The whole coral pricing has become a joke

[sde1500]

This whole thing is kind of silly... Yeah, there are some shady sellers out there, but there are also corals out there that are absolutely worth the high prices due to supply and demand. Can anyone in the thread name someone that has actually gotten rich selling corals, or even makes a solid six figure living for that matter.

Probably not. But then again this isn't a discussion like that. It's a circular argument where if you don't agree with the title you're dismissed with anecdotal evidence or ignored.

On the one hand they admit that over the past decade coral color sand selection has grown, then on the other everything is claimed to be common. I'm still waiting to see pictures of their huge colonies of corals they claim are super common. Sure some zoa morphs are, but some that claim high prices don't seem to be. Kraktoas, stratosphere, etc all go for high prices, still waiting for a 10+ year old pic showing me their colony of them.

Any idea to the contrary about why prices have gone up over the last 12+ years is immediately dismissed without a shred of consideration. It's almost sad, even suggesting ocean bleaching is outright dismissed. Let's just ignore the fact that we've had three major events in the timeline they've provided. Doesn't fit the narrative.

And I don't get the whole judgement of other people's tanks. Maybe some people like collecting a lot of different color morphs. And because of that their tank is different than others here. Why is that a problem? We can all agree that there is no one "right" way to set up a tank as far as skimmer, fuge, dsb, filtration etc is concerned. So why is there a right way to do corals? Why is someone doing it differently than you wrong?

I don't think polyps should go for 1k a pop. That's absurd. But if someone wants it, have at it. A few links have shown corals going for that, they were called common and a scam, still waiting on old colony pics of them. But for every one at $1,000, there are hundreds of sellers for cheaper prices. To me saying that you think anyone charging something other than what you agree with or paid over a dozen years ago is greedy is ridiculous.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

What I will say is that the prices were all similar, whether I looked online or at LFS. Bare in mind I am very new to the hobby, so I have no point of "historical" reference or friends that are into the hobby. I joined forums to learn, make mistakes and relearn regardless of which side of the discussion I am on, it has been very "enlightening" - especially when looking at some of the sites recommended. I am in the hobby to have a piece of living art and have a hobby that is not only challenging but rewarding. There are many barriers to entry - and again discussions like these provide me with things to think about.

I find the term "buying blindly" misleading, only in that my reference point as mentioned, was rooted in what I considered pretty good research.

I hope you're not discouraged by your experience. Reefing can be a fun and exciting journey of relaxation, discovery and personal fulfillment. Many have kept this thread alive as we hoped to prevent this from happening to reefers like yourself as far back as page 19 of this thread where newbs were slammed. Be patient my friend, read, research and ask as many questions as possible to gain any and all knowledge you might be lacking and please don't get discouraged. Avoid those sellers driven by greed at all cost. Good luck on your journey.

Happy Mother's Day to all of our mom reefers out there.

Mooch

 

[MUCHO REEF]

BTW, if we knew your location I'm sure many would be happy to step up and help you in any way possible. Just a thought. Again, good luck.

 

[sde1500]

I guess I am one of those idiot buyers that didn't realize these types of practices are taking place. (I should know better, do more research, after all we have the Internet, etc) I am new to the hobby and was of the impression that per polyp pricing and all these wonderfully pretty zoas, palys and mushrooms were out of my price range. Regardless of the opinions and debates in this post, it has been informative. Wish there was a livestock USA.org in my neck of the woods.

If you were happy with the price, and the coral then that is all that matters. Who cares what it cost 10+ years ago, the doesn't help your purchase does it? You wouldn't avoid buying something else you like because you knew it was cheaper a decade ago would you?

There are plenty of low priced mushrooms and zoas. Check the announcement section for a full list of frag swaps. Try finding one you can go to, helps seeing corals in person. And a lot of these swaps will have vendors and hobbyists alike selling coral. The prices tend to be better. If you live in the USA I assume you can buy from livestockusa, they ship to your local air port. But it's buying wild/maricultured corals blind. And a lot of them. Idk if a newbie should be order a box of 15-20+ corals, that's really taking a leap. Check out some sites that offer frag packs, a couple eBay sellers do, yourreef does and others. You won't get a rock of corals but you can get 100ish polyps of 5-10 different morphs for around $1 a polyp. Wysiwyg is more expensive, but that makes sense, time is taken to take pictures, catalog them, etc.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

rant alert

I get that people want to make money on corals but it's gotten to the point it's more about greed than making money. The zoa trend is probably the most comical of all. When I see 15-100 per polyp, I start wondering who in the hell is buying this? You can't even get a good colony of anything anymore because everyone wants to cut everything into small pieces and charge what they use to for large versions. I saw this "Nuke" green torch for 300 dollars. I paid 300 for our Huskie and she's a hell of a lot more entertaining than a torch coral. lol. Don't even get me into the renaming of corals. "Incredible Hulk Zoa" "Darth Maul zoa" "24k Torch" Give me a break. Last rant. The 40 dollar PURPLE HAZE mushrooms. These should have a street value less than a damsel. I had so many purple mushrooms in my tank I couldn't even see the other corals. They grow like weeds. I guess it all comes down what people are willing to pay for it. This hobby has a lot of people with more money than smarts, no offense, I'm one of them most of the time.

rant over

This topic has become most informative and enlightening.

