I have been watching all the GG threads very closely and have resisted to post. However, after receiving Ken's colorful catalog I can no longer hold back. I don't want this post to be observed as "flaming" and I am NOT saying anything negative about the GG. In fact, I would have them in my pond right now if circumstances were right. Everything I post here I will try to base on facts alone.
The point I wanted to make here pertains to the statements made by Deb in the prior post: "...defend a fish that has been �trash talked� for years..." and your reply to Sunil's post on "deception". Here's a scanned section of part of the catalog that I've added arrows to:
1) Volume sold ZERO. - I find this extremely unrealistic, because I also received a price list with the catalog and bluegill, shellcracker, and copper head (?) were part of it! Are you saying you sell these fish, but you've NEVER sold any? That makes no practical sense, especially for a business.
3) Grow 1/2 inch to 1 inch. - When first looking at this statement it is hilarious, I mean after all you can buy 3-4 inch fingerlings. I do understand though it is referencing from GG column on "thickness", but the reader would never make that determination unless he read across the page. Isn't this deception, whether consciously or unconsciously intended?
4) No major growth rates in pounds ever noted. - Notice I underlined EVER. The reason: based on what this ad says, bluegill, redear, and sunfish will never, ever ever reach major size in pounds. However, the world record for bluegill and redear are both well over 4 pounds. How can this statement be true then?
5) Bite with no consistency. - I'll refer to ML's recent posts and interest in building a kid's pond prior to his interest in stocking GG as an alternative. His plan was to stock BG and some other species of sunfish if I remember correctly. Why? Because BG always bite. That's why they are great for kids, because they require no skill to catch. Now because this is listed under shellcracker, I can understand the catchability of this species, but even so it devious.
I also wanted to comment on 8) as it says grows UP TO 1/4 pound in two years. I am almost sure many members of PB have blown this number out the door. However, because I don't have any direct experience or proof I won't elaborate on this.
Once again I want to point out I am not trying to flame you Deb. I think you've been extremely strong and persistent in your postings, and was extremely glad when ML first stated he had emailed Ken about joining the forum. You are a welcome addition, as many have stated.
However, I still don't understand how these statements are not to be observed as "deception". In my opinion, I know I said I wouldn't give it; this could be a cause for Ken's reputation on this forum. After all, if a well-educated pondmeister looked over this ad, he would definitely catch the things I caught on to. And if they knew these things were completely false, why should he expect claims about your patented Georgia Giant to be true? I think little things like the above "ad" are what makes Ken seem like a liar and a salesman.
I didn't want to post under this topic, but since Deb mentioned "deception" and the defense of her fish I thought this maybe an appropriate time to point these things out.
