TC, be mindful of your abilities. 250 GP for an increase of 50% chance to gather is not the extent of what you can do at your level. I’d suggest using the 100 GP, 15% chance move (bringing you to 99% chance to gather) as a more economical, and more easily repeatable, method of improving your chances.

Sometimes, spending a boatload of GP is necessary. Other times, its better to be more miserly with it and only use what is necessary.