<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15065209#post15065209 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by andywe
I never mentioned Sleaze, and please do not put those words in my mouth please (assuming it was me since you used my quote)
It was directed at the thread in general, as well as you (your post just so happened to have false information in it, so I quoted it). Aside from people understanding that AC is in business to make money, there was certainly an undertone throughout this thread that Chris is just shoveling crap to his customers to make a buck. And there was also some mention of the pumps potentially harming your tank (I call making a big chunk of profit by selling something that could hurt your tank pretty sleazy... so it was my word but I think re-reading the thread might make you see why I used it). I would shop at a store that carries a product or two that is low quality, but I would not shop at a store where I heard the owner was a sleaze.
Chris was having trouble with the QO's already, so he went with another pump that he could get at a more competitive price and therefore sell cheaper and closer to online prices (in hopes that more volume would make him more profit). I am sure he is also hoping that the pump will at least not be more of a POS than the QO's (which some people love and never have problems with but there are documented commen issues with them). We all know the market for high dollar pumps is fairly small in Nashville even if he can give a competitive price. Everyone remember, we are pretty much the exception when it comes to fish keepers willing to spend money and there's not too often that we need to replace/buy pumps, so the market is not there.
In all, one of the reasons our club is as successful as it is because we have a great relationship with our LFS's. They support us (meetings, 10% off on purchases, usually big ticket raffle items for meetings and the swap, etc.), they tell people about us from time to time, and believe it or not they do listen to some us when it comes time to order things for their stores (the Eco pumps were not my idea as I have not had past experience with them, but I do know it was another MTRCer that suggested Chris check them out when he said he was tired of the QO's).
They also do troll these boards at least occasionally and although I am sure they appreciate constructive criticism (which would be better handled in a private conversation with them in the store), I don't think they enjoy people publicly bashing their store (its hard to not take that personally) and what they carry in it. The MTRC board is constantly asking favors of our LFS's and doing that becomes a lot easier to do when people choose their words carefully. I'm not saying that we should be lying to fellow reefers or leaving stuff out, just thinking about what we are typing.
Everyone should be doing their homework before buying equipment. It is fairly easy to determine the quality vs. price of that unit and then deciding if it is worthwhile. Since he is selling them at MSRP (and cheaper than the QO's) and doesn't really know the service record on them since he just got them, it isn't like he is taking a bigger than necessary cut of the pie and pretending they are top of the line pumps.
The posts I've put in here were simply because I felt the need to remind
everyone that this forum isn't a living room conversation or a few people talking at a meeting. The only thing you need to see these posts is the RC url (not even a username)... and it only takes one or two RC members (active, contributing members or not) to sour a relationship. So, when all else fails maybe we should remember what Thumper's Dad would say, "If you can't say something nice...don't say nothing at all."
Are you saying what is concerning is that people are stating why they went to ECO?
