I think it's the exception to the rule. What were not seeing here is all the people who've lost a mandarin due to not having an established tank. Being so cheap and so beautiful is the major issue with these fish. LFS always sells out, yet not many people have them for very long. Saw a recent reefcentral poll on survival rates, and it's pretty poor.
I don't own one yet for that very reason. Every night after the lights go out I've got the torch out, chanting "go pods, GO!". Almost there, can't wait!