advice for herp show attendees?

[sschind]

a note related to what Glenn has been saying. If you are just looking (brought the kids to the herp show rather than the zoo) have the courtesy to allow vendors to conduct their business before asking to handle animals. If it is a regular show, try to find out when it is not so busy. Don't go at the busiest time. As a vendor, don't be afraid to say "not now I am too busy, try back later"

As a store owner I get my share of lookers who want to hold everything but that I know are not going to buy. If I am busy, or there are other people in the store I say no. If not, and they look responsible, why not. By holding animals they may really get the itch to buy one.

If they really get to be a bother I just take out one of my childrens pythons. Seeing me get bit several times seems to cure them of the "can I hold that one, can I hold that one, can I hold that one mentality.

And Dianne, Sadly, common sense and courtesy are two things that this world is sorely lacking. 9 times out of 10 its "I got mine, to hell with you"

Steve Schindler

 

[Neil Gubitz]

Glenn.... I'm glad you finally see the light!!.... I would never let ANYBODY handle a snake of mine, unless they were SERIOUSLY interested in buying it.... and, even then, I tell them that, no matter how calm the snake is, it's just a snake!.... It's got the potential to bite you at any time, so be careful and don't hold me responsible!.... I really DO say that.... If you're looking to just handle a snake, please, go to the petting zoo.... I don't mind people just "window shopping", and "asking questions".... but, if they ask to handle it, I just politely tell them that the snakes get too stressed out being handled a lot during a show.... that seems to work quite well....
Look, don't touch!
Oh yeah.... DEALERS.... DO NOT SELL ANYTHING TO SOMEONE UNDER 18 YEARS OLD WITHOUT THEIR PARENT'S PERMISSION!!.... There is the STRONG possibility, that it might come back to haunt you!.... Read the LAW!!

....Neil

 

[Glenn Bartley]

Neil,

Oh I don't know if I really saw the light or not, but it is a thought worth considering. I would hate to get bitten because one of my snakes bit someone.

Best regards,
Glenn

 

[Dianne Johnson]

By Steve S.: Sadly, common sense and courtesy are two things that this world is sorely lacking. 9 times out of 10 its "I got mine, to hell with you"

Unfortunately Steve, I think you're right. Perhaps as a society we've lost some of the friendliness that was once taken for granted from friends and strangers alike. Maybe I'm just too darn country and it's finally found it's way here, too, without me realizing the change until it was too late.

By Glenn: And of course a bite could mean an insurance liability

You might have hit something there. Now that I think of it, some of my reticence may come from just such a line of thought. I'm an insurance agent in the real world and liability is my every day job. *shrug* At the show we did last August, we pretty much let people hold the snakes if they wanted to - within reason anyway. This past Saturday we didn't allow it as much, though we did let a couple of kids hold one of the snakes we brought - with parental permission, of course. Some of our change of attitude also probably stems from who is asking - we had a lot of unsupervised kids this year versus last year. Your idea that sales can be boosted by others seeing the snakes handled is a good one. I may have to rethink my opinion on handling when/if my litter is born.

Dianne

 

[Glenn Bartley]

When I am manning the table of my local herp society at a show I don't worry about liability because the society has insurance to cover us. But as for my own table at a show where I represent myself, I may have to think it over.

 

[Rob Hill/Geckos Anonymous]

Lots of really good points have been made here already.

Here's my take on a few issues...

1) Holding an animal just to hold it. Too bad, so sad. If you just want to pet a snake, see someone else. I know that sounds rude, but I am concerned for the safety of my animals and if I don't feel I can trust you with handling one of my snakes or geckos, you don't get to. Also, I can understand you may be considering the animal and want to inspect it. That is fine, but be prepared to use copious amounts of hand sanitizer first and afterwards. Also, as has been mentioned, there is the serious liability issue of a bite. I am not about to go through a lawsuit because little Timmy wanted to hold my Ball Python and got nipped. I haven't done this in the past, but I have been debating taking waivers to shows with me for people to sign before handling animals, regardless if they are serious buyers or not. And yes, I would probably have an attorney look it over and draw it up.

