SPS frag selling guidelines v1.2

[fencer]

The last reefers meeting we talked about some hobbyist selling guidelines for frags. Below are some suggestions. Please feel free to comment and I will compile the ideas:

Guidelines for SPS Frag selling/buying V 1.2

1. Declare lighting conditions picture was taken
- the camera can also make a difference, with white balance
- Disclosure if picture was "photoshopped"
- Picture of the mother colony if possible

2. Frags should be at least 1/2 inch or larger or an accurate size measurement should be posted
- size helps the survivability

3. Frags should be pest free / iodine dipped ( at the buyer or the seller end )
- dipped the corals before packaging since this would increase the corals' stress during shipping
- should really be the buyer who does the dipping because in the end the only one you can trust is yourself

4. Frags should be on established bases( sometimes not possible)
- frags should be established and healed before being sold
- Coral growing on the plug is a good indication of health
- Sometimes it is not possible to establish growth on the plug...sometimes I frag/mount/sell this is
more a time issue.
- unmounted frags are less stressed

5. Price is what the market will bear
- guideline for pricing is approximately 1/2-2/3 market value
- the point is supporting others in the hobby and keeping the private trade alive by offering pieces at non retail prices.
- hobbyist prices should not be over 30.00/Frag...anything over...it better be rare


6. Return policy up to the seller / buyer
- communication is key idea and if I knew the person I would be more keen on giving
another frag should the original have problems.
- For private buying and selling there is always risk on each side of the fence, and there should always
be an agreement of expectations before the transaction is made.
- Canreef is not a forum for disputes. Deal with them though other means before going public

7. Buyer beware. ie: you going to buy a frag from a member that has no pics or reputation.
- Word of mouth is probably the best thing.
- Ask other Canreefer,s privately what they think



Notable comments

1. The biggest point I see in selling frags is just to keep "backups" of your colonies and in the end I
think it helps protect the wild colonies and your own. If something should happen to your tank (ie crash,
flood, pests etc) and you lost your most prized piece I would hope that there would be someone out there
with a frag that's able to replace your colony. I would argue that it probably won't bring profit unless
done on a large scale and in the end I believe helping others whether it'd be a neat coral or helping a
beginner out in return some of them will help you out when you need it. Of course there will be people
looking to make big bucks selling tiny tiny frags or people that will take advantage of that I don't mind
because most of the reefing community in large is quite nice and friendly.

2. For what it's worth, I might consider referring to this guide as more of a 'code of ethics' since that's really what it's all about.


3. I think the main point about pricing frags is to be reasonable about it. A 1 eye chalice frag may be worth $250 but keep in mind that it is mostly non limited sps (ie not ORA, Tyrees, GARF Purple Bonsai etc) we are talking about, just colourful pieces without a "special" name. The rare LPS supply is still quite small and there's a substantial demand for pieces and that would justify some of the prices. IMO I don't think its fair to give someone a single polyp and hope it survives for some ridiculous price even if it was well established and personally I wouldn't blow $250 on a single polyp, eye, etc "rare" frag no matter how pretty it is. Livestock doesn't depreciate in our tanks but the point is supporting others in the hobby and keeping the private trade alive by offering pieces at non retail prices.