Lazy Grading? Or Sneaky marketing tool?

[Sacrilicious]

So what is the deal with heaps of people grading Crystal red shrimp as "A/S grade"?

I've got a sneaking suspicion from what I have seen others buy that "A/S" grade basically translates as "These shrimp are actually all A grade, but you can buy them hoping for better".

I refuse to believe that many people cannot tell the difference as to what consitutes an A or an S grade shrimp - I think sellers are using this as a dodgy marketing tool - You might as well sell jewellery as "cubic zirconia/diamonds" and sell people "diamonds" that all end up being cubic zirconia!

Just a personal opinion as I have yet to see anyone come away with an S grade with solid white patterning from one of these "A/S grade" deals... and I'm having trouble believing it is a coincidence and sellers are just too lazy to separate them... I think its a con.

Interested in what other people have experienced?

[2OFUS]

I sell a and s grades

if u specifically tell the seller you want s grades only you will be able to see when you pick them up.

just simply choose not to buy them if they are not upto scratch

[Squiggle]

I'm inclined to agree with you but I think there may be another factor, numbers. I think that some people want to sell their A & S grade shrimp together because they simply don't have enough of either to make up a ten pack of each & would rather sell them all at the same time(so there is a lazy factor in that to) :victorious:

[2OFUS]

Also

Colour and health of the shrimp depends on water parameters and water quality

I have seen some s grades turn to almost b grades due to different water parameters etc etc

[BlueBolts]

I sell A/S grades :)....I've selectively breed SSS/SS grades for 3+ years now, and 90% of my shrimplets are SSS-S grades, but sell my S grades as A/S purely due to the fact that it's based on a combination of patterns, colouration and intensity. Thus not disappointing the buyer.

I don't sell cull CRS/CBS, and my A/S grade shrimps, and based on SSS/SS stock, so with A grade pricing, and a selective program of 3+ years with SSS/SS genetics, there's great value in them.

A grade shrimps are either given as extra's or they go to my son's tank...

Each hobbyist have their own perspective, thus reputation and ensuring the buyer gets great value and exceeds their expectations is important....selling S grade shrimps at A grade prices, and ensuring quality exceeds the buyers expectations is critical..

Many hobbyist sell their shrimps based on patterns only, and IMHO, the standard needs to be raised. As a community with this great forum, we are aware of colouration, intensity, sexy legs, PRL's etc....So what constitutes a A grade 1+ year ago won't "cut it" today.

SO....Selling my S grades, as A/S just covers my butt.....

Good thread, and worth the discussion and opinions. :encouragement:

[Squiggle]

Excellent points BB, definitely have to agree that it's very important to make sure people buying anything feel like they have got value for their money. :encouragement: