Is it frowned upon to haggle with sellers?

wesman42 · Nov 2, 2018

Is it frowned upon to haggle with sellers at a frag swap? I guess nothing is stopping me from trying but I was just curious.

bsn_rn_cen · Nov 2, 2018

I have never been to a frag swap but am a firm believer in negotiation

cracker · Nov 2, 2018

Nothing wrong with haggling at all. It's an old tradition from way back !

Pola0502ds · Nov 2, 2018

I own my own company and I'm a vendor at frag swaps, east coast/central, and I love to haggle. Wish more people would do it. I've even asked people to haggle and they won't 9 times out of 10.

But then at every show there is that one person who expects to get something for nothing. So haggling is great but up until a certain point. Being reasonable and fair is key for both parties.

cracker · Nov 2, 2018

Well said Pola . There it is from a vender himself !

Sea MunnKey · Nov 2, 2018

Seek and Ye Shall Find ...

A Bargain!

wesman42 · Nov 2, 2018

Well thanks for the insight! I'm not ignorant enough to low-ball...lol. I just have an itch to negotiate this time around!! It could mean the difference between 2 frags or 3!

Scythanith · Nov 2, 2018

I agree with Pola. Worst thing you can do is walk up to someone and say "I can get that for half that price at home". I always respond with "Where's that? I'd like to buy some from them."

I am totally fine with haggling, but the more you buy the better the deals get!

Eggs · Nov 4, 2018

The big sellers will cut a deal if you pay cash vs. using a credit card.

Katrina71 · Nov 4, 2018

My son is a pro at negotiating. I'm proud of him. I was especially shocked when I let him go in solo with my credit card. He came back with a pink RFA for me that he knew I really liked. He got it for half off.

wesman42 · Nov 4, 2018

I just got back with around 12 SPS frags for under $200. Green Monti, sunset Monti, 2 unnamed acros, paradise bird's nest, a few different chalices...a few leptos and a LOT of zoas.

wesman42 · Nov 4, 2018

I also got a pistol shrimp hoping he'd pair with my goby. My tiny snowflake ate him [emoji23][emoji21][emoji21]

Katrina71 · Nov 4, 2018

wesman42 said:
I also got a pistol shrimp hoping he'd pair with my goby. My tiny snowflake ate him [emoji23][emoji21][emoji21]

Horrible

pdcatania · Nov 5, 2018

I have gotten a good number of corals from frag swaps and have always negotiated. I also agree with bringing cash. I have closed some great deals by offering a lower price followed by the word CASH.

hawkeye792001 · Nov 5, 2018

I find cash is a good motivator. If I buy more than 1 frag I always ask for money off.

If I'm at the end of a frag swap I also look for good deals.

I saw people negotiating at Reefapoluza too. I think vendors expect it.

JBKReef · Nov 5, 2018

Just gotta find the deals. Interested in multiple frags? Bundled it up and drop the cost of one off. They might already have 2/$30 2/$50 sections but say if you buy three meet in the middle or something. Also If you just want great deals but not necessarily on named frags, wait till the magic hour. After the raffle usually, before everyone shuts down... find someone who has a bunch of frags left or a long ways to travel. Make some offers to help cover their gas home in cash. In the last 30 mins of my last swap I picked up utter chaos zoas, armor of god zoas, a gorgeous pink torch, and a good lepto for $10-$15 a piece. Patience and not being picky helps our negotiating.

rocsec1 · Nov 6, 2018

Always ask. If they say yes you get a deal. If they say no you are no worse off then you were before you asked.

Captain Quint · Nov 6, 2018

Eggs said:
The big sellers will cut a deal if you pay cash vs. using a credit card.

+1 with this. I don't so much haggle. I simply sincerely ask them what they can let it go for. It is respectful yet shows a few dollars less would be nice.