Reptile expos? Worth the trip?

[kiiarah]

Hi guys,

So there are two upcoming reptile expos in my area and I am trying to decide if it is worth the trip and admission cost (they are two hours away). Has anyone been to one of these and are they worth it? I wouldn't be in the market for any new pick ups right away and am pretty much good on supplies. I know frozen feeders are a good price there, but I would be taking a family of four and only have one snake. Do you think feeders would still be cheaper after factoring in gas and admission too? Anyone have any stories about a show they have been to that will help me make a decision? :)

[millertime89]

Depends on the show and the area. The BIG shows (NARBC for example) are always worth a trip. The smaller, local shows can definitely be worth a trip as you can network and usually get deals on gear or animals.

[kiiarah]

I see, well one that is going to be here soon is Repticon which seems like it is well known, but from the photos the other one (the Phoenix Reptile Expo) almost seems bigger and nicer. Any experience with Repticon by chance?

[simpleyork]

The Repticon show here usually isn't the greatest, given they've only been coming here for the past three or so years. The Wasatch Reptile Expo, is decent, I go as more of a tradition my wife and I started as it is always near our anniversary, so that is one of our things to go do. Took our 5 kids there this year and they had a blast. I count them as a better event then the Zoo we have, though I am biased as I only go to the zoo to see their Herp collection, which at this time is small in number of different species (they had three cages with sand boas last time I was there)

[toddnbecka]

We went to a reptile show last month the day before we flew to Myrtle Beach. It was a monthly affair, first one we'd been to, so nothing to compare it to. I was surprised at the prices, baby corn and king snakes of just about every color were available for about 20% of the usual pet store prices. Planning on going to the Hamburg show in 2 more weeks, I heard it's much bigger and better than the one we attended. Even if you don't buy anything it's great to go and look around.

[sharthun]

Depends on the show and the area. The BIG shows (NARBC for example) are always worth a trip. The smaller, local shows can definitely be worth a trip as you can network and usually get deals on gear or animals.

Yep, I agree, NARBC is worth the trip! I have been disappointed with Repticon in the Dallas area. Very small shows and vendor/breeder list.

[Pareeeee]

The reptile expo I went to in Toronto was awesome. I saved SO much money buying my supplies there. Lots of animals to drool over too. Take lots of cash with you. You WILL buy something.

[IW17]

I like reptile shows. You meet lots of people and prices are usually reasonable and negotiable. Plus if you don't see something you want, chances are someone either has them and just didn't bring them, or knows someone who does. Feeders are generally the same price as online, but you don't pay shipping. Enclosures and supplies are hit and miss. Sometimes I find deals, other times it's cheaper online. But either way it's fun to just walk around and see so many herps in one place. It's like a candy shop for grown up kids lol. You'll show up with a list of wants, and leave with a much longer list!

[kiiarah]

Sounds like it would be fun then, maybe I will go for the Reptile Expo at the city convention center over Repticon then. From what I saw in photos and on their website they looked smaller and more thrown together than the actual expo. Guess I know where at least some of my vacation time is going. ;)

[sharthun]

Sounds like it would be fun then, maybe I will go for the Reptile Expo at the city convention center over Repticon then. From what I saw in photos and on their website they looked smaller and more thrown together than the actual expo. Guess I know where at least some of my vacation time is going. ;)


You never know! I picked up my last snake at Repticon and it was a very small show. It is fun to see all the different breeds and meet others interested in our hobby.

[millertime89]

Repticon can be hit and miss. It's run by a national organization but it doesn't draw the big vendors from out of state usually like NARBC (Tinley/Chicago, Arlington/Dallas, or Anaheim), Myrtle Beach, the Pamona Super Show, and some others.

[CK SandBoas]

I always enjoy going to my two local shows, the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Reptile expos. I always get to meet and hang out with my friends, and I always seem to leave with a new critter!

I just went to the White Plains Expo in New York for the first time last month, and to me, it was definitely worth the 3 1/2 hour drive up and back. Had a great time, got to hang out with old and new friends, and of course came home with a Hognose :)

[Akuma223]

I always enjoy going to my two local shows, the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Reptile expos. I always get to meet and hang out with my friends, and I always seem to leave with a new critter!

I just went to the White Plains Expo in New York for the first time last month, and to me, it was definitely worth the 3 1/2 hour drive up and back. Had a great time, got to hang out with old and new friends, and of course came home with a Hognose :)

Lucky you only have a 3 1/2 hour drive! For me to go to any interesting expo I have drive at the very least 5 1/2 hours!!

[CK SandBoas]

Lucky you only have a 3 1/2 hour drive! For me to go to any interesting expo I have drive at the very least 5 1/2 hours!!

