Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i know it will be all i can do to not drop all my money on the first cool thing i see, but how should a buyer go about doing things at the show? i guess what i mean by that, is how should i approach a dealer with an offer? i assume many of the prices will be negotiable, but i dont want to offend anyone or kill a negtiation, ive heard that its often a case of offer/counteroffer? also, if your offer is denied or needs to be considered, do you generally check back at their booth later? or maybe give them a cell phone number if they change their mind? i can only assume that some of the sellers will resort to earlier offers if no other interst is shown? thx for any pointers

Believe it or not, some people do get offended with offers. But I believe if you don't ask, you'll never know. On that, I would not make a low offer the first hour of the first day. No one is going to lower their prices all that much early on. The closer to the end of the show, the better your chances get, but not always.

Go in knowing what an animal is worth and what you are willing to pay and your "great deal" target price. This will save you some headache.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

not a vet but

I walked around Daytona with $4G in my back pocket for almost 2 days........I made offers to people for what I wanted.....all of them said no.....and stuck with the normal higher prices......I didn't ask a couple people..knowing they had what I wanted and they know who I am and all.......finally second day....after a couple hours I asked the first of the 2 big boys I saw.....he said.yea.I can do that.........and I got what I wanted.......no fuss no muss.....handed him $2G and went on to buy a couple more snakes..........

know what you want before going........

know they are not going to give deals...unless it is a snake /morph that everyone has too many of........and even then they usually don't drop deals to anyone......

most of the good deals are done behind the tables and alot are done Friday night and before........I saw no real deals........

look around all day........unless it's a one of a kind snake you want....then buy it right away or it will be gone...

have fun.........

(2 BIG BOYZ......Bell and Barczyck........Brian and Kim and Mark hooks us up all the time )

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20% isn't bad
lots of snakes love them....and there are more things in the world than balls......
they breed like crazy ...........and............

Most of the sellers want you to.The worst that can happen is they say no.They will ask for offers.But then there is always that guy that comes over the table and beats you like a african rat that ate his prize ball.LOL
Mike

"you will sell me the super pastel male for 800$."...i will sell you the super for 800$...i wish

I usually make an offer on the first day. Some take it some don't. If they say no I come back on the last hour of day two. If you show them the cash more often than not they will take your offer(unless your offer is ridiculous). I have missed out on a few animals this way but one thing you will notice in Daytona is there is always another dealer with what you want. The dealers expect you to haggle a little; that is built in to their initial asking price.
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John Vandegrift

I am actually vendor at the show but also a veteran to it. If you want a good deal bring cash. If some one tries to come up to our table and haggle with us then whips out a credit card, vendors are normally not to happy. There are alot of things and sur charges that need to be paid when dealing with cards, and when you talking thpusands of dollars, cash talks cards dont.. Just a thought... Your best bet is not to buy on inpulse, walk around, price things in your head, and talk to people. I have never been offended by an offer, i just simply can say no. Its a very big show with alot of things to see, this may sound ridiculous but if its your first time going get a "map" at the front door and bring a pen, make notes at the tables you want to visit again. There are over 700 vendors, trust me you can get lost easily.
Good luck Shopping.
Kim

>>if its your first time going get a "map" at the front door and bring a pen, make notes at the tables you want to visit again.

I say everyone should do this, not just newbies.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

nt