Expo spoils ??

[Big_V]

Hey just wanted too see what everyone ended up getting from the expo. I persnoally got myself a beautiful little female suriname boa constrictor from Port Credit and my buddy got himself his third bearded dragon from Capital Dragons. Pics will be coming soon....

[anacondaman]

i got my dad a nice vieled chameleon......but as for me....nothing really cought my eye......also i would like to give props to JORDON for having some of the more interesting animals at his table

my 2 cents
adam

[mathaldo]

I got 1000 mealworms, "Dragonshack" Calcicum dust, and that's it. I saw some nice stuff, but I wasn't planning on getting anything.

[anders_240sx]

A friend of mine got a fire crested gecko ...I picked up 1000 crickets ... but nothing really caught my eye ...and thats a good thing ...lol

[meow_mix450]

never got much but i was suprised the port credit had 2 big chams! for 250 not bad imo

Meow

[Jeff_Favelle]

Does anyone ever BUY anything at the shows, or do people just go because its a cheap zoo with wicked animals to see up close?

I think the US shows have us beat there. People move TONS of animals at the shows. Whenever there's a post "what did you get at the show?" here, all there ever is is "crickets, a 10 gallon aquarium, some driftwood, frozen pinkies, I got to hold an iguana, I bought a leo baby, etc etc etc".

LOL! Poor vendors! I salute your determination guys and gals. Its a TUFF business out there.

[Bartman]

Thats EXACTLY what be and my friend were talking about...i was just helping out at the table, but he had a bunch of cresteds and a leopard gecko he wanted 600 for. It is a good price for the morph it is, but he obcviosuly didnt sell it. He said exactly what you said, people just buy cheep leopard geckos at like 40 bucks and the bare necessities..no one ever buys a big animal or anything. We barely bought our table! And we didnt sell any animals, just a couple hats...i was pretty bumbed causs it got really boring to see people actually come up to the table, say they wanna get this and walk away...if you want it, get it! lol

Well said jeff...well said

[JD@reptiles]

Originally posted by anacondaman
i got my dad a nice vieled chameleon......but as for me....nothing really cought my eye......also i would like to give props to JORDON for having some of the more interesting animals at his table

my 2 cents
adam

hey man, thanks :D.

I would espeshily like to thank Steve Marks, and overcoming his fears of cutting all his hair off. Great cause man! I personally am really proud that you did that.

Jordan

PS: Lets go catch turtles now!

[Bartman]

Ditto, good going Steve!

[spidergecko]

I was there but I didn't buy anything. Speaking strictly about geckos, every table seemed to have the same thing: leopards and cresteds. Only one table really had a different, unique species of gecko. I brought a wad of cash with me just in case but I didn't see anything new.

But I will say this: if I stop at your table and I'm the only one there, say hi or make eye contact or something. Some vendors ignored me and sat twiddling their thumbs. This was at about 9:30 so I know they couldn't have been too tired or bored. Anyway, it made me feel uncomfortable so I just moved along.

[Snow]

This is what i got, His name, Spunky he is powerfull in the ways of "The Spunk"

[Jeff_Favelle]

Yeah, you gotta say hi and network. For sure. I mean, especially because of the internet now, even if the customer that comes by your table doesn't want anything right then and there, they might later, or they might have 15 friends that want something. And if you make that personal contact and that connection with the fellow herper, it can only help for future sales.

Hey, you're ALREADY at the show, might as well make the most of it by getting your name and personality out there!

Good posts spidergecko and Bartman. :D

[chappy]

I got 3 awesome Boas from BigDan, I have pictures posted in another post. I usually come home from the show with at least one new snake. But theres never enough boas at the show :(

Jeff is that the reason you never come out here for the shows?


Nick

[Brock]

In the words of a buyer.....


I went to my first show in Red Deer last August, I'm pretty sure Jeff was there. I would have to agree with every point Spidergecko made. When I was there, only two people took the time to make eye contact, get up out of their chair and try to SELL their animals. Those two people were the only two people I bought from. I can vouch for spidergecko's comment on the sellers twidling their thumbs. Lots of them just looked ticked off and I didn't want to say 'Hey, could I take a look at this?' Your mood will set the mood of the buyer, even if you have to fake it. Business is business.

You've got to want to SELL SELL SELL your product or animal. And if all you have are leopard geckos and cresteds, you better be willing to compete with the other merchants at the shows and be able to keep the buyer interested.

Another thing is pricing, I thought pricing was supposed to be good at shows? Man, I was disappointed, it was just like retail pricing. There were only a few good deals like 2 for 1, or 50% off, or getting something free like a dust or cup of feeders or a choice of what you want with the purchase of a live animal. And if you have a deal, make sure to let us know, make a big red sign saying **50% OFF TODAY ONLY** or SOMETHING, lots of people didn't have any advertising, just a table and some cages. The best deal I saw at the show I was at (and I bought because of it) were two blizzard leos for $100. Now that's a pretty damn good deal if you ask me.

Another thing I noticed was the selection. Cheers to those that are adventerous in the herping realm.

