Gauging current interest in corals

[HookedAquatics]

Hi everyone! I've been thinking about selling some coral to help pay for my college tuition. I wanted to see what people are looking for and what prices would be preferred for said coral. For example if your looking for torches give me a color and a suitable price range, I.E. "I'm looking for green torches with pink tips. I'd like to see them for under 120$". Even if you aren't buying or considering buying your feed back is more than enough for me! Thank you~

 

[afrokobe]

It would help to know what kind of corals you have/gauging interest in. Or are you asking what in general is popular? If that's the case, your question might be too broad. i.e. I say torches are popular right now, but prices can range pretty wildly, so Im not sure how useful this is to you

 

[MONTANTK]

There’s always an interest for coral priced under market value. SPS is an easy source of money and the easiest to frag. Zoas are also pretty easy too. For torches and hammers, if it’s orange and under $200 it will probably sell pretty quick. Check out the classifieds here and see what seems to be selling and for how much

 

[HookedAquatics]

It would help to know what kind of corals you have/gauging interest in. Or are you asking what in general is popular? If that's the case, your question might be too broad. i.e. I say torches are popular right now, but prices can range pretty wildly, so Im not sure how useful this is to you

Your input is helpful! I wanted my post to cover a broad range. I want to tailor my business as hobbyist to hobbyist and try to keep prices as low as I can manage. I always liked how many people here on r2r treat each other like friends and would love to share this experience as a seller as well.

 

[HookedAquatics]

There’s always an interest for coral priced under market value. SPS is an easy source of money and the easiest to frag. Zoas are also pretty easy too. For torches and hammers, if it’s orange and under $200 it will probably sell pretty quick. Check out the classifieds here and see what seems to be selling and for how much

Thank you for your input! It helps alot!

 

[BiggestE22]

I like gold hammers if you have some.

 

[afrokobe]

Check out what people around you are selling and for what prices. Originally I thought there werent many local sellers here in the DFW area, but once I knew where to look there are a ton of private FB groups selling coral. Lot of these guys have pretty competitive pricing as they get wholesale pricing, but don't have overhead from a storefront. The true local hobbyist sellers kind of get overshadowed, unless they have really good pricing.

 

[ZoWhat]

I want to tailor my business as hobbyist to hobbyist and try to keep prices as low as I can manage.

But how can you keep prices low while quality and availability are high?

You can't buy wholesale unless you prove to a Distributor you are a valid LLC business and are willing to contractually commit to buying a minimum monthly order of $2000 or more.

Distributors in LA that get corals from Indo don't deal with ppl nor businesses willy nilly. You have to be "accepted" by Distributorships under some pretty tight business contractual constraints.

There is no way you can cut a profit if you buy among online retailers and insert a profit margin and provide a lower than market price to the consumer.

It would be like you selling gallons of milk off your a truck by buying at Walmart via a retail shopping cart at Walmart retail prices.

I do not understand your biz model



.

 

[HookedAquatics]

Check out what people around you are selling and for what prices. Originally I thought there werent many local sellers here in the DFW area, but once I knew where to look there are a ton of private FB groups selling coral. Lot of these guys have pretty competitive pricing as they get wholesale pricing, but don't have overhead from a storefront. The true local hobbyist sellers kind of get overshadowed, unless they have really good pricing.

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind!

 

[MONTANTK]

Thank you for your input! It helps alot!

You’re welcome. Good luck with school!

 

[HookedAquatics]

But how can you keep prices low while quality and availability are high?

You can't buy wholesale unless you prove to a Distributor you are a valid LLC business and are willing to contractually commit to buying g a minimum monthly order of $1500 to $2000

Distributors in LA that get cirals from Indo don't deal with ppl nor businesses willy nilly. You have to be "accepted" by Distributorships under some pretty tight business constraints.

There is no way you can cut A profit if you buy among online retailers and insert a profit margin and provide a lower than market price to the consumer.

It would be like you selling gallons of milf by buying at Walmart via a retail shopping cart.

I do not understand your biz model



.

I am licensed and I do have a fee wholesalers I am working with at the moment! I do understand that it is strange for some upstart to just pop up without any real experience, but I do hope you'll be able understand.