2) Noone mentioned it in this thread, but it was brought up in a similar thread a few months back. Both vendors AND buyers, KEEP YOUR ANIMAL CONTAINED!!! I have turned people away from my table at EVERY show I've been a vendor at because of the new retic or savanna they have around their shoulders. And I am RUDE about it. Why should my safety or the safety of my customers be compromised because Bubba wants to show off his new retic? Most of these people are carrying the bags the snakes came in. If you have the bags or containers, the animals GO IN THEM! Vendors, on the same lines, take enough containers for the number of animals you are selling, and bring EXTRA! Vendors, keep your animals contained as well. I almost got bit in the face by a chondro at a large expo one year when I was leaning over to look at some animals and didn't realize the snake was loose on a light at FACE LEVEL until it took a shot at me(and I won't even go into the monkey bite story). Had it bit me, I wouldn't have sued, but that vendor would NOT have been happy with the mollywhopping he'd have gotten. That is highly irresponsible and could cost you in the end. I can totally agree with handling the animal or setting it out for a minute for a potential customer to view, but don't leave out your animals for a petting zoo. Not only could someone get bit, but there is a good chance your animal could turn up missing when you turn your back.

3) When it comes to children, either learn how to control them, or FIND A BABYSITTER! One thing I cannot tolerate in ANY environment is children being allowed to run helter skelter like maniacs. If you can't control them in public, then leave them home with a babysitter. If you can't find a babysitter for your little hellions, then don't come to the show. I have no problem telling a parent they need to control their kids and I have no problem telling a child they need to find mom or dad.

4) I'm surprised noone has mentioned this, but this ALWAYS irks me as a vendor. "Hey, do you know if anyone at this show has so and so?" As a vendor, I try to make a quick look around before the show just to see if anyone has stuff I want, but I don't study their tables. I also don't feel I should have to tell a buyer who has what. I don't know or CARE what other vendors have on their tables, just as they probably don't care what I have on mine. If you are looking for a specific animal, I suggest you LOOK. I don't mind people asking, "Hey, do you have these?" But then when they turn around and ask me who DOES or if I DO have the animal they want and ask who ELSE does, it is annoying, and in my opinion insulting. You are in a herp show, full of herps. If you can't take the time to look for the animals you want on your own, why should I do it for you?

5)Promoters need to advertise!!! Not necessarily in those crappy multi-color flyers we toss in the trash, but get signage up in the immediate area(not billboards, but some signs pointing people to the show), get on the radio, or even try setting up a local news crew to come out and do a story on the show. Get in the herp magazines and herp society newsletters of the area. Put something in the local newspapers. I know some show promoters already do this, but many don't. If promoters want us vendors to pay money for tables, they need to make it worthwhile.

6) Another promoter note. NO OUTISDE ANIMALS!!! And ENFORCE this policy! Many shows have a no outside animal policy, but don't enforce it. I don't want my animals exposed to anything that Jimmy-JohnJohn brought in on his animals. I've also seen shows where people just walk in with animals to sell with only paying the entrance fee. Why should we buy table space if some schmuck can just walk in and sell his stuff?

7) As vendors, be honest! If I have an animal I've only had a short time, I tell people that(though I usually try not to sell animals I haven't had very long). Why tell them it's CB from a lineage going back 20 years when I just got it as an import from my wholesaler yesterday? Also, if you don't know anything about a particular species you're selling, umm, maybe you shouldn't sell it! I have seen numerous vendors selling certain animals without being able to offer ANY kind of care information. Very bad form.

8) Another thing I will no longer do is hold animals. I don't care WHO you are or who you need to ask. If you can't buy it then, too bad, so sad. Out of the probably 15 or so shows I've been a vendor at, I've only had ONE person ever come back to purchase an animal after asking me to hold it out of probably a couple hundred. That is just rude.