Positive things...hmmm. There was an obvious aura of euphoria with people happy buying things, but I can't say much for the majority of the sellers. I would just say be a little more positive and welcoming, if you're excited, I'm excited, and as far as pricing goes....Jeff, I'd say that's why the US has us beat. You can get a jackson's chameleon down there for 40$...up here it's 150$ at the least.

That's my two cents,
-Brock

[Tim_Cranwill]

Originally posted by spidergecko
But I will say this: if I stop at your table and I'm the only one there, say hi or make eye contact or something. Some vendors ignored me and sat twiddling their thumbs. This was at about 9:30 so I know they couldn't have been too tired or bored. Anyway, it made me feel uncomfortable so I just moved along.

It's almost funny how bad some breeders are at selling/marketing their reptiles at the shows. They are reptile breeders, not used car salespeople but still, look at other breeders displays, find out what you like and/or don't like about them and try to improve on it. It's not that hard! lol :D

The eye contact thing is just obvious though... it's amazing how far you can get just by talking to a passer-by... not trying to "hock" your reptiles like a carnie... just chat with them. You both love reptiles... chat about them. Then rope 'em in! Sales 101... :D lol

[jjnnbns]

The funny thing is that if people make an impulse buy w/o having caging set up at home, they will also get scolded for not being prepared. If a show were ever w/in distance of me I would love to show up and put up a HUGE sign or banner with my website and try and get to know everyone, maybe have a business card or brochure with PICTURES, and send them home with EVERYONE! I wouldn't expect all that many people to respond, but I also would be nervous if 20+ people bought from me with little or no knowledge of what they just purchased.

I guess that I would most likely also have care sheets available. If you give out 100 business cards and only 2% call back and buy, then you are still doing fine. I would hope for more (5%) but its hard to say, seeing as I've never been to a show!

[jjnnbns]

True Tim! Even with a GREAT product (and more important with a not so great product, hehe) you need to sell YOURSELF first, as it will only help that much more!

[Tim_Cranwill]

Brock, that's half the battle... buying/selling. A lot of breeders at that very show were kind of whining about how no one was buying.. Maybe it's because they weren't <u>selling</u>... :) It's a two way street...

I'm not trying to sound like a sales expert but just sitting around with a few dozen deli cups in front of you (like 97% of the breeders there) is not going to cut it... or so it seems.

Good post, Brock! :)

[Jeff_Favelle]

Jeff is that the reason you never come out here for the shows?

I go to shows all the time. I don't go to Ontario shows where you live because I live in Victoria, BC and it would take me 5 days of straight driving just to get there! Ha ha sorry, but I'm not about to subject my baby snakes to 10 days in a car (minimum) and 2 days in deli cups at a show.

[Jeff_Favelle]

The funny thing is that if people make an impulse buy w/o having caging set up at home, they will also get scolded for not being prepared.

What a PERFECT point brother! If you are just buying what you see at the shows, without knwing in advance, how can you have the cage all set up and temperature-calibrated, etc etc. Then come here, and everyone roasts the person for buying the animal first etc etc. LOL! I never even thought about it that way. GREAT point.

[jjnnbns]

I think that if you buy at a show, it should be an animal that you are ALREADY planning on getting, but would either rather not pay shipping, or else see in person and choose the best looking from a variety! Even though my first snake was definitely an impulse buy, I would now never even consider bringing a snake home w/o the proper caging already setup, much less no research or idea of its care requirements!!!

[Jeff_Favelle]

I think that if you buy at a show, it should be an animal that you are ALREADY planning on getting, but would either rather not pay shipping, or else see in person and choose the best looking from a variety! Even though my first snake was definitely an impulse buy, I would now never even consider bringing a snake home w/o the proper caging already setup, much less no research or idea of its care requirements!!!


Totally man. At last year's big show in Alberta, I had 19 animals pre-sold and I can GUARANTEE you those people had the set-ups all ready and good-to-go before the met me at the show. I made SURE of it. I was waaaaay happier and more content with those sales than with the others at the show. However, it must also be pointed out that when selling babies to other breeders, MOST will be able to simply insert them into THEIR OWN baby racks after proper quarantine methods. I mean, if I go to a show and buy 15 baby Ball Python morphs, do you think I have to set up all the cages and read and learn about Ball Pythons? Ha ha, not likely. More like they go in the quarantine rack when I get home, just like all the other show animals. Its not like EVERY sale is to a newbie. Maybe with Leos and Beardies and other $30 animals, but a lot of sales are also things like albino boas, pied Ball Pythons, etc etc to OTHER breeders who know what they are doing and are all set up and ready to go.

[jjnnbns]

I used to think that that's mostly what shows were: a place for breeders and experienced herpers to meet and sell/trade

I know that it is, but it sounds like a lot of people go and make impulse buys. You wouldn't impulse buy a pied ball if you had no idea how to care for them, but definitely on a small lizard or corn that is a possibility.

The closest show to me is in Chicago, and I would love to go but probably not, maybe when I have some animals for sale I could afford to go!

I suppose that if there were a show in Winipeg I could go, you know of any Tim?

