The Auction Experience - Why or Why Not?

[Oselkhandro Resident]

I am intrigued with what PrettyPoizen suggested "learn what the Quality traits are and beware the "cheap" stuff". This, to me, has been my reason for avoiding auctions. I have never been able to get a good answer about what it is that constitutes "quality". If I ask, the Party Line response is "all KittyCatS are wonderful; just breed what you like". This has never been a helpful answer, and in watching the markets, my only take away is that quality=new (with a bit of a bump for "recessive"). Prices seem to be dependent upon which traits are the newest. I am still not clear about how quickly the charisma of "new" wears off. For example, I have been working for some time to get a good line in Aussie Mist Dark Chocolate, but of course THAT is no longer fashionably new. I suppose that I have avoided auctions precisely because I cannot answer the question posed by PrettyPoizen. For me, the Bid Boards seem to be a reasonable alternative. I look at a kitty, and if it attracts me, I bid. Although I could also do that at a regular auction, I tend to believe that those are limited to the "best" cats, which may command prices beyond my means.