November Dixie Reptile Show

If you're going to be in the Birmingham area, November 19th, make sure to stop by the Dixie reptile show.

I'll be there with a few ball python babies, gargoyle gecko juveniles, and maybe a crested gecko or two. Most of my table will be filled with Repashy CGD,  Large and XL kritter keepers, fake plants, and other supplies.

I will also bring some of my jewelry, such as earrings and bracelets.

Bring cash or credit card, I accept both.

If you want more information, check out dixiereptileshow.com

September 17 Dixie Reptile Show

It's that time again. The original Birmingham show is back this month, and I'll be attending. I didn't think that I was going to make it, but it turns out I will be in town.

If you'll be in Birmingham, Alabama this weekend, make sure to stop by and visit the monthly reptile show that Terry Heurig prepares.

If you're not sure where the show is located, check the official website: Dixie Reptile Show

selling not buying at a reptile show

I'm supposed to be selling. I've sold one gecko and donated one to the usark auction.

I may come home with most of my animals plus a sulcata tortoise and a Mexican red leg tarantula.

Looks like Dixie here I come. Next week I will be in Birmingham at the Dixie reptile show.

There has been loads of traffic at the Atlanta Repticon, but that's been about it. The vendors around me haven't sold much either. Same with a vendor down the way that I know from the pangea reptile forum. Just appears more walk throughs than buyers. Here's for hoping for a better day tomorrow, selling more products and jewelry and at least a few animals.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.2

Attending a Reptile Show

If you've never been to a reptile show, you'll want to make sure that you know what to do, how to act, and proper etiquette.

First off, vendors are there not just to make money, but to ensure that their animals and hard work is going to be taken care of in a good home. They expect you to know a little or at least to inquire about care. Many vendors will actually have care sheets available, so if you're considering buying something, it doesn't hurt to ask for a care sheet in case one is available.

Ask questions if you aren't sure.

Personally, I'm not a fan of seeing customers dressed poorly. Now, I'm not saying wear your best Sunday clothes, but dirty, holey, and stained clothes tells me that you do not care about your appearance, and may not care about properly for the animals. That may sound snobby, but I'm sorry. Tee shirt and jeans, I'm all for it, but stained and dirty clothes is a turn off. Luckily, I haven't seen too many people dress this way.

Haggling is ok, but never try to undercut drastically. All vendors price their animals to what they feel is appropriate and what they think the animals are worth, minus a little competitive pricing. If an animal is priced fairly at $25, it may not be the best idea to offer $10 unless you're buying multiples. (By fairly priced, I mean around average for that species and morph.)

I don't mind bargaining and coming up with a price that is fair for both me and you, but I don't want to be taken advantage of.

I don't recommend talking poorly about a vendor's animals in front of the vendor. If you believe that the animals are sick or not taken care of properly, find someone in charge of the event.  If you tell the vendor, it may create a scene, depending on the vendor and his/her defensiveness over the animals.

For the most part, be polite and patient. Sometimes there are a lot of people at one table, so you may have to wait your turn to speak with someone. Treat the vendors and other customers as you want to be treated.

Atlanta Repticon July 2011

I will have not one but two tables at the July Repticon in Atlanta. I am super excited. I'm really hoping that I can make up my costs for the tables.

In January, my table felt cramped, and the past few Dixie shows have been cramped with one table. I've added a few things since January, so I figured, I'd go big with two tables.

Expect to see 2010 and 2011 unsexed crested geckos, unsexed 2011 gargoyle geckos, sub-adult gargoyle geckos, and possibly adult crested geckos. I will, also, have my jewelry, which will include choker necklaces and earrings, as well as lampwork necklace and earring sets. I will have toys for kids, a few decal cups, hopefully decal beer mugs, various books,  and whatever else I can come up with.

More than likely, the stuff will make my sales worth the trip, but I'm hoping to find homes for some animals too. I won't be able to bring too many 2011 babies because most of my cresteds are just now hatching. I have an incubator full, and many of what has hatched has been more recent. Depending on their sizes right before the show, will depend on who and how many 2011's actually make the trip.

Anyway! Come see me in Atlanta. I'll have goodies for all!

Getting Prepared for Repticon

I know the Repticon show in Atlanta is still a month away, but I'm trying to prepare now more than ever. I bought two tables, but I still need to find hotel accommodations, which depends on whether I decide to drive up Friday night or Saturday morning.

I have purchased more Solo deli cups today to ensure that I have enough. I don't have too many from the last show. These cups are nicer to use because they are clearer. I generally ship reptiles in the Twin-Pack or Fabri-Cal cups, as they're cheaper. I, also, use these cheaper cups at the Dixie show. They do fine, but since Repticon is a bigger show, I'd rather something a little nicer, and $100 later after buying two sizes of cups and lids, as well as cup liners, I've got what I need.