[Brock]

I think, in reference to shows, selling to uneducated noobs is the seller's responsibility, not the uneducated noob buyer's responsibility. When you get an e-mail, you can spend a week or two telling the buyer how they should have their cage set up and give them links to care sheets, but at the show I think it is the seller's responsibility to have more than enough care sheets for every species being sold, as well as maybe a one page list of common problems such as MBD and mouthrot and belly burns etc. Pictures of ideal habitats would also be good, but I'm sure not many people would want to waste the ink on printing hundreds of pictures off, so I would suggest having a 'catalog' of habitats and environments, you could do more that way by including pictures of their natural wild environment with labels as to where that environment is in the world, as well as pictures of proper captive setups.

In my opinion, the seller should take all measures possible as simply as they can to ensure the survival of their animals. Make sure that you have given the seller a caresheet and time to review it BEFORE selling them your animals, not including one with the receipt.

Along with a caresheet should be a list of things the buyer will need to set up a proper habitat, like a 20g tank, heating pad, flourescent light etc, as well as a list of prices of these items and where you can buy them.

My first purchase, a veiled chameleon, was an impulse buy, the seller gave me no care information, I thought it would be as easy as looking after anoles. She got MBD. I think it could have been easily avoided if I just got a caresheet or even a list of websites to go check out, such as this wonderful one we call ssnakess.com.

[Burium]

We had a show here, in the Netherlands, yesterday. We bought a pair of Mex black kings. Very nice. There was someone from England selling a pied ball for 16,000 Euros and a Spider ball for around 18,000 Euros! Crazy! Anyway it was a good show. Maybe whenever we go to the US for a visit, we can plan it around one of your shows. Then we can compare.

Kelly

[SerpentLust]

"I think that if you buy at a show, it should be an animal that you are ALREADY planning on getting, but would either rather not pay shipping, or else see in person and choose the best looking from a variety! Even though my first snake was definitely an impulse buy, I would now never even consider bringing a snake home w/o the proper caging already setup, much less no research or idea of its care requirements!!!"

I couldn't agree more! Last show I went to I had it in my mind that I would be coming home with a young pair of ATB's or nothing. I had the enclosures all set up and ready to go. When I went to the Totally Pets Show in September, I knew I would be getting a snake, didn't know what type, but I was generally aiming at terrestrial, so I had a large enclosure AND a small enclosure ready depending on what I purchased.

If I honestly went and impulse purchased something, I'd call up my house and tell one of the members of the household to get an enclosure ready with (enter requirements here).

All of you are making such awesome arguments. Especially about how sellers need to know HOW to SELL! I would definately give props to The Reptile Store, I think that's their name, every expo I've been to they've been amazingly friendly, they were willing to talk about prices, they let me hold the animals, it was superb. Of course port credit are always friendly as most of us know the people working the table personally. But i've alsp seen the other type of vendor, that sit there with a sour look on their faces, the only reason they tlk to me is because I'm a big mouth and will just start talking to them.

Just my $0.02, which has already been said on here anyways hahaha

Jenn

[Tim_Cranwill]

jjnnbns, we're in the process of trying to organize one for this year. It will probably be in mid-September if it happens. :)

[spidergecko]

Originally posted by jjnnbns
I think that if you buy at a show, it should be an animal that you are ALREADY planning on getting,

I sort of did this at the last show. I went there expecting to find one vendor (who hadn't been responding back to me through email/phone, I might add) but when I got their I found a totally different vendor and got my animals from him. It all worked out for the best since the vendor at the show is the top breeder of these lizards. He was so friendly and nice that I have bought about $1000 more on animals from him since.

[jjnnbns]

Tim, keep me updated! Also, how hard do you suppose it would be to cross the border with some animals to sell myself? I'm not familiar with rules regarding that!

[Cruciform]

I would have loved to make it to the Toronto show this time around but, due to moving this week, I had to pass :(

I was only at one show before this, and I have to say "Sellers, take heart!" :)

I would have liked to have had money to burn last time and bought some animals, but I just picked up bedding and rodent food. I talked to a few sellers and they were somewhat disappointed by sales. The thing is, I walked out of there with half a dozen business cards, from people I fully intend to purchase animals from in the next year.

The show is a great place to see samples of all kinds of animals, then ooh and ahh over them, and decide you have to have one.

If you're a seller, don't feel disappointed that you didn't move a lot of animals. Focus on making that connection with the people that come to look at your table, and encourage their interest. Find out something about the buyer too.

How did they find out about the show? Do they have any other reptiles? Or hang out on any community sites?

If they're new, or don't know about this site, put the address on the back of your card, along with your username. Bring them into the community. When the time is right for them to purchase, chances are they'll remember you. And they'll also be better educated in the care of their animals :)

Now if only I could win the lottery this week and make some of you very happy :)

[ChristinaM]

I wasn't at this one, but definately will be at the Sept one, along with some of my dragon babies :)

But the reason I make the 3hr drive, to socialize with other like-minded herpers, to learn from some of the more experienced people, to talk.

