Are name brands really worth it?!!

DannyBCorals · Oct 13, 2019

Ok, so I wanted to bring something up. Before I start, I have nothing against WWC, a few of my corals are from them and I love them. So, WWC sells corals that could go for dirt cheap literally everywhere, but because they’re well known, they can sell a Yuma or a $100 bounce mushroom for $500. I just don’t get it. Can someone explain why they do this and how people don’t research other sellers before buying it?

Flippers4pups · Oct 13, 2019

DannyBCorals said:
Ok, so I wanted to bring something up. Before I start, I have nothing against WWC, a few of my corals are from them and I love them. So, WWC sells corals that could go for dirt cheap literally everywhere, but because they’re well known, they can sell a Yuma or a $100 bounce mushroom for $500. I just don’t get it. Can someone explain why they do this and how people don’t research other sellers before buying it?

They do have a reputation to uphold and do a thorough quarantine process for parasites and disease with their corals. You will pay more for this.

DannyBCorals · Oct 13, 2019

Flippers4pups said:
They do have a reputation to uphold and do a thorough quarantine process for parasites and disease with their corals. You will pay more for this.

True. I got one piece though that had aiptasia from them in the mail. Wasn’t too impressed. It was a $200 piece too:

Fishfinder · Oct 13, 2019

Their stuff can have the same pests as any other vendor. Yes they quarantine but I wouldn’t chance it. They are a business and will charge what people are willing to pay

Urtoo · Oct 13, 2019

Are you saying marketing and hype are something detrimental to the hobby?
And it’s not aptasia, it an NPS Anenome that Is named “super muddy water” and sells for $2000 a frag..

Urtoo · Oct 13, 2019

Fishfinder said:
Their stuff can have the same pests as any other vendor. Yes they quarantine but I wouldn’t chance it. They are a business and will charge what people are willing to pay

The last line seals it up.

Fishfinder · Oct 13, 2019

Also this is like the 10th coral cost thread today

Alex808 · Oct 13, 2019

DannyBCorals said:
Ok, so I wanted to bring something up. Before I start, I have nothing against WWC, a few of my corals are from them and I love them. So, WWC sells corals that could go for dirt cheap literally everywhere, but because they’re well known, they can sell a Yuma or a $100 bounce mushroom for $500. I just don’t get it. Can someone explain why they do this and how people don’t research other sellers before buying it?

They’re selling their brand. It’s arguable when it comes to quality and stuff like that but when you’ve got skin in the game like they do, people will pay those prices.

tehmadreefer · Oct 13, 2019

They built their brand from a garage frag tank in 2006, soo

DannyBCorals · Oct 13, 2019

Alex808 said:
They’re selling their brand. It’s arguable when it comes to quality and stuff like that but when you’ve got skin in the game like they do, people will pay those prices.

That’s true, but I feel like people buy everyday coral and slap a wwc label on it even though it’s not even from WWC just for the extra money they can make.

ca1ore · Oct 13, 2019

I’ve never actually bought anything from WWC, though I have been to their Orlando location. Not sure I fully agree with your premise as the majority of the items on their website seem reasonably priced given their presumed value add of quarantine. Some pieces have silly prices, along with silly names that convey, at least in part, uniqueness. Maybe there are some items that are overpriced versus what you’d pay elsewhere, but those items may in fact not ever sell. WWC also doesn’t seem out of line with many of the other online vendors that sell ‘high end’ frags.

Peace River · Oct 13, 2019

tehmadreefer said:
They built their brand from a garage frag tank in 2006, soo

So...?

DannyBCorals · Oct 13, 2019

tehmadreefer said:
They built their brand from a garage frag tank in 2006, soo

That’s true! I heard they made 3.5mil this summer! It’s crazy!

Peace River · Oct 13, 2019

DannyBCorals said:
That’s true, but I feel like people buy everyday coral and slap a wwc label on it even though it’s not even from WWC just for the extra money they can make.

This is a good point. There is a difference between name brand items and buying a product from WWC.

S2G · Oct 13, 2019

There's really no difference. People buy from wwc because it's wwc. That's about it. Just like brs sells tons of equip that others sell.

I really don't understand the gripe with prices. I remember after a hurricane 1 Chevron way higher than everyone else even in a time of shortage. To this day I will not even use the restroom at the place. I wasn't alone well they had to price lower than everyone for yrs so locals would shop there.