[Killietalk] Killie Prices--Just a big Family

[Wimpy481240 at aol_com]

  We're squabbling just like anybody does in a big family. We all have our 
opinions and ideas about things and they don't always coincide with another's 
ideas. Just think how stale and boring it would be if they did. Not everybody 
gets along with everybody else at large family get-togethers [At least not in 
mine!!!].  As long as our final goal is basically the same {the enjoyment and 
challenges of our Killies} for everyone, that's all that matters!!!  If you want 
to charge prices that are what others might think a little high, someone will 
either pay it or not. Your choice and theirs. Want to give them away? Your 
choice also! 
    Prices are determined by what someone is willing to pay to get something 
that they want. Even when you have money though, you can't always find someone 
willing to sell them to you. I get it in my head that I want something 
special, find out who is breeding or keeping it, contact them to see if they are 
available or when in the future they will be, and ask HOW MUCH the breeder WANTS 
for them. Many times though, I've been rebuffed in my searches. Especially by 
the more senior or highly experienced breeders in our hobby [and on Killitalk] 
who are usually the repositories for those less common fish that we aspire to 
once we're ready to branch out to from the easier, more "common" fish that we 
start with. I've had money to burn for certain fish only to be told "well I 
don't know, keep looking, I'm sure you'll find some elsewhere!' Their choice 
again, price and availability.  
    Speaking of available fish, it seems that there are not as many of the 
more difficult fish since aquabid came on and N&RSC and BNL listings have 
diminished. Without our local shows, box sales, and auctions we might as well go 
back into common tropical fish clubs. Without those folks who make available the 
1, 10 or 25 pairs or eggs available to our shows, we might as well download 
pictures of the 'net and exhibit them. KUDOS to those who supply or mail in, the 
fish we buy or receive!!!
    One of the best things I've found about our hobby is that there are some 
mentors around. About '84 or '85 at a fish shop, I was staring at the first 
Killi I had ever seen that wasn't in a book when Karl Doering walked in. He 
invited me to a meeting [annual banquet] being held that night. I was hooked, 
hook, line and sinker! Since then, I don't think that Karl has ever charged me for 
a pair of fish from his fishroom. Times I'd be laid off from work, Karl'd 
give me some killies and tell me to repay the favor, do the same for someone 
else. Only time I've ever had to pay him was when he'd bring me back something 
from an out of town show. Lord knows I'll never be able to repay him what I owe 
him. Since then, I myself don't remember ever selling a pair of fish to anyone 
other than a pet shop. Someday I might though. Again, my choice.  Without 
people like Doering, and others like him, many of us wouldn't have the enjoyment, 
fellowship, and number of species that we have in our big family. 
    Sorry about the ramble, for the most part this is a great family!

Karl Meyer 
Michigan Killifish Association
AKA# 05710
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