I will usually scan the vendors a few times, hang around and watch how they interact with others, see if they acknowledge me, etc. I will go wanting to buy something...but.....if you are a BUTT, I will walk away. I ask questions, some people cannot be bothered with them, those people I cannot bother to give my $ to.

Whoever said it, about it being a trip to the zoo.....I think that holds some truth. I love looking at the diffrent animals, colors, specimens, etc.

But anyways, it looks like I didn't miss too much at this show.

Hopefully the Sept. show will be great.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Cruciform is right. Business cards RULE. I had 182 taken at last year's Red Deer show, and it was worth every penny. For sure.

And get 'er done Tim. It would be totally cool. Start small and solid, and then go from there.

[pikachu]

i didnt make it to this show.
i have to say i was a little discouraged from the last one.
i got a beautiful atb from the last show and it died within a week.
it seemed to get weaker and weaker, it also had mites which i treated it for.
i was paranoid about it , had perfect temps, little stress, good humidity.
it still passed on.
needless to say im going to be a lot more careful next time.
hope the last one was good, see ya next time.

[exotic_66]

hm..lets see wut i got ..a nice little friend which i cant say wut! AND I got the nice adult nothern pine snake from JORDAN .m. for ..helping him at his table thanx jordan for the free snake :) U ROCK! i wanna go to montreal :(


~NESSY~ (REPTILE GODDESS)

[GeckoCorral]

I was not at the show as I am in Alberta but I just wanted to make a few comments.

I don't want to "toot" my own horn but I would just like to say that after being to the five shows out here in Alberta last year I did learn a lot about what is lacking and have tried to incorporate more into what I have at my table.

I offer my own care sheets for free for anyone who wants them, at each and every show. I have care sheets on reptiles that I no longer have but I would rather have them there with me for those looking into them then to not have them at all. I have also started taking simple enclosure set-ups with me for selling as I experienced the "I don't have anything set-up what will I need to buy at the pet store?". I'm sorry but pet stores charge far too much and will sell you tonnes of stuff that is not needed or even harmful to the reptile you are getting.

I sell my set-ups for $50 COMPLETE so that anyone making a last minute desicion to buy will have everything they need. No it is not the most "eye pleasing" set-up but it works 100% and a leo can be kept in it from baby all the way through it's entire life.

I LOVE talking to people, even if not about reptiles, so anyone walking by gets eye contact and either a good morning or a good afternoon offered out to them. I do what I can to provide the most information possible to ensure that any animal I sell will get the best chance at a healthy long captive life. Although I have moved into a higher priced morph I still try to keep my prices low enough so people who appreciate the work of those morphs are still able to afford them.

I can't let them go for free, I put far too much time and energy into aquiring my high end breeders and into my high quality offspring to sell them off as $30 disposable pets. I really wish that word did not exist in the pet trade and I feel no captive animal is disposable, free or for thousands of dollars, they are all just as worthy of a healthy, properly set-up enclosure and happy life.

Sorry, I'll get off the soap box now, but I had to express my feelings. I have business cards at my table with all my site/email info on it. No cards to pass out means no after show sales, no matter when the sale comes in. I put out signs for any special offers, as well as a sign stating what all comes in my complete set-ups, can't have it there without people knowing why it is there.

I completely understand about vendors not being "up-beat" when at a show. When I first started going as a buyer I did not want to deal with people that did not want to even say "Hi" or ask how I was doing. It makes all the difference in the world and I love meeting new reptile people, new or old, to the reptile world.

By the way, I can't wait to meet some more new people at the Fraser Valley show that is only 2.5 weeks away!! It will be my first "out of Province" show and I am looking forward to it to say the least. :D

Diana
The Gecko Corral (http://thegeckocorral.com)

[Sunrunner]

I had a great time at the show seen some older loved faces and met some new ones :) it is always nice to meet new people.... it was a little slow though.
but fun none the less.
Kim

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

Heh, Kim, I saw you while I was sitting outside on the hill. I had 2 bags and a huge glass tank with me. I didn't say hi because I am always shy with new people.

Aidan

[meow_mix450]

it seemed to be less people there this time. Maybe its just me. I was asking questions about there reptiles and all the guy did was give me a dirty look and answered my question and looked away, maybe he thought i didnt have money. But i agree; vendors have to make eye contact and have a good laugh or two with the customers, this will make you and the customer have a better day, i wouldnt mind if i didnt sell one thing as long as i kno that i had a good time and so did the customers. My bet is the vendor that had the most fun and long chats had the best business thats just my opinion, i have not been being the table, but if i had a chance i would give it a try, maybe then i would say something different about vendors.

Prices are a problem these days, customers just finds the lowest prices and i could understand. I think the only reason why jacksons(chameleon) are cheaper is cause of the amount in the states, in canada its kinda hard to find. Thats probly why they cost a lot. But Panther chameleons up there cost a lot more then it is down here. Odd...

Meow

[Bartman]

We tried to make walking by our table fun..we would greet everyone with a how are you or good evening or whatever..at one point i was just throwing out some funny random facts about leopard geckos...my friend who owned the table was making people laugh by saying how leopard geckos are the most famous gecko in the pet trade, infact every freakin single person here has one at their table..lol..i got a good laugh and so did some customers..still didnt make any sales :( but imo i had a good time..and we broke even so that was good!