9) Although at shows I am more lenient on price negotiations, the first words out of your mouth had best not be, "So what can you do for me on that snake?" I will tell you EXACTLY what I can do for you, "I can hand you that snake after you hand me the amount of money written on it." And buying one or two snakes is in NO WAY quantity and is not deserving of a quantity discount. Buy 4 or more and we'll talk, but if I have something for $200/pair, chances are, it will stay $200/pair.

10) Vendors, if you need to leave your table, have someone else there to cover. That is just common sense. And if you have someone else there, be reachable in case they need help or don't know the answer to a question. Carry cell phones or like I've seen some do, small walkie-talkies so your staff can be in touch.

11) Vendors, PUT PRICES ON YOUR ANIMALS!!! Nothing is more annoying as a buyer as having to ask a vendor how much something is and then waiting while they go through their price lists and sheets to find it. That will quickly turn me away from a sale.

12) As someone else said, buyers, READ THE LABELS!!! If you ask me what this animal is, I will point to the label or flat out tell you to READ.

13) Vendors, please, for crap sake do NOT drop stacks of your price lists or business cards on other tables without at least asking. If you do it without asking, you will find a stack of your flyers in the trash. I don't want my tables cluttered up with loose paper that I didn't put there

Okay, long winded, but there you go

 

[Dianne Johnson]

KEEP YOUR ANIMAL CONTAINED!!!

I have to agree with this. Now I will admit at the show my friend and I did last Saturday, we kept her display animal out a good portion of the time - those we brought to sell were gone pretty quickly. However, it was not held within reach of the table (which we were behind). It was done to keep the animal warm. The building we were in was supposed to be heated, so I didn't think to bring heat lamps. My error, the only heat ended up being domed propane towers. The heating units that were part of the building were on the fritz. Lesson learned, bring heat lamps even if you don't think you'll need them. The only other animal that we had out was a carpet python cross I bought for myself. I handled him a bit when I first got him, then bagged him and kept him on my person for warmth.

I've not had the joy of someone asking who else had a certain type of animal or where they could find one. Then again, I've only done two small shows so far. I agree that would be irksome.

I can be flexible on pricing to a certain degree, just don't insult me with a rediculously low offer. We were selling my friend's juvenile boas for $60 each (a very good price IMO) and had brought her partial reverse stripe with us for display only (the sibling to the rest). While we have not proven genetics yet due to age, the animal is obviously worth more than the rest and was not for sale (hence the label 'Display Only'). I cannot count how many people wanted *that* one for $60....or less. We even got that from other vendors!

All in all, I'm still in a learning curve. I've done the craft show thing for a while now - which is where I get some of my mentality about no holds and other subjects. But I'm willing to learn and reconsider if it means my animals go to a good home. On the same hand, however, I have no intention of bringing home any parasites or diseases because I didn't take precautions. This thread has been a great help to myself, and I'm sure others like me, who are still forming our policies and opinions. To be able to hear first-hand from someone who's already out there and doing this and their experiences can only benefit those of us just beginning.

Dianne

 

[Cheryl Marchek AKA JM]

Some of the post above reminded me of this. Not all Vendors do this, and I absolutely understand why, but I tell ya as a buyer it worked on me. I was purchasing three animals worth a bit more than I anticipated purchasing. I negotiated the deal with the vendor and then sent my husband to the ATM machine while I stood there and watched MY soon to be snakes. (He was willing to hold them as long as I stood there and I appreciate that) While I was waiting the vendor gave me a lot of advise (Didn't treat me like an imbecile as MOST male vendors treat female shoppers at herp shows). Then, when my husband returned with my money, the vendor knocked $25 off my purchase price to make it an even $200. I never asked for a discount, never suggested I would pay anything but full asking price, and he did not do the whole "Don't you feel in-debt to me now" attitude you often get. He just took the $225, counted it, filled out the reciept and gave me back $25 with the reciept and asked me to consider him for purchases next year.

