Tampa

[Gino]

Thanks Troy,
I know many people enjoyed the performance.
I was mostly being sarcastic in my reply to Audry.
Actually the support from many Vendors was great.
Don't worry no discouragment here.
We're all working hard on the CD and are thrilled with the feedback so far.
Bill Love's working on some wonderful photography for the CD cover and I can't wait to share it with folks in a month or so.
I got quite a few private E-Mails of support after this thread and let me say that for every Audry in this biz there are 50 really good people.
I don't even know the girl. Don't believe I ever met her.
I don't expect everyone to like what I do. Just that people report fairly.
That's all I ask.
Take Care,
Gino

 

[Gino]

Thank you for your apology Audry.
Remember that people work very hard at what they do.
I respect you did not like it. And you had every right to post such opinion.
As you said later people's tastes vary. I'm never gonna sell everyone a record.
I have no doubt others felt as you did. Some might have even been friends.
It's all cool. I would have never been upset at a person saying they don't like my music.
I'm pretty thick skinned on that score.
I think you know why I was upset and I am grateful for your apology.
It sure sounded personel and I don't think I know you at all, do I?
I'm pretty sure I never did anything to you.

Take Care,
Gino

 

[audrypayne]

To be perfectly honest, you were probably not given a fair chance. Many of the vendors, including myself, were suffering from lack of sleep & road lag from long distance traveling. Plus, the 90+ temperatures inside really made things worse. I know that I was tired, worn out, sleepy, hot, & just downright ill. We'd been up for two days packing, riding, then setting up. Needless to say, that didn't put us in a very festive mood.

 

[audrypayne]

Troy, I'm glad you enjoyed the show. However, I wasn't aware that Cathy had anything to do with the Tampa show. I don't recall seeing her there.

 

[Suncoast Herpetological]

Yes, the Snake Babe was ugly! I even heard a lot of guys talk about how ugly she was. And you didn't think so? Maybe you should have stayed away from the bar.

care to post a picture of yourself for comparison Audra? Somehow or another I doubt you will fare all that well.

 

[audrypayne]

Once again, opinions vary. I'm sure that some of you thought she was gorgeous. Some people only like snakes, some only lizards, some like them all, and some people hate all reptiles. Not everybody likes the same things. I make a living from my reptiles. Not my looks. As long as my husbands happy with me, that's all that matters.

 

[audrypayne]

I just wanted to once again apologize to anyone I may have offended in any of my previous post. I admit that I'm a bit too opinionated & go to blabbing without putting much thought into it. I am sorry.
As for the show, overall I think it was a success. I brought home a new lizard and met some wonderful people. I hope we can all do another show together with no hard feelings. I'll try to keep my mouth shut next time.

 

[Gino]

Audry,
I again have accepted your apology but the trouble is not your opinions.
Believe it or not I welcome people telling me when they dislike what I do.
It's the only way I can grow as an artist.
Please do not feel the lesson to be learned here is "Keep my mouth shut next time"
Your opinion has value and is welcome.
I simply felt you should not have hidden your own opinions in statements that no one enjoyed it and basically if anyone did they must be nuts.
It was an insult not only to me (who also had to perform in that 90 degree heat you suffered through) but it is an insult to every person who did enjoy the music.
I'm sticking up not only for myself but for the people I did entertain.
It was an insult to Tony who has spent a great amount of energy to help me promote the upcoming CD. And he at least tried to offer you guys some entertainment to help with the drudgery of setting up. You insulted Jeff from Armstrong Crickets who is feeding the crowd and who has also heard me play before and welcomed me.
You make comments on a disc that you haven't even heard. (Because it doesn't even exist yet). So you insulted everyone who has pre-ordered the thing.

I will be doing shows again, likely the Jan Carolina show. I'm sorry in advance you'll suffer through my no talent performance again. .But feel free to tell the world how awful you thought it was. I promise not to beat you up for that. Just be sure to say it is how you felt. At least in April for the release party it will be at the Hard Rock Sat night and only those interested in hearing the music will attend. I'll be inviting my entire band for that show and hope I won't be holding them up to just plain meaness
I hope I made my point.

