[MikeM]

Steve is right.

But for those unable to personally visit and inspect the fish, not much choice. Try to get the evaluation of someone who has seen the fish. I have been known to get a friend or a K-B contact to pay a visit to a dealer near them to check out a koi and report to me. Kichi love window shopping for someone else...great excuse to visit the dealer! Also, have the dealer send photos taken from the side or odd angles... the photos they took but did not post on their site. These often show conformation or pattern issues not prominent in the "cover girl" shot. I often send photos to someone whose eye I respect for their independent commentary. Sometimes they see things I did not. Even after all of that, it's a gamble... but a bit better educated one.

If the koi is priced above, say, $750, and the dealer says they don't have any photos except the one on their website and won't or can't take more, don't buy. You may have to wait a week or more for it to be convenient to take photos. But, if the fish is all it seems to be, they'll get you photos from all angles to make the sale if they believe you are seriously interested. If you just curious, don't waste their time. you make it tough on the rest of us!