will be any aquarium club auctions near you in the next few months. If there is one and you can get there, closely inspect the bags to see if there are any hi fin male platys (though I'd take the pair). Also inspect for quality or miss-named fish. Most sellers are pretty reliable, but inspect the fish carefully. You might even bring a small flashlight with you and try to to shine it directly in their eyes.
If you are under 18 check and see if you can bid. Probably you can, but will have to pay cash. Paying cash isn't a bad idea anyway because you can's over-extend yourself. :)
People using checks may have to leave a signed check and driver's license with the registrar. Almost always, you do not have to be a member of that aquarium society.
I seem to recall that you have pretty good rapport with a local shop. You may inquire if they can order them. HOWEVER also see how many fish you will be expected to buy. If they order single fish they would lose quite a bit of money on shipping. You may find it cheaper for you to buy X number of pairs than to offer to buy a male or one pair and pay for shipping, if they would ask you to help out with shopping. After all of their expenses (the cost of the fish, shipping, floor space, utilities, rent, wages and benefits, liability insurance, book keeping, etc) their margin of profit is not very high on livestock.
You might also consider joining the ALA. That is an expense, but you could get their trading times, which lists platys among other livebearers. I think you, as a member, can also list fish wanted and see if anybody responds. They also have a forum (harder to get into than Guppylog) and an e-mailing list which has slowed down with the forum. And their national convention has a big auction. It is in April in San Antonio. I too wish I could get there. ;)
I just looked at www.aquabid.com Domesticated livebearer offerings are down because it is winter. There is a high fin all red swordtail which is quite expensive. A Chinese outfit has some more expensive offers - and make sure you check out the cost of shipping, which is almost as much as the fish. Also look to see what guarantee of live delivery they have. Those may not be an option, but it is fun to scan the listings and images.
Notice several offers are for two or three pairs. You pay more, though maybe less per pair. That makes some sense in that there may be losses in shipping or in your aquariums. After paying what they are asking, you want enough breeders left to carry on the line.
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