A couple points:
1) retail isn’t really a thing you can lock down in this hobby. Garage vendor’s retail pricing can be a lot lower than a local brick and mortar.
2) hobbyists can charge whatever they want. But sometimes the hobbyist item is actually a better value. If a store sold a dragon soul head freshly imported for $175, or a local hobbyist had an exceptionally colored variety that’s got a legacy of aquaculture, which might be a bigger and fatter head, I would think it’d be a better value and healthier at the same if not higher price. It’s like those Biota fish online costs more than the LFS!
3) garage vendors can potentially be importers where corals have only been in their tanks a few days to maybe a couple weeks. An LFS might have something there for a longer time and acclimated. Or they might be from hobbyist trade ins.
4) it’s always good to support local LFS if they still have quality stuff. Not only do they have higher overheads, they can be a one-stop shop for many supplies, to see some things in person, and most importantly with some LFS (not all) can be a great source of education and information. Sure some hobbyists offer that too but many don’t necessarily have the same experience, knowledge nor patience to answer dumb questions. If you go to a business selling retail, is it not taking their time to help explain and answer questions?
In the end, the law of supply and demand will play out. And there’s no clear answer if corals from LFS vs hobbyists vs garage vendors are actually better from one to the next.
If you’re a buyer, but what you like and forget about it. If you’re one who feels you got ripped off or overpaid, then you’re really not going to be able to afford this hobby long term. Cause no matter how much you over paid, you’ll inevitably lose corals and there’s no bargain price for dead corals.
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