Online vendor rant

[Omgitsjoe]

Venting a little here... R2R will step in on price gouging, but how about put some efforts into the coral vendors that OBVIOUSLY doctor up their photos. I'm not going to name who, but we all know a vendor(s) who misrepresent what they are selling.

 

[Omgitsjoe]

@kiMxD

 

[kiMxD]

I guess since I was tagged, I will start with my completely dissatisfaction with @TCK Corals, more here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/very-dissatisfied-customer-wysiwyg-pictures-seemed-edited.679245/

 

[Omgitsjoe]

I guess since I was tagged, I will start with my completely dissatisfaction with @TCK Corals, more here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/very-dissatisfied-customer-wysiwyg-pictures-seemed-edited.679245/

Yea sorry for calling you out. Just read your post and immediately thought of the few times this happened to me. Maybe if the Admins step in they can put an end to it?

 

[kiMxD]

Yea sorry for calling you out. Just read your post and immediately thought of the few times this happened to me. Maybe if the Admins step in they can put an end to it?

I'd love to see admins caring more about the reefer experience rather the $350~$500 they get for gold and platinum sponsorship from these companies.

 

[Malifry97]

I'd love to see admins caring more about the reefer experience rather the $350~$500 they get for gold and platinum sponsorship from these companies.

YESSSSS!

 

[Conor_K]

Someone bust out the dead horse meme and call it a day, if you don't like the online buying experience don't do it.

 

[Omgitsjoe]

Someone bust out the dead horse meme and call it a day, if you don't like the online buying experience don't do it.

Nothing wrong with the online buying experience. Just when I buy a BMW,I expect a BMW. Not a honda civic with a BMW body kit.

 

[SMSREEF]

Someone bust out the dead horse meme and call it a day, if you don't like the online buying experience don't do it.

This is just wrong. Online does not mean I am ok with false advertising.
If corals are not what pics indicate under normal light, they should be required to add disclaimer “under total blue LED with orange filter”.

 

[Conor_K]

In my mind the OP is directly complaining about the online experience. "obviously doctored" photos is a purely speculative statement. There are not many vendors that show their stock under white light and it's very obvious (to me) when I am looking at a photo that is under heavy blues and I assume 9/10 times the vendor is using a high end camera or filter to make the product look as good as possible. These things are just part of the deal if you ask me. Using specific lighting, cameras, filters is not doctored in my opinion.
There have been examples of truly doctored photos from vendors in the past, those vendors tend not to last too long..
You don't buy a BMW online, maybe you shouldn't buy a coral either if that's your stance..

 

[Silver14SS]

Support vendors who post realistic pictures. Battlecorals has started posting pics in white light and blue, what a great practice.

If you're unsure of how the vendor is photographing their items, ask before you send them money! If they don't respond or don't give you an acceptable answer, don't buy!

I'm a huge consumer advocate, but there's a certain amount of due diligence required in this hobby.

 

[Omgitsjoe]

In my mind the OP is directly complaining about the online experience. "obviously doctored" photos is a purely speculative statement. There are not many vendors that show their stock under white light and it's very obvious (to me) when I am looking at a photo that is under heavy blues and I assume 9/10 times the vendor is using a high end camera or filter to make the product look as good as possible. These things are just part of the deal if you ask me. Using specific lighting, cameras, filters is not doctored in my opinion.
There have been examples of truly doctored photos from vendors in the past, those vendors tend not to last too long..
You don't buy a BMW online, maybe you shouldn't buy a coral either if that's your stance..

Apparently someone has never heard of Carvana...

 

[Omgitsjoe]

Link for research purposes:
https://www.carvana.com/

 

[happyhourhero]

I don’t think the burden lies with R2R to mediate pricing in a free market.

To me, many vendors are laughable with their representation of frags and that’s why I trust places like Battlecorals or Fraghouse for online purchases but I try to trade up locally when I can.

 

[kiMxD]

I don’t think the burden lies with R2R to mediate pricing in a free market.

To me, many vendors are laughable with their representation of frags and that’s why I trust places like Battlecorals or Fraghouse for online purchases but I try to trade up locally when I can.

No one is asking to mediate pricing, but to mediate truthful representation of livestock. Simple.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

If you have feedback for a vendor you are welcome to create a thread. Calling me out and R2R is not fair and not appreciated. I care very much for the members here and that’s why there is a short list of vendors not allowed to advertise here. Again if you have bad feedback or good feedback then leave it, we’re not trying to silence you or prevent you from leaving it. If I was all about the money I would just ban you. ;)

 

[kschweer]

Vendors who doctor pictures will eventually be their own demise. Once it’s established and word is out things usually work themselves out. Research purchases and vendors just like you do with anything else. There’s reviews for any and everything look at them and use them. As far as the linked feedback thread in my opinion those corals are 100% what were ordered. Shipping stress, acclimation, differing parameters and length of time in the new tank will all affect coral colors which is what looks like happened here if you ask me.