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I tried to clone a person once and I went to prison.
What do we, as reefers, want?
- Thread starter SDguy
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I know this thread hasn't been active in a few months, but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.
As a reefer, I'd like to see people stop making assumptions about people's commitment and passion for this hobby. I've seen a lot of people saying that selling for profit makes them a vendor and not a hobbyist. I'm not doubting the statement that it makes them a vendor, but I do think it's a bit unfair to say that those vendors don't feel the way about the hobby as those that aren't are. Sure, a hobby is defined as an interest that someone pursues outside of their work, but how many of you can honestly say they don't want to find work in one of your greatest passions. The way I see it, if you love it, and you're great at it, and you want to make a living off it it: Do it. I know a number of vendors that love their reef as much as the next guy. Just because you make a profit from reefing doesn't make you any less of a reefer, it doesn't mean you don't enjoy or love the hobby any less, IMO.
Also, in terms of pricing, and "overcharging" for corals and hitch hikers. These prices are all indirectly set by the us, the buyer. Consider this situation: You're getting ready to sell your house. Someone offers you $500,000, another person offers you $350,000. The obvious choice would be to sell the house for the higher offer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that people should be overcharging corals, but I just don't think we can merely blame the seller. And claiming your coral to be one thing to raise the price, or stamping labels on it, yes, I agree, is completely uncalled for. I don't think it's something that we can limit to this hobby though. All collectable hobbies have those pieces that most would consider to be "unfairly" priced because they're rare. Cars, designer bags, what have you. In my opinion, I think it gives us something to get excited for though. I got really excited when I saw the new McLaren coming out, I won't ever be able to own it, but I'm not going to bad mouth it because I think it's unreasonably priced.
I just think that if you don't like the price on a coral, don't buy it, but I don't think we should bad mouth the people that are selling it. We all need to get along, and if we're all trash talking each other, how is that ever going to happen?
On another note, I think the price of light fixtures need to come down. And all of the equipment actually. We all put so much money into stocking and maintaining our tanks, we need some sort of price break (considering we're not getting them with corals
)
Anyway, I think it was a great idea for this thread to have been started. It's a great way for everyone to get their thoughts out.
As a reefer, I'd like to see people stop making assumptions about people's commitment and passion for this hobby. I've seen a lot of people saying that selling for profit makes them a vendor and not a hobbyist. I'm not doubting the statement that it makes them a vendor, but I do think it's a bit unfair to say that those vendors don't feel the way about the hobby as those that aren't are. Sure, a hobby is defined as an interest that someone pursues outside of their work, but how many of you can honestly say they don't want to find work in one of your greatest passions. The way I see it, if you love it, and you're great at it, and you want to make a living off it it: Do it. I know a number of vendors that love their reef as much as the next guy. Just because you make a profit from reefing doesn't make you any less of a reefer, it doesn't mean you don't enjoy or love the hobby any less, IMO.
Also, in terms of pricing, and "overcharging" for corals and hitch hikers. These prices are all indirectly set by the us, the buyer. Consider this situation: You're getting ready to sell your house. Someone offers you $500,000, another person offers you $350,000. The obvious choice would be to sell the house for the higher offer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that people should be overcharging corals, but I just don't think we can merely blame the seller. And claiming your coral to be one thing to raise the price, or stamping labels on it, yes, I agree, is completely uncalled for. I don't think it's something that we can limit to this hobby though. All collectable hobbies have those pieces that most would consider to be "unfairly" priced because they're rare. Cars, designer bags, what have you. In my opinion, I think it gives us something to get excited for though. I got really excited when I saw the new McLaren coming out, I won't ever be able to own it, but I'm not going to bad mouth it because I think it's unreasonably priced.
I just think that if you don't like the price on a coral, don't buy it, but I don't think we should bad mouth the people that are selling it. We all need to get along, and if we're all trash talking each other, how is that ever going to happen?
On another note, I think the price of light fixtures need to come down. And all of the equipment actually. We all put so much money into stocking and maintaining our tanks, we need some sort of price break (considering we're not getting them with corals
)Anyway, I think it was a great idea for this thread to have been started. It's a great way for everyone to get their thoughts out.
