Any reptile show advice? - Page 2

**Aaron_S** · 04-24-17, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

Actually on second thought don't even go.

Precisely. Purchase online.

Albert Clark · 04-24-17, 05:25 PM

Try to stick to a list of things you need. Move expeditiously through the expo bc the less time you spend there the less your exposure to hitchhikers and potential unhealthy encounters. Try and enjoy yourself as you move around.

ttreptile1 · 04-24-17, 07:23 PM

Get there early, talk to the old timers in line. They know a lot and can teach you a thing or two. They can also tell you which vendors to avoid. Put your money and or wallet in a front or zippered pocket. Never accept the first price on a snake. The worse they can say is no and you can adjust from there. Never use the ATM onsite, EVER.

I've been lucky/spoiled in my life with shows. I go to the same one for 20 years plus in Hamburg PA. I've made a lot of friends, contacts and even a few enemies. Always my favorite days of the year even after all this time. They know me so well I get a vendor badge and get vendor prices even though I don't sell anything. It was all from years of meeting herp folks and soaking it all in.

Biggest tip, take your time and enjoy. Worst case is you don't find what you want and get it online.

regi375 · 04-25-17, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

Also, this being your first show I'm gonna give you a run down of some expectations.

The Cleveland show in particular has mostly CB animals, there is really only one regular vendor that comes to mind that has what I would call "likely" WC animals and almost none of those are snakes so you probably won't have to worry about them.

You'll find that the hobby is much more diverse than stereotypically presented in the media. You'll find people of all ages, races, blue collar people, white collar people, men and women. This is really awesome because it shows that despite the sort of dip in reptile pet popularity, tons of people from all walks of life just love reptiles.

Some characters that are at every show:

The terrified mother being dragged around by her children, she's there to get them a leopard gecko and cringes at everything.

The guy who never showers, I don't know what makes this guy think that his snakes who have one of the best senses of smell in the animal kingdom can't tell that he's dirty.

The overly talkative/hard selling breeder, there is always at least one breeder that will try and talk your ear off about nothing or REALLY try and get you to buy an animal. Some of them can be pretty convincing but just stick to your guns about what you want or at least what kind of setup you have available at home and don't buy something out of impulse.

Guy walking around with a boa or python around his neck. This guy will be there if it was 10 degrees outside, 150 degrees, he doesn't care. His snake usually looks like crap and I don't blame it. Don't say anything to the guy because they are almost always insufferable and clearly don't care about the people around them.

The unnecessary advice person in the crowd, you've bought a new pet and you're carrying it around in its little deli dish. Someone sees it and automatically assumes that they need to tell you how to care for it despite it being obvious that you are just checking out the last few tables and trying to leave. This person will also tell someone who's been breeding their snakes for 10 years how to care for them.

The person who will just stop randomly, the building isn't that big so there isn't much room so expect to stand around a bit. This person will also have a full conversation with the breeder right in front of the majority of the animals you want to see. It's best to just move on and do two laps to make sure you see everything.

Breeder who you will ask a question to and then just walk off. I had asked a question about the price of some Western Banded Geckos that I fully intended to buy if they weren't ridiculous and the lady said let me check and just never came back after like 5-10 minutes of standing there.

Anyways I hope you have some expectations and you have a great time at the show.

My mother is actually coming with me. Unlike that mother however, she definitely isn't going to be cringing. She actually likes snakes and owns a bearded dragon I got her for her birthday. XD
Thanks for the advice though. I don't really know what I was expecting, but at least now I do. I'll definitely shoot you a message if I am considering purchasing something. It'll help to have a more experienced individual there.

saturnascends · 04-25-17, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

Also, this being your first show I'm gonna give you a run down of some expectations.

The Cleveland show in particular has mostly CB animals, there is really only one regular vendor that comes to mind that has what I would call "likely" WC animals and almost none of those are snakes so you probably won't have to worry about them.

You'll find that the hobby is much more diverse than stereotypically presented in the media. You'll find people of all ages, races, blue collar people, white collar people, men and women. This is really awesome because it shows that despite the sort of dip in reptile pet popularity, tons of people from all walks of life just love reptiles.

Some characters that are at every show:

The terrified mother being dragged around by her children, she's there to get them a leopard gecko and cringes at everything.

