Prices at expos?

MissMizzyMiz · 08-12-13, 10:06 AM

Because I'm about to be getting a snake in the next month or so I wanted to know were would have the best prices. Pet stores are obviously really expensive, and some of the online stores I've looked at have had stuff a lot cheaper, but all my friends that have snakes have gotten them at expos and say they have the best prices. I wanted to get an idea of about how much/ the availability of some snakes. I know it's different for every area and expo, but, king snakes, ball pythons, and rosy boas? How much would you guess they'd be at an expo, and how available?

Thanks!

MissMizzyMiz · 08-12-13, 10:07 AM

Or if you know anyone that sells any of those online please let me know!

Starbuck · 08-12-13, 10:37 AM

i would definitely go with an expo, as this allows you to often talk directly with the person who produced the animal, who knows the parents, etc. additionally, later in the day you may get 'second pickings' but some tables are simply trying to offload some of their stock and you may be able to haggle down a bit.

For a fancy king or corn i would expect about 50 USD, depending on size, similar for a generic rosy. not sure on ballpythons, prices are wild depending on morphs.

additionally, i would NOT buy from an expo table with dozens of animals of different species, all different ages. Look for someone with just a handlful of species, and obvious 'clutches'. alternatively, talk to the vendor and ask where he got the animals... my point is i wouldnt buy form someone who buys/finds/craiglisted a bunch of his stock from many different sources, and then is trying to sell them at an expo. this type of seller often doesnt know the history of the animal or its breeding, possible hets, eating/shedding etc.

Kimmie · 08-12-13, 11:53 AM

I would go to a expo many times there are such good breeders and so cheap I got a 500g mojave het ghost for just 100€ and he was selling alot of other morph just for meer 100

Kimmie · 08-12-13, 12:02 PM

oh yea and I got my Salmon Jungle poss super pastel 66% het anery for just 120€

so you can find really good prices and yes talk to the breeder etc

MissMizzyMiz · 08-12-13, 12:07 PM

Thanks! This is all very helpful, I'm getting exited for the next expo

Kettennatter · 08-12-13, 12:11 PM

I live in Ohio and the prices when buying directly from breeders can't be beat. It doesn't matter whether you meet them at the expo or elsewhere. (Even though "expo rejects" can be dirt cheap, such as my bullsnake with a slight kink in its tail.)

Are expos the better value? That depends. You are more likely to buy from somebody you don't know, and you are more likely to introduce your collection to the risk of an infection. On the other hand, you get a selection you would otherwise never encounter.

I'm currently done buying snakes, but I had my best success buying from breeders who were at the local expo on a regular basis. If I was in the market for a rosy boa, I'd know exactly who I would buy from.