[meow_mix450]

haha well im glad that there are people there that are talking to the customers, but enjoying your self there is better then not having fun at all. At this show there didnt seem to be as many people...maybe thats why there was such a low sale???

Bartman: I havnt gotten time to e-mail you about the site, ill try and get back to you as soon as i can, its almost the end of school year and i have to study and stuff but i promise ill get back to you sorry for the late notice

Meow

[Yve]

i had a beautiful piece of art custom painted for me by Aidan which I recieved at the show and would like to share. I took a couple of pics in different lights. the painting has alot of texture and depth...I looove it! thanks so much Aidan:)
http://ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/2monarch_006.jpg
http://ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/2monarch_009.jpg
http://ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/2monarch_012.jpg

[spidergecko]

That's quite nice!

[Capital Dragons]

Well I have to say that the show was a bit slower than the spring show. Everyone must have been at the cottage. But I still think it was a great show.

I think that the T.O. show is really coming along. Grant (Reptile Central) has been working hard to make the show more interesting, not just a ‘Reptile sale” but a show. The guest speakers and lectures are a great idea. The new location is fantastic! It wont be long until we need more room. But we still need an ATM!!

Also I have felt a little off sometimes when dealing with some of the reptile people in Canada. Like they don’t have time to talk to me. I like to treat people the way I would like to be treated. I think more people out there should adopt that attitude. On a positive note, I sold a hypomelanistic dragon to a cutie couple that must have been in there 70’s. They were just awesome! They have all kinds of reptiles at home and they were even expecting baby frilled dragons! That made my day.

I have been to quite a few U.S. shows now and it’s a different ball game down there. You just don’t see venders selling reptiles out of cardboard boxes as I’ve seen in Canada. I attended the National Breeders Conference in Philadelphia last Oct and I believe the attendance was over 5000. There was another show in Chicago and the attendance I heard was close to 10000 (correct me if I’m wrong please). The displays were amazing. The Timberline booth even had it’s own flooring. But at least 50% of the vendors at that show were professional breeders. I don’t really know how many professional breeders there are in Canada but you don’t need to be a professional breeder to have an appealing display. A tablecloth does wonders!

I have received a lot of positive feedback regarding my show setup. I was really impressed by many of the U.S breeders when I was down there and I thought why couldn’t Canadians step up and spouse up our shows…
http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/513/3499show_pic_small.JPG

[Bartman]

Great post guys...i agree, our booth didnt have a table cloth :rolleyes: Ill tell them to get one for saterday at newmarket at least...im going to bring my tortoise down to bring in some attraction

EDIT: I was up their looking at some stuff capital had, and their whole set up just attracts you to go look. They had 2 beauty uro's up their i was asking about, and got very nice answers..she even offered me to pick it up if i wanted...great people!

[Big_V]

I must add myself that I talked with the Capital Dragon people and they were awesome. My friend bought his 3rd beardie off them and as far as being professional, they would be the definition of that.
It would be great if people talked to the prospective customers alot more. There were some tables that did this quite well while others just turned their noses up.
...but I must say Grant at PCPC is doing a great job expanding this hobby in Southern Ontario just by putting this event on. A big thanks goes out to him and the those who put these great shows each year.

[marisa]

I must agree about the talking thing. Anyone who knows me (I am looking in Matt_K's direction with this one) knows I am a big mouth. I like to talk. But it seems some vendors can't be bothered being friendly. Mind you, the ones that are, are very friendly! :)

I like the extra time put into a nice table display as well. But then again, a bare table with the highest qaulity animals in the place would still get my attention, if not more. :)

It's really to bad about some vendors not being talkative or trying to sell too hard because I am easily sucked in by a good salesman and impulse buys even when I mean to come home with nothing. LOL.

Marisa

[Matt_K]

Originally posted by marisa
I must agree about the talking thing. Anyone who knows me (I am looking in Matt_K's direction with this one) knows I am a big mouth. I like to talk.

Oh man, the chick doesn't shut up!!!! LMAO...


As for the show just past.. I picked up only one snake.. A 0.1 BCI from Big Dan...

The show itself seemed a little bit slower then rest, i assume a lot of people were away at the cottages for the weekend as the weather was great.. Aside from that, the show was fun, as it's always good to hang out with old friends that you only see at the shows... Our table did pretty good, not as good as the last show, but im not complaining.. A HUGE thank you to Linds for giving me a hand, i don't know what i would have done without you being there Linds!!!

[Ciddian]

awesome post guys.....dangit...sorry i missed out! ~_^
I compleatly agree with the impuls buying... I made a big mistake when i purchased my first cham which i will never do again untill i have everything ready and set before hand....as the same with any purchase.

~*Ciddi*~

[Jeff_Favelle]

I must agree about the talking thing. Anyone who knows me (I am looking in Matt_K's direction with this one) knows I am a big mouth. I like to talk. But it seems some vendors can't be bothered being friendly.


