yeah some frogs are worth more than others but the market decides that. And as far as a good beginners frog you are very much mistaken if you think pumilio and some thumb species are no harder tha tincs and auratus. I would like to see and average hobbyist take on a few reticulata and keep them thriving like tincs or auratus. Its not going to happen and I would know as I had the largest reticulata collection around until this past august.
Fantasy frogs were alot more than 30 bucks when they first appeared. I have plenty of memory on them and I can name off plenty of big names who sold them. If there is no real proof to the whole throw away frog than why are Auratus still the #1 imported dart? There are clearly enough of them to breed in order to sustain a supply that would stop the need for imports. Yet they get bought up and killed and the person moves on. Same with redeyes and others as well unfortunately.
Hybrids just add to the problems in our hobby. If we are going to advance as a hobby ot will only work through working to keep things as natural as possible and by tracking locales and lines in order to secure the breeding of the frogs for the future.

Michael