How to choose a dealer

[aquitori]

It's funny how there are dealers like that. Taking returns on fish because a hobbyist was too stupid to take it home in the first place. Is it a good policy, no the chance to spread disease is even far great. Even more funny how there are alot of new dealers out there to make a quick buck. Be advise to choose wisely and develop a relationship.

[dick benbow]

I judge a dealer the same way I judge any other point of purchase. Service after the sale, genuine respect and regard for the koi and the individual.
I'll visit an outlet and check for general fish health. Thru numerous trips I'll inquire about sourcing, QT, and pick up a general sense if this person knows their stuff. To be seen as a prospect, I'll buy a test kit or food or something else I can use so that they don't feel I come in an take up their time with no reward. (they are in business) and I check with others who have dealt with them and have been satisfied.

the truth of the matter is a good dealer is worth their weight as a point to go when you need help. Yes, I've purchased from a breeder, but try talking to one when you have an emergency and need to get answers quick. Each has it's place and purpose. like a good dentist or dr, each plays a part in the health and happiness of any individual

[Bob Winkler]

What a great thread.....I love concentrating on, and accentuating, the positive...The other thread on the negative side was very useful too.... but one could take the opposite of what is written here and apply it if one needs a measuring stick to determine just what one is 'going through" at the time.........There is too much negativity in our posts to each other, IMHO.

I have had my poor experiences. Just one example.. still waiting on a replacement koi for a 71 cm Showa that died at in dealer quarantine months after arriving healthy. Been waiting 3 years for that promised replacement. My point in bringing that up at all, is the opposite has also happened to me.. or I should say "for" me...This past fall, our trip to Japan was very good, and as some know from the posts I have made it was in two parts. We bought more koi than we planned on, or budgeted for (what else is new?) and shipped home through two different dealers. One for each part of the trip. There were challenges in each part. The first group came to us as promised and uneventfully shipping wise, and arrived a couple days after we got home. I have never received koi so quick after getting home from Japan. That is a good thing. The challenge was that two koi, the kuchibeni kohaku and my friend's kohaku from the same breeder arrived sick, and despite our best efforts, multiple calls to the dealer for advice, etc. died. Ray's died in his quarantine pond two days after arrival and mine died in my quarantine pond one week later. The dealer also had a kohaku from the same breeder that they struggled with, but were able to save. It was painful for me to lose a fish, not just one I really liked, but any fish, but I learned something too. I learned what they did different than I, and next time I might do better. but here is the really good part. The dealer said to me, "This was not right Bob, we will ask for a replacement"...no promises, and they brought it up...I didn't have to ask. I am not sure I would have.. I know the deal...The risk is mine once you pays yer money in Japan. So it took a little while, and I know the dealer and broker spent alot of effort and phone calls. Probably a fair amount of stomach lining and heart muscle was lost in getting Ray and I the replacements by all involved, including the breeder. Picture of our choice is below. (Looks like I need to post under a diff screen name.. stay tuned to next post for that).. Ray took the top koi as it was much like what he lost, and I took the maruten in the middle. This was a good long term business decision by all involved. I wasn't sure by the picture what level they are. I hate buying koi from a picture. Too many opportunities for surprise or disappointment vs in person pick. But these koi are now in my quarantine, and not only very healthy but better than the picture. A truly worthy replacement for what we lost. In comparison, I have also had a replacement koi b4 that was not close to what was lost. Focusing on the positive though is what is important. What's more, the dealer insisted on quarantining them for me 1st. To make sure. This is all above and beyond. This is a good dealer. This is service after the sale to the nth degree.

I have another good story about another good dealer, and breeder for that matter......going to login as my alter ego for that and to post the picture of the replacment koi...Out of room on this screen name

[BobWinkler]

Same trip this fall...part deaux

So the second group of koi is to come in...I am ready, excited most about "Kay's koi".. This is the Sanke my mother in law bought as her first koi ever. Truly koi kichi, she stayed an extra two months with us just waiting for this koi to arrive. My son sleeping on the couch now for almost 4 months so she could have a bedroom. But I am getting ahead of myself....

The breeder wrote me an email the morning they are to be shipped... Saying the koi are coming, but apologizing that Kay's Sanke did not come to Isawa, but a very similar Sanke was sent by mistake. Honesty. We realized after we left that no pictures were taken by, or given to the breeder when we bought the koi. We were all so excited. We had emailed pictures back to them, but as some know, the breeder of that koi is Toshio Sakai's right hand man. Igarashi San. So he was in Isawa when the koi was sent from Niigata. Easy to mistake, especially when descibed, and not with a picture. So we received the koi that were coming uneventfully, and those made it through the quarantine period. But now it was getting too cold, and other "normal" problems with shipping during Christmas time, especially for just one koi. The cost. ouch. But the breeder, the dealer, and I persevered. I saw Kay's face every day and the disappointment. So maybe I kept bugging them Finally after alot of effort by the dealer and breeder, they told me "not possible to ship one koi". So I said, what about 2 koi? ....more time.. "not possible" too much to ship for just that...So now Kay is getting uncomfortable leaving her house for so long in Michigan... So her flight is set... January 12 she is to leave... I am thinking.. I really wanted more koi from this breeder... really..LOL.. not a rationalization.. I wanted similar age of several gosanke as what we had lost. So I asked.. how about Nisai kohaku and another GR Chagoi (I love the one we already got from them this trip)...Possible? Now with 3 boxes, it is getting doable...Still, 3 boxes.. not a normal "shipment", and I need my friend and dealer part deaux to step up. He refused to take the money I insisted on paying him for his time.. I figure he lost at least a full day from work, and that might just be on shipping day. And the day of shipping? January 9. Just in time...God meant for Kay to see her koi again b4 she went home... This is also above and beyond. Follow through and service after the sale. This on koi they didnt make any money off anyway, as we bought the "part deaux koi" as '"free agents" and asked if they would ship for us.

