Opinions on tarantula/inverts show

[Pmurinushmacla]

I have not yet been able to attend a repticon but I would if given the chance. They don't strike me as any different than comic book conventions, hamfests or gunshows. Even if I'm not looking for anything specific it's fun to browse around, plus you never know what you might find.
I'm not a fan of smuggling critters; if I think someone's unscrupulous I just don't buy from them.

If there wasn't an entry fee then I might go to just look, but once you go once, you've seen it all imo. Now id only go to buy something.

 

[Hardus nameous]

If there wasn't an entry fee then I might go to just look, but once you go once, you've seen it all imo. Now id only go to buy something.

But you never know if what you're looking for is there (or already sold) unless you go.

 

[hexxinghour]

I work in reptiles and the main thing I always remind people of about shows is that anyone can buy a table, they do not need to have bred their own animals, or really know anything about them. There are issues with "flippers" in the reptile world. Shows are a great place to get eyes on what you are buying before you buy it, find more local-ish breeders and see whats available in your area.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

But you never know if what you're looking for is there (or already sold) unless you go.

I have a limited capacity so all my purchases are calculated, not impulse. Except one freebie.

 

[Liquifin]

If there wasn't an entry fee then I might go to just look, but once you go once, you've seen it all imo. Now id only go to buy something.

Wow, everytime I go to a show, everything changes. Stock, imports, and selection change is a must for any vendor for it to thrive. So if you've seen everything, your vendors are either not innovating or they're just slowly losing business. Is the entry fee that expensive where you are? It's like $10-$15 to get in, which is not expensive at all. And with parking fee being around $5-$10 you pay $25-$30 at most. Not to mention with prices being tremendously cheaper locally than online. Is Florida that expensive?

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

Wow, everytime I go to a show, everything changes. Stock, imports, and selection change is a must for any vendor for it to thrive. So if you've seen everything, your vendors are either not innovating or they're just slowly losing business. Is the entry fee that expensive where you are? It's like $10-$15 to get in, which is not expensive at all. And with parking fee being around $5-$10 you pay $25-$30 at most. Not to mention with prices being tremendously cheaper locally than online. Is Florida that expensive?

Orlando repticon, and yeah, seen it once, seen it all. Gone about 5 times or so, only thing that changed was the lack of adult tarantulas. Why would I pay 20 bucks to go look at some animals in a crowded room, and waste a gallon of gas to get there? Not worth it at all.

 

[TweedMcQueen]

So for those of you that have been to shows and cons, prices are generally nice?

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

So for those of you that have been to shows and cons, prices are generally nice?

You can chip away at their price to get a good one, yes. On one hand, I managed to get a p. Metallica for 80 bucks. On the other, I went for an obt and they were charging 45 bucks a pop. All depends on the vendors there on that date tbh. Keep in mind that vendors also have to pay a fee to setup shop, and you may pay for that in your prices.

 

[nicodimus22]

So for those of you that have been to shows and cons, prices are generally nice?

The sticker price on individual Ts is a little cheaper than you see online, but when you consider the total cost of the transaction (online T price + shipping vs vendor show T price + gas + cover charge) they're pretty close. Some people will make out a little better if they live close to a show and thus have a low transportation cost, or if they find something at a show that they want and that none of the online dealers have.

 

[TweedMcQueen]

The sticker price on individual Ts is a little cheaper than you see online, but when you consider the total cost of the transaction (online T price + shipping vs vendor show T price + gas + cover charge) they're pretty close. Some people will make out a little better if they live close to a show and thus have a low transportation cost, or if they find something at a show that they want and that none of the online dealers have.

gotcha. That’s mostly what I was thinking of. Total cost when shipping is included etc. the show isn’t far from me so transportation is negligible. I figured on prices similar to online dealers just minus shipping.

 

[spideyspinneret78]

So for those of you that have been to shows and cons, prices are generally nice?

Depends on where it is. The ones I've been going to recently haven't had great prices. About the same or even slightly more in some cases than vendors online. The one I used to go to in San Diego, though, generally had great prices.

 

[QuinnStarr]

I went to a relatively small local show today and I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that, while chatting with a vendor about his T stirmi’s, I was also peeking into some M balfouri cups because they’re gorgeous.
He made sure to mention to me that the M balfouri weren’t good for beginners and, since he’s unsure of my experience level, he didn’t want me to consider or take home something I was unprepared for.
luckily I was able to laugh and just be all “I have… 2 Chilobrachys species, an OBT, 2 Ceratogyrus species, an O philippinus…” and just put his hands up and said something like “whelp, you do you!”

I was highly impressed by his concern for both my experience level AND his animals.

 

[8 legged]

I buy tarantulas from dealers online without a clue what the exact specimen I'm getting looks like, because I know what I want, and I know I'm not buying from an unreputable dealer. If I knew the people selling the Ts at the show were reputable, id probably be fine with not seeing a FOSSORIAL t (arboreals set up with a cork flat are semi visible from the back, and terrestrials are visible often, but id be okay not seeing a terrestrial too) if that mean it was set up in a more comfortable environment with less stress.

I understand its not the best way to make money, and I'm not condemning the people that practice the methods mentioned. A lot of people would rather see the T in all its glory beforehand, and that makes sense. However, that doesn't make me like it any more. I guess Ts being shipped is pretty much the same thing, but at least the container serves to keep them alive.