I would have talked to you Marisa, ....wink wink.... How you doin'....

;)

[Jeff_Favelle]

I wouldn't buy a reptile just because the table was nice. I like to think that being this far into the hobby, my objectiveness on new purchases is a little higher than whether or not the display was nice. But then again, if I want an animal, I don't usually wait for a show. I email the breeder, email/PayPal the money and get the animal. No nonsense is my style.

But I agree for things like leos, corns, beardies, kings, etc etc, maybe a better display will garner more sales than the next breeder with the same animals. But if you produce quality animals, a clean simple display should let the specimens speak for themselves. That is, if you produce quality. No amount of bells and whistles can hide sub-par, weak, or sick animals from the smart buyer. Unfortunately, a lot of buyers at shows do not fall into that category.

Best of luck vendors. Its a zooo out there. I salute the effort of the guys trying to make a buck at the shows with their animals. Its certainly not easy.

Cheers, JF.

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

Thank you very much Yve for sharing my painting with the rest of those on these forums. I am truly glad you enjoy it, and I hope you will do so for years to come,

My regards,

Aidan Ferreira

[Simon]

Originally posted by Cruciform
I would have loved to make it to the Toronto show this time around but, due to moving this week, I had to pass :(

I was only at one show before this, and I have to say "Sellers, take heart!" :)

I would have liked to have had money to burn last time and bought some animals, but I just picked up bedding and rodent food. I talked to a few sellers and they were somewhat disappointed by sales. The thing is, I walked out of there with half a dozen business cards, from people I fully intend to purchase animals from in the next year.

The show is a great place to see samples of all kinds of animals, then ooh and ahh over them, and decide you have to have one.

If you're a seller, don't feel disappointed that you didn't move a lot of animals. Focus on making that connection with the people that come to look at your table, and encourage their interest. Find out something about the buyer too.

How did they find out about the show? Do they have any other reptiles? Or hang out on any community sites?

If they're new, or don't know about this site, put the address on the back of your card, along with your username. Bring them into the community. When the time is right for them to purchase, chances are they'll remember you. And they'll also be better educated in the care of their animals :)

Now if only I could win the lottery this week and make some of you very happy :)

I definitely agree with this.
For somewhat of a reason the Canadian shows just doesn't go that well. Compared to the shows in the States we're SLOW.

I don't even expect to get any sales at shows now. What I expect is to get my business cards out and talk to people and answer anything (as long as I know the answer...LOL)

Just give people the impression of good customer service and your knowledge. I too have times when I don't want to answer people or just say 'hi, is there anything that I can help you with'. But this is because I have been sitting at the show for a couple of hours and no buying. But after a while, I get back on my track and start talking to potential buyers or even just the people that passes by.

If I had someone with me at the show that knows my animals, then I would be walking around once in a while to talk to everyone but obviously I don't have anyone there~~

So right now all I want to do is to get my name out from shows and hope to get the words out, plus hope to get some customers that is willing to get animals off me later on.

[ChristinaM]

Originally posted by Simon


If I had someone with me at the show that knows my animals, then I would be walking around once in a while to talk to everyone but obviously I don't have anyone there~~

So right now all I want to do is to get my name out from shows and hope to get the words out, plus hope to get some customers that is willing to get animals off me later on.

Sept show, I'll let ya mingle all ya want :) You're a good man, and go the distance for your customers. Definately have my thumbs up. Hopefully the Sept show will be kick butt :)

[Simon]

Originally posted by ChristinaM
Sept show, I'll let ya mingle all ya want :) You're a good man, and go the distance for your customers. Definately have my thumbs up. Hopefully the Sept show will be kick butt :)

Thanks~!!

Yeah I definitely need someone to help out...
My brother was there but he was just there for me...he didn't know my pricing and nothing about my corns...

I bet that the sept show is better cause it's always better~~

[Matt_K]

Originally posted by Jeff_Favelle
I would have talked to you Marisa, ....wink wink.... How you doin'....

;)


LMFAO!!!

[ortega]

I bought 4 mint terribilis dart frogs. They are great! I have to thank Mark Pepper who took time to answer all my questions and just talk about other related dart frog issues.

At the spring show I bought 3 frogs from another vendor, but ended up getting advice from Mark at the show and later through email. Well, needless to say I bought off Mark this time for three reasons 1. He has always been friendly and helpful 2. He has a great reputation 3. He had the frogs I wanted for the price I wanted.
If anybody seen the vivarium Mark had set up with 2 azureus in it, I think that was the most stunning feature of the show....well minus my new frogs. lol

[Jeff_Favelle]

Dart frogs RULE! Post some pics!!!

[Drew S]

I like to think that my display looks better with each show.

I had a table cloth this time, but it was only big enough for one table, I didn't know we'd be getting an extra half table, so next time I'll know to bring two :P

The only thing I forgot were the "Not For Sale" tags for my display animals. I got there at 7am and it took me almost the full two hours to set up the tanks naturally. I must have had 20 offers on my jacksons pair, and 30 on my frilled dragon, so I agree, the displays help you sell.

