Aquamedic Salt on Sale and snails
- Thread starter ktani
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artful-dodger
New member
Kip, sorry to be a jerk (but somebody usually has to be) but I think this might cross the commercial promotion boundary...if we want to keep all of the forums on topic (and not spiral into a deluge of advertising) we all need to follow the rules pretty strictly.
castorpollux
New member
is it 200g bucket size? do you know what the average amount of ca, mg and dkh are in the mix?
ktani
Premium Member
perhaps Gary,
but not sure what the line is as there are so many things being sold here.
The challenge is to maintain that and not sure on balance. I can remove it but understand that if we lose sponsorship then our club is unfortunately back to square one.
And what is the difference with others saying about sales at their stores or even a private person selling something. Much of what has been shifting with the forum is more flea market. A good thing, but then should that stop too?
Castor, I will pm you so as not to create a problem.
Thoughts?
Kip
but not sure what the line is as there are so many things being sold here.
The challenge is to maintain that and not sure on balance. I can remove it but understand that if we lose sponsorship then our club is unfortunately back to square one.
And what is the difference with others saying about sales at their stores or even a private person selling something. Much of what has been shifting with the forum is more flea market. A good thing, but then should that stop too?
Castor, I will pm you so as not to create a problem.
Thoughts?
Kip
artful-dodger
New member
I'm not trying to be the posting police...individuals selling their surplus equipment or livestock is fundamentally different than selling a product. Even in the selling forums there are clear rules prohibiting commercial traffic.
I, too, have been a bit uncomfortable over LFS employees directly promoting their stores...it's probably what senstitized me to the issue. Do we want to allow all of the local stores to post stock and sales like the emails that several stores put out via email? I like receiving them, but I don't want to lose the value of this forum in "noise" of advertising.
I think the club needs to make decisions about what we want the forum to be within the constraints imposed by RC. I'm not trying to say what those constraints are.
I, too, have been a bit uncomfortable over LFS employees directly promoting their stores...it's probably what senstitized me to the issue. Do we want to allow all of the local stores to post stock and sales like the emails that several stores put out via email? I like receiving them, but I don't want to lose the value of this forum in "noise" of advertising.
I think the club needs to make decisions about what we want the forum to be within the constraints imposed by RC. I'm not trying to say what those constraints are.
ktani
Premium Member
hehe ya malcontent.
The question is valid as RC has set forth policies on what they deem as appropriate. We however, as a club are reliant upon the support of the LFS for our raffles as well as other less tangible things. As an example, Animal Attractions has been a huge supporter of the club as has Aquamedic. They have been incredibly helpful and without that support not sure we could do some of the things we had already done, let alone plan to do in the future.
I tend to think business. As a result, my thinking is revenue generation as it gives us more opportunities. We can of course continue our home based meetings. Nothing wrong with that, but it will limit our growth and how many reefers we can help. As an example, we have been struggling finding a facility for the frag swap. Most of them we have been researching charge about $400 or more. That pretty much takes a bulk of the profit from the swap. Unfortunately, the reality of life forces us to change and adapt. Part of that IMO is finances.
RC gets support too, my guess is those sponsors pay a pretty penny and that is simply business. We have to choose withiin our confimes and within the limits of RC where we want to go. If it is simply hobby, then we will be very limited as the support will wain and eventually go away from LFS or online suppliers.
Other clubs have started their own forums and perhaps we should consider that with the new website.
I can give you some specific examples, but probably best suited for emails rather than the main forum, but suffice to say the club would have a major about face in goals if we change. But really it is up to the members to decide that.
On the flip side, we will have elections soon enough and if the club wishes to change focus that is why we have an elected board.
Kip
The question is valid as RC has set forth policies on what they deem as appropriate. We however, as a club are reliant upon the support of the LFS for our raffles as well as other less tangible things. As an example, Animal Attractions has been a huge supporter of the club as has Aquamedic. They have been incredibly helpful and without that support not sure we could do some of the things we had already done, let alone plan to do in the future.
I tend to think business. As a result, my thinking is revenue generation as it gives us more opportunities. We can of course continue our home based meetings. Nothing wrong with that, but it will limit our growth and how many reefers we can help. As an example, we have been struggling finding a facility for the frag swap. Most of them we have been researching charge about $400 or more. That pretty much takes a bulk of the profit from the swap. Unfortunately, the reality of life forces us to change and adapt. Part of that IMO is finances.
RC gets support too, my guess is those sponsors pay a pretty penny and that is simply business. We have to choose withiin our confimes and within the limits of RC where we want to go. If it is simply hobby, then we will be very limited as the support will wain and eventually go away from LFS or online suppliers.
Other clubs have started their own forums and perhaps we should consider that with the new website.
I can give you some specific examples, but probably best suited for emails rather than the main forum, but suffice to say the club would have a major about face in goals if we change. But really it is up to the members to decide that.
On the flip side, we will have elections soon enough and if the club wishes to change focus that is why we have an elected board.
