SPS coral pricing

[mpoletti]

I don't want to stir up the pot or step on any ones toes but u nailed it Mark...after the I saw the price for a frag of a pink digi for $150 it just pushed me overboard..I saw 5 on liveaquaria that was much nicer for $50 a colony...and now $150 for a "true" echinata when there's the Icefire that's proven and probably as nice as one will get..just ridiculous.....But as long as there's hobbyists that are willing to and have paid for it, the $150 for an inch or less not including shipping for an unproven coral days are just beginning...

Drs. Foster and Smith Diver's Den - Montipora digitata

Whats interesting about one of the aussie echinata pieces floating around is that I got the same exact picture in an email sent to me as well....

I'm all about people making a honest living, but I also think its about time that we as consumers start regulating the market a little better by not being afraid of calling out BS when we see it ;)

 

[ddiver]

I have seen several posts justifying this by saying LE cost more LE this LE that. We are not talking about LE we are talking about newly imported colonies that probably cost 199.00 for the colony, being chopped up and sold for 150.00 a frag it is different. If it is a proven piece then name it and sell it for whatever you want. The pink lemonade didnt come in then get chopped up a week later and sold for 125.00 a frag, it was in a few tanks for a long time before it was made LE that is the difference. I like a lot of these new aussie sps, but before I pay 150.00 a 1/2 inch Im going to wait a few months and see if they are still the same color or even alive still.

$199 for the colony?..certainly not wholesale..let's just put it out there that the average colony cost $30-$50 wholesale..LFS usually mark up double what they pay...I can live with that...but $150 a frag simply can't be justified..even with all those factors Rik listed...

 

[bamachamp92]

$199 for the colony?..certainly not wholesale..let's just put it out there that the average colony cost $30-$50 wholesale..LFS usually mark up double what they pay...I can live with that...but $150 a frag simply can't be justified..even with all those factors Rik listed...

I was giving the benefit of the doubt, I think the nicer aussie sps are a little more expensive than 30-50 bucks a colony. But I also believe we could all just stop buying stuff like this and they would be right back in line price wise in a month or two.

 

[Sikryd]

Drs. Foster and Smith Diver's Den - Montipora digitata

Whats interesting about one of the aussie echinata pieces floating around is that I got the same exact picture in an email sent to me as well....

I'm all about people making a honest living, but I also think its about time that we as consumers start regulating the market a little better by not being afraid of calling out BS when we see it ;)

Thats what I am talking about, let it rip.

I posted on the echi thread about it being fresh cut or encrusting to hopefully dispel the idea of whether or not this was a brand new wild colony or whatever. I didn't want to just come out and start jumping on things.
Then I thought about it, and figured I paid $90 for the new ORA.

Then I came to my senses and decided I am not buying ANYTHING else over $50 a frag, and saving the money for our new baby girl :)

I'm talking with my wallet which is heard a lot better than by words on a screen.

 

[amay121]

I got most of my current corals through trades. I think when I'm trading with other folks, they're nicer to deal with, rather than stickling me for prices. :)

 

[ddiver]

There's been quite a few of these type threads recently and everyone including myself have shared our thoughts on how out of control th issues at hand are getting..it's time to set things straight and not let the greed ruin this hobby for us and the future generation..

 

[TritonsGarden]

This whole thread and many like it can be summed up in three words.

Vanity, Greed, and Jealously.

Nothing you can do about it. We all have these human traits so it will continue until divine intervention.

Jack

 

[johnanddawn]

these aussie sps have been coming in for months now it was just a matter of time till someone started chopping them up on arrival

here is one of three i have in my care but DO NOT pm me for a frag - it is NOT for sale, i have not cut it and if when i feel the need the first frags will be for my local club members

i am just showing the pic because i think it is a nice looking coral and i got it for a fair price - no name, no LE status, not rare or really anything special other then coming in from australia - i just like it and i bought it to enjoy in my display

and top down

 

[cee]

$150 for a wild frag is waaay too much I agree. But as long as people keeping paying it they'll keep charging that for it. Should the echinata survive I doubt it will ever be a brown coral but probably won't be like the icefire or the piece in Veron's book. Just be patient and the price will come down. I have it on good authority that there are several more out there just waiting to find their home that we'll see offered shortly.

