Why are so many frags so small?

[Betroc2]

I just don't understand why the frags have to be so small. You pay a lot of money for such a small piece. Why? Maybe if everyone stopped paying so much the prices would come down. Then more of us can enjoy a better veriety too. The economy is so bad right now it's hard for most of us to pay these large prices. I know the work it takes to care for coral, but it just seems like something could be done. Anyone else feel this way?:squigglemouth:

 

[KJAG]

Depends on the piece. There's plenty of large frags available for cheap. Just have to look around. If you're referring to some of the higher end / particularly unique stuff: its wishful thinking.

 

[kacrocorals581]

It's a expensive hobby

 

[mike007]

We have had this thread not long ago. We call them bugger size frags. It seems as though these vendors have figured out that they can grow a colony and then slice it up into pieces and sell them to us for insane prices. But if people keep paying they will keep selling. Back in the good ole days there were no frags just nice chunks. They are making this hobby so expensive that us regular people have to settle for lesser corals. Wew feel better now. lol

 

[Rikerbear]

We have had this thread not long ago. We call them bugger size frags. It seems as though these vendors have figured out that they can grow a colony and then slice it up into pieces and sell them to us for insane prices. But if people keep paying they will keep selling. Back in the good ole days there were no frags just nice chunks. They are making this hobby so expensive that us regular people have to settle for lesser corals. Wew feel better now. lol

It's very discouraging for sure. :squigglemouth:
So many vendors seem to be very misleading too. They show these awesome pix of the frag and than in VERY hidden small print says (one poly, or size of 1/2" )....no where near what is shown in the pic. I see this even in wyswyg areas.
People keep saying 'This is an expensive hobby', and yes it is, but it need not be SO expensive is people would stop being so completely greedy and underhanded.
This is just my personal opinion, which I have arrived at over the last year prior to getting back into this. It was never like this 15 years ago.

 

[Rockadile]

It's very discouraging for sure. :squigglemouth:
So many vendors seem to be very misleading too. They show these awesome pix of the frag and than in VERY hidden small print says (one poly, or size of 1/2" )....no where near what is shown in the pic. I see this even in wyswyg areas.
People keep saying 'This is an expensive hobby', and yes it is, but it need not be SO expensive is people would stop being so completely greedy and underhanded.
This is just my personal opinion, which I have arrived at over the last year prior to getting back into this. It was never like this 15 years ago.

actually it kind of was. $20 was worth much more then, than it is today.

 

[Rikerbear]

actually it kind of was. $20 was worth much more then, than it is today.

I was able to buy fully covered mushroom rocks for $5.....now they are $20 per cap or more. Same rock would sell for $100+
I do hear what you're saying.....but it was never this bad
Everybody is trying to make their hobby a business, and it's hurting the hobbyests, and no doubt turning lots of noobs away

 

[cultivatedcoral]

Tell that to all the fanboys out there. It's absurd when a vendor brings out a new coral and throws a crazy name on it the charges a small fortune and all the fanboys start posting "great deal" or "great price". They are actually happy when the vendor drains their wallet.

I just don't understand why the frags have to be so small. You pay a lot of money for such a small piece. Why? Maybe if everyone stopped paying so much the prices would come down. Then more of us can enjoy a better veriety too. The economy is so bad right now it's hard for most of us to pay these large prices. I know the work it takes to care for coral, but it just seems like something could be done. Anyone else feel this way?:squigglemouth:

 

[Eli J.]

It's very discouraging for sure. :squigglemouth:
So many vendors seem to be very misleading too. They show these awesome pix of the frag and than in VERY hidden small print says (one poly, or size of 1/2" )....no where near what is shown in the pic. I see this even in wyswyg areas.
People keep saying 'This is an expensive hobby', and yes it is, but it need not be SO expensive is people would stop being so completely greedy and underhanded.
This is just my personal opinion, which I have arrived at over the last year prior to getting back into this. It was never like this 15 years ago.

I agre for the most part, but I think part of the reason has to do with the high cost of business. Vendors have to sell a lot of money worth of corals before they profit. I understand where they are coming from, think of how much just the equipment costs that goes into a small hobbiest tank! Not to mention the taxes, space, and time they put in!

 

[Waynel333]

I totally see what you guys are saying and it is deplorable when vendors purposely deceive. Playing devil's advocate because I'm a true hobbyiest at heart, most of the bugger sized frags are usually from the rarer corals in the hobby. Most vendors sell much larger frags , mini colonies, etc on the common corals too. But they have to make money where they can, especially on the legit rare stuff.

Now as for chopping up nice mari corals and making them seem like they're either wild or captive grown pieces and overcharging for those stuff...that's an entirely different thread and discussion.

