So many complainers...

[Reef_Magik89]

So I attended Max for the 3rd time in my years going to the shows and I am no way defending the vendors but so many people complaining about prices on corals. Do you guys even think about the $800 each booth costs? The time to frag everything, transport everything, etc? I mean I understand some stuff is overpriced, but the only I hear complaining are people who spend small amounts of money on corals. Everyone says the vendors are so expensive, how would you guys feel if the vendors said you guys are just too cheap. Very little credit given to the vendors who put a lot of time and work into this show for many people and I for one am glad I stopped by today to pick up pieces from everyone.

 

[Six2seven]

hahaha great topic. I am not attending MAX until sunday so i have not yet seen any prices this year. From many years of attending i have always seen the same thing…. many newbs complaint about expensive pieces and many people saying they scored on some awesome pieces.

The newb: this is the person who does not really know what things should cost. They go to the show, maybe its their first time and see so many things. they ask and maybe they get a straight answer and maybe they get a jerk seller who just tells them anything. The vendors know who these guys are and they know they will not buy the high end pieces. The newb doesn't know so of course they ask how much is that bright yellow,blue,red,pink piece. it just wastes vendors time but if they are nice they will gladly answer. if they are jerks they will say 10x the price just to run you off. these are the people who say things are over priced. on the vendors side they know they can raise the price because someone will buy it, the odds of selling certain pieces these two days are good.

non-newb: this is the person who at least knows what an sps is, what a soft coral is and what a chalice is. they might know what they are looking for and might know a vague range of what things cost. these are people who might expect to pay $60 for a red dragon and walk away with a small frag for $30. This is an example of one piece that everyone has that once sold for $100 an inch. there are many pieces like this where one person might say $40 is high for a red dragon and some might say thats a good price.

bottom line is we all got used to our great pricing from locals on here. we are so spoiled in buying zoos for $5 a head and hobbyists even throwing in stuff for free. We are used to so many low prices but do not understand that this is a show. you guys pay $5 for a coke at max but complain about paying extra for a pink boobie? come on guys.

tomorrow i expect to pay a little extra, maybe. its my choice not to buy. i hope not everything is expensive. i usually find something i like.

 

[Demonkegman]

I liked MAX this year. I totally scored. 3 polyp Rasta for $20 just an example. From a local vendor. I spent like $150 and walked away with at least 15 frags. They were good about breaking down the prices for the cheapos. Tons more $5 $10 sections than normal. He'll even a 3 for $10 actually with some dope pieces. I scored 3 different pieces for $5 each that I know for a fact were $20 $30 each last year. I'm definitely a noob still and I'm going on over 5 years in this hobby. My only complain was I think I saw a lot of the same things. Nothing TOO rare or crazy, but with all the cheap skates, who blames them.

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[PilotWolf]

But the vendors aren't there for the goodwill - they're there to make $$$. The cost of attending will be factored into what they are charging - anything else is bad business.

PW.

 

[LAreefguy]

Honestly, IMHO in the end of the day it's business. People are spending all their hard earned money If they wanna complain so be it. Yes, the vendors work hard to get in and set up and pay $800 for a booth but they aren't doing it out of the kindness of their hearts. They are making a lot of cash. And if by some chance they aren't making a lot they are getting themselves out in the community. That alone might be worth all the effort and fees to be part of such a great event. No one likes a complainer but heck who cares either way as long as you enjoyed yourself that's all that matters.

 

[nikecivic]

I won't be able to attend MAX but I can't wait for FRAG this year, they have the best deals on corals!

 

[Justkeepswimming]

So I attended Max for the 3rd time in my years going to the shows and I am no way defending the vendors but so many people complaining about prices on corals. Do you guys even think about the $800 each booth costs? The time to frag everything, transport everything, etc? I mean I understand some stuff is overpriced, but the only I hear complaining are people who spend small amounts of money on corals. Everyone says the vendors are so expensive, how would you guys feel if the vendors said you guys are just too cheap. Very little credit given to the vendors who put a lot of time and work into this show for many people and I for one am glad I stopped by today to pick up pieces from everyone.

