How do they get such nice specimens?

[Timbor]

Hi everybody,

I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on an aspect of the hobby.

How is it that there are certain companies or importers who always seem to get shipments of the most amazing coral specimens, in huge quantities, while most other stores tend to get mostly the average looking specimen?

I started thinking about this based on a store relatively near to me that is well-known for importing the most exotic specimens. I am pretty sure that they import directly as well and also sell wholesale.

Should I be concerned about the practices or connections that such a company has? Is it likely that the integrity of their suppliers is less than admirable?

I guess I am just curious how it seems that only a select number of businesses manage to get all the nicest corals.

Thanks for any insight!

Tim

 

[billsreef]

It's about spending the $$$ and wholesaler/exporter relationships

 

[Timbor]

I see, so it's more like company A knows somebody in the exporting business, and is willing to pay a premium for all the nicest specimens? Then the average joe importers just get the regular stuff?

 

[billsreef]

Basically. The good stuff goes to the customers that make the wholesaler/exporter more money. Sometimes the smaller guy can work out a good enough relationship to get the good stuff, but it's mostly who spends the $$.

 

[sdietz2469]

agreed!!!
shane

 

[NCSUsalt]

Most of it also has to do with hiring a cherry picker to go physically view and pick out stuff for you. most places never see the livestock when they order, just rely on the vendor to pick out stuff that doesn't look half dead or ugly. if you know the vendor this can usually work fine, but for a fee you can hire someoen to go in and pick out the best stuff for you.

 

[m0nk]

A lot of aquacultured stuff also looks better too because we can simulate 100% of the exact parameters that coral needs to look its best, but this is an expensive process. Finding and harvesting any old piece from the ocean can be a lot cheaper, so the more expensive stuff goes to those who bring in more money.

 

[snorvich]

billsreef is correct. Most wholesalers will not allow a cherrypicker in the door. Which ever customer spends the most money, gets the best corals and fish. Very simple.

 

[Letmegrow]

When I went to Miami everything was cherry picked as soon as the boxes were unpacked.

I don't know how it works in Cali.

 

[yongwooi]

I agree, money talks.

 

[Seasapience]

It's not just about the money. It's also about knowing of transhippers that others don't know about. When you buy from a wholesaler then yeah I can agree that money talks, but when you tranship a shipment it is more direct, and that's how you get better stuff. In transhipping there is no cherrypicking because they don't "tank" the stuff. And you usually get what you ordered instead of what is "available" .

 

[ReefBuilderNJ]

i agree, its about who spends, and how long and often a store ordered from the wholesaler.

 

[FLIPbmw]

Most of the sellers that buy the good stuff probably have to get a bunch of bad stuff too. Sort of like the diamond business. If you want the nice big rocks, you need to take the tiny crappy pieces as well as a package. This way the wholesellers also get rid of the ugly stuff. It's the only way their able to get rid of all their stock/have high turnover. Imagine, who could sustain a business that ONLY recieved ugly corals because he was last picked... no one.

The ugly stuff gets renamed something rediculous and heavy actinic suppliment for pictures... and thats how they sell it lol.

 

[yellowslayer13]

look at fraggle reef miguel does not buy that much but he has made good friends with the transshippers so he gets nice stuff.

 

[jjk_reef00]

As with most things in this hobby, you get what you pay for $$$$

 

[bdepp]

i agree also. the wholesalers/divers here in Australia will send all the best acan's straight to the US. the average shopper can't get them at all and when we do see one for sale it's just red and green.

money talks in this hobby

 

[DGee]

My favorite LFS just got a bunch of new pieces from OZ and all of it is pricey but you DO get what you pay for!

I actually just ordered some new frags from ORA and I'm blown away with how amazing some of these pieces look. Definitely nothing run of the mill there and not terribly priced for the quality.