Who here has ordered livestock on Ebay?
- Thread starter chinoxl3
- Start date
I have ordered from ebay and have had both positive and negative experiences. There is always some risk when ordering anything online especially corals....
If you are going to buy ebay or any other coral online I recommend going with a reputable seller, obviously, and WYSIWYG corals... This really cuts down on the surprises and keeps the sellers in check...
If you are going to buy ebay or any other coral online I recommend going with a reputable seller, obviously, and WYSIWYG corals... This really cuts down on the surprises and keeps the sellers in check...
loyalrogue
New member
I've ordered several corals from Ebay with fairly positive results.
I always buy from a seller in Florida for better shipping prices and travel time.
I've had decent success with reefgardner (Johnny & Morgan from Miami), elitereefs, and the exotic reef (tiny sps frags), and piece-of-the-reef (LR from Tampa).
Most (unless otherwise described) are much smaller frags than you would expect to get for the price.
Of course, none of them compare to the great (and extremely generous) frags that I've gotten from local FMAS members both personally and at the end of meeting auctions.
I've also noticed that after I add in shipping a lot of times I could've gotten a bigger, nicer coral for the same or less at my favorite LFS... especially Reef Life, Pets Unlimited, and Eco Reef in Broward.
I always buy from a seller in Florida for better shipping prices and travel time.
I've had decent success with reefgardner (Johnny & Morgan from Miami), elitereefs, and the exotic reef (tiny sps frags), and piece-of-the-reef (LR from Tampa).
Most (unless otherwise described) are much smaller frags than you would expect to get for the price.
Of course, none of them compare to the great (and extremely generous) frags that I've gotten from local FMAS members both personally and at the end of meeting auctions.
I've also noticed that after I add in shipping a lot of times I could've gotten a bigger, nicer coral for the same or less at my favorite LFS... especially Reef Life, Pets Unlimited, and Eco Reef in Broward.
Lifes A Beach
Premium Member
I have ordered from ReefGardener on eBay. Like John said, they are in Miami. But I wouldn't have them shipped, I'd do local pickup from them.
Again, I only ordered from other sellers in Florida. For the most part, things arrived in good shape and those that didn't the sellers were always good about a refund (ALWAYS check a sellers feedback score!).
Now, with the frag swap coming up and the Wed. night Fragaganza in Hollywood, I've been happy to buy locally!
Again, I only ordered from other sellers in Florida. For the most part, things arrived in good shape and those that didn't the sellers were always good about a refund (ALWAYS check a sellers feedback score!).
Now, with the frag swap coming up and the Wed. night Fragaganza in Hollywood, I've been happy to buy locally!
coralfragger101
Gone Postal
chinoxl3,
Whether Ebay is a good place to shop is irrevelant as Ebay is just a place out there in cyperspace. More importantly would be which seller you wish to purchase from. You'll find sellers that have been selling corals for a long time and have sufficient knowledge to minimize the risk of loss during shipping and you'll find ones that think they can just zip up your coral in a zip lock bag and send it on its way.
Purchasing local is always best. IF you choose to go with Ebay then stick to sellers with lots of sales and high feedback ratings.
Whether Ebay is a good place to shop is irrevelant as Ebay is just a place out there in cyperspace. More importantly would be which seller you wish to purchase from. You'll find sellers that have been selling corals for a long time and have sufficient knowledge to minimize the risk of loss during shipping and you'll find ones that think they can just zip up your coral in a zip lock bag and send it on its way.
Purchasing local is always best. IF you choose to go with Ebay then stick to sellers with lots of sales and high feedback ratings.
dobly_1999
Member
I have ordered from sellers in FL. Positive results. I would guess that half the SPS corals in my 90 are from the exotic reef in Brandon, FL. UPS leaves them at my front door. The packaging is very good.
Lifes A Beach
Premium Member
No, they are not a retail store. Just online sales. But they will let you pickup your order. And, yes, they have very nice stuff. I've been very happy with all the pieces I've bought from them. And they are very nice people!
--Barbara
Ding2daDong
New member
I have ordered many items from reefgardener on ebay and Morgan is great! She has many items for sale at great prices.
I would never order from fragglereef on ebay because there ebay pictures are the same ones over and over again. I bought a few corals and none looked like the pictures, I am the only one who has left negative feedback because of it too, you can check.
They said the coral lost color in shipping and my lights were not good enough to keep those colors. BS!
My recommendation when ordering from ebay is only buy WYSIWYG auctions because you know exactly what you are getting.
hth
-Matthew
I would never order from fragglereef on ebay because there ebay pictures are the same ones over and over again. I bought a few corals and none looked like the pictures, I am the only one who has left negative feedback because of it too, you can check.
They said the coral lost color in shipping and my lights were not good enough to keep those colors. BS!
My recommendation when ordering from ebay is only buy WYSIWYG auctions because you know exactly what you are getting.
hth
-Matthew
