Oops, did I just buy that?

DiverGirl82 · Nov 18, 2015

Have you ever bought a coral on accident? I just bought two. I was looking around on ebay just for grins and I saw some gorgeous corals that had no bids with only 3 hours to go and the starting bid was only $9.99. I've never bid on anything on ebay and I've never bought corals on there at all. So once again for grins I figured, "why not, at that price someone will surely out bid me." I bid on 3 and ended up, to my surprise, winning 2. The really bad thing is its not my first time "accidently" buying a coral. At one of the recent live sales I was looking for a specific item but it was my first time doing one of those sales so I decided to try purchasing a pretty ricordea just to see how the process went. I felt fairly confident that someone else would have beaten me to it because my computer had frozen up but nope. To my surprise I ended up getting it. Oops. But it looks lovely in my tank and I'm glad I got it. I'm sure I'll be just as glad I "accidently" got these.

Am I the only one?

NeuroticAquatics · Nov 18, 2015

Been there, done that several times. Got a three polyp Frag of KO Nightmares for 99 cents last year. Never guessed that nobody would bid more.

Reef Raft has nice stuff, so you scored. I'd bid on their stuff but they are local and do not allow free local pickups, so I go elsewhere. I just can't see paying shipping when I can pick it up.

DiverGirl82 · Nov 18, 2015

Yeah I found out after i put the bids in that they're only about 2 hours away from me so I asked about local pickup and they said no. I didn't really think it would be an issue because I thought for sure someone else would bid.

NeuroticAquatics · Nov 18, 2015

Ahhh...just realized it was you. We're from the same area.

DiverGirl82 · Nov 18, 2015

Oh yeah? You're near 29 Palms?

NeuroticAquatics · Nov 18, 2015

Live in Indio, work in PS.

knukles55 · Nov 18, 2015

can you post pics of the corals when they come in that's one thing that scares me about online the fact you may end up buying a brown coral that doesn't show the same color you intended on buying.....

ssdawood · Nov 18, 2015

One coral on the left is showing some skeleton.

I hope I am seeing that wrong.

DiverGirl82 · Nov 18, 2015

knukles55 said:
can you post pics of the corals when they come in that's one thing that scares me about online the fact you may end up buying a brown coral that doesn't show the same color you intended on buying.....

Will do. The company seems to have a good reputation so I'm not too worried about it.

DiverGirl82 · Nov 19, 2015

ssdawood said:
One coral on the left is showing some skeleton.

I hope I am seeing that wrong.

Do you know how many times I looked at that picture and never noticed that? I just saw the bright colors. Ooooh shiny.

DeniseAndy · Nov 19, 2015

I have made my share of oops on ebay. Not for coral, but I don't touch it now. If I need something, my hubby does the ebay stuff. I did not realize the best offer button meant that you bought for it if the person accepts. I thought it was for asking about a price. Oops!!!

Tanggirl12 · Nov 19, 2015

Looks like some algae already growing on the exposed skeleton so hopefully it's already on the mend.

DunkCityReefer · Nov 19, 2015

Been there done that one the best offer button haha...

DiverGirl82 · Nov 19, 2015

Glad to know I'm not the only one

lviva003 · Nov 19, 2015

From now on just bid on cornbred stuff. Trust me you will surely get outbid in those listings.

DiverGirl82 · Nov 19, 2015

Actually I did try a couple things from them and was immediately outbid. Looking at the prices some of their stuff got to I can't afford them.

lewis.maryann08 · Nov 25, 2015

Every coral I bought off ebay died or was dead when I got it ...so I dont buy off ebay for corals anymore.. and the shipping cost are crazy my lps will order anything you ask for so thats what I do now ,

TheEngineer · Nov 25, 2015

I just got a shipment of stuff in that started with an "oops" win. Couldn't justify $35 shipping for one mini colony so I bought another 3 frags.

DiverGirl82 · Nov 25, 2015

Yeah the shipping prices can really get you.I didn't realize it till after but the place I ended up winning from charges additional shipping for each item.

NeuroticAquatics · Nov 25, 2015

I only buy from somewhat local sellers that offer discounted shipping rates. Some do, some don't. I ask prior to bidding. I will not purchase anything from a place that does not allow free local pickup. I don't understand them charging me for shipping when they did not incur that expense.

I have had great luck with my online purchases though. I think any losses were probably my fault, as they happened long after I got them.