How did everyone make out at RAP?

[Anna K]

I'm so happy I don't vend saltwater anything. Y'all talking these prices just to vend make me super glad

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im seeing a trend annually with few discounts, in

At that point just hold up your money and say, “What can I buy with this”? Lol!

Im seeing a trend annually with few discounts, in fact either increased or inflated prices. We either pay or say nay. Years ago, a highlight of these shows were the discounts and deals and are slowly fading away

 

[Reefer Matt]

Im seeing a trend annually with few discounts, in

Im seeing a trend annually with few discounts, in fact either increased or inflated prices. We either pay or say nay. Years ago, a highlight of these shows were the discounts and deals and are slowly fading away

I think the reefing crowd still holds the advantage, but they gotta be strategic sometimes. Usually the first part of a show offers unique pieces not normally found (and probably at a premium) in the hobby. Then toward the end of the show is where some vendors start to panic that they aren’t gonna be in the black enough. That’s where the deals can be had the most, imo.

 

[Anna K]

Then toward the end of the show is where some vendors start to panic that they aren’t gonna be in the black enough. That’s where the deals can be had the most, imo.

I would hope most people know that deals are made on the last day, a few hours before show closes so vendors don't have to return back with so much inventory. I usually sell a majority of my animals last day of any show, about 2/3 hours before doors close.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Im seeing a trend annually with few discounts, in

Im seeing a trend annually with few discounts, in fact either increased or inflated prices. We either pay or say nay. Years ago, a highlight of these shows were the discounts and deals and are slowly fading away

Meh…

What you’re seeing is a trend of the economy. You can argue the same point in the grocery store. It’s not fair to specifically point to our industry as the problem.

Yes I’m bias towards this industry but I also know how dang hard these men and women work and the increasing costs that they incur as well.

Heck as a forum platform we face it consistently! Rising costs for servers, software, email etc… Seems like we get a cost increase email weekly for some service we use to run the community here. Not to mention the increasing cost of living for those that work for us.

My point is….the industry is not solely to blame. Yes we share in some of the blame but as a whole we’re all just trying to make it!

 

[Nasty_Goblin]

I think the reefing crowd still holds the advantage, but they gotta be strategic sometimes. Usually the first part of a show offers unique pieces not normally found (and probably at a premium) in the hobby. Then toward the end of the show is where some vendors start to panic that they aren’t gonna be in the black enough. That’s where the deals can be had the most, imo.

I saw that very few people were willing to barter.

Still I'm curious what kind of deals people were getting in the past. As I said, RAP prices were leagues better than local and online. Only slightly above hobbyist to hobbyist prices.

 

[Shnetts]

I think the reefing crowd still holds the advantage, but they gotta be strategic sometimes. Usually the first part of a show offers unique pieces not normally found (and probably at a premium) in the hobby. Then toward the end of the show is where some vendors start to panic that they aren’t gonna be in the black enough. That’s where the deals can be had the most, imo.

That was my thoughts, and why I showed up later in the day on sunday. Was surprised to honestly not find many "deals"

 

[Fish Fan]

I got a ton of goodies mainly all mushrooms. I do think the prices were way higher in recent years and there weren’t a ton of great deals to be found. But nonetheless the variety can’t be beat! ASK=EXPENSIVE AF

First of all, I'm bummed I didn't get to meet you and get a Hewbie sticker!

 

[rtparty]

I get what you’re both saying but do you realize the magnitude of the cost to put on a show like this? Especially in New Jersey?

You’re talking multiple 6 figures!

I may have been told some numbers by certain individuals and vendors

I also heard a few vendors mention they made all their expenses back on day 1, which is really good news IMO. As a business owner, I love to see them be successful and make money since it means there will be more shows for hobbyists.

I still think the asking prices on some of the pieces were ridiculous and thus much of it did not move

 

[rtparty]

They don’t display prices at rap? I’ve never been to one

That was my first RAP and many had prices but they seemed to all have tanks or sections of tanks that just said “ASK”

It wasn’t worth asking

 

[Shnetts]

My point is….the industry is not solely to blame. Yes we share in some of the blame but as a whole we’re all just trying to make it!