And of course, after spending a solid 30mins decorating my scrub (moluccan) python display, he decided to spend the entire day burried under the substrate. Arboreal snake my a$$! :D

[meow_mix450]

if you think about it the reptile show has come a long way, each year more and more people seem to be getting into the herp world. Since i joined it has only gotten better. First show i went to was around 3rd street, and it was great, a little small, and a bit crowded in the reptile room, but it was great. Now that they have moved to a bigger and better location its just been great, every year its jsut getting bigger and bigger. I can understand that the US have much more sucess, Canada is slowly catching up,

Meow

[Katt]

Wow, that's crazee stuff guys.

I have sold out at every show I have sold stuff at, and have spent just about every dollar I earned at the same show!

Course, I don't have a lot of stuff to sell, and I'm easy to please. I like colubrids, so I buy colubridy stuff, sure it's not high priced, but I'm buying multiples, plus I make it a plan to not leave a show without SOMETHING.

[smeagel]

i pickrd up a pair of BP. a normal girl and a 100% het ghost from corey woods that i am picking up later this week.

[mykee]

I was there and would have to agree with some of you in that it's not really that difficult to tell which tables are really serious about selling. I saw maybe 5 set-ups that were visually appealing, (and they know who they are). I draw the comparison between setting up a table/selling yourself as a school project in grade school; There are those who stencil their letters with attention to detail onto their bristolboards for their Science Fair project, and there are those who haphazardly get it done in two minutes, freehand, the night before. There were far too many "freehanders" at this show. If you show pride in yourself, your work and your reptiles, it will show in sales. At a show, you're selling yourself as much as you're selling your reptiles, but what will bring a customer to a table is your presentation. Get them to your table and THEN wow them with your personality, knowledge and quality. It's unfortunate many tables didn't take themselves too seriously. That's the reason that the Canadian shows will never be what the American ones are. Sorry to ruffle some table vendors feathers, but them's the truth.

[meow_mix450]

What i like about some tables are photo ablums, or slide shows of the parents or the reptiles they are selling, it shows how much you really know about these guys. Business cards are always a good thing, once you have a chat with the customer give them your business card, and maybe they will pass it on to there friends:)

Meow

[HanneysCorns]

This is my first time posting, but I do want to give some input here. My husband and I have been to all but one show over the last 18 months. At every show we have bought something.

This time we brought a friend, a first time herper. He had a tank and wanted a cornsnake. Since we had purchased Simon's corns in the past, that is straight where we headed first. I learned from my very first show, if I want it, then I get it right then and there. I'll browse later thank you, but I don't want to be disappointed when I go back to a table and the morph and sex I wanted are gone.

We have bought something at every show. A frilled dragon was on the agenda for our first show...and our collection of reptiles has grown substantially from each visit to the "Expo". This time the back seat was filled with 2 beautiful female normal corns het "Simon's specialties" and a 'girlfriend' for Sonny, our 18 month old beardie. Our guest purchased a male, Sunglow Corn...and he will be a repeat customer, he was so impressed with the show.

As far as table setup, it's not as important to me as the 'identity, price and sex' of the herp I am looking for. Be up front with all three....and then I will ask questions if you have what I am interested in.

I'm $400.00 'lighter' in pocket so there were some of us who made buys...and I sure left there excited about my purchases and already thinking about what will be available at the next show.

Oh Simon, the 'girls' are just fine. Each had a pinkie when we got home.

Ruth and Jeff

[Simon]

Originally posted by HanneysCorns
Oh Simon, the 'girls' are just fine. Each had a pinkie when we got home.

Ruth and Jeff

Only?

But I can understand why you fed it pinkies only. Trust me....they can take down fuzzies maybe even hoppers with no problem~~

But I would stick with the fuzzies first since they just got home~~

Glad to hear that the gals are doing fine for you~~

[Linds]

I got... *drumroll*... feeders! I know, not exciting, but I had no intention of buying anything new, nor do I intend on it until Mike and myself gets ourselves in to a house. Thank you Silke for the presents! Wondering where silkworms.ca is however. Missed them the past 3-4 shows and am really missing the silkworms :(

Matt,
Anytime~! ;) No need for thanks, I always have a blast :D

[SaIiLdVaEnR]

It was good seeing you again Linds!

Aidan

[Stav.T]

First ...

I would like to give those :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: To Grant! I didint go to the one in april so I didint see how the new place was. I went to this one as a visitor and I must say i'm very impressed with all that space and the configuration of the hall! Grant you rule and you truely have an awsome vision of what show's in Canada should look like. I remember the first one and from there it has improved 1000%. It is an awsome idea to invite Greg Maxwell at this show ( even if i missed his speech because of a party that ended late at night on saturday with some Toronto herper friends);)

Second...

As far as I remember all June show's that I went were a bit slower than the show's in september. In my opinion it has nothing to do with anything other than : people on vacation, summer and weather.

Third...

I will surely be at the september show as a vendor I'll keep some stuff this year just for this show.

Last...