I am not so sure that this argument is valid. Dealerships all have to transport their cars to the shop and do some sort of prep, BUT WHO PAYS DEALER PREP AND FREIGHT... LOL! I don't think they should be compensated for their efforts from our pocket books.

With that being said, You can definitely find some deals at max! I think the issue is we all go there thinking "this is an EXPO, i am going to get dirt cheap prices" and that is not the case. I even watched a female vender try to take advantage of a "NEWB" and sell him a rtning pocillopora!!!

In conclusion, people complain which in some cases they have every right. Just as venders selling 50 dollar polyps do, And i walked out of max 500 dollars down and a ice chest full of corals.

 

[BeanMachine]

I have fun and find something I like at every show. Or just hanging out with friends is worth it. I'll go back today for a little while anyway.

I won't be able to attend MAX but I can't wait for FRAG this year, they have the best deals on corals!

Nice plug.

 

[Igarc009]

It was a decent show, no one really had anything too outstanding. Honestly RAP and FRAG were better

 

[LAreefguy]

Who's doing the complaining here?

 

[jamie1210]

No need to name any vendors in particular, but before ppl write off going to the show bc someone said something cost too much,I'd like to hear what, specifically, did they find to be too expensive? Everyone has different ideas of what constitutes cheap and what constitutes a ripoff. I'll start:

Superman monti for 10 bucks (good deal!l)
Jedi mind trick: size of my thumb for 20 bucks--good deal!
red cap: vendor threw in for free

got my pokerstar moni for 50 bucks, definitely big, but still a bit on the pricey side

essentially, it just boils down to what you're looking for ... if superman's turned into 30 bucks, then, yeah, i'd say they were a bit on the pricey side!

Scoly's are still in the hundred-dollar range, but that's to be expected ... i'd never expect one to drop to 50 just bc it's at an expo!

Mainly, my biggest gripe is the cost to get in ... 30 bucks for me and the husband just for admission! dang! makes us not want to go back for day 2

 

[socal619]

It was a decent show, no one really had anything too outstanding. Honestly RAP and FRAG were better

I didn't attend but, this is what I heard from numerous buddies that did go. Can't wait for RAP, my first time going last year and it was awesome!

 

[Fly5150]

I wanted to buy a flame out fungia. The guy sized me up and wanted 200 for it.


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[lurking]

No need to name any vendors in particular, but before ppl write off going to the show bc someone said something cost too much,I'd like to hear what, specifically, did they find to be too expensive? Everyone has different ideas of what constitutes cheap and what constitutes a ripoff. I'll start:

Superman monti for 10 bucks (good deal!l)
Jedi mind trick: size of my thumb for 20 bucks--good deal!
red cap: vendor threw in for free

got my pokerstar moni for 50 bucks, definitely big, but still a bit on the pricey side

essentially, it just boils down to what you're looking for ... if superman's turned into 30 bucks, then, yeah, i'd say they were a bit on the pricey side!

Scoly's are still in the hundred-dollar range, but that's to be expected ... i'd never expect one to drop to 50 just bc it's at an expo!

Mainly, my biggest gripe is the cost to get in ... 30 bucks for me and the husband just for admission! dang! makes us not want to go back for day 2

Nice first post! Welcome to SCR

 

[SexyCorals]

Buaahahahahahhahaha.....

 

[Confuse]

I don't think prices were really all that off the wall. I think a lot of people expected to pay hobbyist prices from retail stores and that's just not realistic. Prices were what you would typically see at your LFS, which is fine. This isn't CFM after all.

 

[robert_ellis]

It was a decent show, no one really had anything too outstanding. Honestly RAP and FRAG were better

But let's be honest. The same vendors are at both shows and MAX doesn't determine what the vendor brings so who's fault is it in your opinion rap or frag is better? Only complaint I've heard this year is the selection of coral or pricing.... not MAXs productions crew fault. That is all the vendors fault so let's place blame where blame is due.

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[lowbudget]

lol.... awesome.

 

[peter]

I went to max last year and I thought it was much better than this years. I felt there were more vendors last year, I was hoping to get some equipment but there was only a hand of people none which had what I needed or that I noticed. Last years atmosphere was just so much better.

 

[lowbudget]

i think the difference is you guys were missing the SCR booth