What is going on with reptile shows lately?

[kearth]

The last 3-4 shows that I have vended have sucked. Not a whole lot of people through the door. Cranky vendors from not selling much.

I normally only make $300- $500 a show which is fine for me. I dont drive far and normally only have frogs or the occasional CB gecko/ cham on my table. I carry tons of supplies and feeders though. But I only normally drive about an hour to the shows so I am happy making that.

The last two shows in particular I made $72 at one show and $120 at the next.

After you figure in the $35-$40 table fee, lunch, gas, etc it is getting to the point that it is not really worth it.

I see a few people at the last show just sell off everything they had to one of the jobbers/ wholesalers and just wash their hands of it. Seems to be a more common practice lately.

Leopard geckos that use to run a couple hundred dollars with different morphs are now just sitting on the tables. Baby leopards are costing less and less. Seen a ton over the weekend for $6.00.

Certain types of frogs I use to sell for $50 each ( well started froglets) now people are offering $20 for them. I dont mind giving proce breaks but my goodness. I raised these things from eggs to sellable size( about 5-6 months) and they want to buy them for $20. Then they get made when I can not tell males or females.


One guy brought me back some frogs that he had bought over the last year or so. Undersized, skin and bones he just did not have time for them and could not keep FF's alive. So after they have been starved and stunted he gives them back and wants top dollar for them.

And the "jobbers" who have half dead stuff on the table and dead stuff on the table. Yes they have rock bottom prices. But after you fight the mites, dehydration, parasites you still spend more than you would have if you would have bought one from a reputable breeder.

Oh my sorry for them rant.

 

[Tom500]

I do not go to many Reptile shows, and certainly not in America lol but from what you say this sounds awful.
I am passionate about the hobby and have enjoyed keping many Reptiles and Amphibians etc over the last 6 years (not that long i know) and i will always pay more for healthy happy quality livestock and piece of mind.
I think once you have established the quality of the livestock, the dictating factor for me when buying anything like this is the person selling it.
It is very obvious when talking to someone who knows their stuff and is passionate/enthusiastic about the hobby, and who is just doing the least work possible work in maintaing the animal, isnt really that bothered and just does it for the money. I would NEVER buy anything from the latter. Most of my learning has been from talking to people i have bought my animals from, who are incredibly knowledgable.
It saddens me to see this happening.
People like yorself who clearly love what you do and do the best you can do to supply quality livestock deserve the business, but unfortunately people will always find the so called bargins an attractive prospect

 

[Brooklynella]

It's the economy.

 

[Cheetah]

I've been to a few in Toronto and they've been jam packed. Lineups out the door and hefty entrance fees.

I think it depends on who runs the shows too, here each vendor specializes in something and they have educational seminars and speakers. Typically there's a lead sponsor too ie chain pet store or zoo med.

Not my scene though, too many gothic/emo/freaks running around looking for odd morphed snakes.

Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com

 

[Tom500]

I've been to a few in Toronto and they've been jam packed. Lineups out the door and hefty entrance fees.

I think it depends on who runs the shows too, here each vendor specializes in something and they have educational seminars and speakers. Typically there's a lead sponsor too ie chain pet store or zoo med.

Not my scene though, too many gothic/emo/freaks running around looking for odd morphed snakes.

Posted on mobile.monsterfishkeepers.com

Hahaha tell it like it is i would
Your going to be very popular lol love it

 

[Vicious_Fish]

I hear what you're saying. Times are tough. That's one of the reasons I'm cutting back on my leopard gecko stock. I can't even get half of what I use to sell them for 5-10 years ago. And you can't compete with all the chain pet stores now. I see Petco and Petsmart selling them on sale for $19 bucks. People would rather buy half dead animals from a chain store than someone who has healthy captive bred individuals for a few bucks more. Now I'm just hoping to have better luck breeding some of the more rare species.

 

[DrownedFishonFire]

I'm not sure if its the shift away from the exotics due to the economy but yes I agree with your assessment, less and less people I know own unusual amph/reps.

On the flip side same goes for the dogs/cats/ferrets being dumped on the streets left to fend for themselves, the shelters are jam packed, so its tough on everybody all-around in the animal field.

 

[EricIvins]

It's all about diversification now. Anyone who is focusing on one thing is having a hard time swimming now that they missed the boat. The un-common stuff is still selling. The bread and butter stuff is still selling. Everything else not so much...............There are also people who are burying markets for one reason or the other.......I have no patience for those because I can't pay my bills doing red margin deals. Anyone that has bought something from me knows I'm flexible and willing to deal and help whenever they need it, unfortunately they don't want to shell out a few dollars more for it. Sad, but it's the way society functions now........

 

[snakeguy101]

the show in columbia SC is going to be big, i know a lot of people going

 

[kearth]

The last one I did in Washington pa was huge ( compared to the other two that i do )
almost 1500 people through the door.

I am not really saying that the size of them is changing it is the people. Just as anyone else I am always happy to get a deal. But I also know people put alot of work into their animals.

I see so many young kids though buying up all kinds of WC snakes and Lizards. You hardly ever see any of them buying any cages, bedding, food, etc. Very scary.

Nobody seems to care about quaility animals anymore. They was what they can get as cheap as possible.

I have a almost 2 year old azureus that a guy gave back to me that is so skinny you can see him back bone, hips, ribs, etc. A couple of guys came over to my house and I mentioned I might just give him away as I dont have to room to keep him, he wont gain much weight and will probably die in a few months anyway just from the lack of nutrition for so long( i have been nursing him back to health for about 3 months now). They were more concerned about the free one that anything else. And my concerned I dont mean about his well being I mean just that they were going to get the free one.

I completely agree with what EricIvins said. People want cheap cheap cheap. I would have loved to have those cat geckos you had but I was not able to afford them ( they were awesome looking) I was not about to try and talk you down and low ball you on them because I know what it is like to try and sell something and make a tiny bit on it.

I do focus on one thing.. Frog, Darts and tree frogs. I do breed a couple pygmy chams and little geckos ( still want them damn cat geckos) to give some diversity to the table. I had some CB pygmies on the table this weekend and people did not want to spend $15 on them.... Aggghhh

Ok I am ranting now again. Sorry