What makes a good dealer a good dealer?

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by jnorth Whoa fellas!!! I think you guys are reading too much into koisrus posts. Koisrus said "most honest"...thats an opinion and they didn't say anyone was dishonest. So back to the original question. I think honesty, track record, service and availability are the most important to me. Another thing I like is a good koi selection in varying price ranges . I only buy from two dealers now and I make no secret about who they are (just check my website).With that said, in the last year I have been to Mystic, Easterns, Genki, Champion, nameless, Vienna Aquarium, Quality Koi, Nishikigoi of Niigata and spoken with MANY others at shows. With the exception of the nameless one they all were very honest and quite frankly I would buy koi from a couple of them except I'm happy with the two I use so I'll stick with them.

I have dealt with alot of dealers, even one local breeder. I will shop where I am most comfortable. I pretty much have a good relationship with all except one, but that is water under the bridge. There are people at every level in this hobby, it is up to everyone to shop around and look for a fish in there range(color, size and quality)...IMHO

[MysticKoi]

Quote: Yummy Bannana Cream is my favorite...

Nancy... It must be a November thing, as my absolute favorite pie is also bannana cream!

Kind Regards,
Bill

[RayJordan]

I would add that a good dealer provides true value and also is wanting to develop solid business relationships over the long haul. Value does not just mean lowest price. Value is best combination of selection of quality healthy koi priced fairly, information, advice, education, and a lot of other intangables likes supports the local koi community, etc. (this includes banana pie)

Select one or at most two dealers to do business with. If you are a more valuable customer to them you have a better chance of getting better value and first selection on koi shipments. Make sure the dealer understands your koi goals. If possible buy your equipment and consumables like koi food, water treatments, mediciations etc. from your preferred dealer. If you are on a tight budget volunteer to assist the dealer with some projects or events and you will not only learn a great deal but will likely get some special tratment as well.

It is hard for a dealer to go the extra mile for a hobbyist that buys everything over the internet for a few dollars less and haggles endlessly about price. I also bite my tongue when some clubs buy much of their members supplies over the internet in bulk and then wonder why the local dealer isn't willing to donate items for raffles or sponsor stuff for a show. Relationships only work when both parties benefit.

[koisrus]

Quote: Originally Posted by koiczar Seems to be the common thread for continuing to do business with any dealer !!

Koiczar, you seemed very nice in your PM and your coming off kinda strong with my opinion. I know you went to Japan with PSKoi, are you working for PSKoi? Because, if that is the kind of attitude I am going to get from a dealer I will deal else where. Thank you for making my stay here uncomfortable.

[koiczar]

Quote: Originally Posted by koisrus Koiczar, you seemed very nice in your PM and your coming off kinda strong with my opinion. I know you went to Japan with PSKoi, are you working for PSKoi? Because, if that is the kind of attitude I am going to get from a dealer I will deal else where. Thank you for making my stay here uncomfortable.

My post was not about PSKOI OR ANY RELATIONSHIP I HAVE WITH THEM. I happen to work for myself and have no business dealings with PSKoi. We are very good friends - PERIOD!! If you read the post, I think you will see I mentioned that there were several dealers in the area who are very trustworthy. Your post made it sound like you went to one dealer and then stated he was the "most honest" in the bay area - of course in your opinion - if that's the case, how can you form an opinion after one visit to one dealer was all I was asking. You also mentioned something about the deal you got and the price difference between two fish. Did you look at both fish personally or one in person and one from a picture? Sorry, I AM a nice guy and very sincere. I just don't appreciate it if someone makes the kind of statement (be your opinion or not) about one dealer without visiting the others. I consider ALL the others to be good friends or good business relationships. It just seemed like you passed judgement without knowing what you're talking about. Maybe I'm wrong, and I hope you'll enlighten me of your visits to other dealers and what you thought.

Also, these dealers ALL go the extra mile to support the local clubs without hesitation and have done so for years. You might want to show them some amount of respect too!!

I'm sorry if I've made your stay here uncomfortable - you just ruffled my feathers - that's all!!

Mike

[Koi Acres]

Quote: Originally Posted by RayJordan I would add that a good dealer provides true value and also is wanting to develop solid business relationships over the long haul. Value does not just mean lowest price. Value is best combination of selection of quality healthy koi priced fairly, information, advice, education, and a lot of other intangables likes supports the local koi community, etc. (this includes banana pie) Select one or at most two dealers to do business with. If you are a more valuable customer to them you have a better chance of getting better value and first selection on koi shipments. Make sure the dealer understands your koi goals. If possible buy your equipment and consumables like koi food, water treatments, mediciations etc. from your preferred dealer. If you are on a tight budget volunteer to assist the dealer with some projects or events and you will not only learn a great deal but will likely get some special tratment as well. It is hard for a dealer to go the extra mile for a hobbyist that buys everything over the internet for a few dollars less and haggles endlessly about price. I also bite my tongue when some clubs buy much of their members supplies over the internet in bulk and then wonder why the local dealer isn't willing to donate items for raffles or sponsor stuff for a show. Relationships only work when both parties benefit.

Ray,

You typed what I was thinking....... only better & probably faster.

[Auntiesue]

Quote: Originally Posted by RayJordan I would add that a good dealer provides true value and also is wanting to develop solid business relationships over the long haul. Value does not just mean lowest price. Value is best combination of selection of quality healthy koi priced fairly, information, advice, education, and a lot of other intangables likes supports the local koi community, etc. (this includes banana pie) Select one or at most two dealers to do business with. If you are a more valuable customer to them you have a better chance of getting better value and first selection on koi shipments. Make sure the dealer understands your koi goals. If possible buy your equipment and consumables like koi food, water treatments, mediciations etc. from your preferred dealer. If you are on a tight budget volunteer to assist the dealer with some projects or events and you will not only learn a great deal but will likely get some special tratment as well. It is hard for a dealer to go the extra mile for a hobbyist that buys everything over the internet for a few dollars less and haggles endlessly about price. I also bite my tongue when some clubs buy much of their members supplies over the internet in bulk and then wonder why the local dealer isn't willing to donate items for raffles or sponsor stuff for a show. Relationships only work when both parties benefit.

Very well said Ray!!! To me honesty is a must first and foremost. A close second would be everything noted in Ray's post. I also am still learning how to choose that potential "star of the north" so I also rely on my dealer to guide AND TEACH me in that area. I have found such a dealer and we are very happy with his recommendations, his personal service and his recommendations.

[nishi]

Honesty, reliability, availability, quality, and value.

[PapaBear]

While I think there have been a lot of great things mentioned here, (Ray Jordans post was excellent) JNorth mentioned "Availability". That word stands out to me as applying not only to having plenty of quality Koi on hand, but also to the dealer himself being available to the customer.
Time is a valuable commodity. When a good dealer invests time in a customer not just to work a sale, but to find out what the customer knows, needs to know, and is prepared to care for, it shows the customer that they are valued as well.

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by PapaBear While I think there have been a lot of great things mentioned here, (Ray Jordans post was excellent) JNorth mentioned "Availability". That word stands out to me as applying not only to having plenty of quality Koi on hand, but also to the dealer himself being available to the customer. Time is a valuable commodity. When a good dealer invests time in a customer not just to work a sale, but to find out what the customer knows, needs to know, and is prepared to care for, it shows the customer that they are valued as well.

Milk and cookies can't hurt either.