I am still working on more jewelry, as the jewelry seemed to be a big hit back in January. I even bought a few more displays for earrings and bracelets. I need to get a few decals printed for my beer mugs, and decide if I want to do more cups. I seem to be holding on to the last few that I have from January.

The toys and books are all packed up and ready to go.

Now, all I need to do is get animals ready. I know that I'll have gargoyle geckos and crested geckos there for sale, but I may also buy a group of ball pythons to bring with me, since my geckos are just now starting to hatch in larger numbers.

I'm really hoping that I make a larger profit, especially since I'll be spending more money with two tables instead of just one. But, I figure by spreading out the products and animals a little better, people can better view everything. When the products are all bunched up, it's hard to scan, which means lower sales. If people can't see anything at first glance they may be interested in, they keep walking.

After Dixie Results

The show was pretty good. I sold 7 geckos, good bit of CGD, and some other nick nacks.

I have three 2010 crested geckos left and a female gargoyle gecko.

I may not make it to next month's show. I may just wait for the July repticon show in Atlanta.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

Dixie Reptile Show

I'll be traveling to Birmingham this Saturday. We're going to switch it up and get up early Saturday morning instead of leaving late Friday. I'm hoping to save money on the hotel, and make a few extra bucks in sales.

I'll only be bringing books, animals, CGD, and fake plants, to sell. I found out last month that the reptile toys and jewelry just wasn't as big of a hit in Birmingham as it is in Atlanta at Repticon.

If you're going to be in the area, stop by!

Dixie Reptile Show

I'm at the Dixie Reptile Show I. Birmingham, AL. The show is going so slow. The people on my left have boas mostly, and haven't sold but one or two. The people on my right have a wide assortment and have been selling great.

Me... I've sold one crested gecko, one 4 ounce bag of CGD, and two cups.

I have no where near made my table fees, much less hotel.

On top of that I will probably be coming home with a new red foot tortoise.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

Vending at a Reptile Show

Whether you're a reptile/amphibian breeder or wholesaler, reptile shows can be a great place to get your name out in the public and build your reputation.

For smaller hobby breeders, like myself, I have a few recommendations to help boost sales and to bring home the most profit.

• Price your animals according to the show. For smaller shows, you'll find people want cheaper prices, and at bigger shows, there will be more odds for people willing to pay a little more for that better quality.
• Have a variety of animals, or a variety of things to attract people to your table. (Take that as you wish).
• Consider bringing a pet to have available for people to handle. (This isn't my favorite form of attraction, but it seems to work for others who have larger pets or who are willing to take out their animals for anyone to hold. Just be careful of people handling animals at other tables and then coming to handle yours.)
• Have business cards available. If you don't have 'fancy' cards, you can always purchase business card stock paper at Office Max, Office Depot, Staples, etc. and print a homemade card with your name, number, and email address on it. Something is better than nothing.
• Have care sheets available for the animals that you are selling.
• Consider your attire. If you look sloppy, slutty, or gross, you'll find people will avoid your table. Wear clothes without stains, make sure to bath the night before or the morning of, and just be presentable.
• Wear a smile on your face.
• Keep standing when people are at your table or coming to you.
• Don't stay on your cell phone constantly.
• Don't eat while people are at your table. If you are with someone vending together, take turns with breaks (you eat while the other person speaks to customers, and vice versa.)

bull snake

I am at a super small local show, and a vendor has a nice bull snake. She has hissed all morning.

I held her and love her and want her.

I do not have space.

The guy who has her has called me the snake whisperer bc she was so docile with me and she makes him so nervous.

Time to find space. The number is in my pocket and ready to dial when I can find room.

***

Otherwise, the show is slow. I have sold two animals and a few products. It wasn't all bad, as I made my money back from the table.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

post repticon experience

Saturday was ok with four geckos sold, one being donated to USArk; Sunday, I sold more geckos.

Overall, I found out that pink reptile cups are not as popular as the other three colors-lime green, blue, and black. I also found out that snake earrings are popular and favored.

I may try to make it to the July Repticon, but it all depends on animal inventory.

Overall, a great first experience for my second ever show vending at

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.6

repticon after the show auction

We have decided to stay for the usark auction after the show. Just a support deal, but my boyfriend intends to buy

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.6

Album for show is done

The album is not perfect, but I have a nice assortment of pictures to offer people to view.

I may set up a digital photo frame, but I am undecided on that right now.

I am now wishing I had bought an album with the note area per picture, but I figure I will buy a few and start working on species albums.

That, or maybe I will work on scrap books. I have been wanting to get back into those as well as the jewelry.

Soon, I will try to upload a few pictures from the album.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5