Depending on the time of year I do several reptile trade shows per month. One thing that is always on my mind when working my table is theft. Some of the coolest people on this planet are in to reptiles and meeting them at shows is a good time. What sucks is how many times I have had to deal with people stealing stuff off the table. This means that some of the biggest losers on the planet are also fans of reptiles. They just choose to not pay for them.
In the past year we have had several animals stolen from the table. A male clown ball python was stolen last summer at White Plains. A Green Tree Python was stolen from the table at the Hamburg show last fall. A Lemon Blast ball python was stolen from the table at the last MARS show. I know who took the Lemon Blast and a reckoning will come. The list goes on. At the White Plains show on 1/25/09 we had a Brazilian Rainbow Boa stolen from the table. Two guys worked together (which is common). One was actually caught before getting out of the building but the one who had the snake got away.
All show vendors are waiting for the day when we can catch someone with an animal stolen from our table. The collective group beating that will happen will be vicious. The frustration of all the snakes lifted from table over the years will rain down upon the one soul who gets caught. I am balling my fists in anticipation of that moment…
From what you have seen which displays are best to prevent theft? I have been looking some over on Kingsnake and other places trying to see which is most secure but easy to open for me. If you have pics of some that would be great too.