Go The Distance

Of all the birds we sell, the cheapest has always been the zebra finch. These birds, originally from Australia, breed so easily and so reliably that people often have to give them away because they get overrun with them. For several years they were just £4 each. Last year, we put them up to the dizzying heights of £5 each. This was simply because the cost of the seed (and, therefore, the cost of keeping the birds) had gone up so much. They are still by far the cheapest bird to buy and keep.

"How much are your zebra finches?"
- Five pounds each.
"Oh. That's a little more than I was hoping to pay."
- Oh I see. Well, you might struggle to find them cheaper in any other shops. Five pounds is fairly standard and, to be honest, we've seen then at eight or even ten pounds each in some places.
"I've been offered them for three pounds each."
- From a private seller?
"Yes."
- Oh well, that's fair enough. Buying privately is often cheaper.
"Yeah, I'm probably going to buy three pairs. So I'll save myself over ten pounds."
- Yes, that's true. There are a lot of people that do keep zebra finches around here so buying privately and locally isn't too much of a challenge.
"No, couldn't find anyone that has got any around here."
- Really? A lot of people do keep and breed them. They're very common.
"Nah, nobody has got away. But I found someone in Cornwall that has some. So that's where I'm getting those pairs."
- In Cornwall?
"Yeah."
- Are you going down there on holiday?
"No, just going to drive there to get these birds and then ciome straight back."
- Just for the birds?
"Yes"

Cornwall is about 300 miles away from us. Anywhere between perhaps £50 and £70 in fuel... for each direction.

- That's a long way to go just for those birds.
"Yeah, but I'm going to save myself at least ten pounds, the breeder is selling them cheaper than you, remember?"
- Uh, yeah, but the journey is going to cost you quite a lot.
"Yes. But the birds are cheaper."
- Right. Okay.

Sometimes, it isn't worth trying to explain.