If you are starting out or for unfamiliar pieces, search larger forums like R2R or ReefCentral...(or just google) just to get an idea...
Depending on what the piece is and how old or rare, the price maybe higher or lower than retailers. It's a good calibration check either way. Sometimes, I think something is low value (because I don't care about it, I guess... or wouldn't personally pay more) only to find out that the piece is in hot demand... and other times, vice-versa.I havent looked at any of the larger forums yet for prices. Good idea. When ever I google something and i see those prices from some of the online retailers it's just insane. I'd feel bad charging a 1/4 of some of their prices.
Something to keep in mind, is if you only sell locally that very well can drastically change how much you can get for corals.
But you said you feel bad charging even a 1/4 of the online prices, that's a good start. Find an area where you'll feel comfortable, 1/10th? 1/5th? and just go there.
When I try to apply that it doesn’t work very well because by the time I’m selling it I either have too much of it or just don’t like it as much anymore, so I wouldn’t pay anything for it. Maybe that’s why I’m usually giving coral away lolI use a simple formula: what would I pay for this?