I'll be looking for his booth, and he'll make another sale from me!

 

[Glenn Bartley]

Rob,

I agree with a lot of your points, and disagree on some others; but I am really surprised by one point you made. It surprises me that you mention that someone seeking a referral, to another dealer who may be selling an animal you don’t have, bothers you. I mean, I can understand if some jerk comes over, and asks you about 3 or 4 different types of herps, all of which you do not have on display. That type is just trying to be a pain in the posterior. But if someone sincerely comes asking if you have something not on display, or asks if you know where he/she can get something he/she does not see, why let it be a bother? First of all they are not being rude, in my opinion; they probably asked you because they were impressed with your display and feel like you would be a guy in the know. Secondly, and more importantly, this is opportunity knocking!

Maybe they have looked, but are now asking because they want one and cannot find it. Maybe they have not looked because they are lazy. Maybe they are just trying to chat a bit because they are attracted to you! (LOL – hopefully they are pretty and of your sexual preference, but I know that is not usually how it works at a herp show. I know for instance that if a really hot babe ever chats me up at a show, it will be the only one my wife has ever attended and she will be standing there nest to me and none to amused.) The thing is, I believe, that someone asking you such a question (the one about who has such and such for sale) is a grand opportunity. I would not expect you, or myself, or anyone, to know what everyone else at the show is selling. But if you do know someone who is selling that particular type of herp, why not tell the inquiring person, and ask them to be so courteous as to tell the other vendor that you recommended them to him/her. Just so the potential buyer does not forget, give the person your card, to pass onto the other vendor with a brief note saying something like: “Saw your Sunbeam Snakes, and referred this person to you when they inquired.” If you want, you could also add: “Maybe you can return the courtesy someday. Thanks”. The front of your card would probably indicate to the other vendor what it is that you sell. Now if someone asks him, ‘hey do you know anyone selling Green Tree Pythons’ you may well get a referral from that other vendor (if that of course is what you sell). References are a great thing; and they do not just have to come from people who have purchased from you. This may or may not result in a future referral to you by the other vendor, but isn’t the possibility of a future referral worth a business card and the time it took for you to make a referral yourself?

I have often asked around at a show, simply because I realize that I often miss things. I looked for a pair of Rubber Boas in at least three shows. I could find yearlings but not babies. I was about to give up but I finally found a pair. This was only after someone else, another vendor, told me that a guy over there at such and such a table has them for sale (and yes I was a pain in the ass asking around for these snakes). Heck, I looked at that guy’s table twice and had not seen them, but the vendor I had asked certainly had seen em. The seller had them mixed in with a bunch of brownish Rosy Boas. Guess what though, I bought them at the asking price. I also told the vendor who it was that had recommended him. Later in the day, I sent at least three people over to the table of the other vendor, the guy who had told me where he had seen the Rubber Boas. One or two of them bought from him, and he was really happy. I also sent a person over to the table of the guy who I bought the Rubber Boas from, when that person asked me where I got mine.

Now I cannot say if the guy who sold me the RBs actually referred anyone to the table of the other vendor who told me where to find them. However, I do know that because the other vendor was nice enough to me to point me in the right direction, I sent people over to him to check out his herps. As a result, at least in part, he made at least one and maybe two sales. This is why it pays to know at least who else near you is selling whatever. The guy that made the referral when I asked, heck it could have been almost anyone. Anyone that is who listened to opportunity knocking.


Best regards,
Glenn

 

[sschind]

vendor to vendor sales

If you are a vendor at a show, and you want to buy from another vendor, don't expect to be treated any differently from the general public. I know at one show I attend many of the vendors will cut others a break but you should not expect it. ESPECIALLY when you are going to turn around, mark it up and throw it on your table. I've seen vendors offer a lower price "if I take em all" then turn around and sell them for more than the first vendor was asking in the first place. It never hurts to ask, but don't be offended if you are denied.