Gino

 

[Reptile Basics]

This seems to have gone off course?

We did well at the Tampa show. Sold some mid-high end stuff and quite a bit of low end. Did well with the dry goods also. Cant complain and got a lot of advertising that has already sold some more shoebox racks and thermostats to Tampa area reptile enthusiasts since the show. Got to meet a few that have ordered in the past as well.
Attendance seemed pretty good. I am torn between wishing for overwhelming attendance and just good attendance. Atleast with the average attendance you get a chance to see what is on tables and talk to people some. I have been to Hamburg shows where it was so packed no one could even see what was on my table much less buy it. Daytona seemed about the same to me this year as well. Less attendance but I got some good sales because people could stop and look for a minute without getting muscled out of the way. Shows in general, east and west coast, have had a strange feel to them this season. Dont know if it is economy, gas, or what. Overall, havent done too bad though.
Rich Goldzung
Reptile Basics Inc

 

[JuliusSqueezer]

Pet zoos? Lounge singers? chicken man? I thought it was a reptile show. All the circus sideshow events not relating to reptiles piss me off at these shows. Getting all those mobs of various gawkers does no one any good except the guy at the door selling tickets. Everyone else takes a beating over it. I agree with Rich. Mobs suck. You don't want it is dead as that one really bad Raleigh show was...I forget the dates on that show but the one that had the wrong weekend advertised and the promoter buying a car with the backing money rumor that had all the vendors forming a lynch mob...But when Tony actually does promote his shows the way he meant to, I don't like his particular traffic. Mobs of useless traffic sucks. It causes chaos. Chaos is good cover for theft. Chaos keeps good buyers from having the time to look. You can't hear yourself think. Yeah...no offense Gino but if I was vending there, I would have been pissed off too as I would be pissed off about anything drawing attention away from the tables.

 

[audrypayne]

I did all right at the Tampa show. Not quite as well as expected for a show that was advertised to be so huge. Nothing to brag about, but still okay. I have to agree with the last post though. I personally favor the shows that stick to the reptiles. And I thought the Hamburg show was totally awesome! Huge crowd lined up way before the doors opened. No petting zoos, clowns, and not even seminars. Those people came for one thing & one thing only. To purchase! Yes, it is extremely crowded. But people that want to look or buy will wait for their chance at your table. They plan on spending most of the day there, so they are patient.

 

[Gino]

Yeah...no offense Gino but if I was vending there, I would have been pissed off too as I would be pissed off about anything drawing attention away from the tables.

Except I wasn't playing during the show.
It was at the Friday night reception so I don't think that's why Audry wasn't happy.
Just wanted to clear that up.
I did not perform while the doors were open to the public.
You were misinformed.

Take Care,
Gino

 

[DiaMondBusterDragons]

I am really sorry to hear everyone had such a bad show.

To my surprise it was better then I could have expected!

I would have been happy just making my money back and an extra $500 but
instead I made 5 times that amount.

Now I am not one to brag but making 5 G's in a weekend just selling
Bearded Dragons definately gives me bragging rights!

I always do great at the Tampa but I have never done this good. Thanks Tony!

Thank You Gino for the CD you gave me. You Rock! I look forward to selling
your cold blooded CD from my website "The Reptile Niche" when it's ready.

Happy Herrping From Jeff the --=DiaMondBusteR=-- Stewart

Are you planning on breeding? If so, download my new free ebook
"How to Build an Incubator"with seven designs to choose from,
complete with all Pictures and material lists.
Click Here www.ReptileNiche.com/IncubatorPlans

 

[eric adrignola]

There are two kinds of shows:
1. Reptile only breeder/dealer expos, no frills, just things to sell or
trade.
2. Big, highly promoted, "shows". Vendors and breeders are the
main part, but there are side-shows, clowns, pony rides, speakers,
magic shows, animal acts and all other kinds of glitz.

The first kind usually has fewer people, but most are there to buy
stuff.

The second type draws a lot of people who would otherwise not
normally go to a reptile show. Either they are interested in the
show stuff, or want to take their kids to the petting zoo, or ride the
camel, see the tigers...etc. Overall higher attendance, but
proportionally fewer buyers.