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slipondajimmy
Active Member
I really just want honesty and reasonable prices. I am a pretty poor reefer. I love the hobby but my pocket does not. I buy all my frags from the "clearance" section of my LFS.
The silly names really need to stop. I cant see paying a premium price for a zoa frag because of a fancy name like Snapcracklepopyellowsafetytape or slimeyellowtothe3rdpower
The silly names really need to stop. I cant see paying a premium price for a zoa frag because of a fancy name like Snapcracklepopyellowsafetytape or slimeyellowtothe3rdpower
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i like getting the frags from the local forums or the lfs, because they are always the $20 and under....even the good stuff. i like selling or giving these frags away as well! if i can sell them for cheap that means the next person can do the same....eventually the price of these crazy expensive corals will not be so bad and the person with not a lot of money will have a beautiful tank with some bad butt coral. prices have gotten crazy and i for one will not spend that kind of money on it.
Harry_Y
Valuable Member
Actually I've seen the prices shoot up like crazy.
I will just wait until the market is saturated then buy them cheap.
As long as you have people willing to pay the high price they will stay expensive.
It pays to know what you are looking at, a florescent bulb may be $8 but put
plant in the name and it is $18, put aquarium in the name and it is $28.
Same thing different name.
I will just wait until the market is saturated then buy them cheap.
As long as you have people willing to pay the high price they will stay expensive.
It pays to know what you are looking at, a florescent bulb may be $8 but put
plant in the name and it is $18, put aquarium in the name and it is $28.
Same thing different name.
+1 on Psychographic.
I am a coral Farmer and I am tired of the linage stuff. just because I have a LE chalice or something that I got and it grow and I then frag. How can I prove it to a customer that it is really what I say it is. I have acans that bough that are green and purple that looks like the incredible hulk's and after fraging them they changed color and now there orange and green.
what I do it sell them at a good price so I can get more. There is no reason to try to make top dollar. I go to frag swaps and I try to sell every thing..
I make good deals and I see smiles and I get to meet nice people to. this is why I am in this hobby. I have a day job that make way more money then my fraging business. 
I want corals 2 look like they do when posted for sale.when you get it delivered and it has no color like the picture they showed just a colorless piece of junk. Wish i could send back 3 pieces of junk i have in my tank rite now. Makes my tank look bad to have colorless junk in it. I got one today that was better than the picture thats how it should be thanks sdguy for the fantastic pb chalice popin with color!!!
What is most frustrating to me in the hobby is all the complaining. Who cares what anyone else does with their corals and tanks? It is completely irrational and out of anyone else's control, so why bother? (Guess I am guilty too now). I have been blasted online for selling corals (I am not a vendor or coral farmer) such as a polyp or 2 of the Capt America paly ($50), for example. The sentiment shared with me on several occasions is that I should sell much cheaper or perhaps give it away. If someone gives me $100 should I then just give it away? Or maybe I should give away the interest/equity I make on my investments, savings, real estate, etc. Makes no sense to me. Giving corals away is fun, but can't do it all the time. So tired of people telling other people what to do with their corals. As for a solution, knowing that people do what they do, best thing may be to just ignore or laugh at them.
Lack of honesty is certainly a problem in reefing and just about everything else for that matter. We are dealing with people. The solution for me is to be educated about what I am buying and who I am purchasing from. Building relationships with other reefers and vendors has given me much faith in what I am getting. There are a few vendors and individuals that I have bought corals unseen from, and will again because I know they can be trusted. Other people/vendors will never see a penny from me because they have exposed themselves as dishonest, no matter what they post, how good their pics are, and how great of a deal it seems to be. Educate yourself or deal with people who have.