Rob, you hit on my personal favorite, and I can't believe I did not mention it in my original post. Put a price on your animals. I could never understand why people don't. If you are taking offers then at least put that down. If I see an unmarked animal, I assume that either, it is not for sale, or the seller wants to size up a potential customer before quoting a price. Also, if you are accepting offers, don't be offended when someone lowballs you. YOU ASKED for offers. My offer of $1000.00 for the albino Ball python was just that, an offer. If its too low, just say no thanks and leave it at that. And don't say a serious offer, because I was serious. I will give you $1000.00 for your albino ball python. A non serious offer would be $10,000.00 for the albino ball python. No way could anyone be serious about that offer.

Steve Schindler

 

[meretseger]

Labeling the deli cups is a good thing. Baby snakes in little deli cups look a lot different than adult snakes in books, and the lighting is usually awful. So if I'm interested in something I hate having to sound like an idiot and saying 'what's that? is it a female? is it captive bred? how old is it? how much is it?' when a label saying ' M happy butterfly snake cb '02 $35' would save us all a lot of time. Especially at the all Ohio show, where 'chatting with the vendors' is equated with 'being crushed by a stampeding mob'.

Erin B.

 

[Rob Hill/Geckos Anonymous]

Glen,

The reason it bothers me is that you wouldn't go to Burger King to ask them where you can get a Big Mac, would you?

Also, like I said, when I set up for a show, usually the last thing I'm worrying about is what Jimmy JohnJohn ten tables down and around the corner has on his table. I am having to get animals set up, tables put together, displays ready, as well as appropriately labeling and pricing. I will usually take a few minutes if I have it to make a quick pass to see if there's anything I want, but I am not going to make a list and "pre-shop" for customers who are either too lazy to look and ask the other vendors for themselves or that HAVE asked everyone already and can't take the hint that, "hey, I asked everyone here and looked at every table and didn't find it, that must mean it's not here."

Now, I am not going to turn people away or yell at them for that. However, I will honestly tell them, "I don't know." Or if it's something fairly common(Colombian Boas for instance), I will simply say, "I don't have any here, but that is a fairly common snake, and if you look around the show I'm sure you can find somebody with them."

It is nothing major, but it does bother me that people think that just because I'm a vendor, I will automatically know who has what on every table so I can tell them where to find it.

 

[Dianne Johnson]

Steve S: If you are a vendor at a show, and you want to buy from another vendor, don't expect to be treated any differently from the general public. I know at one show I attend many of the vendors will cut others a break but you should not expect it. ESPECIALLY when you are going to turn around, mark it up and throw it on your table. I've seen vendors offer a lower price "if I take em all" then turn around and sell them for more than the first vendor was asking in the first place. It never hurts to ask, but don't be offended if you are denied.

This is one I saw a lot of last Saturday. My friend brought 7 boas to sell plus the one display only animal. The show opened to the public at 9am, but most of the vendors at this show try to cruise the other tables before the show as well as during it. Some to trade or purchase animals for themselves and some for their tables. We had 2-3 other vendors come up to our table before the show opened and offer wholesale cost for the boas left at the end of the show (they did not elaborate on what they considered wholesale). In and of itself, that was no problem, and she politely declined. However, all seemed surprised that she didn't immediately jump at the opporunity to sell them for less right then and there.

On the other side of the same token, both of us bought animals from other vendors. We didn't expect special treatment because we were also vendors, though we both got good deals. Since we both bought our animals towards the end of the show, I don't know if the better prices were because they knew we were vendors or because they just didn't want to take the animals back with them. Even if we had paid the marked price, that would have been fine, too. We weren't expecting anything different and shouldn't have expected anything different. A lower price was a pleasant surprise, not something due us.

