What's with the "frags for profit" recently?

[Edward Smith]

It seems like there's been a series of posts over the last few weeks of people fragging and attaching high prices? What's up?

I started my tank about a year ago and now have alot of great corals. About 1/4 of them came retail (thanks Rod!), half was from trades or purchased very inexpensivly from other reefers. And the last 1/4 were GIVEN to me by some very cool people.

Now finally, I have been in the position to give away a few frags and do some deals where the other guy got the better trade. But I believe "what comes around, goes around."

The first guy that gave me my first piece of Xenia that I worshiped (know I would like to kill him, LOL), said "matter what you do, don't sell coral, give it to other people and they'll hopefully do the same." He was a proud member of "The Brotherhood of the Reef"

We all need the cash, we all spend WAY toooo much on this hobby but I have found alot of satisfaction meeting people, sharing ideas, trading and just giving things away, especially to the new guy.

Excuse the rant, just my tired thoughts on a late night.

 

[Pufferpunk]

I have a frag (devil's hand) I'm trying to give away but no one responded. I love giving away stuff that has overgrown or grows easily in my tank. I like getting stuff too (thanks Ed!). I like just having folks coming over for a frag & they get see my tanks & visa versa. When I think of charging for stuff, I think about what it would sell for retail & then sell it for less. I figure, what goes around, comes around.

 

[TheCoralReef731]

Certainly! Great points. I have noticed the kindness from CMAS members and also the new high price trend. When it comes time for me to get rid of corals, I'll keep your words in mind.

 

[TangWhispr]

I think trading it the best...that way you can expand what you have for free, or little cost. I do think selling stuff is ok as well but come on...this crap of $30 a polyp is crazy., or 175 for a frag...not for me.

 

[hansnfrans]

"Now finally, I have been in the position to give away a few frags and do some deals where the other guy got the better trade. But I believe "what comes around, goes around." "

I have noticed this little trend as well. Fortunately I have made some good friends here that have either given me a bunch of free coral or have given me a ridiculously good deal on frags. I am just now starting to come into a position where I can give some coral away and it certainly is very exciting to be able to do so.

IMO helping out the "new guy/gal" is one of the best things about this hobby. I want to help out as many newbies as I can because sometimes I feel alone in this world of financial misery and brokeness that I've gotten myself into (with reefing) and you know what they say "misery loves company" .

Anyway, I don't think that there is anything wrong with selling corals as long as they are not at prices that would bring in a profit. I don't expect anything for free (but it sure is nice), and I am happy to pay for corals from a fellow reefer as long as it is a good amount cheaper than the LFS.

I was at Rod's a couple days ago and picked up some zoas for a heck of alot cheaper than the prices that some people have been postin' . If Rod runs a shop and can sell corals for less than some of these other people are sellin' them for, then you know that some of the RC'ers are making a bit of profit here.

 

[MBasile]

o man giving away corals is so cool! haha i got three of my freinds really into reefs that had known nothing about it beforehand. Now we go to LFS's around here and split stuff and trade and its always funner with other ppl. its also fun to just help new ppl start up and tell them everything you've learned. i like that alot, and of course i like talking to guys that know much more than me seeing what they have to say. thats why were all here on RC afterall, arent we?

 

[jgleach]

Re: What's with the "frags for profit" recently?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8048722#post8048722 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Edward Smith

Now finally, I have been in the position to give away a few frags and do some deals where the other guy got the better trade. But I believe "what comes around, goes around."

The first guy that gave me my first piece of Xenia that I worshiped (know I would like to kill him, LOL), said "matter what you do, don't sell coral, give it to other people and they'll hopefully do the same." He was a proud member of "The Brotherhood of the Reef"

We all need the cash, we all spend WAY toooo much on this hobby but I have found alot of satisfaction meeting people, sharing ideas, trading and just giving things away, especially to the new guy.

Ed,
Your mention of "The Brotherhood of the Reef" has caused me to be proud of the reefers that I have come to look at as friends, and at the same time I am saddened by the realization that I am the sole remaining member of the original four. I can only hope to give back as much to the hobby over time as much as my "Brothers" have given.
:beer:

Jeff

 

[jjjimmy]

I agree. I have seen some rather high pricing on frags recently.

I have one thing to say to those who are charging extorted prices for their frags... when you start losing corals or have a tank crash, don't come crying to me to rebuild.

Spread the love, it is one of the few things that is still free to all of us.

Jimmy

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I am pretty new to the site and have come to love the deals that you can find here. I have zero problem paying for things, but I don't like paying LFS prices for them. Most people have no overhead (maybe a mortgage payment) so it's hard for me to justify spending the money on their high priced stuff. LFS charge what they charge because of the overhead it takes to keep a store up and running. If you want to sell frags at least make sure it is a better deal than I can get at other places.

 

[jcm1229]

I every once in a while sell frags. I do so to help support my hobby and to thin out a bit. I always listen to trades, but many times I just don't have room. I feel my frags are generous - many 2 inches or more with branching and I usually price mine at $15-20 which is a steal and since most are gobbled up within an hour I feel they are good value.

Folks can charge whatever they want or give them away. That is their choice. I as a buyer also make choices. I prefer NOT to pay $35-45 for a frag nor do I like to get a thumbnail size frags. I have donated frags to people starting up and frags/equipment to teachers setting up tanks in their schools.

