WayneL333
New member
Yup, just look how at the Polynesian Helfrichi firefish too.
Zebra tang for sale on DD today!!
- Thread starter Dmorty217
- Start date
Yup, just look how at the Polynesian Helfrichi firefish too.
nonstopfishies
Member
That one shocked me. Saw it in person and could tell it was different, but not much different.
This tang was an awesome size, saw it cruising the tank and looking good this past weekend. They had one more only slightly bigger than this one as well. Don't remember the price on that one offhand.
lifeoffaith
Member
I'd have a whole lot more than asking for forgiveness to do if I spent that much on one fish. I'm not sure I have that much in my entire setup. I may end up spending that much on my next entire setup, but yeah. I probably wouldn't be able to ask for forgiveness if I spent that kind of money. It'd be off with my head around here.
OrionN
Moved on
:eek1::eek1: Same here :eek1::eek1:
joshky
Acros & Wrasses
I don't even have that kind of money, so...:thumbsup: But I'm 23.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
Was this guy available for purchase when you were there? Seems to be against everything that DD preaches to sell the fish without listing it?
$300 per extra stripe ..... Outrageous, I'm not paying a cent more than $200 per
I'm with you Simon!
Yes there was the cherry sized Conspicuous that was in Kevins office that sold for 4999.99$ our resident Angel fanatic bought that little guy... No I seriously doubt you would ever see a Peppermint on DD since there are just a handful of people who even catch them and they have interested buyers. The Japanese and Chinese markets snatch up the rest. Plus thats a 25-30k risk that DD would be taking without making a cent and they would have to turn around and sell them for thousands more than they bought them for. Also I think that all Peppermints that are caught are conditioned and eating well before they ever go to anyone. I know Rufus has some he caught more than a month ago at this point that he is still conditioning
deleau
New member
Has anyone tried haggling with LA/DD on the price of a rare fish like that?
Based on how they market the DD offerings each day (email, twitter, etc.), the hype/anticipation probably plays into the prices they set.
I certainly wouldn't think they'd budge on anything less than a few hundred, but maybe they might for $500+. There seems to be a lot of fish in that range right now that have been for sale for a while.
Based on how they market the DD offerings each day (email, twitter, etc.), the hype/anticipation probably plays into the prices they set.
I certainly wouldn't think they'd budge on anything less than a few hundred, but maybe they might for $500+. There seems to be a lot of fish in that range right now that have been for sale for a while.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
Now that they are owned by Petco I doubt there is any chance of that happening. Kevin Kohen would be the one to ask but its nearly impossible to get in contact with him and if you call LA they will tell you to email and put attention Kevin but I have done this and I know of a few others that have with no response. If you ask to talk to him they give you a run around with a different response every time. I get why Kevin doesn't take calls but if you have questions about a DD fish and call LA customer service which is located right next to the DD facility (technically a few doors down) they can't answer even the basic questions for you such as what is the fish actually eating? When did it arrive at the facility? They then relay the message to someone at DD and you either get a call back or a email about it... Point being no one your ever going to talk to can give you a discount on said fish. I brought up the tax issue now since petco owns them and suggested they drop the price on a fish the 48$ in tax it was going to cost and I would purchase the fish right then... Didn't happen and the fish has been there since before xmas
nonstopfishies
Member
Yes, everything is for sale during the open house even the stuff still considered in QT. They make sure you know that is the case though. They have 3 different fish systems and are about to build a fourth. First one is acclimation and for smaller and really expensive fish mostly. Second is the QT room/system. Third the stuff that has been there and is doing well, this is where they sell from. Fourth will probably just be more of the same to increase volume/holding space.
I would not call selling these fish being against what they stand for. They have to keep a revolving door of fish ready for sale, but only post one type at a time. If something doesn't sell right away, they don't post another one the next night even if it is on hand and ready to go. Additionally, they do this to maintain the urgency and unique marketing strategy. Fish goes up, there is only one available, who knows if you will see one again for a while. That creates a more aggressive customer base. If they told you they had 10 on hand and ready to go you may not buy today, you might wait. Don't get me wrong, they obviously don't have 10 of every fish. In some cases one(only one conspic this time and still in QT) and other fish many.
Dr. Suess fish is the most expensive I have seen there, though not this time. That fish also wasn't 5k. I believe there has been another basslet type that was over 3k as well.
They did have a Japanese Lanceolatus Wrasse, but it wasn't for sale and not sure what that would go for.
nonstopfishies
Member
I know haggling has happened before, but agree that it is highly unlikely now. They do run some deals at the open house, that is about the best you could possibly get. 20% off.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
Being at the facility is a huge plus for price breaks. Did you happen to see Kevin by chance? I said thats against DD practices because a year or so ago there was a trident tailed Achilles tang that was in the preview for DD but didn't show up on the for sale list. I mentioned maybe someone called and bought the fish before it was put on the site. Kevin responded saying they don't do that so I was assuming the same would be true if your on a tour there but I understand the differences involved. It was another 5 or 6 days before the fish actually was for sale on DD. Im not saying anything against DD they source fish that no one else seems to be able to and their customer service and 14 day money back guarantee is the only one I'm aware of in the online fish market
nonstopfishies
Member
Yes it is, plus being able to see all sorts of corals and fish not yet listed. Glad I live relatively close.
Yep, Kevin was there. Talked to him for a good 30 minutes while everyone else was shopping and awaiting the raffle.
I see what you mean. The open house is on a Saturday, so no previews go out. So anything on the site at the time of the open house they have to make sure isn't sold and gets removed if you want to buy it. Everything else the public doesn't know is there, so everything is available.
And definitely agree, they are the best in the industry.
Plus, they're only going to 'haggle' once it is concluded that a particular fish is overpriced and will not sell. Even then, its usually just a posted price reduction on the website. FWIW, the Zebra now shows as sold, presumably at the original asking price (wasn't me) which simply ensures that any subsequent specimens will be not be priced lower. This is a terrific example of supply-demand and 'willingness' to pay. I'm all for it, even if, at the end of the day, it precludes me given my personally imposed limits.
Dmorty217
Saltwater Addict
Yeah that didn't help the cause any
WayneL333
New member
A c. Lanceolatus?!? Do you know of it was a supermale or a juvenile?
nonstopfishies
Member
It was big. I am not certain, but wouldn't have called it a juvenile. It didn't show itself much compared to the much smaller Philippine version also in the tank. They were in one of Kevin's office tanks.
WayneL333
New member
There have been a few fish at the $5k mark...a small Conspiculatus, a Narcosis, and the CB Clarion comes to mind.
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