Dianne

 

[Glenn Bartley]

Rob,

I think people ask because they are not finding what they want, and they look at you behind the table as someone who may know. They probably just figure that as a dealer at a show, you probably know what others have. I don't think a buyer see it so much like the McDonalds/Burger King thing, but do think that it is maybe a bit more like the buyers thinking a vendor is more akin to someone behind the counter at Macy's department store. They have looked around the store, not found the counter they need to find, so they ask the person behind any counter or the person who looks like he/she may be in the know.

I do, however, understand you point about all the time it takes setting up, and how you cannot be expected to know everything that everyone has for sale.

Best regards,
Glenn

 

[sschind]

Dianne,

A lot of vendors look upon people such as yourself as hobbiests who would be willing to sell the whole lot for less than to take the time for individual sales. As you said, there is no problem with making the offer to purchase anything you have left at the end of the show. In fact its better to make the offer right away rather than wait and possibly be scooped by someone else. On the other hand, you just paid whatever for a table, why would they expect you to sell your only stock, all at once, for a lower price, before the show has even started. I'm sure you couldn't go to the promoter and say "look, this guy just bought all my snakes so I really won't be needing the table can I have my money back so I can go home and watch the US open on my big screen"

Rob,

I know what you mean. It irks me when people come into my store and ask if I know of any other place selling corn snakes (Apparently the 30 or so have on display are not enough) I just tell them "not any that I am aware of" Now, on occasion, when I am traveling, I will go into different pet shops, but I always make it a point to tell the people who I am, and what I am doing. And it never hurts to compliment them on something (sometimes its difficult to find something though) Something like "Hi, I'm Steve, I'm just passing through the area and saw you store so I though I'd drop in. I own a small shop in SE wisconsin so I like to check out other stores to see if I can get any ideas to make mine better (insert compliment here and small talk if they are not busy) I have a little more time before I have to be on my way, are there any other shops around that you are aware of, as long as I am in the area I might as well see everything right?"

Using this approach I have only had one person say anything negative "why would I point you to my competition" and my response was, "well, As I said, I am just passing through, I own a shop, and I like checking out other stores. I am not going to be buying anything from anyone, so you are not promoting your competition, all you did was succeed in making sure that I will never come back to or recomend your store to anyone"

A similar tact might work with a vendor " compliment him on his stock. indicate that he does not have what you are looking for and inquire if it is something he may have in the future. If not, ask if he knows where you might find one" But please do this when he is not crowded with customers, and only after you have checked out the other vendors. Many vendors do know what others work with even though they may not have any on their tables at this time. "yeah, Jimmy John John works with with red headed pink tailed climbing water snakes, I don't know if he has any right now but you can ask"

As Glenn said, they may be asking you because you look like you might know, and may be willing to help. In a way you may consider it a compliment. That is if they are not looking for other people selling the same thing as you are.

Steve Schindler

 

[Pennebaker]

Lots of good topics here.
One thing that was recently brought up--if you are a vendor and offer to buy a bunch of animals from another vendor at wholesale--you are probably best served to do it after the show is over. I do not see any problem with that. Before the show is a little strange. I also have no problem giving other vendors deals on animals better than the public, especially if they have something I want too
But, another thing--when you do go to a table after a show and offer to buy a group at wholesale prices--be reasonable and dont bottom out way below wholesale pricing. I once had a big vendor come to me after a show and offer to buy 5 of my bearded dragons (nice colored ones) at $5 each. That can get offensive.

Just for comparison--strollers...we have it easy...I used to do high end craft shows for expensive handblown glass. These pieces were placed on temporary pedastols--imagine how it felt when someone strolled around in our booth (these were walk-in booths) with a stroller!!!! After near heart attacks, we finally began to ask people with strollers if they could park them outside the booth area (nicely of course). LOL.

