Ed_R,Ed_R wrote: As to the price- It's an open free market. That means the seller's free to charge anything they like and the buyer's free to pay anything they like. If a seller prices himself out of the market, he wont' sell any fish. If he underprices, he's also making a mistake. And if a buyer sets his price ceiling too low, he'll never get any fish at any size!
Totally agree with your comments as above.
I have been caught on both sides of the fence.
As a seller, When selling livestock, eg fish, birds or whatever, do I sell to the petshop( which I know has overheads, staff salaries etc) at one third of their selling price, for them to take a 200% markup or sell directly to the public either at the going rate or slighly less. I know what I would do !!! I have also sold budgies to a pet shop where they put a 400% mark up.
As a buyer I have a choice, if buying catfish for example , more often than not, of which shop has the best stock and best price, and therefore which one I buy from. Sometimes good stock or rare stock, commands higher prices, it is my choice whether I buy or not.I may try and bargain, but if the price is fixed, It is my decision whether I buy or not.What use is it moaning about the prices?. . I have recently bought catfish off the adds in Aquarist classifieds at less than half the price of the fish shops. If available, why not?
I have also been taken for a ride by dealers. Many years ago, when I bred good quality Discus, I "sold" my first stock of youngsters to a Famous Discus dealer in Highgate,London, who has also written a lot of Discus books. He told me to come back the following week for my money, which was a few hundred pounds, so naively I said OK. I went back the following week ,which was over an hours journey by public transport and he said" My accounts books are with my accountant, I need you to come back next week.So back again I went ,the following week. The shop was closed and empty. I was told by the nextdoor shopkeeper that he had emigrated to Thailand. So now , after this terrible experience,when I do a deal, it is always money first or no deal.
To end I would say As Buyers or Sellers we all have a CHOICE to CHOOSE. Just use this Choice wisely.!!!,
Shell231,
How can Zebras at £25 be a waste of money . If you think it is steep, at £25 for 1.5" fish, it is your choice. I know what I would have done if I were in your position, but I am not !!! I bought a mixed bunch of L046 in Dec for £70 each and some were 1.5". There again that was my choice !!!!
Guest,
I have bought a minimum of 6 young fish when I was in a position that I have been unable to sex fish whether plecs or not, to enable me to have some of each sex.
and Rob, mine is a bud too, but any beer will do, I am not fussy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!lol: Will join Sid for a beer at the discus show later in the year. How about you?
Regards,
Des.