Zane I have 'quietly bred' about a dozen species but that certainly doesn't put me in the league of a top breeder......

Edit: Let me put it another way, if you breed things 'quietly', why would you be wanting to be part of the approved breeders? Reputiation, crediblity etc is what we would be looking for so you would then be classified a newbie breeder and you would have to create a proven track record over time (not quietly).

Quietly as in I don't declare everything I do in the hobby on the website. Nor am I required to do so. I know this a huge community of tarantula enthusiasts together and a lot of awesome stuff are achieved on tarantulas.co.za. I love the site! But I hate the idea and surely I am entitled to that opinion.

Absolutely Zane, you are entitled to feel any way you like. Just remember this is more aimed the the community in and around THIS site, as I said breeding will continue all over the place.

BUT, if the approved breeders here develop a really good reputation, it will start becoming a way to draw more breeders here because buyers will start asking "Are you an approved tarantulas.co.za breeder?".

As long as at least two other breeders vouch for you to become an approved breeder, you can be an approved breeder and have no part of this website at all - keeping all your deals private. But should someone ask if you are an approved breeder, you can say yes and you can forward them to your profile on the site - and they will know they are dealing with someone they can trust just a little bit more.

Thanks for clarifying that a bit more HS.

It does make sense to have a sort of "Umbrella Organisation" to help newbies and breeders alike. As long as the process is fair and does not become a buddy-buddy system, it might work.

I just think a list of breeders with various stats and ratings would be a better option. In that way you don't have to make it as official as getting your approved dealer stamp! In that way you can browse the profile of the dealer you want to buy from and see his previous dealings. But this will then be open to any breeders and not go through a selection-see it as a sort of "Breeders Facebook/Myspace"?

Despite my stated reservations, I think this is a good idea. Even if it is only as recognition for breeders who take the time and trouble to do things properly.

Zane, With regards to "friends" if it is put together it will be done properly with out any favoritism or buddy system, it will be fair.