At what point do you put a vendor on blast?

DipSpit · Apr 25, 2018

Hello all,

I am a pretty understanding guy and I have dealt with four online coral retailers in my aquarium career apart from my LFS shopping.

I have reasonable expectations for maricultured corals, and for photos on website allowing for some difference in appearance.

I decided to give a new vendor a chance. The vendor uses the same lights as I do (which helps me put myself at ease). I decided to order a nice chalice colony and an acropora frag.

The chalice colony never made it to me due to an error on their end but they did refund my money, so no harm no foul (besides the disappointment).

BUT

What I received was NOWHERE NEAR the advertised photo. Am I being too picky?

The left is what I received, the right is what I ordered.

I haven't experienced this amount of differentiation...ever. Should I throw the name out there to warn others?

Again, kudos for the refund, but I would have much rather had the chalice colony I ordered and this frag is laughably different.

Crabs McJones · Apr 25, 2018

Have you contacted the vendor with your concern?

DipSpit · Apr 25, 2018

Yes - awaiting to see what they say which is why I didn't list the name.

Crabs McJones · Apr 25, 2018

DipSpit said:
Yes - awaiting to see what they say which is why I didn't list the name.

Good call

hope they get it all sorted out for you

CalebWBrink2000 · Apr 25, 2018

Man, that's almost a bit absurd. I've bought corals w/a slight shift in color, but nothing that dramatic.

cloak · Apr 25, 2018

Maybe a dealer at RENO? FWIW I've won some bets online and 1 or 2 didn't make it... Not that it was DOA on arrival, it was just that I was playing the odds to begin with. (craps) I've got zoanthids that are still trying to "acclimate" after almost 4 months. I still don't know what to do with them.... Up, down, left right etc. Is it you or them? Hmm...

DipSpit · Apr 25, 2018

Again, like, I get it - mariculture is a crap shoot - but that looks like its direct from a farm not from a retailer.

cloak · Apr 25, 2018

DipSpit said:
Again, like, I get it - mariculture is a crap shoot - but that looks like its direct from a farm not from a retailer.

Lol... Don't let me trouble you... Those tags you have can make you think your Superman sometimes... Huh?

DipSpit · Apr 25, 2018

cloak said:
Lol. Don't let me trouble you... Those tags can make you think your Superman sometimes... Huh?

No, I'm agreeing with you, man.

cloak · Apr 25, 2018

My bad, just a bunch of bubbles in my head...

Tommy's Reef · Apr 25, 2018

Even with your blues on they look nothing a like in color?

DipSpit · Apr 25, 2018

tommyhere said:
Even with your blues on they look nothing a like in color?

Lol literally nothing.

Tommy's Reef · Apr 25, 2018

If it doesn't and the vendor doesnt own up to the fact that the color has changed from lack of care or it not doing well in his tank. Put him on blast. They should of had a more updated pic on it.

ritter6788 · Apr 25, 2018

Be prepared for the standard "color shift during transit, different tank lighting/parameters, blah blah blah" response.

Tommy's Reef · Apr 25, 2018

Acros can loose color faster than anything, he should of seen that while bagging it!

vic5hands · Apr 25, 2018

How long has it been in your tank?

Dobermanp · Apr 25, 2018

Yeah, that's why I don't buy corals online from vendors. 99.9% of them completely fabricate the colors in photoshop. This isn't the first time I've seen bs like this. Get your money back.

DipSpit · Apr 25, 2018

Also check out these circled portions. Opinions? These were offered to me as "exclusive" for store credit on the chalice I didn't receive. I'm glad I took the cash back.

DipSpit · Apr 25, 2018

SO an update:

Though I did not ask for it the vendor is going to issue a refund.

T His is OK I guess - but I would have much rather just had the corals I had seen on the site and wanted to buy.

They were/are accommodating so I don't feel the need to point them out, but just be careful when trying new vendors.

TL Reefs · Apr 26, 2018

Those things you circled appear to be disco ball affect from LEDs. Photographing corals is very challenging. They most likely made some adjustments to white balance, trying to get the colors to appear the way they look in person. Although it's not always that simple, and certain colors shift more than others. Which is why your yellow tenuis looks green in person.
Since they gave a refund, it appears they weren't purposely deceiving you. It's a costly lesson in photography for the vendor.