I am a swappin' virgin and have no idea waht to expect. So, I am kinda excited. I gathered so far, that I am going to need a cooler. Several small or one large...? Any advice for me???? All I have to bring is some chaeto...is that a good idea or not? I could bring several baggie-sized clumps.
-
Folks, if you've recently upgraded or renewed your annual club membership but it's still not active, please reach out to the BOD or a moderator. The PayPal system has a slight bug which it doesn't allow it to activate the account on it's own.
Kinda new to the "swap" thing. What do I need to bring or be aware of?
- Thread starter wienerdog
- Start date
Only bring the cash you want to spend and leave the credit cards at home. 
Swaps are great as great deals are to be found and one is like a kid in a candy store. The 2 that I have been to, I circle the vendors a few times, create a mental list on the must haves and then fill the rest in. Sometime I lose out because the "nice" frags seem to get picked up rather quickly.
I wish I could be there, but wife booked a weekend trip for the family to Scottsdale. Enjoy and have fun
Swaps are great as great deals are to be found and one is like a kid in a candy store. The 2 that I have been to, I circle the vendors a few times, create a mental list on the must haves and then fill the rest in. Sometime I lose out because the "nice" frags seem to get picked up rather quickly.I wish I could be there, but wife booked a weekend trip for the family to Scottsdale. Enjoy and have fun
malulu
NJRC Member
you can read what to expected and to bring here...
[url]http://www.njreefers.org/showthread.php?75108-Frag-Swap-Who-has-what&p=676162&viewfull=1#post676162[/URL]
[url]http://www.njreefers.org/showthread.php?75108-Frag-Swap-Who-has-what&p=676162&viewfull=1#post676162[/URL]
You are in for a an enchanting experience that is like being a kid who gets to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. Depending on how far you have to travel a coooler is a good idea as you want to make sure your frags get home safe and sound. I usually bring a little stereo to play comforting music for them as well so we are both starting off on the right foot together. Most vendors will hold frags for you until the end of the day if you are going to be there all day, and you really want to be there all day. In fact, they had to drag me out of there at the end because I wanted to stay even longer. Bring cash as there is no ATM on the premise and in the words of Old Dirty Bastard "Cash rules everything around me C.R.E.A.M get the money dollar dollar bill y'all". The chaeto you can bring if you setup a trade/or sale before hand and just swap it at the swap (swap). If you want to bring it anyway and give it away like the chaeto fairy the more power to you. My first swap I made a sweater and hat out of chaeto and was hailed as a prince. By the end of the day the outfit was gone, but chaeto was spread across the kingdom.
In all seriousness, bring a cooler, bring cash and prepare for a good time.
In all seriousness, bring a cooler, bring cash and prepare for a good time.
What to bring:
Cash - Most important item since you will want to buy something, no?
Cooler(s) - One big one is fine, but frags will come in small bags. Therefore, you will want to either pack the bags in tight or bring something sturdy to keep your bags from moving around in the cooler. You may want to bring an extra smaller one with ice packs in case you get any frozen foods. (KB Pet Products will be bringing samples)
Disposable Hand warmers - Those lil packages that you rub together to produce heat. Those will keep your corals warm for the ride home. Number will depend on how big your cooler is. It would be pretty hard to plug in a heater in your car, so these are a good alternative.
More Cash - Yes, you will be running out by now, and looking for more. You might want to bring a wealthy friend in case you need to borrow some. Some vendors may be accepting credit cards, but don't quote me on that.
Camera - Might want to take some pics of all the awesome specimens and the whole event you are attending... or maybe you want a pic of El Presidente (mnat)?
Small notepad and a pen(cil) - There will be 3 entertaining speakers who will be presenting you with some good hobby related info. You might want to take some notes of that. You also might want to write down some names/phone numbers of other members you meet there.
Depending on what you try to win in the raffle, you might need a large truck. - There are usually large items like tanks, stands, TV's, boxes/buckets of salt, etc. If you win it... be prepared to take it home THAT DAY! We can't leave anything there after the show.
Comfortable shoes - The place isn't huge, but you will be circling the vendor tables and put a few miles in.
Frags - It is a frag "swap" so if you have anything to trade with others and have made arrangements beforehand, bring those along too. Chaeto fits this category too... but try to find someone who wants it before bringing it with you.
That about covers it I think.
Cash - Most important item since you will want to buy something, no?
Cooler(s) - One big one is fine, but frags will come in small bags. Therefore, you will want to either pack the bags in tight or bring something sturdy to keep your bags from moving around in the cooler. You may want to bring an extra smaller one with ice packs in case you get any frozen foods. (KB Pet Products will be bringing samples)
Disposable Hand warmers - Those lil packages that you rub together to produce heat. Those will keep your corals warm for the ride home. Number will depend on how big your cooler is. It would be pretty hard to plug in a heater in your car, so these are a good alternative.
More Cash - Yes, you will be running out by now, and looking for more. You might want to bring a wealthy friend in case you need to borrow some.
Some vendors may be accepting credit cards, but don't quote me on that.Camera - Might want to take some pics of all the awesome specimens and the whole event you are attending... or maybe you want a pic of El Presidente (mnat)?
Small notepad and a pen(cil) - There will be 3 entertaining speakers who will be presenting you with some good hobby related info. You might want to take some notes of that. You also might want to write down some names/phone numbers of other members you meet there.
Depending on what you try to win in the raffle, you might need a large truck. - There are usually large items like tanks, stands, TV's, boxes/buckets of salt, etc. If you win it... be prepared to take it home THAT DAY! We can't leave anything there after the show.
Comfortable shoes - The place isn't huge, but you will be circling the vendor tables and put a few miles in.
Frags - It is a frag "swap" so if you have anything to trade with others and have made arrangements beforehand, bring those along too. Chaeto fits this category too... but try to find someone who wants it before bringing it with you.
That about covers it I think.
malulu
NJRC Member
most people think they would only spend X amount of $ on frags...
BUT, at the end of the day, most Vendors don't want to haul their stuff home, hence will have very very attractive prices at that time, you will realized you should have more cashes in your deep pockets! ( DO NOT BRING SPOUSE! they only slow down your buying powers!!! )
BUT, at the end of the day, most Vendors don't want to haul their stuff home, hence will have very very attractive prices at that time, you will realized you should have more cashes in your deep pockets! ( DO NOT BRING SPOUSE! they only slow down your buying powers!!! )
