Bad Guy Repticon EXTREEMELY BAD FOR THE REPTILE INDUSTRY

[dieselfan]

I wasn't saying anything derogatory about these visitors. I think their attendance gives us a chance to make what is hopefully a good impression on the general public. Heck, I'm even happy for the promoters for the dollars that they spend getting into the show and for the vendors that sell non-animal products to them. All I was saying by bringing them into it is that even if the shows are bad for the hobbyists and vendors, they can still be profitable for the promoters because of the "non-participatory" individuals that come in and pay the gate fee. If I came off differently, that is my fault for not clarifying that point.

I see your point. Children under a certain age are free, only the adult chaperone pays a fee. Most of these people don't buy anything from vendors. On top of that they take up a lot of the vendors time asking absurd questions, and wanting to get a pic of the kids with a "pretty" snake or lizard. I'm not a breeder or a vendor of any kind. These are just my observations. Just a concerned, conflicted enthusiast putting in my 2cents.

 

[JeromyD]

Im a bit confused on " Florida Shows" every one i have been to Tampa mainly. Have never had a lack of vendors or people let alone animals. Any south Florida show i have been to has been amazing and that is all with in the last 3 years. I suppose i cant see the Florida issue as for other states i suppose you could be right. But as for Florida i don't see it.

Question: Why was Florida your choice to point out aside from NC? Just wondering.

 

[Lucille]

someone that really didn't have much to do with this situation and purely voiced his opinion. Dave probably shouldn't have mentioned these conversations as it's technically 3rd party stuff

David Freeman is welcome to voice his opinion, as we all are. I asked about contacts of Repticon, but his reply was vague and as you point out, used 3rd parties to back up his claim. He actually claims to be part of a formal group approaching Repticon.
What was said in the meetings and Repticon's replies are actually important, because the specifics will show whether Repticon is amenable to some changes that might make a difference to some of the concerns here. He blew off the request to supply the very info he used to make his claim that Repticon was not responsive to the 'plenty of conversations'.

I know that you like to argue

Whether I make one post or a million is irrelevant. I asked for David information about a claim he made, which is important to the thread. He blew it off and admitted he had not even attended the meeting he referenced.

If any readers actually attended that meeting, I'd be interested to hear what happened.

 

[JeromyD]

Oops.... My Experience in shows has been Repticon. Just to Clarify

 

[GMTIRRILL]

I would like to see an admin move this thread to a forum where it can be an open discussion as far as I have read repticon has done no wrong doing and has not caused a financial loss to anyone. there for this should not be a BOI it seems that people are just angry that a promoter has decided to make there shows uniform with exclusive vendors. which all expo and home shows in other consumer area have already done. all an promoter of a show is a facilitator making it easier for breeders and vendors to sale they're items and depending on attendance repticon might have had better turn out with the vendor that are exclusive any way.

 

[JeromyD]

Yes BOI in my opinion would be dealing with a individual business or person. Not a general complaint and opinion of a traveling show that hosts vendors. If one had a bad dealing with a vendor at said show it still would not be posted as a bad dealing with repticon but with the business. This should just go away.

 

[JCCS]

Well, I think there's a definite argument to be made that they caused people to lose money, but admittedly it wasn't through illegal business practices. Poor business, but not illegal. Other than that, I don't really understand the content of that post, Mike.

 

[JCCS]

Jeromy, while I don't believe that this particular set of practices is worthy of a BOI, you're wrong on one point. Repticon as a business is very much an entity that could be brought here and has been before. Just because it is not a transaction involving an animal does not mean that it has nothing to do with the hobby.

 

[Keith Northrop]

Repticon 2012 Belton, TX....Ennis, Tx 2013

I Vended the Belton, Tx Repticon Show in 6/2012.......I sold a lot of Stuff!!! But they decided it wasn't a good enough Market?? Not coming back.......Oh Well....I liked that I could sell Venomous Snakes........I also attended the Ennis, Texas Repticon Show.....Got a couple of Rhino Vipers.....All in All.... No different than the rest of the Shows that come around!! Size doesn't matter.....remember.........It's how you use it!!!

 

[GMTIRRILL]

Well, I think there's a definite argument to be made that they caused people to lose money, but admittedly it wasn't through illegal business practices. Poor business, but not illegal. Other than that, I don't really understand the content of that post, Mike.[/QUOT

Chris does this deserve a BOI Thread? it seems to me that its only poor business practice because people think repticon is being unfair to other vendors. like all business, show promoters must look at what brings the best ticket sales and door commissions. the big missing piece to this puzzle is what did the exclusive vendors pay to be the one and only vendor of that product. the reptile industry is and always will be about money even though breeders like you and other don't make much other then a break even mark. the lighting, heating and food part of industry make money and can pay promoters to be exclusive at reptile show and expos

 

[JCCS]

Mike, your question was answered in the post that you quoted as well as three or so other ones that I posted. Illegal business practices are different than poor business practices that lose other people money. What the vendors paid for exclusive rights is irrelevant. The fact that they have exclusive vendors is probably poor business, as any show that might not have a rodent or cricket vendor probably is too small to be worth putting on. But having exclusive contracts is not illegal and unless they broke a contract, is not grounds for a BOI thread, especially not a "bad guy" thread.

 

[KORBIN5895]

So basically what you guys are all whining about is the exclusive vendors and frequency. Well the exclusive vendor issue is a very dound business practice for repticon. Also just because the frequency doesn't work for you it's obviously working for someone or they wouldn't be buying tables once a month.

