IDK... when I have it $$$, I'd put it down!
If there is a dog that I've hunted behind that I like, or for that matter haven't hunted behind that my group likes, I will try and nab it! BUT of course, the free hand-me-downs are much better.
They most always come with a, "if you don't like the dog, then I would like him back please", and that will give you some type of security in knowing that you will not be stuck out if the dog isn't what you are looking for. I've paid a grand for a dog, but he pricless to me, and I would let the previous owner hunt with us, with him, anytime they want. But i've also paid 550 for two dogs, and sold one for 280 after a little less than a year of working em, and the dog ended up being a guys lead strike dog. He said a guy offered him a grand for him, and he turned em down. I really think that if a dog has IT, whether they are a $1000 or $100 dollars, that if you put that dog on hogs consistantly, they will turn out to have a place somewhere in your pack. They may not turn out to be your lead stike dog, but those kind of dogs aren't a dime a dozen. JMO