 

[Rockadile]

I was able to buy fully covered mushroom rocks for $5.....now they are $20 per cap or more. Same rock would sell for $100+
I do hear what you're saying.....but it was never this bad
Everybody is trying to make their hobby a business, and it's hurting the hobbyests, and no doubt turning lots of noobs away

I understand where you are coming from as well but you also need to understand that things are harder to get now days with things like restrictions being put in place. Also the cost of keeping has gone up, things like electricity,water, equipment, and shipping, cost more and vendors really have no choice but to pass those cost on.

its a harsh reality of the times and while I do sometimes wonder why certain things cost so much, I do understand the cost of doing business.

 

[Eli J.]

Too add onto that, the more competition the lower the prices. So actually the more people that "make their hobby a business" the cheaper prices for the hobbyists will become.

 

[cultivatedcoral]

Yes but there are a few vendors that are the biggest offenders every time they release some "new coral" and charge a ridiculous $80 per polyp for an average zoa Or $500 for a chalice frag that every other vendor has a version of.

I totally see what you guys are saying and it is deplorable when vendors purposely deceive. Playing devil's advocate because I'm a true hobbyiest at heart, most of the bugger sized frags are usually from the rarer corals in the hobby. Most vendors sell much larger frags , mini colonies, etc on the common corals too. But they have to make money where they can, especially on the legit rare stuff.

Now as for chopping up nice mari corals and making them seem like they're either wild or captive grown pieces and overcharging for those stuff...that's an entirely different thread and discussion.

 

[Waynel333]

Yes but there are a few vendors that are the biggest offenders every time they release some "new coral" and charge a ridiculous $80 per polyp for an average zoa Or $500 for a chalice frag that every other vendor has a version of.

Yes, that's definitely true, especially more these days. I guess it like being an early adopter of electronics, there's usually a high premium paid to be the first one to own it. Wait a lil and the price always comes down. Heck, I'm embarrassed to say I paid $14k for a 55" Fujitsu plasma tv way back when they first came out. It was only 720i but it had the best **** picture out there at the time. I still have it too...well my parents are using it now and luckily the screen failed but was replaced for free because it was still under warranty after 4 years of use.

 

[Rikerbear]

I understand where you are coming from as well but you also need to understand that things are harder to get now days with things like restrictions being put in place. Also the cost of keeping has gone up, things like electricity,water, equipment, and shipping, cost more and vendors really have no choice but to pass those cost on.
its a harsh reality of the times and while I do sometimes wonder why certain things cost so much, I do understand the cost of doing business.

Thank you, but I understand perfectly what it means to run a small business....I happen to run one (not related to this hobby)
I also understand the concept of good business practices vs bad. Trying to pay the electric bill on the backs of every single customer is a bad business practice....(just an example)
But enough of this.....people will do what people will do. I for one will not be a part of it.....I only buy what I can see with my own eyes, and have direct contact with the seller. I may never be the owner of the latest and greatest new flavor of the month coral, but oh well

 

[Dave3112]

Yes but there are a few vendors that are the biggest offenders every time they release some "new coral" and charge a ridiculous $80 per polyp for an average zoa Or $500 for a chalice frag that every other vendor has a version of.

^^^^^THIS!!!!!^^^^^^^^


Sent Via the R2R Forum APP on my iPhone while I am hiding from work!

 

[Waynel333]

Thank you, but I understand perfectly what it means to run a small business....I happen to run one (not related to this hobby)
I also understand the concept of good business practices vs bad. Trying to pay the electric bill on the backs of every single customer is a bad business practice....(just an example)
But enough of this.....people will do what people will do. I for one will not be a part of it.....I only buy what I can see with my own eyes, and have direct contact with the seller. I may never be the owner of the latest and greatest new flavor of the month coral, but oh well

Those are some very good rules you have set for yourself. You may never be an early owner, but you will never get burned either. I consider myself very lucky to live in SoCal where most vendors are located. I've come to learn that the industry definition of 'I don't photoshop, I just adjust for white balance and try to make the picture look true to live' is very broadly defined.

 

[Waynel333]

Yes but there are a few vendors that are the biggest offenders every time they release some "new coral" and charge a ridiculous $80 per polyp for an average zoa Or $500 for a chalice frag that every other vendor has a version of.

This also reminds me of the diamond industry. Supposedly Debeers has billions of dollars of diamonds locked up and refuses to release/sell them just to keep the market artificially inflated. I'm sure this practice is used in more than just that industry.

 

[Sunshine]

I just started and it is expensive!! I try to get better deals from other hobbyist but the difference is not substantial when you factor in delivery cost.

 

[Waynel333]

I just started and it is expensive!! I try to get better deals from other hobbyist but the difference is not substantial when you factor in delivery cost.

You should join local reef clubs and look out for frag swaps and coral shows. Deals are always to be had.