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purchasing at a reptile show?

W

whatsit107

New member
:wavey:
Hey Everyone. I have been doing a lot of research recently into new pets, and it looks as if a corn snake of some type will be my next purchase. I plan on purchasing a snake at the Tucson reptile show at the end of September....if i can wait that long :crazy02:

I plan on making a viv out of a 20 gal long aquarium with the intent of making that the permament home. Anyway, my question is, are prices on stuff for putting together a viv at reptile shows that much better, if at all, than at local pet shops? I wanted to get the viv setup before getting the animal so when i get it home i will have some place to put it, but if i can save money by buying everything i need at the show i would rather do that, and possibly make a return trip for the snake if necessary. Thanks!
 
I'd safely say that 99% of things at Reptile Expos are cheaper than pet stores, that includes all the reptiles, bedding, cages, hides, etc.

I got a 20L critter cage made by all-glass at the Tallahassee Expo for $40 even, and that's cheaper than Petco. Also got some wood hides and other bedding a lot cheaper than Petco or Petsmart charges.
 
Thanks for the quick response. That is what i was thinking, i have just never been so i though i would ask the experts. Just as a reference, do you by chance know what a 20 long costs at petco or petsmart? Thanks again.
 
$50 maybe. They dont show up on their websites for whatever reason, but every Petco I've been in has Critter Cages in the reptile aisle.
 
Prices

The petsmart by me for a 20gallon long with top was 80 dollars. Try looking at your local thrift shop. I picked up many for under 20 dollars that are nicer then a new one. Just make sure its sanitized well before using them. Also the reptile show usually has them WAY cheaper. They have them generally half price what you can find at the pet stores. I know the critter keepers at the pet shop here are almost 100 for a decent sized one. I found them at the reptile show in Taylor Michigan for 40, all glass locking tops. Good luck!
 
I would strongly suggest you buy a corn snake on line. There is a much better selection and you will have a warranty. SMR replaced two snakes that would not eat at NO charge. I highly recommend them.
 
alot of the bigger names that are at shows will also sell online and vice-versa. the most important thing is you find a snake you like with a breeder that fits your criteria. some people have very high standards in terms of buying new animals and some dont. i recommend having high standards on buying in every aspect. the best thing about shows in my opinion is that you are face to face with not only the animal you want to purchase but also the breeder who is selling it. as joe said you will also get much better prices at shows, and you wont have to pay shipping. LOL best thing to do is just keep up the research. if you stay around here long enough you will not only find people selling wonderful animals, but most of the people on this forum are very helpful and genuine. just find the right guy or girl***and right animal***
 
I did consider buying online--and its still not completely out of the question--however, i would rather spend the $40 i would spend on shipping on something else, such as stuff for the enclosure. I do not mean to sound like a cheapskate, but i am a college student whose funds are somewhat limited. I do have enough to take good care of the animal, i just dont want to be spending money on shipping when i can get an animal that is just as good without paying to have it sent to me.

And thanks for all of the replies, this site is full of good information for the prospective corn owner.
 
Expos

I got 3 of my snakes from an expo. The prices were about the same as if I'd ordered on-line (but I live out in the desert Southwest so the prices were fantastic locally) with no shipping. Plus I got to pick out my own snakes. I got 2 ghosts from LLL and 1 crimson from another guy. My crimson is a bit psycho but she's gorgeous and I am very happy with all my babies. :) The only real problem I had was that one of the snakes I got from LLL was incorrectly sexed - I was told it was male but it's female. But that sort of thing happens all the time anyway . . . Anyway, if you have access to an expo I'd recommend buying there! Good luck.
 
Wow!

OOOOOOOO . . . I'd love to go to Tucson in September, but I don't see it happening. :cry:

Oh well, um, well, Blue Chameleon Ventures/Bill Love would be a good bet! That's Kathy Love's hubby, and what can I say? I'm in the process of buying some snakes from them right now. :)

I'm pretty sure my psycho crimson, Athena, came from John Bernardi. I don't know if her being psycho has anything to do with him, but I do know that at the expo here in Albuquerque in April he had some VERY nice snakes for sale. I was looking for ghosts actually, I picked up Athena on a whim. She's a little crazy, but I'm still glad I got her.

I don't know anything about anyone else on that list, but perhaps others will.
 
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