Buying coral online

[doubleshot00]

Anyone know why some online coral vendors prices are so high and others are fairly priced? Like comparing aqua sd and topshelf prices. You can buy the same corals but one is like double the price. Even locally i can buy way cheaper than online usually.

Are they really that much better? Or is it something im missing.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

No they are not better. Some good vendors here w quality corals. Living reef Orlando cherry corals, tck, riptide, tidal gardens, zoanthids.com, pieces of the ocean and arc to name a few

 

[X-37B]

Its just business. If you can get $100 for what goes for $50 elsewhere based on your reputation then why sell for less.

 

[JCM]

Frag size and health play a part. Company reputation as well no doubt.

 

[ZoWhat]

Most vendors price cirals to where they double or triple their money.

If they aren't big enough sellers, they usually don't meet the minimum order to buy wholesale.... so they buy overloaded middleman prices higher than wholesale

Example of an acan colony

Situation A - coral sold to FL seller who CAN afford to buy wholesale meeting total order minimums
*Wholesale prices directly from LA $100 to FL seller
*Retail price to you thru a FL Seller $300

Situation B - coral sold to FL seller who CANT afford to buy wholesale meeting total order minimums. Forced to buy thru a middleman in AZ
*Wholesale prices directly from LA $100 to AZ seller
*Middleman price to FL seller $200
*Retail price to you thru the FL Seller $400

Same acan piece thru the FL Seller who buy directly thru wholesale: a $100 savings to you

CA'pice?

 

[doubleshot00]

So corals in CA are cheaper. That seems counter intuitive considering its from CA. Lol

 

[JCM]

So corals in CA are cheaper. That seems counter intuitive considering its from CA. Lol

The vast majority of saltwater imports come into the country to CA before being distributed to the rest of the country.