Originally Posted by
Marilyn
No, that isn't the case. The simple fact is that dealers put more importance on certificates than the breeders do. It's a selling aid and a marketing tool. And most people think a koi that comes with a certificate are special, in some way, and thus should command a higher price. The pictures are often supplied by the dealer, not the breeder. Not always, but often.
I think the point Russ was making is that regardless of whether the koi comes with a certificate or not, know your koi well enough to buy a good koi. Don't have the fact that it comes with a certificate govern your decision.