Vendors typically like the first type, as they don't "waste their time"
talking to people not interested in buying.

For them, this is a basic financial preference. It's easier to sell
when you have a more select group. It's easier to keep you stuff
from being nabbed when you're not "Wasting your time" with
people not buying.

However, the big fluff shows do draw a lot of people into the
hobby. While they don't have as high a buyer percentage as the
hardcore reptile expos, they can generate more customers in the
long run.

I'm torn. I'd prefer a plain old expo show. However, the bigger
production does have merits, especially in the long term.

Regardless, I'm sure everyone would rather have a big, pony ride
filled, clown ridden, snake babe performing Show with a petting
zoo from Tony than no show at all.

Personally, I am in this for the fun of it. When I sell my animals,
I'm as serious as anyone who's livelihood depends on it. But
overall, I'm a hobbyist, and I like seeing other hobbyists and
breeders at the shows. I think one thing missing from the local
shows is private hobbyist/breeders. Sure, the big names are fine,
glades, LLL, armstrongs, but I really enjoy meeting and talking to
the people without a big website, and who do it for fun as much as
money. There is something lost when keeping and breeding
animals becomes less fun than financially necessary. Nothing
against it, of course, as our hobby is dependant on the stability and
reliablility of such buisnesses. The only thing that annoys me is
most vendors are too damned serious to get involved in a good
herp-related conversation and enjoy it!

 

[JMExotics]

Eric you are exactly right. Its about having a good time with people you enjoy being around. Maybe one day others will see that. If everyone seen things like that maybe things wouldnt be as they are now. Vendors enjoy both types of shows and make good money at either one.


There are lots of shows in the next few weeks around the east coast. Good luck to everyone vending, attending and even putting on the shows. It's all about the animals and having a good time.

Monica
J & M Exotics

 

[Gino]

Thank You Gino for the CD you gave me. You Rock! I look forward to selling
your cold blooded CD from my website

You're welcome Jeff.
I guess you were not one of the legion reportedly calling for my head.
I do have your card and will be keeping you up to date.
The CD website opens in mid November.
P.S. Philadelphia Phil says hi.
and what did you think of Ordinary Nights?
Take Care,
Gino

 

[riddlebox229]

Well, speaking as someone who flew across country to attend the show - I (we, actually) had a great time. We spent way too much money. Bought an Ackie, a black tree monitor, some Marine toads and a couple of other things. We won a bunch of exo terra stuff on the "wheel of fortune" too.

Gino, I have nothing but respect for you and the talk you gave on Sunday was excellent!

And whoever was insulting Maria the Snakebabe is just completely juvenile and uncalled for. She is a very pretty and extremely kind lady.

I thought Tony did a great job. We got what we came for - and that was to have a great time, buy some great lizards and meet some great people.

A big thanks to all the vendors that were there!

 

[Gino]

Hi Guys,
Sorry to bring all of this up again.
Audry wrote she was sorry and I accepted the apology.
Now she's sent me a private message calling me an a-hole.
Let me see if I have this straight. She comes out and attacks me.
I defend myself and I'm an a-hole.
Audry, I really don't remember ever meeting you but whatever reason you have to hate me so much I'd love to know.
Was my music so painful to you that you just find me evil?
I didn't deserve the original attack because you did not speak for everyone as you claimed.
I thought you rethought the situation and tried to make good.
What did I do to deserve the a-hole message?
Gino

 

[audrypayne]

You're wrong

Gino,
I believe you need to get the IP address of that personal email. I have not ever contacted you privately. I don't know what kind of person would send you that. But you can rest assured that it was not me! I've dropped the entired matter completely. Do some checking, and you'll find that it was not me.
Audry

 

[Gino]

I was slightly mistaken.
It was not a message but a Karma comment you made (whatever that really is)
It tracks back to your username.
If there is a debate about this I will willingly allow the webmaster to report what is on my Karma comments page to the whole community.
You gave me a low Karma and added the comment a-hole. nothing else.
Of course you used the entire word.
It was sent Oct 11.
Gino