Guide to EU shows (1st Timers)

gecko-kus · #1 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 01:15 PM

Alot of people have been asking about our experiences at EU shows and the do's and don'ts so I thought I'd write a little bit down as a rough guide for beginners at the EU shows. If you'd like to add anything please feel free.

1: Transport... Make sure if your planning to go that you have your travel arrangements shorted out well in advance. If your going to drive make sure (especially for Hamm) that you have a sufficient rest and if possible a hotel room to stay in the night before the show, as you'll be surprised how tiring it can be. Also you need to make sure you have your route planned out (satnav is best) because if you don't speak the lingo you might find it really hard to get where you want to go if you ask for directions. Plus AA or another type of break down service is always a good thing to have just in case and it doesn't cost that much to add that extra EU cover (I think it's about £15 per trip).

2: Getting over there... We've always used the tunnel to get over to France but other people use the ferry. The ferry is fine to use but you must remember that coming back you have to leave the animals in the car parking place and it can get cold down there. Also not every ferry company allows animals to be transported on their ships, so you need to check with them before you go. Some people fly over, but you can't bring animals back on the plane. You can look to the coach options that tarantula barn and co offer. You don't have to worry about fuel/getting rest/getting lost etc. so for first timers this may well be the best option.

3: Money... Take plenty of Euros and if you can get your rate fixed where you change your money so you won't loose anything if you don't spend it all. It's very frustrating and annoying going to shows with no money, even if it's just a small amount you'd be surprised how much you can buy.

4: Queuing.... Queuing is the thing you will be doing most of to get into the show, so you need to make sure you get there early (many people start queuing at like 5am), if it's in winter rap up warm but be prepared to carry your coat once the show gets going as it will get very hot, even in winter. If you can get a trade pass, then get it as you can get in with the traders and before the rush starts so you don't have to que as much. Which brings me on to the next point, food and drink...

5: Food and Drink... Take plenty of water and a bit of food with you as you won't want to be queuing for them when your in there. The food and drink isn't that expensive and it's really nice (especially the curry-worste not very good at German spelling).

6: Show Rules....You have to remember to take a back pack or something like that as a lot of the shows aren't allowing people to carry animals around in their boxes any more and you can be asked to leave the show if you don't abide by their rules. (If your selling you will be sent a list of rules for displaying and bringing your animals into the show, again you must abide by them or you will be asked to leave). Also you will probably need heat packs and some fresh mineral water if your bring back animals, just to make sure they're ok.

7: Animals....Nearly all the traders will only display the animals Latin name as language is a barrier and Latin is the universal animal code. My best tip is.... if your looking for something in particular take a list of the Latin names so you won't have to worry about it when you get there and a rough price of what your willing to pay and can afford, as you can get carried away. If you are looking for something in particular, say something rare, it's best to find a breeder first before you go and reserve it so you won't be disappointed and you can agree a price. The animals will be displayed with their latin names, sex (ie... 0.0.0 format), rough care (where they are from, adult size etc) and also if they are C.B, W.C, C.F..... If your looking at a particular animal to buy pick up the box and have a good look at it, you can't take it out but just to see if it's alert. We have baught animals before that haven't made it back so do be careful and it's a good idea to ask the trader how long it's been in the box or where they have travelled from, just so you have an idea.

8: DWA... if your buying DWA animals you must have a license (not for buying them but for customs). Each show has different rules about purchasing animals and carrying them around the show.... The Hamm show used to have the rule that you must leave the show directly by the door of the venomous room if you purchase anything. So picking up things at the end of the day is best.

9: Lastly bringing the animals back... You can bring back any reptile or amphibians but you must make sure that if they are CITES listed that you have paperwork from the trader as you may well get stopped at customs and they be taken away from you. If your selling then you need to make sure you have your paperwork with you if your animals need it. Tortoises are a different kettle of fish and also mammals, so it's best to check or ask someone else who has baught them back as apart from the hedgehogs we baught back I don't have a clue about the rules for these and you don't want them taken off you. You need to make sure you have some water with you too as many of the animals may have been in there box for a while and been de-hydrated. A good rule also is to wait till your home to get your animals out of their boxes as you don't want to have to stripe your car apart to find them lol.

