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Top Lot
Aug 27, 2006 13:40:32 GMT -6
Post by musher on Aug 27, 2006 13:40:32 GMT -6
I received a NAFA top lot certificate this week. It wasn't my first ,and I hope it isn't the last, but this one is memorable due to the price. $19.20 U.S. for a weasel. Did anyone ever receive one for skunks, possums, squirrels?
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Top Lot
Aug 27, 2006 15:24:25 GMT -6
Post by ColdSteel on Aug 27, 2006 15:24:25 GMT -6
Heck that is something I never even caught a weasel.I have recieved top lot for grey fox ,beaver, otter, and muskrat
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Top Lot
Aug 28, 2006 10:10:29 GMT -6
Post by frenchman on Aug 28, 2006 10:10:29 GMT -6
Musher,
there are no top lots awards for skunks, possums or squirrels.
You may have had a top lot, you just will not receive a certificate.
They do it to raise the prestige and encourage proper pelt handling.
I guess prestige and skunks can't go in the same sentence?
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Top Lot
Aug 28, 2006 10:48:34 GMT -6
Post by shagnasty on Aug 28, 2006 10:48:34 GMT -6
you dont think its possible that its a sales gimmick? a big slap on the back ensure repeat customers aka shippers? if the top lots could be exchanged for cash, well now, that would be a good gig.
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Top Lot
Aug 28, 2006 17:41:48 GMT -6
Post by ColdSteel on Aug 28, 2006 17:41:48 GMT -6
Sure I think its a sales gimmick.I do get a couple of NAFA top lot hats and a couple of tee shirts every year.I did laminate my first few top lot papers so when I am dead and gone maybe my grandkids will be able to look back on them because the way things are developing around here now they may not even be able to trap
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Top Lot
Aug 28, 2006 18:14:04 GMT -6
Post by ohiyotee on Aug 28, 2006 18:14:04 GMT -6
Hey wait a minute , i got 3 top lots one year and all i was able to get was one hat. Thats all they would give me, how did you work a couple of hats and a few t shirts out of them Coldsteel? greg
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Top Lot
Aug 28, 2006 18:26:02 GMT -6
Post by NEPISIGUIT on Aug 28, 2006 18:26:02 GMT -6
Got it for coon
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Top Lot
Aug 28, 2006 18:26:52 GMT -6
Post by ColdSteel on Aug 28, 2006 18:26:52 GMT -6
You have to have a NAFA agent who is very generous plus I am sure he gets some type of comission for picking up all my fur so I guess he likes to keep me happy
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Top Lot
Aug 28, 2006 20:22:20 GMT -6
Post by thebeav2 on Aug 28, 2006 20:22:20 GMT -6
Why would you guys rain on some Young trappers or for that matter older trappers first Top Lot award. That first Top Lot award just might be a ego booster and mean something special. Someone gives you something we all look for the secret agenda. Come on guys chill out.
I can see the light In that young 12 or 14 year old trappers eyes that gets his first Top Lot award. And then he gets on hear and reads this thread. I rest my case.
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Top Lot
Aug 28, 2006 20:47:37 GMT -6
Post by psb1011 on Aug 28, 2006 20:47:37 GMT -6
Beav,
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Top Lot
Aug 28, 2006 23:35:16 GMT -6
Post by foxtrapperwoman on Aug 28, 2006 23:35:16 GMT -6
Do they have a top lot for ringtail cats? LOL
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Top Lot
Aug 28, 2006 23:43:23 GMT -6
Post by GUTPYLZ on Aug 28, 2006 23:43:23 GMT -6
Thats it, I'm bringing in a pack rat next year! I couldn't keep them out of my traps. I should of adjusted my pan tension, but oh well.
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Top Lot
Aug 29, 2006 6:18:29 GMT -6
Post by shagnasty on Aug 29, 2006 6:18:29 GMT -6
everyone has a different perception of things, i responded on what i thought of them. beav, you one of them old guys that thrives off top lots?