For sure, there were plenty of booths that were marked down 20% off retail then you ofc you dont have to worry about shipping is a great deal in my mind. I guess I went in thinking I was going to get a few reeeally crazy deals.

Although there were a few booths selling high end mushrooms for multi 4 figures, when these can easily be found for under 500.

 

[Fish Fan]

I had a great time, especially meeting everyone from R2R, but I'm with those that said that most did not have prices listed, and while I'm sure prices could be negotiated and would fall the closer you get to Sunday evening, but I still found that annoying. I would have liked to see more labels and pricing to avoid the constant "how much is that". I think part of the reason they don't label things is so they can make up a price off the top of their head for whoever they are taking to at the time.

But again, I had a great time, and we are already planning on going next year I hope to see you all there!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

also heard a few vendors mention they made all their expenses back on day 1, which is really good news IMO. As a business owner, I love to see them be successful and make money since it means there will be more shows for hobbyists.

Yes that’s great glad to hear it. Now on day 2 they can actually make some money instead of breaking even since that’s why they came!

I still think the asking prices on some of the pieces were ridiculous and thus much of it did not move

Some people want Walt Disney on a Xenia budget!

But yes there will always be those who are overpriced and they either drop the price or go home with it. The pocketbooks will dictate!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I had a great time, especially meeting everyone from R2R, but I'm with those that said that most did not have prices listed, and while I'm sure prices could be negotiated and would fall the closer you get to Sunday evening, but I still found that annoying. I would have liked to see more labels and pricing to avoid the constant "how much is that". I think part of the reason they don't label things is so they can make up a price off the top of their head for whoever they are taking to at the time.

But again, I had a great time, and we are already planning on going next year I hope to see you all there!

Enjoyed meeting you as well! :)

 

[Fish Fan]

Enjoyed meeting you as well! :)

Thanks, Rev! Meeting you guys for sure was the biggest reason I wanted to go.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Meh…

What you’re seeing is a trend of the economy. You can argue the same point in the grocery store. It’s not fair to specifically point to our industry as the problem.

Yes I’m bias towards this industry but I also know how dang hard these men and women work and the increasing costs that they incur as well.

Heck as a forum platform we face it consistently! Rising costs for servers, software, email etc… Seems like we get a cost increase email weekly for some service we use to run the community here. Not to mention the increasing cost of living for those that work for us.

My point is….the industry is not solely to blame. Yes we share in some of the blame but as a whole we’re all just trying to make it!

I realize the pricing is not all on the vendor but combined expenses especially with those that have to tear down and ship back their banners, displays and even livestock in addition to booth expenses. We rarely see live auctions with 10 and $20 frags anymore, so to expect the same at a national show would be improbable
And. . . great to see you within conversation as there is no better to collaborate with than the CEO

 

[Reefer Matt]

Some people want Walt Disney on a Xenia budget!

Why didn’t you say so? All you gotta do is ask, bro. Lol!

 

[rtparty]

Yes that’s great glad to hear it. Now on day 2 they can actually make some money instead of breaking even since that’s why they came!


Some people want Walt Disney on a Xenia budget!

But yes there will always be those who are overpriced and they either drop the price or go home with it. The pocketbooks will dictate!

I’m just way too cheap to give people $300 a head for a torch.

$50 for a coral is usually my upper limit if it’s a frag.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Why didn’t you say so? All you gotta do is ask, bro. Lol!

HAHA!

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I’m just way too cheap to give people $300 a head for a torch.

$50 for a coral is usually my upper limit if it’s a frag.

I understand some stuff is outrageous. I truly do and no need for me to expound on that. Don't get me wrong. But that's every hobby, every business, everything on the whole dang planet! Can you believe we pay for water in bottles? HAHA!

I remember when bottled water started to become a thing and I saw it in the grocery store with my wife and we talked about who was ever going to buy bottled water like that. Now my wife will only drink "the best" bottled water.