2025 Spring Swap Meet

The term Swap is often used as a shortened version  of the phrase Swap Meet.  

The best way I have found to describe a swap to someone that has never been is to picture a reptile expo or flea market where everything is aquarium related.

People sign up to sell their items and are allotted space. These people that sell are called vendor. Other people attend the event to browse and purchase from these sellers.

1. Arrive early: The best variety will be found early in the event. The highly desired fish and items will sell quickly. The earlier you are the more likely you will get the item you specifically are looking for or the highly prized item.

2. Stay late: the best deals are made at the end of the events. Vendors (sellers) brought the fish and items to the swap because they want to sell them. They don't want to take the items back home with them.  Towards the end of the event many Vendors will accept offers lower than asking price just so they don't have to take the item back home.

3. Bring something in which to carry your purchases. It's always easier to shop when you have your hands free. While an insulated bag is ideal even a used plastic grocery bag will make things easier than holding all your purchases in your hands while trying to shop.

4. Cash is king: While some vendors may take cards or electronic payment most are cash only. Be sure to bring plenty of cash and small bills is best. You don't want to miss out on your dream fish because you didn't bring cash or the vendor doesn't have change.

5. Wear comfortable clothes: While some people may be at home in a necktie or stilettos, most people would not prefer to spend any more time in them than necessary. At the event you will be walking on concrete floor up and down aisles of other people shopping bodily comfort will make the experience better for you.

Whether you are trying to sustain or build a business or even just a hobbyist with a single tank selling at a swap meet is a good opportunity to move your extra items, get your products and brand known and even just network with other fish keepers. There are a few tips that make things easier that many have learned the hard way over the years. By sharing the tips here maybe it will help you to not have the struggles others have had.

1. Bring change- lots of small bills. Bring more small bills than you think you will need. It's a bad feeling to miss out on a sell because you don't have change. 

2. While fish in tanks may make for a better presentation it makes the actual selling of fish more difficult. While you are chasing fish with a net, dipping them out, bagging them up, and tying the bag other potential customers are passing your booth by deciding you're too busy or it takes too much time. Having the fish already bagged up and ready to go makes transactions much easier and provides more of the grab and go feeling that today's society looks for. Find the balance of the presentation the tanks provide and the grab and go bags that you feel works best for you.

3. Label and price everything- if it's not labeled or priced many people won't even ask they'll just keep walking. 

4. Bring bags- if you are able to offer a customer even an old Walmart or dollar store bag to put their purchases in it shows good customer service. It also makes them feel that they are carrying less items which can lead to more purchases.

5. Keep a drink at hand- you'll be talking to a lot of people about things both of you are interested in. It's easy to quickly get a dry throat/mouth.

6. Prepare for some disaster- bring a towel, extra bags incase of a leaky bag. Maybe bring a marker incase the label writing wears off. Think about what might go wrong and how you could best get past that.