Finally the EU shows are amazing and they are something I would recommend to any hobbyist.... Here's a list of links you may find useful;

CITES: http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/species.shtml
Shows: http://www.ter.nl/vhm_eventsnl/
http://www.tbka.de/termine.php
http://cms.terra-ruhr.de/index.dll__SECURE=a665c57ccd2f57e7a80e82b4b61449b5
http://www.breeders-expo.de/home-E.html
http://www.terraristikahamm.de/

Hope that helps... any more q's don't hesitate to ask or to add anything to here.

gecko-kus · #2 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 03:47 PM

any experienced show goers want to add anything?? taranatulabarn you must have something to add...... lol

madaboutreptiles · #3 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 03:51 PM

Nice one.......some good information there......

tarantulabarn · #4 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gecko-kus

any experienced show goers want to add anything?? taranatulabarn you must have something to add...... lol

Think youve pretty much covered it, apart from paying for duty free in UK sterling to get a better price

A very informative post

Dirtydozen · #5 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 04:12 PM

what are thr rules on bringing back hedgehogs

Athravan · #6 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 04:12 PM

If anyone gets horrifically car sick like me, I can recommend Harwich -> Hook of Holland, it takes more time, hours wise, but majority are overnight on ferry, and it may not be so cost effective unless you have a full car.. but it's a lifesaver for me as 10+ hours of driving will only result in 10 hours of driving and 5 hours of throwing up

for me, and Houten is 1 hour drive from Hook of Holland, Hamm 3.5 and this new rheda show 3 hours.

gecko-kus · #7 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 04:21 PM

forgot to mention a few things;

10: Getting a stall.... If you've been to a show and you fancy the idea of getting a stall for the next one and your at any of the Hamm shows you must book it there for the next show. Tables are usually around 30 euros per table (about 1 1/2 meters) plus an extra 10 euros or so for electricity. For the other shows you just have to find their website and there is usually a big contact thing on there about booking tables. However you need to check how many trader tickets you get per table as if there is more than one of you you will probably need to get more (but they don't cost very much at all).

11: Your first show as a trader..... You've made the jump into being a seller at an EU show and your planning your trip well here's a little check list for you;

Animals - Make sure they are labelled and boxed before you go as you don't want to have to struggle at the show putting things in boxes and loosing animals... make sure you have plenty of poly boxes before you even start packing to put the animals in and also heat packs. You might want to take some water with you too especially for amphibians and some kitchen roll to give the boxes a quick clean. CITES animals need paperwork so you must make sure you have the correct reciets and things written up.
Plan you route/hotel - As mentioned above plan your route well in advance and if pos us a satnav... booking a hotel is a great idea and many hotels area the areas where the shows are allow animals, so have a hunt about (hotel room usually about 50 euros or so per night).
Electrics - Take enough heat mats to cover your table length, an extension lead (pretty big one, a roll one), and a eu convertor for the plug. And something to cover the table is always a good idea.
Rules - You must follow the rules of the show for getting your animals in there otherwise you will be asked to leave!!!
Yourself - Drink and food is always best to be taken in with you as you might not have time hopefully to go get some.
Bags - Many people will not have anything to put their animal in so always take a few plastic bags just incase.
MONEY- We take a small lock up box to put our money in but you have to make sure you have change, it's hard to get hold of but trust me you'll need it!!!!
Finally - enjoy yourself, if there is two or more of you take the time to look around the show and get talking to people!!! it's a great way to make contacts and friends for the future!!

Dirtydozen · #8 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 04:22 PM

i thought there was like a three year waiting list to get a tble at hamm

gecko-kus · #9 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 04:25 PM

nope they don't start selling tickets for the next show until the last ones date if that makes sense.... it's explained better in my second post... just pm'd you by the way

royalpython · #10 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 04:30 PM

blimmey, this place sounds busy. How many people on average go to the shows?

Cheers for some of the tips

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