Buyer Beware?

[kirkwood]

I'm happy that this thread is getting some good attention today, and although I expected the debate to ensue about designer pricing, you're missing the point of why I created this thread... I know all the people that have commented so far spend some time throughout the week looking at various coral selling sites. So when you find something that makes you laugh (ie: no way!) or makes you scratch your head (that isn't the right name, or that looks like "x" or "y") post it to this thread! We are laughing about the JFox Fast Money's, so lets laugh about some more...

My degree is in economics so I have no problem with people assigning values to their different corals because at the end of the day the market will either support the price or not.. Eventually the market will respond to the appropriate price.. I agree that the zoa names are helpful to us hobbyists because we can go to a store and say those are rastas, hornets, darth mauls, etc and if they look like the tyree, jfox, wwc, vivid, atl or other designer corals that we see online, then usually we can buy them at a vastly discounted rate and feel good about our purchase. I know that when I bought some fruit loops, oxides, and sour apples from an ARC member last month, I didn't need to see the pedigree because they were as advertised and they were good enough for this hobbyist. And I have no problem refering to them by their designer names.... Their fruit loops, just not Jfox fruit loops... lol...

also gotta love how the hoppy uses "morph" to describe something that almost looks like the actual designer coral... LOL.. but once again, the market will determine the value...

 

[jennm]

Probably because of the light we used - just a cheapie, not reef-specific LED.

Which brings back onto topic, another factor. Lighting and other environmental conditions can affect the perception of colour. It may look one way in my tank, totally different in yours, even though it's something from the same colony. So that too, can make it subjective. "My zoas are prettier than yours" may just mean they are lit differently.

Jenn

 

[grouper therapy]

Thanh386;744242 wrote: +100000

I never understood why price on coral has always been a topic of drama. No one is forcing you to make the purchase. Simple concept, if you don't like the price move on, why complain about it?

No one is complaining. I could care less if you trade your first born for a coral. Just a friendly discussion on the different marketing techniques that are used in the hobby.
Simple concept, if you don't like the discussion move on, why call it drama?
I find it fascinating how it appeals to some and not to others. So far as identity, numbers could be used but that would not stir the same emotion in the buyer.

 

[thanh386]

This topic is up for discussion, prices on coral rarely is.

 

[redstang]

IMO the only advantage of names is identification. If you know a name and want one it's easier to find and identify. As for price. I haven't seen anything that motivates me to pay a crazy price.

As for listing places that deal in these types of corals I'd ask what type of lighting the pic was taken. I'd be hesitant to label a dealer as questionable because they took their pic under one type of lighting and my tank has yet another. It's why I also am very hesitant to buy online. I'd consider some sponsors that offer cheap shipping because they don't want the negative publicity here. Most others though I'll pass.

 

[jef4y]

I guess I'm in the boat that if I like the look and the price is decent I will buy it. I have no idea what any of my zoas are called or what they could pass for. I just like them =)

Same goes for most of my hard corals too. LOL..

 

[thanh386]

If you buy wholesale, most are listed as "lot xxx". They aren't even listed by color. So I will agree with you that the name game is a gimmick at times.

 

[grouper therapy]

Thanh386;744261 wrote: This topic is up for discussion, prices on coral rarely is.

:huh: huh?

 

[thanh386]

This thread was meant for discussion. But when someone, vendor or private, their prices aren't really up for debate

 

[grouper therapy]

thanh386;744270 wrote: this thread was meant for discussion. But when someone, vendor or private, their prices aren't really up for debate

ok

 

[izoid]

It is interesting to see that on the same site the OP references there are several "Jason Fox Unknown" corals for sale. 1/2" frags for $60. I have lots of those in my tank but doubt that adding my name to them will add much value.

 

[swfk44]

there are some corals which are very pricey and very popular that i wouldn"t give you a plug nickel for, just personal preference, i don't like corals that look like a dried up dorito with mold on it, just sayin. :doh:

but i do kinda like those "very rare vietnamese" ones that jenn showed :yes:

must be outa da loop, but the heck is jason fox. :shades:

 

[jennm]

Heh they aren't rare. They grow like weeds too.

Jenn

 

[grouper therapy]

1mbrews8;744245 wrote: ^ correct.

You can not tell me that Thanh's bowsers are not more "rare" than a regular eagle eye.. you see a ton of eagle eyes - how many bowsers have you seen??

they should command a higher price. And be called something special to make sure that an unknowing person doesnt spend the $$ on bowser eagle eyes instead..

Would not deny that, but that rarity is only temporary in most cases. Given some time it's value will decrease. Do you think gold 's value based on it's rarity would remain if we could propagate it. That said If one is aware that something considered rare is inevitably( rather quickly usually) going to decrease in value what motivation is it to spend inflated prices. Appealing to the emotions of people will usually trump logic when selling items related to their habits, health ,vices or hobbies.

Edit:

swfk44;744280 wrote: there are some corals which are very pricey and very popular that i wouldn"t give you a plug nickel for, just personal preference, i don't like corals that look like a dried up dorito with mold on it, just sayin. :doh:

but i do kinda like those "very rare vietnamese" ones that jenn showed :yes:

must be outa da loop, but the heck is jason fox. :shades:

:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2: I love it. Not sure either.

 

[db366]

grouper therapy;744289 wrote: Would not deny that, but that rarity is only temporary in most cases. Given some time it's value will decrease. Do you think gold 's value based on it's rarity would remain if we could propagate it. That said If one is aware that something considered rare is inevitably( rather quickly usually) going to decrease in value what motivation is it to spend inflated prices. Appealing to the emotions of people will usually trump logic when selling item related to their habits, health ,vices or

Perfect.
Sent from my VM670 using Tapatalk

 

[rdnelson]

I suppose corals are kind of like collecting coins. If the coins are in a book coverred in plastic, what enjoyment do you get out of them. To me they are worth almost nothing but to a collector they may be worth a ton. If a coral is sitting in a frag tank in the basement, who is going to enjoy them other than a reefer? As for me, I want a tank that is pleasing to the eye. Something that when my neighbor comes by to borrow a cup of sugar they say, "Wow! What a beautiful fish tank". I don't care that to most of the people on this site the would think "Fish Tank? Really?" I don't care that they don't know that I have a Jason Fox Zoa or anything else. I want to hear them say, "Oh now that one is pretty".

 

[grouper therapy]

JennM;744246 wrote: Thanks! And they were inexpensive too. Give 'em a fancy schmancy name, and suddenly they're way more $$.

LE/Designer stuff always makes me thing of the fable of the Emperor's New Clothes

Jenn

Wow I had forgotten that one. Truth.

 

[thanh386]

I do agree that rarity is temporary. But that's goes for most things consumers buy. Prime example are the apple products and new gaming consoles. Some ppl will spend more to have it first

 

[grouper therapy]

Thanh386;744297 wrote: I do agree that rarity is temporary. But that's goes for most things consumers buy. Prime example are the apple products and new gaming consoles. Some ppl will spend more to have it first</em>

Agreed totally. Now I ask why?

 

[thanh386]

In my case? Impatience. It's one of the virtues I lack.