You guys are making me itch for a reptile show!

dana

 

[Rob Hill/Geckos Anonymous]

I hope noone has taken my comments about asking vendors what other vendors have the wrong way. Don't get me wrong, there are certain vendors I know well, and that I consider friends. However, I don't keep an inventory on THEIR stuff, as they don't keep one on mine. And I am not rude to anyone and I will not run people off who ask me that, but it just bugs me to get asked. To me, it IS the same as asking for Burger King where to get a Big Mac. Herp and craft shows are NOT like department stores. Pretty much everyone I've seen at shows KNOW that every vendor is different and sells different stuff. It's just a slight annoyance to me, that's all.

And when it comes to vendors, I find it very rude for other vendors to expect such preferential treatment over other customers. I will cut other vendors deals sometimes, but if one comes over offering 1/3 of wholesale for everything on my table, I'll tell them where they can stick that offer. To me, another vendor is the same as anyone else. I am somewhat flexible on my prices, but I won't bend over and lube up for a potential sale.

Also, it is EXTREMELY rude and, in my opinion, STUPID for vendors to go running around before the show even starts making horribly lowball offers so they can get stuff cheap to put on their tables for the same, if not higher prices than what I had them for. I had a vendor at one of the Carolina shows come over to my table at 8 AM and offer me $100 for all of the leopard geckos on the table(I think there were about 20 out, most in the $30-75 range). That is downright OFFENSIVE. I know wholesale on normal Leopards is $5-10/ea, but these were subadults ranging from nice high-yellows to hypo-tangerines. I also had one vendor at one of the Atlanta shows offer to trade me one fresh import Emerald Tree Boa for my ENTIRE TABLE full of animals. And this was about 20 minutes before the doors opened on SATURDAY! I think if one vendor wants to get rid of their stuff and they are taking offers it's one thing, but walking over and offering someone well below wholesale is just plain offensive.

 

[Stardust]

I agree with Glenn. There are times when I go into a store and they do not have what I am looking for and some salesperson points out a store that may have it. That automatically puts me in a good mood, that person and their store has made a great first impression! I would go back to that store if in need of something they have and would tell others of the good experience I just had.
It is nice to know that some have the foresight to see that answering a question, even if it means, possibly sending them to a "competitor" leaves a good impression in the buyers mind.

 

[sschind]

I made this comment in an earlier post

"As you said, there is no problem with making the offer to purchase anything you have left at the end of the show. In fact its better to make the offer right away rather than wait and possibly be scooped by someone else. "

I read it again, after a few comments, and I realize my two comments may seem contradictory.

What I meant was. At the beginning of a show, I don't see a problem with, and think it may be a good idea if you are really interested, to approach another vendor and say "If you have anything left after the show I would be interested in purchasing whatever you have left" By letting them know early they may not be tempted to sell everything to someone else an hour before the show ends if it looks like they may not be selling much. Like many have said however, offers should be reasonable.


Rob, Let me ask you this. to put a little different spin on the situation you mentioned. What if you had approached someone with your 20 leopard geckos and said are you interested in puchasing all of these, and he said "sure, I'll give you $100.00" would you still find that offensive.

I can understand your feelings the way you presented it, but the way I presented it I would take that as "make me an offer" and no offense should be taken at any offer you get.

Steve Schindler

 

[Rob Hill/Geckos Anonymous]

Steve,

in that instance, no, it would not be offensive. If I approached a vendor at the end of the show and said, "Hey, I've got these left," I am asking them to make an offer. However, if they approach ME and say, "I'll give you $100 for your 20 geckos," they approached ME and made an insulting offer. If I'm walking around the show with a box of geckos trying to unload them to different vendors, I deserve every lowball and insulting offer, because I approached THEM looking for an offer. However, if a vendor walks up to me at the beginning of a show, before I even get the chance to sell them for my asking price and offers to buy all 20 for what I could get after selling 3 or 4 for, I get offended.

I feel there is a difference between making lowball offers at the beginning of the show, and at the end. At the end is understandable as the person you are making the offer to may still be sitting on 20 leopard geckos they don't want to take home. However, at the beginning of the show, they haven't even had the chance to sell them yet.