Presentation means a lot. If you are selling herps or supplies supplies it is critical that you present them in a good light!
As for the herps: They should be healthy, kept in individual containers - unless possibly selling as a pair, and the containers must be clean. Don't line the bottoms of the containers with anything the herp can get under. Use heavy weight paper cut to fit (bring extra liners to avoid displaying a poop filed container). Place the containers into a nice display such as one of the deli cup display boards. Larger animals can have a substrate of wood shavings (bring extra for clean up).
Mark each individual container with the name of the herp it contains and the price you are asking. If you know, also mark if male or female.
Know the animals you are selling and their care requirements. Your helper needs to know too. Maximum size, diet, type of enclosure and size of enclosure required, temperature/humidity requirements, breeding, lifespan, etc...
Then set lighting so that it highlights the animals. There are lights that work wonderfully for this sold at places like office supply stores. They are clamp on lights with a long arm, I think made for drafting tables. The arm is bendable at a joint in the middle and the base swivels. You clamp it onto the edge of the table and aim at the herps or the supplies you are selling. Use at least two lights.
Bring spare bulbs and at least a 15 foot extension cord and one multiple outlet strip.
Bring plastic bags for your customers. My wife saves bags from the supermarket for dog doo pick up when she walks the dogs (yes in NY we have to clean the mess)- I grab a bunch of them as she has so many she will never use em all.
If selling animals, bring herp care sheets for each animal you sell.
You may or may not want to include your email address on those care sheets, or on your business cards. Did I forget to mention business cards. Pick up some business card stock at an office supply store and sit down to design your own card on a program like MS Publisher.
Make sure to get Salmonella Warning sheets from Bruce, you have to give one out with each sold animal.
Fill your table with items for sale, be it herps or supplies.
Bring at least one helper - you cannot run a table by yourself - no way! Someone must always be at the table - don't forget to leave the cash if you go off.
Bring plenty of paper towels.
Bring a small first aid kit just in case anyone gets hurt by something you are selling or by something on your table.
Bring plenty of small demonination bills. I suggest $50 in ones, $100 in fives and $100 in tens.
DUCT TAPE - lots of unexpected uses for this stuff, but usually only if you don't have any with you.
Hand Sanitizer as already said is a must, but also bring a sign saying that people must use it both before and after handling your animals. You don't need any diseases from other people's herps at the show.
Bring a nice tablecloth. Preferably vinyl for easy clean up of spills. Unicolor - dark green works well. It should overhang the edges of your table at least a few inches. Look much better than a grungy wooden or plastic table top. Use the duct tape at back of table cloth to attach it to the table so no one inadvertantly pulls it off with all the herps.
Bring a sign if you have one to hang from front of table cloth, or to hang from frame on top of table. See the LIHS display when there. We use a frame made from PVS pipe - lightweight, easy to assemble and carry. It has a professionally made sign attached. If you plan to do business you may as wel;l attract customers. Have your business name, telephone and email on the sign. Maybe your name too.
My opinion: Don't sell to kids under 18 without a parent's or a guardian's approval.
