Poll: What is your favorite way to buy coral online?

[ReefStable]

What is your favorite way to buy coral online?
Lately I've seen all sorts of ways to buy coral online. Everything from Live Sales to auctions, raffles to simply buying from the online stock.

With that in mind, what is your preferred way to buy coral online?

Let's hear what you think! What do you like or don't like about each of these?

 

[tzabor10]

Give me WSIWIG every time

 

[exnisstech]

Give me WSIWIG every time

^This ^ only don't give me cooked unreal photos. I also will not participate in any type of live sales or auctions.
I have a very short list of vendors I will buy from because so many have unrealistic images.

 

[SomeHappyFish]

I made an order right from the website yesterday, no WSIWIG, I'm curious to see how this will pan out.

I will post an update when I get my order. I'm aware the photos are edited.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Great thread topic!

 

[steveschuerger]

I said live sales, but I’ve bought direct from the site almost as much.

 

[liddojunior]

I really like the live sales since there’s more selection during the live sale than on just the websites for some vendors

I strongly dislike auctions. There’s no reason to have auctions for regular stock frags. It just makes it tedious and why would I want to pay shipping if I only win 1 item.
can see how auctions can be useful when it’s like I got this one single frag and everyone wants it. But if I see an auction event with like 3 green rhodactis, 5 regular colored goni, 2 war corals, etc and then 1 special frag. It’s like come on just have the auction for the special frag and then put a bunch of stock corals up for sale at the same time

 

[ReefStable]

Great thread topic!

Thank you! I'm quite the poll junkie lately

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I like WYSIWYG shopping, and I have shopped a lot of live sales (I like the rush and socialization that goes on with those). I have done some auctions...I like them depending on how they are run. I also have bought mystery boxes from vendors I trust and really enjoyed that "Christmas morning" experience of opening the surprise.

So...I think I just like buying corals however I can! LOL

 

[tobster]

I’ve tried them all and by far I like WYSIWYG.

 

[Miami Reef]

My favorite way is buying through reputable hobbyists. I send @Big E a PM asking for specific acros, and he almost always has exactly what I’m looking for and more.

Most of my acros are from him. Working with him is nothing short of outstanding. He’s very prompt and professional.