Has anyone ever seen something like this before?

zebrastorey · Post by **zebrastorey** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:38 pm

found this on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SHARE-A-PR-OF-ADU ... dZViewItem

khblock · Post by **khblock** » Mon May 01, 2006 9:56 pm

Well, that's rather interesting and no, I've never seen that. I wonder if he will get any bites. It's not something I would personally do especially when you don't know the guy. Its a gamble no matter how you look at it.
I've seen this sort of thing in show dogs but not for fish. I'm surprised Ebay would allow it.

Plastic Mac · Post by **Plastic Mac** » Tue May 02, 2006 9:39 am

I don't see why Ebay wouldn't allow it...if they allow the sale of a whole fish whats the problem with part of one?

Good on him for using his initiative...it's an interesting idea and for 25 quid you haven't exactly got a lot to lose.

khblock · Post by **khblock** » Tue May 02, 2006 1:12 pm

IMHO
I guess my reasoning that ebay probably wouldn't allow it is that your really aren't buying a tangible item; just a possibility in shared ownership of something. Is there a contract? Can it be enforced? How do you know for a fact the seller actually has a zebra pleco or can breed it? You don't know. Do you get visiting rights or allowed inspections? How do you know the fish spawned and you are told you weren't one of the lucky ones to get a fry because your name happens to be at the bottom of his list? How do you know the fish is alive and well when you are told it died? He says he will give "youngsters" and try to give" "the opposite sex". We do know youngster can't be sexed. How many pairs does he have? If he has only one pair are they the right sex? To make this work he has to have a proven pair of zebras with the ability to produce 28 babies. He does offer your money back if requested in the first six months. It took me a year and a half for my adults to get ready to spawn. It boils down to how much you are willing to trust a complete stranger on ebay.

Here is a worse case scenario.
All total he is requesting 350 pounds per pair (14 x 25 pounds). The stock owners buy the fish for him and he is responsible for the upkeep, he gets to keep the fry and sell them to the highest bidder because your fish "died" or "hasn't spawned yet and may never".

I'm not trying to put the guy down, he sounds like a good guy from is own description, and thinks he is on to something. He is saying the right things. But if the idea gets in to the wrong hands I can see troubles ahead. Cons know how to say the right things too. Dishonest people love a mark. I could very well be wrong (which I am often) but personally, I would steer clear. So many people are desperate for zebra plecos and desperate people are at risk of being taken.

thebuddy · Post by **thebuddy** » Tue May 02, 2006 2:35 pm

How does that work once they breed you get the babies?

khblock · Post by **khblock** » Tue May 02, 2006 3:21 pm

According to the listing. You get two babies, one at a time. He will try to sex them and send them to you.

Now, Buddy, think twice and talk to your dad. Let him read all this before you do anything. OK?

thebuddy · Post by **thebuddy** » Tue May 02, 2006 4:41 pm

khblock wrote:According to the listing. You get two babies, one at a time. He will try to sex them and send them to you.

Now, Buddy, think twice and talk to your dad. Let him read all this before you do anything. OK?

Mate he didn't post it very well his typing is worse then mine was 2 months ago how can ye expect anyone to understand that?

Plastic Mac · Post by **Plastic Mac** » Tue May 02, 2006 6:27 pm

khblock wrote:IMHO
I guess my reasoning that ebay probably wouldn't allow it is that your really aren't buying a tangible item]

OK it's not quite the same thing but a couple of month ago I was searching ebay and came across someone selling an idea. Actually he claimed it to be a revolutionary invention for the removal of chewing gum. He was asking for 10,000,000 dollars as an initial payment with a further 40,000,000 dollars once the invention had been passed on etc etc. He was also asking for 2% of the gross profit each year. He never once stated what the invention was, infact it kind of implied he only had a few drawings etc and that was it...still he asked for 10,000,000 dollars and the listing was never removed....it didn't sell in the end, no surprise!. Point is that wasn't a tangible item either....and it stayed listed so I don't think that's relevant for ebay, at least not at the moment..

How do you know for a fact the seller actually has a zebra pleco or can breed it? You don't know. Do you get visiting rights or allowed inspections? How do you know the fish spawned and you are told you weren't one of the lucky ones to get a fry because your name happens to be at the bottom of his list? How do you know the fish is alive and well when you are told it died? He says he will give "youngsters" and try to give" "the opposite sex". We do know youngster can't be sexed. How many pairs does he have? If he has only one pair are they the right sex? To make this work he has to have a proven pair of zebras with the ability to produce 28 babies. He does offer your money back if requested in the first six months. It took me a year and a half for my adults to get ready to spawn. It boils down to how much you are willing to trust a complete stranger on ebay.

Here is a worse case scenario.
All total he is requesting 350 pounds per pair (14 x 25 pounds). The stock owners buy the fish for him and he is responsible for the upkeep, he gets to keep the fry and sell them to the highest bidder because your fish "died" or "hasn't spawned yet and may never".

I'm not trying to put the guy down, he sounds like a good guy from is own description, and thinks he is on to something. He is saying the right things. But if the idea gets in to the wrong hands I can see troubles ahead. Cons know how to say the right things too. Dishonest people love a mark. I could very well be wrong (which I am often) but personally, I would steer clear. So many people are desperate for zebra plecos and desperate people are at risk of being taken

You don't, of course is has to be taken in faith...but you can still be ripped off by buying an actual product from ebay and not get your money back.
I guess my what I am saying is, I would be prepared to spend 25 quid....hell if it is a rip off, it's hardly the end of the world. The tax man takes more than that from me everyday and that's a damn rip off for sure!
Plus if I was intending to rip people off I wouldn't make it such a small amount..I'd aim for £50 of each at least. Maybe you're right and they are con merchants but I'd take the risk for 25 quid.
Hopefully somehow we'll hear what happens.

khblock · Post by **khblock** » Tue May 02, 2006 6:35 pm

Plastic Mac,
You are right. As long as someone understands there is a risk and doesn't mind the gamble.

asking for 10,000,000 dollars as an initial payment with a further 40,000,000

Oh, well that goes to show anyone can try to sell anything on ebay. As long as they get their money I guess All is fair in love, war and e-commerce.

thebuddy · Post by **thebuddy** » Tue May 02, 2006 6:44 pm

Here an interesting thought...
could some of the people around here (that have already breed them) do something like this to fund more fish and tanks and then give us some of there babies so that we can have these wonderful fish.

plus side
Whoever breeds them gets funds to expand sooner then if he sold the babies once there old enough.
People could get there zebra plecos for a very low price and maybe be able to aford the tank.

downside
None if we limit it to the most successful breeders and or site admins/moderators. (hopefully to keep people from running off with investors money)

Its just a thought that could be an interesting discussion and possibly a reality someday.

gemjunkie · Post by **gemjunkie** » Mon May 15, 2006 2:50 am

Does this mean once you grow the fish out, you are not allowed to breed it?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... R4_PCN_BIX