Yikes!!! I can only imagine how tired I would be after doing an 11 hour roundtrip to an expo...

[Akuma223]

I really thinking about it!! If I don't find anything at the buffalo expo I'll will begin my plans!

[millertime89]

I've done several road trips for good shows. 8 hours (one way) for NARBC in Tinely twice and 12 hours (one way) to NARBC Arlington. Definitely worth it.

[Akuma223]

I've done several road trips for good shows. 8 hours (one way) for NARBC in Tinely twice and 12 hours (one way) to NARBC Arlington. Definitely worth it.

Daaaayyuuum! My anxiety would kick the ever-loving crap out of me if I tried that!

[millertime89]

Gotta have some friends going along with ya. Makes the miles go by faster.

[Akuma223]

Certainly does, I think I may begin planning now :yes: What ones are better the hamburg expo in PA, the expo in NH, or the white plains one? I think the one in hamburg is closer.

[kiiarah]

Holy cow, that makes my two hour one way trip look like nothing. Well at least I don't feel like it is a radical idea anymore lol.

So I have decided to make the trip but now I am debating what day to schedule for. I know the first day has the most selection (I am not planning on picking up another herp this trip, just researching this time) but the second day has better deals. I am there for supplies and just the experience. Part of me wants to go for the second day because deals will be better and less of a crowd, but at the same time I have these visions of a picked over convention with almost nothing left to see. Anyone been to one of these on both days of the show that can give me some info on just how much of a difference there is between day one and two price and selection wise? I am willing to pay a little more if there would only be a few herps left to see on day two. ;)

[millertime89]

I like going early on the first day. Odds are you won't find deals on supplies, only animals are usually negotiable on prices. If you get there right at open the crowds usually aren't too bad, that just means getting out of bed early on a Saturday.

[sharthun]

I like going early on the first day. Odds are you won't find deals on supplies, only animals are usually negotiable on prices. If you get there right at open the crowds usually aren't too bad, that just means getting out of bed early on a Saturday.


I always go early on the first day as well. I guess I feel like I don't want to miss anything. lol

[kiiarah]

Thanks so much you guys, I feel like I have a much better idea what to expect now. It is good to know the supplies aren't often discounted that makes the decision much easier. For the most part I want to take the hubby and the kids to get to see such a large variety of herps in person, so day one would be best.

I did read some threads where people had gotten free snakes on the last day due to vendors just wanting to get rid of stock (like cheap basic snakes or ones with an undesirable trait for breeding) but in reality even a free snake wouldn't be free since I would have to buy all the other supplies. Plus Shesha is my first snake in a really long time and I am sure it would be wise to pace myself before going on a collecting spree.

I think I am going to bring a notebook and take down a list of average prices for future pick ups. That way I know what things are likely to cost and how much I need to save to comfortably bring any new friends home next time. :p

[Eryaw]

I went to the one in Tucson last weekend. Got a good deal on some supplies and would have gotten a great deal on two snakes if the wife would have said yes.

[toddnbecka]

For me it's pretty simple, the only snake I'd really be likely to bring home would be an okeetee corn. Always liked those, never seen one available locally, never quite got around to buying one online, but if its under my nose... lol.

[TG22AR]

I was at NARBC this past weekend in Tinley Park. I live locally but wouldnt mind a few hour drive to it. There were LOTS of cars in the lot with out of state plates. Picked up a hypo Nicaraguan, and a super clean Hog Island for $160.

[millertime89]

I was at NARBC this past weekend in Tinley Park. I live locally but wouldnt mind a few hour drive to it. There were LOTS of cars in the lot with out of state plates. Picked up a hypo Nicaraguan, and a super clean Hog Island for $160.

People from all over the country drive for Tinley. Especially the October show which is about 2x the size of the March one. I've been to both and plan on going back in March again.

[Obsidian_Dragon]

Oh, is the March one at Tinley really that much smaller?

I skipped the October one because I didn't need the temptation, but planned on going in March, when I might be in a better position to bring something home. Hmmm. Oh well, might be worth going anyway.

There's a smaller pet expo every month that has some reptiles, but I swear by the vendor list it's nothing but balls and carpets, neither of which tickle my fancy.

[CK SandBoas]

My last two local expos had the Hognose snakes giving a serious run at the Ball Pythons with the amount there...I saw two absolutely gorgeous adult Albino females at the Massachusetts Expo this past sunday, but they were out of my price range :(

[millertime89]

Oh, is the March one at Tinley really that much smaller?

If not smaller. Not as many people have animals yet since most babies are just starting to hatch and aren't yet ready for sale and boas haven't given birth and it's still too early for North American colubrids that hybernate. So most of what you see is the previous year's animals that haven't sold yet and hold-backs and grow-outs that people have decided to part with.