Are we spoiled?

[Cake_Boss]

I've been cruising the national sites and it seems like more and more hobbyists are cutting tiny frags and selling them like if they were the hyped up vendors they buy from. I saw a SPS frag pack on another site that had 8 frags roughly 1/2" and the guy wanted $450 plus shipping. Since when did hobbyists turn on each other? I understand spending loads of money on a pack, but 1/2" frags from a hobbyist???? I know vendors do it, let me clarify, non-local vendors do it. So, are we just spoiled to have Gonzo, ReefKoi, and others, who don't sell us microscopic frags, so close and don't sell it to us for $1500 an eye? I think so, I'm glad that they are honest and within reason, but it really skews my senses when I walk into a LFS and see the same freebie frag for way more (yes I know about the LFS overhead and expenses. Believe it or not, I'm actually spending more money at these places!). Even more outrageous is a "small" tang from our sponsors is ~$20, while a LFS sells it for ~$70. $50 in profit? OK, overhead adds up, but why so much markup? I'm starting to get into stuff I know little about, so I'll just stop here. I'm glad we have local sponsors and hobbyists who aren't trying to gauge each other.
My name is Jaime, and I'm glad to be part of this community.

 

[Off The Deep End]

My name is Dillon and i approve this message

 

[coloagro]

+1

 

[dv3]

approved

 

[that0neguy1126]

Agree

Sent from my HTC Incredible

 

[Wicked Color]

Certainly a great community!

 

[chrislorentz]

Now you better quit cheating on us with those big natural ones...........

 

[KhensuRa]

Well said chap...

 

[Mini T]

I guess I don't understand the difference between a hobbyist charging market value and a basement vendor charging market value. The going rate is the going rate for hard to find things whether it be rare cars or rare coral or rare anything. If you can't afford it, don't buy it until you can or not at all. Does it suck to see great things you want but can't afford? You bet it does, but if it's that important to the individual it should be motivation to work harder.

LFS definitely has more overhead and more livestock losses to cover, hence the higher markup. I guarantee no LFS owner is getting rich from selling coral or fish after it averages out over time.

 

[dv3]

i think what RP is saying is that the going rate hear isnt the same as the going rate on some of these national sites because we have such a great community and dont try to rape people

 

[Off The Deep End]

Oh great now someone is going to get offended...

 

[Cake_Boss]

It's not about current market value, which for the most part is hype. I was taught that the reefing community was all about helping each other. I have no issue paying for a tierra de fuego frag, however, I expect larger than 1/2" from a fellow hobbyist. If I'm going to pay the hype pricing, I might as well buy from the source. I know it sucks when you buy several hundred bucks worth of coral and need to recoup some costs. I strongly believe that these "in demand" corals are older ones with a new name attached, these are used by hype artists to get more money.

 

[Mini T]

i think what RP is saying is that the going rate hear isnt the same as the going rate on some of these national sites because we have such a great community and dont try to rape people

Nice going Don, now we will be bombarded by the crazy lady!!!

 

[Mini T]

I strongly believe that these "in demand" corals are older ones with a new name attached, these are used by hype artists to get more money.

Or something that looks close to the uniformed buyer like some of the local vendors do until they get called on it.

...but yes, I'm a big advocate of the same price, but getting a nice sized frag instead of DNA frags.

 

[kmellon]

I hate to say it, but we are our own worst enemy. If we choose to pay for over priced corals, then we create the cycle.

 

[Mini T]

I hate to say it, but we are our own worst enemy. If we choose to pay for over priced corals, then we create the cycle.

On the flip side, if you don't support places by always getting dbtc's and cheap corals you'll lose the sources for nice corals. Sort of like shopping at Walmart.

 

[dv3]

On the flip side, if you don't support places by always getting dbtc's and cheap corals you'll lose the sources for nice corals. Sort of like shopping at Walmart.

naw ...supply and demand

mark-ups will just be less ...people will always buy stuff ...there are still plenty of over-priced purses out there and walmart has been around for quite sometime

not that i agree with all walmarts practices but this inst walmart either

 

[subpotentjoe]

Capitolism at its best! I apluad anyone who wants to make a profit or recoup their hard earned money spent on the original frag and then growing out something in their nice system that they also spent lots of their hard earned money to build that they can ask top dollar for. If the price is too high then no one will buy it. If someone buys them at the asking price then the seller is smart. I can also guarantee that those "asking prices" are negotiated via pms. I recently saw 3 $1500!!!!!!!!!!!! frags sell in less than an hour on a big site and I thought it was great. If you have something rare and special sell it for all you can get and if you want to buy coral cheap there are lots of common less colorful corals out there for cheap. Also hype makes this more fun. The Broncos season would have been BORING with no hype but ESPN hyped it and we fans ate with a spoon. I could say more but it wouldnt be a popular opinion... On the flip side this is a great club with great members and sponsors willing to share their ideas and knowledge. I do not post often but im on a lot and really enjoy being here im just not gonna sell my nice corals cheap.

 

[dv3]

you should post more ...glad you enjoy it anyhow

 

[ReeferMatt]

Hells to the YES!!! Someone told me the DBTC was driving down the market, I say it's just encouraging local aquaculture and responsible reef keeping!! And lets face it what is the point of having the most magnificent tank in the world and no network of fellow enthusiasts to share it with?