I'm new to collection Zoas and Palys, ZOA.ID is helpful for me, so far.
But unfortunately I understand what you're saying.. personally I don't get too caught up in "rare" or "special" zoas, If they look good, I'll buy them for cheap. Don't really care about the market price. And the few LFS around here price zoas outrageously, even for drab brown ones.
I learned the hard way... someone here on RC had RPE's for sale, the pic they provided showed them ruby-red. I paid $25 for 5 polyps. Then they arrived and I've never been impressed by them. Drab brownish-red. Since then, I'll pay under $1/polyp, average.
/ still trying to figure out lighting needs of zoas, as in How much is enough
// same with flow..