Cat Flipping

[Emilia Darkwatch]

I feel that "cat flipping" if done using manipulation or deceit is totally wrong. It is predatory and just plain bad behaviour. I imagine those who do this as really rather creepy, in all the wrong ways... rubbing their hands together in glee at deceiving or ripping someone off. Everyone gets their kicks in a different way, but this is just ridiculous. Anything dishonestly gained is beyond worthless, in my opinion, and it is shameful behaviour

Aside from this, I have my views on what I would like done to me or not, but I don't feel I can tell anyone else what to do, or to stop it or not. They are free to do as they choose. It is a strange kind of compliment that someone buys your cat and believes it is worth so much more. On the occasions it has happened to me I either let it go over my head as no big deal, or I used it as a lesson that maybe I was underpricing a kitty. So, to ensure I was not cat flipped again or so readily, I adjusted my pricing on those kitties which really mattered to me. Of course there is a fine line between what a cat flipper will find attractive and buy up, and a price that is going to leave a cat on your shelf for months or more. Honestly, in most cases... I would rather the cat flipper bought it, I get some L for food or to buy a new cat for a new project and everyone is happy. I feel happy because I sold the cat for a value I was happy with. I do not sit and think to myself "hmmm... I wonder if that person who bought 5 of my cats did it because they love them or were they too cheap and being resold now?". Even if I see my cat resold... and I have... I use it as a lesson to be ok with it or re-think my pricing. In the case, mentioned here, of a pink mega sold for 4k, it is a lesson to learn that they are worth more for future. I don't mean that as a criticism... learning is great and we all go through it and continue to. In the case of a confetti sold for a relatively cheap amount, no one forced anyone to put that price on the kitty. In both cases, putting a price that was a bit higher would have made the seller happier, and in both cases it is a feeling of displeasure that they did not have the opportunity to get more for the cat and someone else did. I honestly don't think we can blame others or brand them "dishonest" that they say "wow that is cheap" when it IS cheap... then buy it.. and resell it. People who are bothered by this practice should either sell to someone they know very well, who has the lowest probability of reselling... or just price it higher and you'll be happier with what you get and not feel ripped off or taken advantage of because the opportunity was not there for it to occur. Even if it does, you won't seethe quite as much because your cut was more and the gap between what the flipper paid you and their mark up will be considerably smaller, if you price your cat that bit higher

What I'm suggesting really is, do not, at auction or in your store or bid board, put a price on your cat you are unhappy to get let it go for because that is going to be the core of your unhappiness. And when it is sold... actually let it go... because when you sold your cat, and you get the L and you see someone reselling it, it's not honestly yours anymore and you have lost all control to say what happens to it after the point of sale. There is no point seething and thinking "hey that is MY cat"... because it is not yours anymore

This being said, I do get it that we make emotional attachments and even regard them as our projects, creations or babies. Everyone has their own take on this and some are more or less attached than others. But we just can't tell people what to do if it is a case of buying and reselling, without deceitful practices. It's part of business and although it is not something I do, I don't look down on those who do it without deceit or manipulation in order to get the cat