What do we, as reefers, want?

[SDguy]

OK, considering the topics of some recent threads,

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/f48/sps-coral-pricing-29116.html

https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/f16/how-do-you-feel-about-29009.html

I'd like to start a thread were people can discuss solutions, not just problems. What exactly are the problems in the hobby, and more importantly, what do you suggest as a solution? Additionally, how should things be in an "ideal world"?

We are fickle, fickle reefers. Admit it. We often want one thing one day, and another the next. Prices too high now? How about two years ago when prices were too high already for many reefers. Just one example.....


Discuss :bigsmile:

 

[mpoletti]

I'd start with honesty. Most of my sadness comes when I see people are knowingly selling corals by names designated by others in the hobby to capitalize on reefkeepers who do not know any better. Not every one out there has no life like many of us who are always around here and know the subtle differnces between originals and knock offs (especially since sometimes there aren't any).
I feel sorry for that person who shells out good money for a piece they believe in is the real deal only to get mocked when they go to sell or trade it later on.

This goes for hobbyists and vendors alike.

 

[ddiver]

to not be taken advantage of...I know it's up to the reefer whether that will happen or not but I'm saying that the possibilty of it happening shouldn't even be there to begin with..

 

[SDguy]

to not be taken advantage of...I know it's up to the reefer whether that will happen or not but I'm saying that the possibilty of it happening shouldn't even be there to begin with..

See, that's why I started this thread. Absolutely no offense intended, and not trying to make an example of you, but... please define, at least for you personally, what constitutes being taken advantage of... Price? Size? False ID as Mark mentioned? Thanks for the input

 

[Paul_N]

Price for me. I'm patient I can wait a loooong time for it to drop. personally I'm not into LE or names just what I like the look of. I really really really want a scoly but it ain't happening with the prices. So I just look and not buy.

 

[SDguy]

Sounds like me in the housing market 4 years ago. Glad I knew to wait

 

[ddiver]

See, that's why I started this thread. Absolutely no offense intended, and not trying to make an example of you, but... please define, at least for you personally, what constitutes being taken advantage of... Price? Size? False ID as Mark mentioned? Thanks for the input

exactly what u said..prices,size, and lineage..

 

[Paul_N]

The sad thing is if they cut the prices they could sell 3 or 4 times as many and make more money in the end anyway.

 

[SDguy]

So what's the cutoff for you, though? I know reefers that would never spend $50 on any size frag of anything. Period. Others, $200 is their limit....
Kind of rhetorical...you don't have to answer

Just an example of what people can see in different ways... so who decides the cutoff?

 

[Paul_N]

It depends. I would spend $75-$100 on a nice size scoly. As far as frags, I would never spend more than $50. I love the strawberry enchinata but $150 for 1"....heck no! I understand its the "going rate" so.........I wait.

 

[sciknen]

I don't like like to see people new to aquairia taken advantage of.. If its an experience reef keeper it's kinda their own fault. But a newbie doesn't know the difference between blue hornets and purple hornets..and when i was a newbie I didin't even know what a forum was let alone they had them for saltwater tanks. Now I am a member of 4 different forums. lol... If the new people to the hobby are taken advatage of and get discouraged it hurts us all. Its less people in the hobby. Its less awareness to people why we love this hobby. To me the point of this hobby is to have beautiful living art in your home, the goal is to be a self contained group of hobbyists.

I dont mind high prices on nice things.. it costs a lot of money to keep corals and have them grow in your tank...But what i did is just buy one expensive thing and trade for the others.

 

[softiegirl]

but now blue hornets are almost the same price as the purple, its a joke!