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Top Lot
Aug 29, 2006 6:59:18 GMT -6
Post by wheelie on Aug 29, 2006 6:59:18 GMT -6
The first Top lot that a guy gets is something special (even if just a sales gimmic) It "lets" you believe that your hard work has been recognized...and thats a good feeling........even if its a TOP LOT Flat coyote...lol
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Top Lot
Aug 29, 2006 7:03:22 GMT -6
Post by thebeav2 on Aug 29, 2006 7:03:22 GMT -6
No I don't thrive on them Shag. But I did get one this year for a $10.00 Muskrat I take them for what they are . I had a Muskrat In the top lot that sold for $10.00 It's just that pure and simple.
I bet Musher was very proud of his top lot why rain on his parade.
Now I bet If NAFA had sold all the May otter at $140.00 average this topic wouldn't have gone south like It has.
We should all be bashing the Chinese that are not allowing the skins to enter their country.
I see no strings attached to any Top Lot award.
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Top Lot
Aug 29, 2006 7:25:40 GMT -6
Post by shagnasty on Aug 29, 2006 7:25:40 GMT -6
has nothing to do with the otter crashing. muskrat hit $10 because of market conditions, not because of an internal nafa sales program. rats were topping at half that just a year or so ago. no way is it from proper pelt handling. not to rain on anyone's parade, but just the way i see it. i get no satisfaction from getting a top lot and i have received some, however i have not sent much fur to nafa in the past 2 years, because prices have not been as good as country buyers. i can see where someone starting out or someone that takes great pride in finishing his fur would get a big kick out of it, and that is cool, but i also believe nafa knows this and it is a way to generate customers and/or repeat customers. the fur i finish myself, i do right and make it look decent, however the real money is in farming the fur out to someone. I would rather someone else do mine if possible, just no fun for me to stay in the shed long hours.
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Top Lot
Aug 29, 2006 7:31:04 GMT -6
Post by trappnman on Aug 29, 2006 7:31:04 GMT -6
Top Lot should mean something, and to me it does.
It means two things:
1) the pelt was handled nicely and was the "best" as far as color, size, fur quality, etc.
2) that pelt was in the top sales lot, which is similar to the sale of a prizewinning steer at the state fair.
Its an advertising thing- so the winning bidder, can advertised he bought the top lot of ap articular fur.
Last season coyotes in the top lot brought $330, and I know a guy that had 3 in that top lot.
I agree no coyote is worth $330 in the world- but thats not the purpose of the top lots.
Anyone that gets a Top Lot, deserves to feel good, and why not?
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Top Lot
Aug 29, 2006 7:41:36 GMT -6
Post by iacooner2 on Aug 29, 2006 7:41:36 GMT -6
well said tman.
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Top Lot
Aug 29, 2006 8:23:30 GMT -6
Post by shagnasty on Aug 29, 2006 8:23:30 GMT -6
you guys flip flop around. some posts and arguments it's the average that matters, now its the top lot, because it makes a guy feel good. it is a good idea for nafa for this exact reason. it works on the emotions of a trapper as witnessed here by many admitting it is a feel good. it promotes sales. Does this actually put more money in the pocket of the trapper in the long run, sure as heck hasn't for me. i look at the big picture and the bottom line, each to his own.
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Top Lot
Aug 29, 2006 8:37:48 GMT -6
Post by trappnman on Aug 29, 2006 8:37:48 GMT -6
Winston, no flip flop at all- top lot and average are two different things.
Top lot is advertising- and nothing more-so the buyer can say he bought the best coyotes in the world.
But it does take a well handled pelt ot make top lot. Colors, etc- thats all luck of the draw.
------------------------------- Similar to bidding $150 for a glass of beer at the FTA convention, Or $300 plus for a bottle of homemade wine at the WI convention, or $200 for a plate of brownies at the MN convention..
It has nothing to do with $$$ reality.
Average is the average price of furs sold.
Those getting top lot furs, don't average that price- for 1-2 pelts- into te average paid for the rest of their furs.
Be like taking a albino coyote, selling it for $1000, then adding that to your other 5 coyotes that got $30.
Two separate things- always was and always will be.
One thing I do regret about selling local, never a chance for a top lot.u
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