Doing Reptile Shows

How hard is it to get set up for doing shows like repticon for ball pythons. What do you need to get to start. Thanks

Moved to General Business Discussions.

Not hard - the hardest parts are A) having enough to fill a table, B) having a person or two to help (otherwise, you're stuck at the table all day - no bathroom breaks, checking prices, etc).
You'll have to figure out how you want to display your animals...it pays to consider theft prevention. Other concerns, such as lighting and temperature control can be venue dependent.
Bring a few hundred in change, unless you're going to price everything in so you can just use 20s.
Don't get your hopes up too high. Remember, as the new guy, you're less likely to have anything about your table that will stand out to customers - you'll have to do a lot of schmoozing, and accept that people will chat you up then buy from the guy 3 tables down.

If you're just starting to think about doing shows; go to a few different ones and pay attention to what you like/dislike about each vendor's set up.

TAX CERTIFICATE (other requirements can vary by state and locality)

Originally Posted by hunte567

How hard is it to get set up for doing shows like repticon for ball pythons. What do you need to get to start. Thanks

Just a few general vendor tips and keep in mind these are my opinions only (though many people would agree)

1) no sitting- sitting tells some people you are unapproachable and unfriendly. If you have health issues that prevent you from standing at least sit up straight and sit close to the table. Don't slouch in your chair at the back of the booth.

2) no eating- If you have someone to watch your booth take advantage of dining areas or out of the way areas to eat. If you are alone bring small snacks that can be popped into your mouth quickly (sandwiches cut into pieces, fruit slices etc.) One thing that really turns me off at a show is having to wait for a guy to get up out of his chair, wipe the grease off his chin from his mongo nacho platter and wipe his cheese covered finger on his shirt before answering my questions.

3) price your animals- many people disagree with this but I know I am not alone when I say if an animal doesn't have a price I assume it is either too expensive or it is a display animal and I don't ask. This is particularly true if you have more common animals that several other vendors have. If yours aren't priced someone elses will be. If you have a one of a kind or super rare animals it may be a bit different but I still don't ask.

I have to run now but I may have more later.

Thanks for the replies.

I haven't been a vendor at reptile expos, but have done plenty of gun shows. With that in mind:

- Have decent business cards.

- Bring a friend to help. At some point you will need to take a potty break.

- Bring a cooler with drinks and munchies for yourself and your friend. Don't plan on having enough time for a lunch break.

- Have a cash box so you can make change quickly, without digging for crumpled-up bills in your pockets.

- Get a CC swipe reader like EMS+ or Square (EMS+ has better rates).

- Have bottles of hand sanitizer on the table.

- Unfortunately while I've never brought an animal home from an expo, I've brought mites home on my person. A few days before the expo you may want to pre-treat any paper towels, deli cups, enclosures, etc. you'll be using with PAM, just in case.

- Bring a tablecloth. It will make your setup look much neater if your boxes, cooler, etc. under the table are kept out of sight.

- Display animals should be marked NFS. Anything for sale should have a price tag on it, and be labelled for age, sex, morph, etc.

- Have each animal's food/shed/etc. records available.

- Know your local/state laws on what can be sold. DNR guys do show up at our expos and make vendors pull animals that can't legally be sold in the state.

- If you're selling a species that's a bit harder to maintain, don't be afraid to ask the potential buyer about his experience level... unless you're all about the money and don't care if the animal ends up with someone who can't (or won't) keep it correctly.

- Don't sell to minors, sell to the parent.

- If business (or other) licenses are required, then post them.

- SECURITY IS PARAMOUNT:
You need a way to lock your stuff down so it doesn't disappear.
Only one animal at a time should be in a potential customer's hands.
High(er) priced animals should be toward the back of the table, to make them harder to steal.
If there is a fight somewhere else in the venue, do not watch it. Watch your table to make sure nothing disappears while you are distracted.

- Smile. If you are scowling people will walk on by.

Originally Posted by bcr229

I haven't been a vendor at reptile expos, but have done plenty of gun shows. With that in mind:

- Have decent business cards.

- Bring a friend to help. At some point you will need to take a potty break.

- Bring a cooler with drinks and munchies for yourself and your friend. Don't plan on having enough time for a lunch break.

- Have a cash box so you can make change quickly, without digging for crumpled-up bills in your pockets.

- Get a CC swipe reader like EMS+ or Square (EMS+ has better rates).

- Have bottles of hand sanitizer on the table.

- Unfortunately while I've never brought an animal home from an expo, I've brought mites home on my person. A few days before the expo you may want to pre-treat any paper towels, deli cups, enclosures, etc. you'll be using with PAM, just in case.

- Bring a tablecloth. It will make your setup look much neater if your boxes, cooler, etc. under the table are kept out of sight.

- Display animals should be marked NFS. Anything for sale should have a price tag on it, and be labelled for age, sex, morph, etc.

- Have each animal's food/shed/etc. records available.

- Know your local/state laws on what can be sold. DNR guys do show up at our expos and make vendors pull animals that can't legally be sold in the state.

- If you're selling a species that's a bit harder to maintain, don't be afraid to ask the potential buyer about his experience level... unless you're all about the money and don't care if the animal ends up with someone who can't (or won't) keep it correctly.

- Don't sell to minors, sell to the parent.

- If business (or other) licenses are required, then post them.

- SECURITY IS PARAMOUNT:
You need a way to lock your stuff down so it doesn't disappear.
Only one animal at a time should be in a potential customer's hands.
High(er) priced animals should be toward the back of the table, to make them harder to steal.
If there is a fight somewhere else in the venue, do not watch it. Watch your table to make sure nothing disappears while you are distracted.

- Smile. If you are scowling people will walk on by.

What a shame about the security part. I hate thieves.

Give out muffins...people love muffins.