Guys, I don't spend much plat but instead merch and farm and I got enough money to buy hammerjaw if I want. I don't because I don't think he's worth so much, but that's just my choice. Any of those pets can be purchased. You can farm for items, sell those items, save your gold and have any of those pets you want without ever spending a single penny on plat.

Plat betters your chances, but does not guarantee anything. And if plat did not better your chances, then nobody would every buy any and STS would be out of business.