dealers

[anubisram]

Hi,
I'm new to this site but not to the koi world. I hope this question hasn't been asked before, but i am looking for some good dealers in nearby locations (i am based in rhyl). Before I get any replies I will not purchase from North Wales Water Gardens, waterworld (wirral) and the fish people in chester (only because I popped in last week and feel that the quality of what was on offer was bland and expensive - they used to deal with japanese fish but now appears only uk fish and the garden center specials Grade a !!
Hope someone can help. I don't get a lot of spare time so must be in easy striking distance
thanks

[Martin R]

Hi Anubisram, Welcome to the NWKS forum
Unfortunately you've already hit upon the biggest problem that Koi Keepers in NW face. Lack of Dealers in the area
The Garden centres you mention are OK for "Starter koi" where you just need a few inexpensive Koi to get your pond up and running and to get the Hobbyist on the first steps.

However, for quality Japanese Koi you're going to have to travel a bit I'm affraid (thankfully not all the way to Japan ).

In The Manchester area there is Cascade Water Gardens (near Bury) and YourKoi (private dealership run by Tony McCann-who often writes in Koi Magazine).
Many of us in the NWKS have learned a hard lesson of Introducing poor quality Koi and suffereing losses and disappointment, so we now buy exclusively from Richdon Koi over near Burton on Trent.
"That's a long way " I hear you say. Yes, but definitely worth it.
http://www.richdon-koi.com/
My advice is come along to meet a couple of us at the NWKS (contact details on main web pages. http://www.northwaleskoi.co.uk/contact-us). We can discuss what you're after and the type of budget you have for any new Koi. You often find that our members are selling good quality Japanese Koi are silly prices I've just bought 3 large koi this way and they're excellent quality. One or two members also breed from Japanese parent koi and sell 1-2year old koi off at £20 upwards. They'll not win the BKKS Nationals, but their colours and patterns are far better than Garden centre koi . Why not drop Dave S Wilson (NWKS Membership Sec) a line and have a chat. I'm sure we can help you.
Regards
Martin

[Martin R]

I meant to add that the 2 NWKS Members who breed and sell Koi to fellow club members are based on the Mold and Prestatyn areas.

Martin

[site admin]

Hi Anubisram,
Welcome to the forum, by all means please get in touch, I think Martin has covered all the bases in respect of dealerships within our area.
There are always koi for sale within the Club, some sold examples are in the for sale section.

regards
Dave.

[Martin R]

Hi Again Anubisram,
Just opened my new copy of Koi Mag, and there your were on Page 15. An "A list Celeb" in our midst Lol

Glad to have you on the Forum, & hope to get you to join NWKS.

I see you have a Nexus 200. One or two of our members have the 200 and the Nexus 300.

All the best,
Martin

[anubisram]

thanks Martin and Dave. I am aware of Richdon and Cascade but never seem to have the time to travel. As for joining the NWKS it is something that I have been thinking about...the only thing putting me off is the amount of spare time i have...i would be very much an invisible member. I am interested in the members you mentioned who have fish for sale. At present I am currently looking for Beni Kumonryu, Kikusui and Goshiki. If you know of any please let me know.
thanks Richard

[Martin R]

Hi Richard,
Give Dave a call or PM him about joining the NWKS. For £15 a year you'll get an awful lot of support locally with Koi Health and treatment, Pond visits within our club and other clubs (eg Wirral, Staffs, Cheshire, Liverpool), Competitions (Photo Koi Show, Grow & Show) and club evenings, guest speakers (e.g. Jasper Kuijpers from EA, Tony McCann).
Several of our members are like yourself, not able to spare too much time. But nevertheless they get morer than enough out of the whole "Deal" to make it worth their while.

I'll ask about the varieties that you're after.
I actually won a Goshiki (now about 13") in the club Xmas raffle. It was home bred by one of our members. The Black has now lighter than the photos shows, and the beni is more evident.

If you fancy popping over to see any of our ponds and have a chat, just say the word.
All the best
Martin