, idk what expo's are like there but here.. Ugh, its a stinky Very overcrowded building, and if you are not one of the first, you have to shovel people out of the way to get a glimpse of anything...

Now that is something I would dislike as well. Fortunately, while there are times that the crowds can be rather heavy, I've never been to one that was terribly overcrowded and never had an issue with the expo being ..."fragrant".


$120 snake. "Will you take $15.00?" lol....

I see situations like that a lot at orchid shows. And some of the hagglers get rather perturbed when the vendor refuses to give in. Last 4 or 5 years, there is a vendor and his wife I have helped out during such shows when they are near me. If the would be customer is asking for just a couple bucks off, I'll refer them to the owners. (Not my plants, afterall, so I never presume to negotiate.) If the offer is ridiculously low (and often it is) I just politely them "No, the price you see is it." Did have one woman one time who was getting rather obnoxious about trying to "force" the issue. I finally told her that this wasn't a thrift store or garage sale. For most of the vendors, this was their livelihood and as such could not afford to give the plants away.

[Tsubaki]

Now that is something I would dislike as well. Fortunately, while there are times that the crowds can be rather heavy, I've never been to one that was terribly overcrowded and never had an issue with the expo being ..."fragrant".


'Snake Day' in Houten Netherlands, Huge international show. (Many big names, including US breeders like Bob Clark, Prehistoric pets etc) It's just Horrible.. You can just feel the putrid sweaty smell hitting you in the face the moment you enter... But what i dislike the most, are the groups of people who apparently know each others.. and just hang out in front of a stall, so people can hardly reach it. If i ever go there, it's usually only to pick up animals i had someone bring for me.

And i know my forum name doesn't help but its ok :D

[Pareeeee]

Pareeeee is my nickname for my actual name, Paris, which some of you know from my website.

Dragon, you need to start a thread with photos of your orchids! My favourite flower!

But yeah, I don't like that kind of haggling, those people just come across as annoying and rude.