Dave

 

[amay121]

Nice piece. :)

 

[wishntoboutside]

Nice piece. :)

very nice. i agree. glad someone decided to show something off instead of hearing me or someone else complain some more. lol

 

[mpoletti]

very nice. i agree. glad someone decided to show something off instead of hearing me or someone else complain some more. lol

I thought that is why these are called discussion boards :bigsmile:

 

[amay121]

They are, but pictures are nice too. :)

 

[johnanddawn]

thanks i'm glad you guys think it is a nice coral too - i didn't want to sidetrack the thread but just to point out IT IS WHAT WE MAKE IT in this hobby

not trying to sound rightous but...

i have a tank full of nice corals - most of which are not named - i buy what i like and spend what i can afford. i have some expensive corals and some that cost me little to nothing but all are nice. i do not buy based on what i think i can make off a coral.

think about it;
how many really nice tanks have you seen that are full of tiny frags of designer corals in frag racks and covering the bottom? i would say few.
the tanks i envy are the ones that have colonies, growth, and nice colors. these tanks have corals that are glued in and encrusted. science, art and good husbandry. fragging isn't wrong it is one of the coolest parts of this hobby - reefing to frag is the issue

i would love to get my hands on a nice aussie A. echinata (the pic in vernon's book is enough to make anyone drool in their tank) but just wouldn't allow myself to fall for some hyped up chop shoppers scheme to get one.
when you visit threads like this one you see reefers of all types, and i hate to see some fall into the latest greatest gotta have fad because of inexperience.
if you want the latest must have - go for it - but do it with research and foresight. if your thinking your getting in on the bottom floor it usually means your already a step behind. just ask some of the chalice folks who forked out so much money for their "one eye" just to find out they are now that their frag is big enough to frag it is worth 1/2 or less then they paid

i love this hobby

 

[jrm03]

reefing to frag is the issue

Completely agreed. This has been a concern of mine for that past year I have been in this hobby. Reefing, in a whole, gets a reputation for being expensive, when honestly, if kept simple is not too bad, considering another hobby such as shooting or RC. Reefers charging impractical prices for pieces to many reefers is unfortunate and takes away from the interest of a lot of people who maybe even want to attempt coral. I understand most have the philosophy if they can get that price for it they will charge it. Anyways, I have no problem with a fellow reefer selling corals to buy salts, or bulbs, recover costs of initial purchase of a colony, etc, whatever he needs to sustain a reef. Its when a guy who thinks he has something special and an online vendor sells for a stupid amount, feels he should do the same just because of greed. Money is not my motive for reefing, its having a small part of the ocean to enjoy in the comfort of my home. Trading, giving away, or charging very little for a frag is my theory in fragging. The most I have ever spent on a frag was 30 bucks for a bottlebrush frag, that was extreme, and yet have not sold a frag.

 

[143gadgets]

If these Aussie SPS are anything like the Aussie LPS, they will be pouring into the country in no time. Wait and you will see the prices drop dramatically just like it did with the Aussie Lords. This is the reason I changed my mind on buying a frag.

BTW. There were frags of a similar Echinata at MACNA and they sold for $80 a cut.

 

[Sikryd]

If these Aussie SPS are anything like the Aussie LPS, they will be pouring into the country in no time. Wait and you will see the prices drop dramatically just like it did with the Aussie Lords. This is the reason I changed my mind on buying a frag.

BTW. There were frags of a similar Echinata at MACNA and they sold for $80 a cut.

+1

Unique also had the strawberry shortcake acro for $89 or something like that. It was nice to see the prices sort of "in-line" with ORA and other stuff.