 

[Rmckoy]

It would help to know what kind of corals you have/gauging interest in. Or are you asking what in general is popular? If that's the case, your question might be too broad. i.e. I say torches are popular right now, but prices can range pretty wildly, so Im not sure how useful this is to you

The way I read it .
looking to get into selling corals or unknown species and what someone would pay for any coral .
And taking that to make his “wholesale purchase to fill inventory

I might be wrong .

20 years ago hustling corals was a decent gig .
Now unless you’re a “brick and mortar “ retailer. It really isn’t worth it just to try and make a few bucks .

too much can go wrong wiping out entire inventory

But ….
I’d love to see Walt Disney acro frags less than $100 in Canada .
Apparently the USA they are cheaper .

something to make a few laugh .
rainbow splice less than $100 would also be nice

 

[TheDragonsReef]

If you dont already have experience growing corals to be fragged, zoas are the easiest and safest bet to start with. Theyre really hardy and easy to grow and easy to frag. With sps being slower growers you need more livestock to be able to constantly frag for income. Branching hammers are pretty hardy and easy to frag too but i find torches can be hit or miss and if you get bjd you could lose all your euphyllia pretty quick.

 

[HookedAquatics]

The way I read it .
looking to get into selling corals or unknown species and what someone would pay for any coral .
And taking that to make his “wholesale purchase to fill inventory

I might be wrong .

20 years ago hustling corals was a decent gig .
Now unless you’re a “brick and mortar “ retailer. It really isn’t worth it just to try and make a few bucks .

too much can go wrong wiping out entire inventory

But ….
I’d love to see Walt Disney acro frags less than $100 in Canada .
Apparently the USA they are cheaper .

something to make a few laugh .
rainbow splice less than $100 would also be nice

Wouldn't we all love to see 100$ rainbow splices! I hope to be able to bring great corals to those who want it at a reasonable price with no BS. However the truth is that I'm not there yet! I hope you do follow along and watch my progress as I go!

 

[New&no clue]

I would be interested in uniquely colored torches and hammers for under $200.

 

[HookedAquatics]

If you dont already have experience growing corals to be fragged, zoas are the easiest and safest bet to start with. Theyre really hardy and easy to grow and easy to frag. With sps being slower growers you need more livestock to be able to constantly frag for income. Branching hammers are pretty hardy and easy to frag too but i find torches can be hit or miss and if you get bjd you could lose all your euphyllia pretty quick.

Torches are very hit or miss. I very much appreciate your reply. P.s. I am a huge fan please post more of your Dragon eel!

If you dont already have experience growing corals to be fragged, zoas are the easiest and safest bet to start with. Theyre really hardy and easy to grow and easy to frag. With sps being slower growers you need more livestock to be able to constantly frag for income. Branching hammers are pretty hardy and easy to frag too but i find torches can be hit or miss and if you get bjd you could lose all your euphyllia pretty quick.

Torches are very hit or miss. I very much appreciate your reply. P.s. I'd love to see your tank! I'm a huge sucker for eels and anglers!

 

[HookedAquatics]

I would be interested in uniquely colored torches and hammers for under $200.

I'll definitely see what I can do! Please keep an eye out or dm me!

 

[Rmckoy]

Wouldn't we all love to see 100$ rainbow splices! I hope to be able to bring great corals to those who want it at a reasonable price with no BS. However the truth is that I'm not there yet! I hope you do follow along and watch my progress as I go!

Sounds great .
Best of luck and will follow along to see your progress

 

[ZoWhat]

I am licensed and I do have a fee wholesalers I am working with at the moment! I do understand that it is strange for some upstart to just pop up without any real experience, but I do hope you'll be able understand.

Still not understanding how you're going to meet monthly minimum orders required by Distributors. You going to keep a stock of corals?

You cannot call up a Distributor and say George wants a pink tip torch at $120.... dropship one to him, charge me $70 for it

Ain't happening....


.

 

[Rmckoy]

Still not understanding how you're going to meet monthly minimum orders required by Distributors. You going to keep a stock.if corals?

You cannot call up a Distributors and say George wants a pink tip torch at $120.... dropping one to him, charge me $70 for it


.

I’m sure importing restrictions have changed from 20 years ago .
At that time .
there was still a min order of 100 kg which was x number of boxes .
lfs can’t afford to sell everyone wholesale corals .
Even colonies once upon a time were $30 now they’re $300-$500