Just ranting here

littlebigreef · May 26, 2023

It is both insulting and disingenuous when you see what would otherwise be a $25-30 frag at your LFS listed at the ‘regular price’ of $100 but ‘discounted’ at 60% off for a still grossly inflated sum of $40. But here we are.

The reasons? They’re many but it comes down to overhead, staffing, and the cost of doing business, etc. The fact is that 10-12 years of speculating on coral (as if they were stocks and bonds), branding, and everyone offering frags has led us to this strange place the last 18 months where few things hold their value and the market for sellers isn’t what it was even a few years ago. Not saying it’s good or bad but, the market has changed. These grossly inflated prices are emblematic of an industry in flux where it makes you question whether some of these larger outfits can remain a viable business over the next 2-3 years.

livinlifeinBKK · May 26, 2023

littlebigreef said:
It is both insulting and disingenuous when you see what would otherwise be a $25-30 frag at your LFS listed at the ‘regular price’ of $100 but ‘discounted’ at 60% off for a still grossly inflated sum of $40. But here we are.

The reasons? They’re many but it comes down to overhead, staffing, and the cost of doing business, etc. The fact is that 10-12 years of speculating on coral (as if they were stocks and bonds), branding, and everyone offering frags has led us to this strange place the last 18 months where few things hold their value and the market for sellers isn’t what it was even a few years ago. Not saying it’s good or bad but, the market has changed. These grossly inflated prices are emblematic of an industry in flux where it makes you question whether some of these larger outfits can remain a viable business over the next 2-3 years.

Maybe the market for sellers would be better and they'd attract more hobbyists if their prices were reasonable

littlebigreef · May 26, 2023

livinlifeinBKK said:
Maybe the market for sellers would be better and they'd attract more hobbyists if their prices were reasonable

Right, but there’s a finite number of buyers, far more sellers, and due to inflation a number of drivers raising the cost of producing aquacultured corals.

livinlifeinBKK · May 26, 2023

littlebigreef said:
Right, but there’s a finite number of buyers, far more sellers, and due to inflation a number of drivers raising the cost of producing aquacultured corals.

I see...I wonder if the shops over there with their own coral farms have more competitive prices. So from what your saying it sounds as if the market is oversaturated at the moment so many shops without their own coral farms will go out of business.