The guy who never showers, I don't know what makes this guy think that his snakes who have one of the best senses of smell in the animal kingdom can't tell that he's dirty.

The overly talkative/hard selling breeder, there is always at least one breeder that will try and talk your ear off about nothing or REALLY try and get you to buy an animal. Some of them can be pretty convincing but just stick to your guns about what you want or at least what kind of setup you have available at home and don't buy something out of impulse.

Guy walking around with a boa or python around his neck. This guy will be there if it was 10 degrees outside, 150 degrees, he doesn't care. His snake usually looks like crap and I don't blame it. Don't say anything to the guy because they are almost always insufferable and clearly don't care about the people around them.

The unnecessary advice person in the crowd, you've bought a new pet and you're carrying it around in its little deli dish. Someone sees it and automatically assumes that they need to tell you how to care for it despite it being obvious that you are just checking out the last few tables and trying to leave. This person will also tell someone who's been breeding their snakes for 10 years how to care for them.

The person who will just stop randomly, the building isn't that big so there isn't much room so expect to stand around a bit. This person will also have a full conversation with the breeder right in front of the majority of the animals you want to see. It's best to just move on and do two laps to make sure you see everything.

Breeder who you will ask a question to and then just walk off. I had asked a question about the price of some Western Banded Geckos that I fully intended to buy if they weren't ridiculous and the lady said let me check and just never came back after like 5-10 minutes of standing there.

Anyways I hope you have some expectations and you have a great time at the show.

This is hilarious to me because even after only attending one expo so far, I can totally see these people. And I'm the mother who is dragging around her kid. My son was done pretty early in, and I was like "WE ARE STILL LOOKING!"

GyGbeetle · 04-25-17, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjhill001

Also, this being your first show I'm gonna give you a run down of some expectations.

The Cleveland show in particular has mostly CB animals, there is really only one regular vendor that comes to mind that has what I would call "likely" WC animals and almost none of those are snakes so you probably won't have to worry about them.

You'll find that the hobby is much more diverse than stereotypically presented in the media. You'll find people of all ages, races, blue collar people, white collar people, men and women. This is really awesome because it shows that despite the sort of dip in reptile pet popularity, tons of people from all walks of life just love reptiles.

Some characters that are at every show:

The terrified mother being dragged around by her children, she's there to get them a leopard gecko and cringes at everything.

The guy who never showers, I don't know what makes this guy think that his snakes who have one of the best senses of smell in the animal kingdom can't tell that he's dirty.

The overly talkative/hard selling breeder, there is always at least one breeder that will try and talk your ear off about nothing or REALLY try and get you to buy an animal. Some of them can be pretty convincing but just stick to your guns about what you want or at least what kind of setup you have available at home and don't buy something out of impulse.

Guy walking around with a boa or python around his neck. This guy will be there if it was 10 degrees outside, 150 degrees, he doesn't care. His snake usually looks like crap and I don't blame it. Don't say anything to the guy because they are almost always insufferable and clearly don't care about the people around them.

The unnecessary advice person in the crowd, you've bought a new pet and you're carrying it around in its little deli dish. Someone sees it and automatically assumes that they need to tell you how to care for it despite it being obvious that you are just checking out the last few tables and trying to leave. This person will also tell someone who's been breeding their snakes for 10 years how to care for them.

The person who will just stop randomly, the building isn't that big so there isn't much room so expect to stand around a bit. This person will also have a full conversation with the breeder right in front of the majority of the animals you want to see. It's best to just move on and do two laps to make sure you see everything.

Breeder who you will ask a question to and then just walk off. I had asked a question about the price of some Western Banded Geckos that I fully intended to buy if they weren't ridiculous and the lady said let me check and just never came back after like 5-10 minutes of standing there.

Anyways I hope you have some expectations and you have a great time at the show.

OMG! All of this! It's so true too!

GyGbeetle · 04-25-17, 10:33 AM

Me at the next trade show

regi375 · 04-30-17, 11:42 AM

Just an update, the show was pretty cool. They had both the water snake and Kenyan sand boa breeding pair I was looking for. I opted for the Florida Water Snake. I'll make a post introducing her later.
I find it hilarious though that I was able to pick out all those different people in the crowd. Unfortunately I got stuck behind the people standing there with the smelly guy, not fun. Still, can't wait till the next one I plan to go to!