Melody
Jan 25th 2007, 06:45 PM
My Mother always taught me that class can't be bought. Its not dependent on money and you either have it or you don't. Our family was a crazy mix of tycoon wealth and hard-working country folk and I learned a lot about both worlds.
I guess that's why I'm always well aware of classy moves, as well as classless ones.
I have to say that I've seen a lot of class in this hobby and a lot of classless crap, but nothing has impressed me more than snails. That's right - snails. I sell them and had the local niche for several years now. Then they caught on and of course, lots of people had them.
Today makes at least a dozen people who have contacted me because they had snails that are now breeding and filling their tanks. They had to move them but they didn't want to step on my toes. They didn't want to post them or sell them for a lower price. It was usually in desperation that they contacted me because they hadn't a clue what to do with these things. In fact, there is only ONE person I know of that sells them that didn't ask me about it first (and of course, nobody has to...lol).
I can't express how impressed I am with that kind of friendship, but the great part is, some of these people I hardly know. They're just good people who didn't feel quite right competing with me. How I felt about it meant more to them than their crowded tanks. I am beyond touched by that.
Every breeder knows that by selling they are facilitating future competition. I have enjoyed my local niche for a long time, longer than I expected to, and I don't expect people to not sell what I've sold to them. The price they choose is up to them and I don't take it personally. I would much rather see a hobbyist taking a realistic look at their tanks and say "I like that Melody chick but these creatures are going to suffer if I don't clear some of them out soon" and do what they feel they have to do.
I work with other breeders, referring locals to them to save shipping, etc. I like working like that and if I can't do that then I don't want to do it at all. I have made so many friends with that approach and that is something I've benefited from many times over.
I realize that some people/places view it all as cut-throat competition or betrayal somehow, but I don't. My sincere respect and appreciation to all of those who have been the kind of hobbyist I'm proud to know, and who put these ethics/friendships first. I can't think of anyone that I'd like to see profit more from the creatures I've supplied to them, than good people like yourselves. Thanks 4 being U!:notworthy:
I guess that's why I'm always well aware of classy moves, as well as classless ones.
I have to say that I've seen a lot of class in this hobby and a lot of classless crap, but nothing has impressed me more than snails. That's right - snails. I sell them and had the local niche for several years now. Then they caught on and of course, lots of people had them.
Today makes at least a dozen people who have contacted me because they had snails that are now breeding and filling their tanks. They had to move them but they didn't want to step on my toes. They didn't want to post them or sell them for a lower price. It was usually in desperation that they contacted me because they hadn't a clue what to do with these things. In fact, there is only ONE person I know of that sells them that didn't ask me about it first (and of course, nobody has to...lol).
I can't express how impressed I am with that kind of friendship, but the great part is, some of these people I hardly know. They're just good people who didn't feel quite right competing with me. How I felt about it meant more to them than their crowded tanks. I am beyond touched by that.
Every breeder knows that by selling they are facilitating future competition. I have enjoyed my local niche for a long time, longer than I expected to, and I don't expect people to not sell what I've sold to them. The price they choose is up to them and I don't take it personally. I would much rather see a hobbyist taking a realistic look at their tanks and say "I like that Melody chick but these creatures are going to suffer if I don't clear some of them out soon" and do what they feel they have to do.
I work with other breeders, referring locals to them to save shipping, etc. I like working like that and if I can't do that then I don't want to do it at all. I have made so many friends with that approach and that is something I've benefited from many times over.
I realize that some people/places view it all as cut-throat competition or betrayal somehow, but I don't. My sincere respect and appreciation to all of those who have been the kind of hobbyist I'm proud to know, and who put these ethics/friendships first. I can't think of anyone that I'd like to see profit more from the creatures I've supplied to them, than good people like yourselves. Thanks 4 being U!:notworthy: