Are Platys any good for beginners?

[SPLiSH]

I agree. Some "purebred" fish are so heavily inbred to get nice colours and stuff that they have practically zero disease resistance. The most beautiful fish I've ever owned were 3 "mutt" veilteil bettas and they have really nice marble colouring.

 

[xWendyx]

I didn't mean to disrespect the common veiltail mutt )

Our Siamese is a $6.95 (Aust) blue mutt

 

[OohFeeshy]

I'd like a betta, but would prefer to get some hardy fish (not saying betta's aren't).
What I mean is, betta's are around £5 which is fairly pricy for one fish when you can get goldfish for £1.50 (My parents will think this). I was wondering about platies because I've heard they are very hardy and I can get them for free at the moment. And I'm not sure when the LPS will get bettas in.