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ISSUE 7

The Koi Perspective Written & Produced by

Hello, and welcome back to Issue #07, July saw the first show of the year, the BKKS National Koi Show.

What a fantastic show it was this year, the last couple of years the show has come on leaps and bounds, there’s more people visiting and loads of people exhibiting their products also, which is all amazing for the hobby.

August also spells the month for the Great British Koi Show, I look forward to meeting you there! If you see me, ask for a Koi Perspective sticker - I have loads to giveaway.

This issue we pick back up with Rick at New Forest Koi Farm to see if we managed to get some fish spawning, and we head to Adam Webbers pond for a chat before he shows this month at the Great British Koi Show, his pond is ginormous!

joe@thekoiperspective.com

perspective INSIDE INSIDE INSIDE

“The elephant in the room, Koi

Auctions” the

Written By: Joe Mitchell Producer & Writer of The Koi Perspective Magazine

Well, has there ever been something more polarising in Koi Keeping? Koi Auctions, it’s how a lot of you guys know me originally. I will write about them here as I feel every other conversation I have with readers is discussing the latest auction in which a fish has sold for an insane amount of money.

Let’s start at the beginning - yes, I have been a part of this industry and yes - I have done my fair share of selling Koi on auctions. But did I ever find it comfortable? No.

There's a certain unease that comes with the discussion, and it's something I've had to reconsider over time. I understand that some might see me as hypocritical for critiquing a system I once participated in, but life is about growth and learning from past experiences.

The front cover image this month is one I have saved on my computer since November 2022, a breeder auction in Kyushu. Manabu Ogata from the first ever inside perspective held an auction this year to signify the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a meeting for all the breeders in the region to come to his facility to bring fish for sale to auction.

Complimentary beer and Auctions, what could go wrong?

We arrived at 9:00 a.m. and were greeted by all the local TV news stations trying to interview Chris Masters about the upcoming auction. I seem to remember the lady behind the microphone asking Chris in broken English “What do you think?” and Chris replied, “Very nice”. Not quite the scoop she was hoping for! It was a Yorkshire reply, but it was correct!

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Some fantastic Koi were available from Okawa, Maruchiku, RK-Koi, Omote Nishikigoi, Ueno Koi Farm, and of course Ogata. It was a whole day affair, all with extremely low starting bids. (Nisai and Sansai starting at £100 – before taxes and shipping)

This was my first experience with Koi Auctions and it was a fantastic day. We were hosted with food and drink - completely complimentary and I got to ask the breeders about all of the individual Koi and ask why

There are farms in Japan that are moving towards this new business model where auctions are becoming the only way to buy their best Tosai for sale, this way they ensure they get the most for their buck. The UK dealers have moved towards this model albeit doing it online and losing that personal touch.

I can understand UK Koi Auctions from dealers who are clearing unsold stock so they can go back to Japan or re-stock their sales tanks, it’s a do-or-die thing for a dealer to shift stock.

THESTORYOF THESTORYOF THESTORYOF

WHATISTHEELITEDIFFERENCE? WHATISTHEELITEDIFFERENCE? WHATISTHEELITEDIFFERENCE?

One of the main things about visiting a sales facility from a hobbyist or customer perspective is to see what they have in stock, if its all Nisai which were last year’s Tosai that have grown half a centre metre and lost body mass, it makes a sad sight to see. Dealers don’t have the finances to grow fish in heated sales tanks and use expensive koi food to grow Tosai.

So, a lot of dealers use auctions and set low reserves, if they recoup the cost of what they paid then they are usually quite happy with this.

What I don’t understand is auctions from Koi Dealers who are turning toward this method to sell fish year-round. Visually, videos of the Koi using social media can be quite appealing. However, the prices that people are paying are off the charts and some of the sales techniques that we see banded around actually makes me wince!

An amazing GIn Rin Kohaku (Sansai) with no reserve price and minimal start bid.

Again, I’m being hypocritical because people will be able to find examples in my past where I’ve perhaps put my foot in it several times. However, I always tried my best to stay as balanced and level-headed about the fish I was selling without taking it too far, appreciating the Koi in front of you rather than particularly giving it the hard sell.

A significant issue lies in the way fish are marketed. Statements like “When this fish is 80cm, this will be stunning” – this is not a sentence that should be used when we are talking about a 20-30cm Nisai, but it’s become the “status quo” to sell fish like this nowadays.

“If this doesn’t sell, I’ll keep it and grow it” This statement is often hollow without evidence of the dealer's ability to do so. A good Koi dealer should be able to sell based on their expertise and genuine appreciation of the fish, rather than relying on hard-sell tactics.

The ability to look over the fish before the auction is key, its your job to spot any deformities/pattern flaws before the auction - theres always risk involved.

This Shiro Utsuri was a perfect example, fantastic pattern, one I was keen to bid on, however when I looked closer you could see a significant tightening into the tail from the body, which wasnt visable on the photograph, but thats why there is no reserve!

"If this fish didn’t have this bit of Beni in the pectoral fin, it would be double the price" is used to downplay flaws and inflate perceived value. This kind of sales patter is a poor technique because it diverts attention from the fish's actual quality and potential, instead focusing on hypothetical scenarios that never come to fruition.

"The fish's current size is misleading; it will grow much larger” Overpromising on growth potential can mislead buyers, especially if the fish is not genetically predisposed to reach the projected size.

Relying on exaggerated or speculative sales techniques can have detrimental long-term effects on a Koi dealer's business. When buyers invest in fish based on promises that don’t materialize, their disappointment can lead to a loss of trust and credibility for the dealer. As these buyers gain experience and develop a discerning eye, they will recognize the disparity between the sales pitch and the reality of their purchases.

Over time, being honest and transparent about the Koi’s current qualities and realistic potential will result in a more satisfied and loyal customer base, which is essential for sustained business success.

This is why we’ve seen weekly Koi auctions from some dealers completely stop, as a direct result of dwindling interest in their fish. The market has become more discerning, and hobbyists are now better equipped to identify quality and value. Dealers who fail to adapt to this more informed market environment find it increasingly difficult to maintain a steady stream of interested customers ultimately impacting

Amazing bento box given sampling all the local Kysuhu cuisine by Ogata Koi Farm, it really felt like a get together rather than a day to hard sell fish.

The contrast between the Japanese auction in Kyushu and the internet Koi auctions highlights big differences in approach and customer experience. The Kyushu auction was an in-person event that was about having a nice day out and mingling with others, whilst offering buyers the opportunity to engage directly with breeders, ask questions, and truly understand the value of each Koi. It also ensured that buyers felt confident in their purchases.

Press Play to View

In contrast, internet Koi auctions lack this personal touch, relying heavily on photos and videos that may not always fully capture the fish's true qualities. And its not to say all UK Koi Auctions are like this. Most of you will know which ones are the ones I’m discussing.

The impersonal nature of online auctions in my opinion leads to exaggerated claims and speculative promises that sellers might hesitate to make if it were in person, along with more and more influencer endorsements. While this might temporarily attract viewers and bidders, it does not substitute for genuine quality and honest selling practices and prices. Anonymity of online platforms in my opinion emboldens sellers to stretch the truth, knowing they don't have to face the buyers directly.

What's your experience with online auctions? Love them? Hate them? Contact me at joe@thekoiperspective.com