if it was you, what road would you take?

[rabernet]

im sure
that i'll find some nice normals or one base morph like a pastel female tipping the scales.

Normals, probably. Breedable weight pastel female in the middle of breeding season for $1K or less?

Seriously though, my breedable weight pastel female - no way I'd let her go at any time of the year for $1K or less, but most ESPECIALLY during breeding season.

As to the poll - get what you love. Period. And enjoy the time and the satisfaction of the next couple years of raising them up yourself. I have the most satisfaction from my big girls that I raised from little hatchlings than I do from the females I acquired through trade or through happenstance (like a pet store find from an owner surrender).