 

[dkeller_nc]

On a slightly tangential note, the goofy names given to various zoas and palys are now being laid down in print in the form of a poster that (presumably) could be used as an official identification chart.

I'll admit I get a good deal of entertainment value out of laughing at the people that create and use the ever more goofy names for coral strains. It has a vaguely comic-book-culture aspect to it.

No wonder the rest of the population considers aquarists complete nerds. :lolspin:

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Never thought I'd see the day !!!!!

http://ftp.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1878684

I don't really think of reefers as nerds to be honest. They are some of the best and brightest people I've ever met. I do see a parallel with nursing though, yes, nursing. Nurses are attentive caregivers, that's reefing. The greed we're seeing is another issue in and of itself.

MUCHO REEF

 

[JammyBirch]

Wow I just started reading this thread...I thought I ranted about coral prices and I've only been in this hobby for a couple of years...

I love the fact that Red Dragon Acro's fetch a pretty penny and have no idea why...it grows like a weed. I give it away...

One thing I will say though, the LFS I go to always lets me barter on price...I got a lemon-lime torch priced at $100 for $40 bucks, plus I'm a good customer that brings lots of frags in from time to time. Nice to build a relationship with the store to get around the crazy price gouging.

 

[Salty150]

What is a joke is that this thread, a rant about coral pricing, is now 30 pages long...

 

[SeattleReefer]

What is a joke is that this thread, a rant about coral pricing, is now 30 pages long...

it's not a thread about prices, if it were the advice 'just walk away if you don't like the price' would be sufficient and the thread would not be 30 pages long.

No, it's a thread about victimhood. Being a victim of 'greedy sellers' is a worthy goal because victims are sympathetic and receive lots of attention.

So, we have identified the victims, and we have identified the greedy sellers who are forcing the victims to buy.... all we need now are the pitchforks, tar, and feathers!

 

[Bent]

Never thought I'd see the day !!!!!

http://ftp.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1878684

I don't really think of reefers as nerds to be honest. They are some of the best and brightest people I've ever met. I do see a parallel with nursing though, yes, nursing. Nurses are attentive caregivers, that's reefing. The greed we're seeing is another issue in and of itself.

MUCHO REEF

RN here.

 

[Kentech5]

RN here.

RN here too!

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Wow I just started reading this thread...I thought I ranted about coral prices and I've only been in this hobby for a couple of years...

I love the fact that Red Dragon Acro's fetch a pretty penny and have no idea why...it grows like a weed. I give it away...

One thing I will say though, the LFS I go to always lets me barter on price...I got a lemon-lime torch priced at $100 for $40 bucks, plus I'm a good customer that brings lots of frags in from time to time. Nice to build a relationship with the store to get around the crazy price gouging.

You're entitled to your opinion as well and it's not a rant by any means if within two years of reefing you feel there's price gouging.

 

[Bent]

Anyone want a 400 dollar rock flower nem?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/371500618897


:facepalm:

Edit:
Here's the same dude selling a single paly for a grand.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/371435979968

 

[firefly73]

yikes what a huge read.........there will always early adopters and bleeding edge purchases. price has nothing to do with fairness or ethics/morals. and discussing if a price is too much is a moot point. if no one wants it its free. if lots want it its $$. simplz..

ive stopped buying colonies and now replace/trade for sps i dont have. but we all started buying from the lfs. some of us where well off. most where not. a trader will see a mark from a mile away.

 

[dbigfoot111]

sps is getting extremely rediculous. i too feel the hobby is much about greed....

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Anyone want a 400 dollar rock flower nem?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/371500618897


:facepalm:

Edit:
Here's the same dude selling a single paly for a grand.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/371435979968

NEVER...smh :hammer:

 

[dkeller_nc]

yikes what a huge read.........there will always early adopters and bleeding edge purchases. price has nothing to do with fairness or ethics/morals. and discussing if a price is too much is a moot point. if no one wants it its free. if lots want it its $$. simplz..

Indeed. There is, after all, a market for Hermes leather goods, Sturgeon caviar, and many other things that are very, very expensive for what they are.

However, I'd argue that when you're talking Hermes leather desk sets, Sturgeon Caviar, or a Patek Phillipe watch, you know what you're getting and what you're paying for. And you can make an informed decision on whether shelling out the $$$ for one of these items is worth it to you.

But buying corals online is typically based solely on appearance and/or a highly questionable, really goofy name like "whammin' watermelon". And many, many so-called "reputable" independent coral dealers are significantly altering the appearance of their goods by lighting and photo manipulation (it doesn't just happen on e-bay). That pretty much invalidates the "value for money" decision that most of us make when we decide to purchase goods.

This issue, at least in my opinion, is what this thread is about.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

sps is getting extremely rediculous. i too feel the hobby is much about greed....

This is nothing compared to what it will be. It will progressively continue until reefers collectively stop paying these sky high prices for these micro frags fueled by greed.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

the fact is that prices will come down if we stop buying them. it seems like you can get some plain ole zoa's and give it a huge price tag and people will fight to buy them. it's no ones fault but our own.

Truth !!!!!!