 

[mpoletti]

I'd also like to not have people stalk me because of corals (Sorry Peter, I just couldn't resist)

 

[ahayes13]

wow, interesting post. i guess there are a few things i think would be beneficial if they changed in regards to our hobby and corals.

i think prices for these pinky toenail sized frags is ridiculous. plus then you get the frag and can hardly even tell what the heck is is to begin with cause its so tiny. lol. but its all the wallet of the beholder, like is said before some will pay for it some wont. i can say that i have at times paid for it. :/ only real solution for that would be if you could get everyone to not buy these tiny half inch sps frags or one eye chalices for the ridiculous prices. then these sellers would have to lower their prices. but we all know this is NOT going to happen. unless you can get EVERY reefer to ban together. lol.

another concern like many others is people getting ripped off or scammed. funny how that is even a problem, but like anything else it only takes a few bad apples to ruin something for everyone. i hate that in such a tight knit hobby like ours. where people really do generally try to help eachother out, that there are people who knowingly try to cheat others. no real solution....... except thank goodness for forums like these where we can look out for eachother and post when something seems not quite right or when there has been a problem. so that others can be careful.

just like others comments. prices will change with time. if there is a coral you REALLY like and want and you have patience you can wait it out til' the price gets more reasonable and you can purchase it then.
Problem is a lot of us of course want that new sps now or that new chalice or paly NOW and dont want to wait for a year or two for the price to drastically decrease. So the cycle will continue ...... there will always be those that have the deep pockets to pay these prices and youll have the stores and vendors that have no problem helping take that money.

 

[Bio-nut]

Okay peter this is what I came to as a conclusion after talking with you at work and going over to see Matt's new system.....

After talking with a few fellow reefers, I would like to retract my previous statements to this matter and turn the aim over to us as hobbyist.

Here is a question to you. When you look at you tank, (honestly) what is the first think you think of? Is it about money spent or money to be made? Or is it a feeling of content and interest in the beauty if a living organism. Neither answer is wrong! It is just your way of looking at the hobby!

What I think is happening in this recent outrage of coral and prices. We as hobbyist have lost touch with the interest in keeping a biotope and have instead became infatuated in keeping up with the latest and greatest. Some individuals in this hobby have allowed themselves to be transformed into someone who buys corals to top the other guy and to show it of in your latest tank thread. I am not against having a nice collection of beautiful corals, just do it within the means of your budget and enjoyment. Sometimes I sit and watch my wife look at my tank and point out how amazing a single detail of a coral or a fish is, trust me this doesn’t happen that much, and it brings back a feeling of simple enjoyment of the hobby again.

Don’t get mad at the guy who can afford a million dollar house just be glad that you have a home! Reef with in your budget, or have the patience to wait till your turn to buy your dream piece!

Back to my enjoyment of the hobby, Ian

 

[ahayes13]

I'd also like to not have people stalk me because of corals (Sorry Peter, I just couldn't resist)

I also think youd be one of my top choices for someones corals to stalk :angel:

 

[mpoletti]

Sometimes I sit and watch my wife look at my tank and point out how amazing a single detail of a coral or a fish is, trust me this doesn’t happen that much, and it brings back a feeling of simple enjoyment of the hobby again.

Yep, Tonight was a good night as Emma helped me feed the tank to watch the starfish come out. It also helps when we sit as a family to watch the jocs do their spawning dance

 

[wishntoboutside]

Peter for president !

Mark I will take a drive for some of your Frags

solutions be fair nothing wrong with making a buck. Think of what you may be willing to pay. If it is under attinics just say it if or is photoshoppwd say it. If you are using someones picture do you have there permission.

Pete me know if you need help moving. I wanna see that pump working!

 

[softiegirl]

For me, when I look at my tank, it's pure enjoyment. Not what i spent. The simplest colored zoas (i.e. radioactive dragon eyes) put the most color in my tank! I do fall for the fads here and there. And get burnt. Paid $60 for 2 heads of teensy tiny purple hornets only to have them blow off the plug. I was disappointed to say the least, but seeing how small they were really made me feel the worst. Now people want $$ for the captain america palys, and they're growing like WEEDS for people! in my short time in this hobby i've learned patience is truly a virtue. And beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bio-nut]

Nice Mark! I can't wait till my little one come ad they can stare at the tank with me! Or take them to the LFS to terrorize my buddies there!

Good choice Peter! Permanent solutions to a temporary problem!