I will agree on one thing tho. If I was buying an adult T, I would want to see it before purchase. And adult enclosures would probably take up way too much room

I doubt whether the packaging for shipping now offers any advantages for the 8-legged friend. I myself sell exclusively online, no time and patience for shows. But I know many of the sellers in Germany and know about their efforts in breeding and keeping the animals, so I would put my hand in the fire for them. And as already mentioned in other discussions: the "spider stress" is usually nothing more than human interpretation. If you think about the fact that wild animals are supposed to be kept in the "optimal way", you have to say: they are used to stress!

 

[viper69]

Hi y'all

I was wondering what was your opinion on inverts show ? It might be a wrong name, Im talking about these big meetings of breeders when you can buy and trade

I went to my first expo today and it was awesome to see species, size, etc before buying them. It was also cool to meet and talk to breeders

but it was also sad to realize that any person wanting a blue T getting interested in a P. metallica while knowing nothing to their behavior and care

what's your opinion ?

thanks

Shows - good
Sellers- many don’t care- bad

Only thing i dont like is how some of the ts are housed to show them off to everyone

What should they do??

I buy tarantulas from dealers online without a clue what the exact specimen I'm getting looks like, because I know what I want, and I know I'm not buying from an unreputable dealer. If I knew the people selling the Ts at the show were reputable, id probably be fine with not seeing a FOSSORIAL t (arboreals set up with a cork flat are semi visible from the back, and terrestrials are visible often, but id be okay not seeing a terrestrial too) if that mean it was set up in a more comfortable environment with less stress.

I understand its not the best way to make money, and I'm not condemning the people that practice the methods mentioned. A lot of people would rather see the T in all its glory beforehand, and that makes sense. However, that doesn't make me like it any more. I guess Ts being shipped is pretty much the same thing, but at least the container serves to keep them alive.

I will agree on one thing tho. If I was buying an adult T, I would want to see it before purchase. And adult enclosures would probably take up way too much room

I need to see what I’m buying no matter what.

Is it missing a leg, what’s its behavior like etc

at shows I test that all out even with cranky pet holes.

There’s a few dealers who I won’t buy from for various reasons, but T presentation isn’t the reason.

Stress free- good luck hah.

 

[darkness975]

I went to a relatively small local show today and I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that, while chatting with a vendor about his T stirmi’s, I was also peeking into some M balfouri cups because they’re gorgeous.
He made sure to mention to me that the M balfouri weren’t good for beginners and, since he’s unsure of my experience level, he didn’t want me to consider or take home something I was unprepared for.
luckily I was able to laugh and just be all “I have… 2 Chilobrachys species, an OBT, 2 Ceratogyrus species, an O philippinus…” and just put his hands up and said something like “whelp, you do you!”

I was highly impressed by his concern for both my experience level AND his animals.

That happened to me with guppies once at a Petco.

 

[Pmurinushmacla]

I doubt whether the packaging for shipping now offers any advantages for the 8-legged friend. I myself sell exclusively online, no time and patience for shows. But I know many of the sellers in Germany and know about their efforts in breeding and keeping the animals, so I would put my hand in the fire for them. And as already mentioned in other discussions: the "spider stress" is usually nothing more than human interpretation. If you think about the fact that wild animals are supposed to be kept in the "optimal way", you have to say: they are used to stress!

I don't really understand what you're trying to say at all. Spiders most certainly do experience stress, I do not see how you can possibly argue otherwise, unless you have some studies or something. They can survive stress obviously, but that doesnt make it good for them. And yes, good packaging does offer advantages to the spider during shipping. Good packaging will keep the spider at optimal temps and buffer any impact the package receives.

Shows - good
Sellers- many don’t care- bad




What should they do??


I need to see what I’m buying no matter what.

Is it missing a leg, what’s its behavior like etc

at shows I test that all out even with cranky pet holes.

There’s a few dealers who I won’t buy from for various reasons, but T presentation isn’t the reason.

Stress free- good luck hah.

You do you, the sellers I buy from wouldn't ship/sell a T with a missing leg without informing the customer, nor would they ship/sell a T that is acting weird. If you're buying from an unfamiliar source, or dropping a ton of money on a purchase, then I understand the need to see the spider.

 

[cold blood]

I'm not a fan of smuggling critters;

Are you implying that ts at expos are smuggled?? i would disagree with that assessment

But you never know if what you're looking for is there (or already sold) unless you go.

most of them have lists of who is going to be there and contact info

 

[Hardus nameous]

Are you implying that ts at expos are smuggled?? i would disagree with that assessmen

No, I just meant if I saw something that I knew wasn't supposed to be for sale or something just wasn't quite right.

most of them have lists of who is going to be there and contact info

I've never seen a list like this published, but I've also never been to a repticon.

 

[jrh3]

I've never seen a list like this published, but I've also never been to a repticon.

90% of the shows I have been too have a vendors list, most of these are not repticon either.

 

[hexxinghour]

Show quality varies a lot. In North Texas I only find NARBC worth really spending the time on. Repticon and every other show (at least one a month) are almost all ball pythons at this point and are not worth the drive anymore. I will check vendor lists, but NARBC has the most invert sellers and at twice a year thats enough for me.