These prices ... really?

[Pete polyp]

Yes, all livestock from sustainable collectors is priced higher, but for the most part 100% worth it.

I'm a BIG FAN of ORA. Nowadays you can fill a reef tank with nary a molecule from the ocean...

Here's my thoughts on the "sustainable" end of the market and pricing. Even tough these aquaculture facilities have other costs along the way the prices are for the most part lower than the others that harvest wild colonies. ORA acro for example sells at prices far lower than some of these "high end" frags. I have personally bought 2 ORA frags from LFS and the most expensive was $60. Even with the additional costs associated with aquaculture they're still well below the price that some of these other corals.


I will have to retract that because I did buy one ORA coral for more than that. It slipped my mind that I bought an Easter egg chalice as big around as a coke can for $75.

 

[Jonreefer]

It's not just vendors. I see a lot of private sales that exceed crazy prices I have seen from vendors.

 

[Jon Warner]

Here's my thoughts on the "sustainable" end of the market and pricing. Even tough these aquaculture facilities have other costs along the way the prices are for the most part lower than the others that harvest wild colonies. ORA acro for example sells at prices far lower than some of these "high end" frags. I have personally bought 2 ITS frags from LFS and the most expensive was $60. Even with the additional costs associated with aquaculture they're still well below the price that some of these other corals.

Agreed... If I had a retail store today, it would be 50% filled with ORA livestock.

 

[Pete polyp]

It's not just vendors. I see a lot of private sales that exceed crazy prices I have seen from vendors.

Very true indeed. And I think this is something in itself that fuels the high prices.

"When I grow out those radioactive rainbow unicorn on acid polyps I can sell them and make a fortune!" So they buy this coral that's overpriced expecting to sell it off at a profit.

 

[Djtonton]

Very true indeed. And I think this is something in itself that fuels the high prices.

"When I grow out those radioactive rainbow unicorn on acid polyps I can sell them and make a fortune!" So they buy this coral that's overpriced expecting to sell it off at a profit.

i agree with this. and its not like it a good size frag either frags now a days have become so small. I remember a zoa frag being at least 5 heads now your lucky if you get one head thats bigger than a dime.

 

[aslmx]

I don't know what's worse, a $200 zoa polyp or someone selling a quarter size gsp frag for $10. Kinda like selling grass clippings from the lawn

 

[Jonreefer]

Yea i got a rock of gsp the rock was 7"x9" paid 10 bucks lol. I took a racquetball size of it for myself and gave rest away for free. I come into good sellers time to time just trying to spread aqua culture and sell frags dirt cheap and even though they are high end frags they still sell for almost nothing.

 

[xcorallusx]

hey guys does bayer work as a coral dip?

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Back in the day... the collectors/distributors didn't modify pricing based on the quality of what they were sending you.

Today... you will get an email from an Australian exporter/collector with a picture of a 4" Chalice colony for $3000. Yes it's nice and it has a shot at being the next "big thing" or LE. But it's $3000.

The overseas collectors are "onto us" over here in the USA. They are pricing in accordance with what they feel WE will pay for it.

That is the big reason why nice corals cost big $$.

:thumb:

 

[CastAway]

[In the big booming voice of some imaginary radio announcer]
Sunday Sunday Sunday!

[In a lowly meek voice]
It's supply and demand peeps, and vendors herein pay a private individual to have access to us - the demand. The market is what the market will bare. If someone can sell a half inch piece of Adobe P Acro for a hundred dollars, then that's what it's worth, even if 99% of people would pass on it.

I'm offended by high prices as well, and all that that implies. I hope to undercut the market myself, by not buying; by growing out nice colonies and giving frags away to people I know, trading with whom I choose, with the expectation that recipients do the same! It's responsible, sustainable, and frankly, more satisfying.

 

[mrcoffee2]

Very true indeed. And I think this is something in itself that fuels the high prices.

"When I grow out those radioactive rainbow unicorn on acid polyps I can sell them and make a fortune!" So they buy this coral that's overpriced expecting to sell it off at a profit.

I can believe this

 

[FishLipz]

I made a consciensious decision to only support vendors that don't play the hype, overprice, and hope for a sucker game. I've been a victim in the past and the burn still remains. Some lessons are best learned the hard way.

Do I hate the people who pay the obscene prices for unproven coral? Not a bit. I'd much rather them experiment with their money than me do it with mine. If it works out for them and it doesn't croak or turn into poo, I'll get mine in a couple years once it's a reasonable price. Today's fad is tomorrow's freebe!

 

[b_rad_G]

I for one will only have named corals in my tank. Have the green one the blue one the purple one....and the brown one! I couldn't care less about a name but if you ever plan to sell frags you'd better get a name or it won't sell!

I do actually have 1 coral with "Lineage". People want names and they want to know exactly what they buy. A blue milli isn't good enough. It has to be XXX corals blueberry blue etc.

The name game isn't so bad. What is bad is offering 3/4 inch acro frag for 2000. As mentioned it sold very quickly. Now when they list a 1 inch frag for say 500$ people think they stole it when in reality no one bought the first one and if they did it was a buddy discounted inside deal. I can not imagine someone being arrogant enough to pay 2000 for a frag. Its all a marketing scheme.

 

[aslmx]

hey guys does bayer work as a coral dip?

yes I use it. Do a YouTube search.

 

[Triton Marine]

Here at Triton we try to keep are prices not inflamed to the craziest number. We are pretty new to the board so some of you might not know who we are. We have a pretty good selection of coral and fish at our retail location that people always come in and ask crazy names. I always respond " I dont get caught up in all the name hype its a amazing coral though". The prices that some people are asking for is crazy. Even some of the wholesalers prices are insane, but we are subject to it most of the time. Like said before …its the exporters that see the USA buying and paying for the insane prices. So they just keep asking for it.

 

[Joe G]

Great thread.
I agree that prices have gotten a bit out of control.
I could not imagine paying 2000 bucks on a stick.
Even if I could afford it I would alway be nervous to lose it .

 

[Ryan2428]

2000 u getting the stick for sure lol could not help myself lol

 

[PaulKreider]

Honestly I'm completely against the insane prices, I've still never paid more than $70 for a frag and it was nearly mini colony sized.

But I see a lot of people speaking out against naming corals, Which I don't believe is bad at all. Naming corals allows us to have an idea of what they will grow/ look like when they get larger, to a point that the scientific name wouldn't allow.

 

[PaulKreider]

Great thread.
I agree that prices have gotten a bit out of control.
I could not imagine paying 2000 bucks on a stick.
Even if I could afford it I would alway be nervous to lose it .

$2000 and they don't even guarantee a 1" frag. Now that's pathetic.

 

[mike007]

The way I see it if people keep buying these corals at these prices they will remain high. Example professional athlete's make millions but people keep going to watch them and pay a premium price to do so. That is what is happening in this country and I don't see it changing. It has gotten way out of hand.