wickedfrags SPS Auction - Details and pics inside! Ends Sept. 10/09 @ at 9pm PST

[JPotter]

The idea of an auction is fun. I am surprised by 2 things: (1) how to date so few people have joined in and (2) how high the bidding started..like a high reserve, then the fun of interaction with small raises which seems to have been shut down at the moment by a bid of 375$. Perhaps someone out there is just waiting to put down the 500$ bid! I also found it interesting that some didn't bid due to lack of available realestate for the large % of encrusting frags yet the highest bid to date is by a member who sites their interest as nano. Are these frags rare/valueable enough that people purchase for resale rather than personal enjoyment.
If one were to place an order for equivalent frags what would the up front value before shipping be? Is it the more sought after pieces that have some people moving the bidding up or what?

[wickedfrags]

Pleased to hear members still find the auctions enjoyable. And I agree - there appears to be a little different strategy in this auction!

Regarding your two points - I think point 2 is a function of point 1, due to the price. That being said - I would not be suprised if there are additional bids. If you look at the other auctions I have held (in my vendor forum) you will see that historically more people are involved and the bids progress more slowly.

My thoughts on the frag pack - well it would take many hours and many years to collect these pieces individually and you would be paying a fair/high price individually for most of them. Depending on the quality of your location and proximity to your LFS's, your may never get your hand son them. The winner gets them here all at one time from a reputable seller (hence the number of repeat customers bidding, including the current high bidder).

If you do not have a sunset monti in your SPS collection, well you really need one. This will be the brightest SPS coral in your tank hands down. Similarily, the fuchsia is the most unusual SPS I have ever owened and is a beauty. First time avaialable online in Canada - and this coral is not widely owned. The pink polp cap, undata and cyphastrea....all very beautiful and collectible pieces. I would not speculate on why people would buy them - ideally they will be grown out and fragged by others in the future.

As people have asked in previous auctions about the non-auction costs are for the corals (and the shipping) below is a guildeline:

Frags
Sunset monti $110 (if you can find a one)
Firefighter Fuchsia $150 (price at the LFS when they get a couple from the owner of the parent colony)
WF Pink Polyp Cap $70
WF Undata $65
WF Big Red Monti $30
Multi-Austera $45
Blue-green monti $30
WF MS Cyphastrea $60
Corals: $560

Shipping
(11lb 12x12x12 size container) $60-$85
Insulated shipping container $14
Heat pacs $4
Shipping Costs $79-$104

And yes - it is the sought after pieces that have some people moving the bidding. I know I would personally pay more than the current bid for the frags illustrated shipped to my front door.

I will add a couple more pieces to the auction tonight and will of course be throwing in some quality freebies to fill the box. Post up any additional questions or send me a PM. Cheers.

Originally Posted by JPotter

The idea of an auction is fun. I am surprised by 2 things: (1) how to date so few people have joined in and (2) how high the bidding started..like a high reserve, then the fun of interaction with small raises which seems to have been shut down at the moment by a bid of 375$. Perhaps someone out there is just waiting to put down the 500$ bid! I also found it interesting that some didn't bid due to lack of available realestate for the large % of encrusting frags yet the highest bid to date is by a member who sites their interest as nano. Are these frags rare/valueable enough that people purchase for resale rather than personal enjoyment.
If one were to place an order for equivalent frags what would the up front value before shipping be? Is it the more sought after pieces that have some people moving the bidding up or what?