Kay and I rode to the airport at midnight Jan 9, picked up the koi, and brought them home. It made it all worth it when she released the koi into the quarantine and said "Welcome to America". That is something Shila and I will not forgot.

[Lam Nguyen]

.......and they live happily ever after. The End!

Wow, such moving narrative! Thanks for sharing. Those "free agent" koi aren't shabby, Bob. Very nice replacements!!!!! I am so happy for all of you, and especially your mother-in-law. It was definitely worth the 2mos wait!

[aquitori]

Great story Bob....The way I see it is you everything in your power to keep the Mother-inlaw happy...You are so lucky to have a family that shares in your hobbys.

Tony

[koiczar]

Bob

Great story! As I was on hand when Kay picked out the sanke, I know how frustrating the rest of the story must have been. It truly was a very touching moment for her.

The fact that the dealer who handled your shipping did so in the manner you mention goes to show what a class act they really are. So, now Kay is back home(?) in Michigan. I bet she thinks of her sanke everyday and wishes she could enjoy it in person! That was one helluva fish. As a side note, my maruten kohaku from Igarashi, that I bought at the same time, is doing very good as well. Also, my showa that was grown out for a year came in in excellent condition and is doing very well. She went into the mud at 24" and came home at 29"! Great body and she still has a ways to go to finish. That's my job and I truly hope I'm up to the task.

Thanks for the anecdote. It's always great hearing success stories.

Are you coming to the Sakai Seminar this year. Hope to see you then if you are.

Regards

Mike

[Nancy M.]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bob Winkler What a great thread.....I love concentrating on, and accentuating, the positive...The other thread on the negative side was very useful too.... but one could take the opposite of what is written here and apply it if one needs a measuring stick to determine just what one is 'going through" at the time.........There is too much negativity in our posts to each other, IMHO. I have had my poor experiences. Just one example.. still waiting on a replacement koi for a 71 cm Showa that died at in dealer quarantine months after arriving healthy. Been waiting 3 years for that promised replacement. My point in bringing that up at all, is the opposite has also happened to me.. or I should say "for" me...This past fall, our trip to Japan was very good, and as some know from the posts I have made it was in two parts. We bought more koi than we planned on, or budgeted for (what else is new?) and shipped home through two different dealers. One for each part of the trip. There were challenges in each part. The first group came to us as promised and uneventfully shipping wise, and arrived a couple days after we got home. I have never received koi so quick after getting home from Japan. That is a good thing. The challenge was that two koi, the kuchibeni kohaku and my friend's kohaku from the same breeder arrived sick, and despite our best efforts, multiple calls to the dealer for advice, etc. died. Ray's died in his quarantine pond two days after arrival and mine died in my quarantine pond one week later. The dealer also had a kohaku from the same breeder that they struggled with, but were able to save. It was painful for me to lose a fish, not just one I really liked, but any fish, but I learned something too. I learned what they did different than I, and next time I might do better. but here is the really good part. The dealer said to me, "This was not right Bob, we will ask for a replacement"...no promises, and they brought it up...I didn't have to ask. I am not sure I would have.. I know the deal...The risk is mine once you pays yer money in Japan. So it took a little while, and I know the dealer and broker spent alot of effort and phone calls. Probably a fair amount of stomach lining and heart muscle was lost in getting Ray and I the replacements by all involved, including the breeder. Picture of our choice is below. (Looks like I need to post under a diff screen name.. stay tuned to next post for that).. Ray took the top koi as it was much like what he lost, and I took the maruten in the middle. But this good business. I wasn't sure by the picture what level they are. I hate buying koi from a picture. Too many opportunity for surprise or disappointment vs in person pick. But these koi are now in my quarantine, and not only very healthy but better than the picture. A truly worthy replacement for what we lost. In comparison, I have also had a replacement koi b4 that were not close to what was lost. Focusing on the positive though is what is important. What's more, the dealer insisted on quarantining them for me 1st. To make sure. This is all above and beyond. This is a good dealer. This is service after the sale to the nth degree. I have another good story about another good dealer, and breeder for that matter......going to login as my alter ego for that and to post the picture of the replacment koi...Out of room on this screen name

Bob,
I am so happy that Ken was able to get you both a replacement fish, and that you like them. I know how stressed you both were during the QT process, as each day the fish got worse. Marudo is a very honorable man.

[saratogatan]

choosing a dealer is like finding a wife. You need to set some marks to qualify the candidates, and get to know them pretty well before you sign away your life.
To know following this process is equivlent to getting yourselve very drunk in a bar, sign the marriage certificate with the first women you see, and go to bed with her. The outcome will not be pretty.

This is the male side of the story. Ladies, please chip in.

stan

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by saratogatan choosing a dealer is like finding a wife. You need to set some marks to qualify the candidates, and get to know them pretty well before you sign away your life. To know following this process is equivlent to getting yourselve very drunk in a bar, sign the marriage certificate with the first women you see, and go to bed with her. The outcome will not be pretty. This is the male side of the story. Ladies, please chip in. stan

Tan your logic transends anything I can EVER think of....