Why is there so much variance with online fish pricing?

[LightingBug]

I have been researching different fish for my upcoming build, it will be a while so I am really just window shopping.

I have noticed several times that the same fish from different sites have large differences in pricing. Both of those are Biota Golden Cuban Basslets with a $400 difference. In stock on both sites.

I don't mean the few pre-qt'd online stores, I can understand the premium for that service, but just standard fish websites. Sometimes the price variance is half for similar sized fish.

Is there a reason?

Is the $1k Biota Cuban Basslet from Algae Barn hardier or better than the $600 Cuban Basslet direct from the source?

I don't mind paying more for a better product but it seems like many of the ones I see are identical in my eyes.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I have been researching different fish for my upcoming build, it will be a while so I am really just window shopping.

I have noticed several times that the same fish from different sites have large differences in pricing. Both of those are Biota Golden Cuban Basslets with a $400 difference. In stock on both sites.

I don't mean the few pre-qt'd online stores, I can understand the premium for that service, but just standard fish websites. Sometimes the price variance is half for similar sized fish.

Is there a reason?

Is the $1k Biota Cuban Basslet from Algae Barn hardier or better than the $600 Cuban Basslet direct from the source?

I don't mind paying more for a better product but it seems like many of the ones I see are identical in my eyes.

There are no price caps. The sky is the limit in the hobby industry.

 

[Aiptaisia anemone]

buy the ones on biota cuz they give back to the ocean...

 

[ChiCity]

i’d wait until they run one of their overstock sales…
i’ve seen those cubans listed for like $300-$400 during those biota sales

 

[LightingBug]

buy the ones on biota cuz they give back to the ocean...

I will use Biota anytime I can; I like their operation and mission.

i’d wait until they run one of their overstock sales…
i’ve seen those cubans listed for like $300-$400 during those biota sales

I was just dreaming, it will be some time before I get one but thanks for the info.

 

[LightingBug]

Another example, both Biota, neither in stock:

The $1300 version

versus

The $700 version

 

[Aquariumaddictuk]

The same reason as corals.
Lots of people will claim to have "master grade" or "AAA" grade items & it will attract buyers seeking the unicorn.failing that they will just tweak the name slightly.the placebo effect works & when you have that good example in front of you and cash or credit card burning a hole in pocket you may convince yourself that good fish or good coral is an AAA grade fish or a master coral & pay the hiked up price

 

[paragrouper]

Overheads and profit targets Are the primary cause.

I would go straight to Biota

 

[Potatohead]

One of two things is happening

Either the secondary sites are hoping people don't know any better and they're buying the fish from Biota after getting a sale, or they're buying them from Biota in advance and hoping to get sales at a higher price when Biota is out of stock. The former happens all the time where people will buy something from such and such a website and that site just ships it to them from Amazon or Ebay or whatever. Seeing as how these are expensive fish I really don't think buyers are that ignorant so the retailers are probably hoping for the second scenario.

 

[afrokobe]

def just buy straight from biota. I have had no issues