THEFT AT TAMPA SHOW!!!!

Too bad about that theft. Thefts like this happen all the time at shows I have attended! (Whoops does that make me sound like I am a culprit - I hope not.) This past weekend my local herp society held its 13th annual show. Not a great big one, we only had about 42 vendor tables, but good sized for a small society. Well even before the doors opened a thief was at work. I had all my animals on the table, including some baby desert kingsnakes in deli cups. A small group of other vendors came by and oohed and aahed at them with one guy lagging behind a bit. I was busy still setting up, and really did not get a good look at who was there. I don't remember seeing anyone else come by in the next few minutes, and when I had a chance to look over my setup a few minutes later, the snake was gone. Well I was certain I had 9 of them that morning, and I had left one special one at home. I was also very certain I had brought along 8 of them and I counted 8 as I placed them onto the table at the show. I was almost 100% certain it was stolen, but I still figured I had better check at home after the show to see if my muddled middle aged memory had somehow forgotten it. Nope, it was not left behind at home! I was pretty miffed that another dealer would steal a snake, a cheap one at that. That is really about as low as you can go.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING !!!!  It sounds like you know who it was then and they may even be in your herp society as well.  I would bring this up atyour next meeting and if you really have a good idea who stole the snake from you then I would not hesitate to confront that person.  That is lower than low ......  This person was a vendor and knows just what you put into your business and could afford to buy the animal but instead decided to rip you off ?   I have only been in business for two years and have done very few shows but when I hear about things like this it makes think twice about where I have decided to direct my life to.  This person is SCUM !!!


Gary Walsch
Sunshine State Reptiles

It is really unfourtunate that some people have to steal from people who are just enjoying their hobby while trying to make a little extra cash to pay for the food .It really sucks but then again so do most people. the only thing i can think of is to use those locking deli cup display cases .

Anyway, just some more rambling on my part
Chris

Glenn , would you happen to know  when the LIHS meeting are ?
Thanks,
Chris

Chris,

As for who stole my snake, I have no idea, I really did not get a look at who was at the table as I was still setting up and did not pay attention because the doors were still closed. A moment or so after I had realized it, they opened the front doors to the public and the crowds came in. Believe me if I knew who it was I would have raised holy hell right to his/her face at the show, and would have sought to have the jerk arrested by the campus police.

The October meeting of the LIHS is October 13, Sunday at the Copiague Library. For more info call (631) 884-LIHS or go to LIHERPSO.com

Best regards

I'm sorry to hear about all the theft.  That really ticks me off.  And the thing is, there is not much that can be done.  
At the Wasatch show this year, we had our most expensive bearded dragon stolen, and that was a show that you had to issue receipts, a decent amount of security and everyone was checked in and out of the show.  And it was Salt Lake City for crying out loud!  Anyone with a purse or big pockets and a will can still do it under those conditions.
It's really a drag for vendors.  Makes you think twice about doing shows and makes you suspicious of your customers.  There is just no way to watch all the people at your tables at once and engage in conversation, make sales, etc etc.  Even with a couple people working.

grrrrr
Dana

* in my above post i ment to type Meetings  this would b esier if i could type


Thanks,

Randie, I know how you feel. I was ripped off for 2 spurs (babies) and 1.1 viper boas. Not a big loss comparred to what you had stolen, there was a witness who saw a women in her early 20,s blonde hair take the spurs. Again I am sorry to hear of all the stolen animals.

I hate to say it, but I'm hearing more and more of this type of thing lately. &nbsp;I am truly sorry to hear about each of your losses. It really begins to make a person suspicious of everyone coming to their table. &nbsp;I've noticed more and more vendors using the locking display cases for the deli cups or locking cages for larger animals. &nbsp;It's really a shame, unfortunately, it's also necessary. <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> &nbsp;Best of luck recovering the stolen animals.

Dianne