I finally met Simon Fung! ( I spoke to him only on the phone in the past for some snakes he bought of me ) I was impressed on the phone but in person he really is a super nice & professional guy with some amazing animals!;)
Simon i'll call you for the next party in Toronto thats for sure! I think it will occur on a friday because I dont want my brain to "liquify" in front of people as I sell a snake hehehe You are welcome in Montreal to as all the other people I chated with. By the way I hope you all understood my english:D

Stav

[Sean_.E.]

It was a really slow show and a very long day but all in all I had a great time. I helped out Jordan M. and at his table for the day ( I was the guy with black hair and a plain white long-sleeved shirt on, for those of you who don't know me), met lots of cool people and saw a few cool animals. Selection at the show wasn't all that great but there were a select few animals that really caught my eye. It was fun, I definately had lots of laughs.


Does anyone ever BUY anything at the shows, or do people just go because its a cheap zoo with wicked animals to see up close?

I have to admit Jeff, yes, thats part of it :rolleyes: . That and the many other aspects of a reptile show. One of the best parts of the show is being able to meet and socialize with people that have the same interest as you, there are some really interesting, cool and informative people out there!

Many vendors/businesses (that sell animals, supplies and feeders) only sell at shows so many people go just to buy from these people.

Anyways Im sure you know how a Reptile Expo works! :D

Linds: I know what you mean, silkworms.ca seemed to have disappeared from the face of the earth. Hmmm...

Oh, by the way I picked up a little baby yellow ratsnake (Thanks "Jungle Jen" a.k.a."Suntiger" :p), couldn't resist the little guy!


Sean E.

[Cake]

I am going to say that I was dissapointed with the show. I did not intend to buy anything, but was on the lookout for a good looking ATB. There did not seem to be as much variety in this one as ones in the past. There was the basics, but nothing spectacular. I did see the Jags, Bredl's, Diamonds, and Mellers Chams, but unfortunatly these were not for sale (except Mellers). For example, at previous shows I can remember seeing atleast 2 or 3 different ATB colourations, at this show I only found one ATB in total.

This being said my brother a first time herper did go home happy with a baby veiled, so i guess its all in what your looking for.

[mice4you]

Although I do agree with dressing your table up, there is one huge difference between Canadian and American shows. The attendance. The US market is 10 times larger than the Canadian (statistically).

We have had tables at various US trade shows (FIRS, NARBC, Raleigh, etc.). Even at these shows, there are still some breeders that have very basic set ups. There are definitely more professional booths at these shows however, they are able to weed out joe hobbyist by booth cost. I have yet to pay less than $250 USD for a table at one of these shows. WIth this in mind, many "small" breeders do not take a table as they would need to sell everything they have to turn a profit. If they have a bad show, they could easily be out $5-$600 between table, travelling, accomodations, etc.

Grant on the other hand charges $75 per table. A small breeder would be more inclined to take a table at a show like this because of the cost.

There are a lot of smaller US shows that have a low table cost. I have seen many tables at these shows that are bare or poorly decorated.

I do agree that if you want to be noticed, you better do something to your table. In shows like this, it is inevitable that there will be more than one vendor with the same product. When I arrived and looked around, the first table that caught my eye was High Quality's! They had some excellent animals on display, it was clean, brightly lit and they had a very noticeable sign (as did capital dragons).

As for sales being down. When I checked my sales records, traditionally the June show has always been slower than March. I guess everyone is thinking about their vacation plans

[Jeff_Favelle]

I have to admit Jeff, yes, thats part of it . That and the many other aspects of a reptile show. One of the best parts of the show is being able to meet and socialize with people that have the same interest as you, there are some really interesting, cool and informative people out there!

Many vendors/businesses (that sell animals, supplies and feeders) only sell at shows so many people go just to buy from these people.

Totally Sean. Networking too! Its all good stuff. I always wanted to go to the Ontario Meet n' Greets at the show, just to watch Linds et al get super hammered! LOL! I'll have to make do with the pics that Shane posts! Ha ha! :D

[marisa]

Jeff if you show up at an Ontario show for once, even I'll get drunk! Ha!


Marisa

[Jeff_Favelle]

SOLD! Wo-hoo!!!! ;) :) :D

[Matt_K]

Dude, that might not be a good thing, she talk non stop when she's sober, i can only imagine what she'll be like drunk.. Oh man, im skipping that show!!! :D

[marisa]

HAHAHA Skipping that show. Yeah right! You would buy the drinks if it meant hanging out with me and my talkative self. :P :P

Marisa

[Jeff_Favelle]

Chicks that talk? Ah man, nothing worse than that.............


;) J/K :D

[Linds]

Originally posted by Jeff_Favelle
Does anyone ever BUY anything at the shows, or do people just go because its a cheap zoo with wicked animals to see up close?


At one time I used to go with a few hundred in my pocket because I had full intentions of coming home with something if I found either what I was looking for, or if something happened to catch my eye that I wasn't looking for. The only reason I don't now is because I am pretty well up to my limit for my current situation. Expos are my favourite place to purchase things. You have a variety of dealers and breeders right at your finger tips, and can examine animals up close and personal prior to purchasing them. Usually unless I am looking to buy something, I don't even look around at the shows.