I read some on these boards about "lowing donations."  Consider this:  I did my first bit of hobbying in 1988-1989.  The prices I was paying then was about 160-180.  If you put that into an inflation calculator you get $300 PLUS today.  There  are a lot of nice women out there for 250.  The cost factor over the last 20 years has certain been on the hobbyist's side.  Perhaps the number of rip-offs has increased, but if you find a nice woman in the 200-250 range, historically, you are getting a good deal.