Lack of honesty is certainly a problem in reefing and just about everything else for that matter. We are dealing with people. The solution for me is to be educated about what I am buying and who I am purchasing from. Building relationships with other reefers and vendors has given me much faith in what I am getting. There are a few vendors and individuals that I have bought corals unseen from, and will again because I know they can be trusted. Other people/vendors will never see a penny from me because they have exposed themselves as dishonest, no matter what they post, how good their pics are, and how great of a deal it seems to be. Educate yourself or deal with people who have.
johnanddawn
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+1 except i hate to admit it but i like the drama
nothing like a good laugh at the end of a rough day. i find it quite entertaining reading peoples posts about why this coral is the real deal and that one isn't. bragging about owning all 27 varieties of watermellon this or that and how they want to be the first to pay x number of dollars for this coral cause it came from so and so
free entertainment via the internet
i just sit back and smile, clean the glass, tweak my equip, relax and watch my fish swim and my average joe corals grow.
i don't think anything is going to change or needs to change - this hobby has something for everyone
hmmm gotta go the lights are on - i wonder how my milli looks this morning?
ReeferRob
Give me your Brains!
I want the outrageous prices for plastic and a pump (skimmer) to come down to a resonable price. I think it is totally crazy that a chunk of plastic and glue is soo expensive.
Also wish someone would make a good quality skimmer in a cone design for tank with less than 80 gallons and smaller than 9x12.
Also wish someone would make a good quality skimmer in a cone design for tank with less than 80 gallons and smaller than 9x12.
Harry_Y
Valuable Member
Alot of this has to do with tooling cost
I was into RC helicopters, I sold a part for $17.50
that had about $1.00 worth of material in it.
But....
The CNC mill I cut it on cost my over $2000 + the Software
and other $2000 + the computer another $500+
There are a lot of cost before you even sell the first one to recoup.
Braves Fan
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I would like when you post something for sale, you post a pic. When you post pics of individual pics of corals in your tank, if you know the name of the coral, post that to, for all of that might want to buy the same coral for our tank. Other than that, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
Elan
Well-Known Member
I agree with Harry.
Another thing you have to take into consideration is that you are going through the creater to retailer then you. Lets say an acrylic tube cost $20. You put time and effort into that tube to make a calc reactor etc. and you have to make money off of it. So of course you arent going to sell for 25 or 30 that wont put food on the table. You will sell it to a retailer for maybe $50, but then you have to remember they have mouths to feed too. Its just not on the cost of material.
Another thing you have to take into consideration is that you are going through the creater to retailer then you. Lets say an acrylic tube cost $20. You put time and effort into that tube to make a calc reactor etc. and you have to make money off of it. So of course you arent going to sell for 25 or 30 that wont put food on the table. You will sell it to a retailer for maybe $50, but then you have to remember they have mouths to feed too. Its just not on the cost of material.
livingcorals
unregistered
just my 2 cents 
Think its all about make cash trip.
Just wish most would be more forgiving. I mean I would want to sell cheap or just give a frag away just so if something that I have should ever die off.... I know where I at least could get another frag...I had a tri color frogspawn that had purple, green, and tan/pink tips that ended up going into my carpet last year. (any from RC might recall this thread) I did a trade off for 3 heads for a 12 gal nano dx setup lol.
After 5 months I was able to contact that same person and get 1 head back.
So if the question really was, "what do we, as reefers, want?"
Whatever you don't have lol i guess...
Think its all about make cash trip.
Just wish most would be more forgiving. I mean I would want to sell cheap or just give a frag away just so if something that I have should ever die off.... I know where I at least could get another frag...I had a tri color frogspawn that had purple, green, and tan/pink tips that ended up going into my carpet last year. (any from RC might recall this thread) I did a trade off for 3 heads for a 12 gal nano dx setup lol.
After 5 months I was able to contact that same person and get 1 head back.
So if the question really was, "what do we, as reefers, want?"
Whatever you don't have lol i guess...
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I would like to see pics with 15K or 10k lighting shown of the corals on vendor websites and the 4 sale forums instead of just the purple lights . I have NEVER seen a tank with that much actinic on it . I just want to know what it would look like under normal light .
+1 i agree tanks dont look like that normaly just show what it looks like under normal lights
I want to see what the corals look like, not whwere everything is photoshopped. I have been to many shows/swaps where these same vendors have their pieces, and I do not think any of them look the same in person as they do in the photos. The photos are much crisper, brighter, more colorful, etc.....to me, it is false advertising and frustrating as can be.
