What to do when you cannot get rid of corals?

[nea]

So I have a Reefer 250 that has been running for about 5+ years and I have reached a point where I am needing to cut back corals because things are crowding each other out. The issues are these:

a. taking to a local store gives very low ball store credit
b. selling through an app like facebook marketplace or offer up got lots of views but no interest
c. shipping is not plausible or is cost prohibitive
d. not particularly fond of throwing coral in the trash

what does everyone else do when they reach this point?

 

[mfinn]

So I have a Reefer 250 that has been running for about 5+ years and I have reached a point where I am needing to cut back corals because things are crowding each other out. The issues are these:

a. taking to a local store gives very low ball store credit
b. selling through an app like facebook marketplace or offer up got lots of views but no interest
c. shipping is not plausible or is cost prohibitive
d. not particularly fond of throwing coral in the trash

what does everyone else do when they reach this point?

It's already been said, lower your expectations of a corals worth on the hobbyists market.
Not many ever get what the stores charge. There is a big difference between the 2.
I see alot of people trying to sell corals on FB groups in my area, but only a couple are still there a month or two later

Another thought I had is how are the pictures you use to try and make the sales on FB?
There is a skill to that and a average blurry picture isn't going to generate interest.
Pose the coral for a glamour shot. Don't try and change the colors or enhance them, just make them the best that you can.

 

[nereefpat]

Using a Stylophora as an example:

Most people that would be in the market to buy a purple stylo are going to be reefers just getting into sticks, or at least just getting into SPS. Most of those people would love to buy a 20$ frag, but don't want to buy a 100$ colony. In a store, if the right person comes in looking for a colony for a display, a 100$ purple stylo might sell eventually. I saw a hollywood stunner colony about 8-10" circle for sale in a store the other day for 150%, I think. Same thing. A small frag is worth 20 bucks, perhaps, but a hobbyist will have trouble trying to sell a big colony for big retail store money.

Personally, I have to throw away cuttings of green slimer, red monti cap, hollywood stunner chalice, etc. I don't have anyone to sell, or even give, them to. Nearest reef store is almost 3 hours away. I could try to ship them for 20$ bucks a piece. I could probably come up with a pack of 5-6 for 100 bucks, but shipping is a pain and would eat up all the money. So in the trash they go.

 

[Art Calde]

I’m having the same problem. Not sure if the current marketplace setup is better than the old.

 

[X-37B]

I take to 1 of the lfs and get fish food credit.
If they dont want them I turn them into calcium reactor media.
I dont have alot of high end corals and mostly stags.
I have also giivin them away to locals.

 

[mdb_talon]

I’m having the same problem. Not sure if the current marketplace setup is better than the old.

My vote on that is definetely it is not. I rarely ever even use it anymore it just annoys me. Used to look at it everyday. I still look every once in awhile and may eventually use to sell stuff but will complain about lol

 

[Spicy Reef]

Wish'n u all were my neighbors! I'm taking a 2 hour each way drive to pay 100 for a couple of decent sized 9" red monti plates