[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by Richard Rombold Well qualified honest Dealers are essential to our Hobby. The Hobbyist needs a source to turn to for supplies and help. In Japan this is recognized. Loyalty and relationship are paramount and its in poor taste to buy directly from a Breeder. In the States, Dealers, for the most part, shun domestic fish. Understandable. The quality hasn't been there. But, what happens when the quality of Domestic koi reaches that of the average Japanese import? Will Domestic Breeders be willing to abandon the alternate routes to market they have establish for the well being of Dealers? I hope so, but I doubt it. Its something to consider. This is not hypothetical.

If domestic breeders are making more money selling directly to hobbiests, then I can't see that there would be the same relationship as in Japan. If the level of quality improves to the point that more dealers buy from domestic breeders, then perhaps things would change.

In Japan though, the breeders do sometimes sell directly to Hobbiests. Kato-San does support the breeder dealer - relationship and uses deelers to buy Koi from breeders.