You know what I really think is ruining the expo market? Online sales. Let's start a bad guy thread on every person selling online and complain about how they are taking away from the expo market and ruining it. I mean if we stopped all online sales people would flood every expo to pick up their feeders and snakes.

 

[Keith Northrop]

"LIKE"

So basically what you guys are all whining about is the exclusive vendors and frequency. Well the exclusive vendor issue is a very dound business practice for repticon. Also just because the frequency doesn't work for you it's obviously working for someone or they wouldn't be buying tables once a month.

You know what I really think is ruining the expo market? Online sales. Let's start a bad guy thread on every person selling online and complain about how they are taking away from the expo market and ruining it. I mean if we stopped all online sales people would flood every expo to pick up their feeders and snakes.

Just Think if Rich gave us the opportunity to "Like" other posts!!! I could of just clicked Like......or is this some sort of Patented phrase?? HaHa

 

[Lucille]

Just Think if Rich gave us the opportunity to "Like" other posts!!! I could of just clicked Like..

+1...

 

[daddio207]

It's all a matter of perspective......

Giving exclusivity is good/bad ( perspective)
Good... it guarantees that 1 vendor will be there with that product.
Bad.... No free market pricing.
Feeder mice for instance, pinky online price $17 for 100 + shipping. Show price $12.50 for 25.
Good..... First time hatchling snake buyer it's a great buy compared to the chain store $1.99+/- per pinky price.
Bad.....Small time hobbyist, breeder requiring larger quantities but ordering online is just too many mice to use and shipping is to high. Show price seems like a rip off and would like another option at the show.
Large breeders don't give those shows a moments thought when it comes to their feeder needs.

Too many shows? Apparently not for Repticon. As long as vendors keep renting tables and they draw in lots of people willing to pay the entry fee they will continue. Bad for the large vendor that needs to sell their product because it's their business to make a profit and it's not cost effective to attend so many shows. Good for the little guys who are happy to sell 1 ball python for $350 (or whatever) and would love to have a show every weekend and sell a snake or 2.
We have few shows here in New England compared to the south. They always are 1 day events and draw huge crowds. Do vendors sell a lot ? Not from what I witness. I can see a reptile at the spring show and wait till the fall show to buy it with 90% certainty that that exact same animal will still be available.
I do enjoy talking with certain vendors and they like seeing my face in the crowd because they know I brought cash and I'm going to buy unlike the other 90% of the people that are fascinated but not interested in owning a reptile.
Half my collection was purchased at shows and the other half online.
This is just my quick viewpoint and it's NOT all inclusive of every possible viewpoint on the subject. I'm not in support or against the topic at hand. I'm sure my perspective is not some of yours and that's OK !

 

[Amelanistic Orca]

I haven't gone to a show in years... Why?

 

[Dennis Hultman]

Anonymous third-party quotation and how it applies on Fauna.

I guess we need to go over this again.

The only reason for the rule here is so that people take ownership of their words. Particularly when one is making defamatory remarks about a business or person. One needs to be accountable for what is being stated.

Can someone attribute something stated to someone that isn't named and still not break the rules here? Yes.

Example

I know they have been told by someone.

You scammed my friend.

I know for a fact you stole from my friend.

All of these do not identify the person. Many people would have questions and follow up to posts such as these.

People will give them the weight that they deserve based on the answers but the person takes ownership of the words and is responsible for them.

They are the ones making the claims and can be held liable.

That's our concern here.

People don't have to take it at face value and can decide how it should be weighted.

Now, if someone stated

My buddy told me you scammed him

I heard that you are a thief

Someone told me you did something wrong

The person posting does not own those words and it is against the rules here.

As far as I can tell, David owned the words he typed. The readers and posters can attributed whatever value they want to them but it isn't against the rules.

People have a hard time with this every time someone doesn't mention a name here. Just because they don't doesn't mean they broke the rules on this forum.

If they take ownership and responsible for what is typed, then it is allowed. Just give it the proper weight.

"I know" "You did" "They were told"
All shows ownership by whoever is posting.

"I heard" "someone said" "I was told"
No ownership and against the rules.

Please consider that when reporting a post.

 

[hhmoore]

Chris does this deserve a BOI Thread?

The bottom line is that your question is irrelevant. It doesn't matter if people think something merits a BOI thread...the thread was made. It was begun in the required format, without breaking the rules, so it is here to stay. Sometimes people don't agree with threads, myself included (not a commentary on THIS thread); but that is not a matter for discussion in the thread. If you would like to address this topic further, please use the Fauna Feedback Forum.

 

[Taking Up Serpents]

If you were a feeder vendor that worked the same two shows every year and built a good customer base; how would you feel about Repticon taking over that show and then booting you out for they're exclusive vendor?
Turn it around- You have just a few animals and stock up every 6 months at the shows with the same guy you have bought from for years. Quality and prices are great. You show up one year and now your regular guy is gone. Replaced by higher prices and questionable quality for simple fact you do not know this vendor (not implying current vendor has low quality) and it's an unpleasant surprise.
Now one can look to other places or just sell their animals or whatever. I know, their show; their rules. Tough luck right?
My question is; does that sound like something one that cares about the industry and community would do? Or comradery be damned now pay up?
Just my two pennies. Keep the change for what it's worth.

 

[JeromyD]

Just Think if Rich gave us the opportunity to "Like" other posts!!! I could of just clicked Like......or is this some sort of Patented phrase?? HaHa

Yup +1