As long as your not on the "commercial side" which is prohibited by RC rules, frag trading/selling is OK.

If the price is too high don't buy.

 

[pondfrog]

Just from a different perspective.....

I personally don't mind paying for frags. Really.
The reefer who is fragging the coral has a lot more invested than the original price they paid for it in time, effort, additives, electricity etc.
So, what would you have to charge to REALLY make a profit? Probably like $100 a frag! LOL

Also, I would pay MORE for a coral or fish from a reefers tank than from an LFS. It has a proven track record in captivity, has adjusted better and hasn't just undergone the stress of shipping and being in 4 different tanks on it's way to the LFS.


I'm all for trading when able, and it doesn't even have to be "even", but if someone doesn't have what you want then it may not work out.

The irregularities seems to come in when someone has a rather common coral ( brown zoas for example) and tries to sell it for $40 because they are new to the hobby and don't know how easy, and cheap, the coral they have is to get. This seems to simply be due to their newness to the hobby and their eagerness to recoup some of their costs. They may not have run into generous reefers who gave them anything yet.
They actually should be applauded for doing well enough early on to have a coral to frag!

Just thoughts from the other side!

 

[pk1]

I'm with pondfrog on this one, I don't mind a fellow reefer making a buck...as I sure do appreciate the time, effort and $$ it takes to get to the point of even selling a frag. If it's too expensive, I'll just pass....but who say's what is too expensive? The buyer...and if there's buyer's for those expensive frags then kudos to the seller.

Patrick

 

[Racenrich]

Great point here folks....what i think is everyone is searching the HIGHEND CORAL sites that sell rare/exotic/genreal frags and think since they have the same one, they can charge that price.....

From a 4yr reefer standpoint, i personally dont charge more than $20 for a frag...even my good stuff, aka BLUE TORT......
heck when i started 4yrs ago...i paid $7 a frag! (aka TANK on RC here)

Granite 99% of what i have started as a frag.....so I like to offer that to others at much lower pricing than a LFS or the web.

Speaking of frags...SPS only...i'm offering 8-10 for $100! Pickup of course.....

Rich K.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8050009#post8050009 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pk1
I'm with pondfrog on this one, I don't mind a fellow reefer making a buck...as I sure do appreciate the time, effort and $$ it takes to get to the point of even selling a frag. If it's too expensive, I'll just pass....but who say's what is too expensive? The buyer...and if there's buyer's for those expensive frags then kudos to the seller.

Patrick

I totally agree, I just try not to spend as much or more than my LFS. If I am going to spend that much then Dave at Oceans floor will be getting my money.

 

[Pufferpunk]

I'm thinking that if a fellow wasn't gonna get a ton of $$$ for it (if it's really something special like that watermelon), then why bother fragging--just keep the gorgeous thing. I have some zoas that I just won't frag for $$$ but if someone had some that I was really wanting, I'd be willing to trade.

On the other hand, if it's just fragging for profit (having a few to grow out to frag), then why not spread the beauty of these frags to others that would neverbe able to afford these at retail prices? I would just die if I could get something like that watermelon in my tank at an affordable price!!!

 

[ostrow]

Ed I have come to agree in general. Many people have given me many frags and I am eternally grateful. I will always stand ready to help re-seed a tank of a CMAS member who has suffered a calamity, or to help a new member, as a way to repay the generous donations others have made to me.

I'll sell frags at a small price per, if there is something else I really need and can't afford. I can see once my colonies grow out, fragging say 6 or 7 at $10 apiece and using the money to, say defray the cost of new lights or something. But not for profit.

Only exception is when people are removing colonies. I had very large colt corals I was removing, and selling at less than half of what a store would charge but still it was like $25.

Another is when someone is leaving the hobby. At that stage one is trying to recoup some of the cost/expense and still giving great deals. Usually whe people are going that route they also are giving away accidentally fragged pieces as well.

But I agree with Ed's main point (bet you weren't expecting that, were you, you troublemaker?) The recent spate of prune and sell at $40+ has made me uncomfortable as well.

Maybe we should have some sort of CMAS rule on that, eh? But the better solution: don't buy!

 

[RRafael]

All Ed has given me the permission to sell everything in his tank and he has some rare zenia $45.00 a stalk and his rare clams are 175.00 a piece....

Just PM Ed for more prices .......

Ed you know you love it!!!!!!!

 

[ostrow]

"Ed's Red Bugs -- $10 a bug"

"Ed's Flatworms -- $15 apiece"

"Ed's Rare Ich -- free with any purchase"

 

[menard]

This is a good thing. our marine hobby here in Illinois is enough to go around, selling, trading to support this addictions.
But it is your responsibility to QT every pieces U recieve, it doesnt matter how good it may look.If something happens U cant blame somebody for your own stupidity.
Share the wealth and we all go far w/ this hobby w/o any more impact on already damage reef around the world.
Practice propagating your own stuff and sell it or give it ........PEACE

 

[Edward Smith]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8051088#post8051088 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ostrow
"Ed's Red Bugs -- $10 a bug"

"Ed's Flatworms -- $15 apiece"

"Ed's Rare Ich -- free with any purchase"

Don't forget Ed's "Rare Aptasia" also availble on ebay!!!!