New thread on buying zoanthids as a group

[Bob I]

I will be the one starting a new thread as mentioned in the WTB blue zoanthus thread in the Buy an Sell forum.

I would be in for a couple of hundred, as it would be a good place to put my zoanthid sales profits. The last $200.00 I spent on buying zoanthids down east has turned into a tidy profit.

I have always wanted to get some stuff from Blane Perun at Farms at the seas.com. It has never been feasible, but as a group it may well be possible.

[Delphinus]

In for a couple hundred of zoanthids? Or a couple hundred's worth of zoanthids ...

I don't really have room for more corals but in the interest of supporting a group endeavour I would be in for something. I don't know exactly what at this point though, we'd have to find ourselves a willing vendor and see what he's got that he's willing to ship.

Who's going to take the lead on this. Are you thinking of doing that, Bob? Or how about Nate_m?

[impreza]

I willl be in a some zoo's. The ones from Blane Perun look amazing!

[nate_m]

Before we can even consider doing the order, lots of work needs to be done. Bob, if you want to take the lead on the project, by all means go for it. I can assist you along the way if need be. If we were to do a large order, I would like to deal with a distributor who can offer a more diverse variety of corals. Personally, I wouldn't mind picking up some sps and clams along with the zoos. eposer, did you have any wholesalers in mind? I will start doing some more thorough research and post what I find.

Nathan

[Delphinus]

I've done my own brokerage of CITES before. I don't ever want to do it again unless I was paid for my time and trouble. Personally I kind of suggest leaving CITES out of it (clams and SPS) because places like OA, SWC, J&L and our own LFS's bring that in all the time anyhow, and frankly I'm happier that they take the risk and not me. Nothing like spending a couple hundred on dead clams (been there, done that, burned the Tshirt).

Another thing is that a lot of US distributors won't touch an order unless you have an actual storefront with posted hours. I found this out when I was on my mission to find a S. gigantea carpet, and there were lots available in the U.S. and none in this country. That story had a happy ending, I gave Nate at Big Al's a few places to check into, and lo and behold he just found a place anyhow on his own, now Big Al's brings in S. gigantea every couple of months. You wouldn't have known that a year ago I had been searching for like 4 years for a way to get one, now it's easy.

Anyhow, just my $0.02 .... I'd keep it to zoos. But I'm just one person's opinion.

cheers

[Tarolisol]

Count me in for at least $100 to start with.

[Bob I]

The whole deal started with zoanthids, and I would like to keep it to that, as it would be easier. If we complicate it at this early stage, it will more than likely die a horrible death like so many other group orders have in the past.

[nate_m]

Makes sense. Keep me posted.

Nathan

[Bob I]

Originally Posted by Delphinus

In for a couple hundred of zoanthids? Or a couple hundred's worth of zoanthids ...

I thought by implication I was speaking of dollars

Who's going to take the lead on this. Are you thinking of doing that, Bob? Or how about Nate_m?

I don't see myself taking the lead because I can't quite envision what that would entail

There is a ton of work needed here.
#1 - Finding out who's in.
*2 - What gets ordered for whom
#3 - Locating a dealer who can supply what we want.
#4 - Organising shipping.
#4 - Getting the money together.
#5 - Actually making the order.
#6 - Picking up the order.
#7 - Arranging distribution.

Those are just a few of the hurdles I can think of offhand.

[Tarolisol]

I think we would need to locate a dealer before anyone will decide what they want since we dont know what each dealer offers. I would be glad to volunteer anytime or anything needed to get this thing going.