Kip
Maybe you should post a new thread looking for someone who can volunteer a facility. It's hard to believe in a group this size we wouldn't be able to find somebody who works someplace that would let the club use a conference or meeting room somewhere for free. Or maybe some LFS that has a back room or something.
Larry
ktani
Premium Member
There are some Larry,
for instance, the Hampton Inn has a meeting room, but it is limited in its size.
The challenge we have had in the past is on the frag swap. Because there is saltwater and spilling, most have tended to shy away from it. We had been talking with Downtown Aquarium for a good bit of time but have had no success in finalizing a deal with them yet.
A good idea though as more brains involved is always a good thing.
Kip
for instance, the Hampton Inn has a meeting room, but it is limited in its size.
The challenge we have had in the past is on the frag swap. Because there is saltwater and spilling, most have tended to shy away from it. We had been talking with Downtown Aquarium for a good bit of time but have had no success in finalizing a deal with them yet.
A good idea though as more brains involved is always a good thing.
Kip
rmougey
Chair, MACNA 2014
Hey guys,
I'll volunteer to stir the pot...... I think there is a fundamental difference between a club member selling used equipment, frags etc and a vendor marketing goods. I don't believe ReefCentral allows direct selling through the forums by a business, but they will sell advertising space to that same business.
Reefcentral and/or the club (in whatever form it currently exists) isn't in place to provide free marketing to businesses. That doesn't mean that many of us in the club wouldn't mind hearing from Kip or a LFS about specials once in a while. But is this the appropriate venue?
If we can stay within reefcentral guidelines, maybe LFS and other business interests that are sponsors of the RMRC could post notices here preceded by something like "AD:", or "SPONSOR:". There are many posts that start with "OT:". When I see this, I know it's not directly forum related, or 'noise' as Gary so eloquently put it.
Personally, I'd rather subscribe to e-mail lists for the vendors that I want to hear from and not have these topics on the RMRC forum at all. If we decide that we want to include this on the club website (if that comes to fruition), then an appropriate sponsor fee needs to be discussed with the interested vendor.
There is a difference between a member posting a message that Bob's LFS has a sale on Beluga whales and Bob posting that same message. ;-)
Who wants the spoon??
-Rob
I'll volunteer to stir the pot...... I think there is a fundamental difference between a club member selling used equipment, frags etc and a vendor marketing goods. I don't believe ReefCentral allows direct selling through the forums by a business, but they will sell advertising space to that same business.
Reefcentral and/or the club (in whatever form it currently exists) isn't in place to provide free marketing to businesses. That doesn't mean that many of us in the club wouldn't mind hearing from Kip or a LFS about specials once in a while. But is this the appropriate venue?
If we can stay within reefcentral guidelines, maybe LFS and other business interests that are sponsors of the RMRC could post notices here preceded by something like "AD:", or "SPONSOR:". There are many posts that start with "OT:". When I see this, I know it's not directly forum related, or 'noise' as Gary so eloquently put it.
Personally, I'd rather subscribe to e-mail lists for the vendors that I want to hear from and not have these topics on the RMRC forum at all. If we decide that we want to include this on the club website (if that comes to fruition), then an appropriate sponsor fee needs to be discussed with the interested vendor.
There is a difference between a member posting a message that Bob's LFS has a sale on Beluga whales and Bob posting that same message. ;-)
Who wants the spoon??
-Rob
castorpollux
New member
i wish all the stores would post thier new stock lists in this forum, it would save me the trouble of driving around so much... i dont see a problem with specials and promotions being offered on this forum, it would be beneficial to know where the deals are. so basically i dont think it was out of line...theres plenty of junk on this forum already and i wouldn't consider commercial specials junk.
ktani
Premium Member
hehe Rob,
no worries here as dialogue is always good. You make some excellent points and so noted as well.
From my perspective, I have personally invested hundreds of dollars into the club. From losing money on group buys to paying out of my own pocket for raffle items, speakers and so on. In addition, those who have spent countless hours working on setting things up again, hard to imagine the time. My decision to do a business was really motivated by setting up a new tank. It sort of just blossomed into something larger and it may have been unwise to discuss it here.
No matter as my involvement with the club is nearing an end anyways so I will probably just go the vendor route on various websites.
Actually the sponsorship has been discussed and is pretty much all setup. The only we had been waiting for was the website. Going totally off tangent here, Larryl has done a great job in helping with it as he has taken it upon himself to finish it.
It is still my hope that (finally) the website can be up and running and we can have elections and the baton can be passed to someone else. Anyone want it? It has been a short but frustrating road I must admit. Hopefully some groundwork has been laid to help the next person.
Kip
no worries here as dialogue is always good. You make some excellent points and so noted as well.
From my perspective, I have personally invested hundreds of dollars into the club. From losing money on group buys to paying out of my own pocket for raffle items, speakers and so on. In addition, those who have spent countless hours working on setting things up again, hard to imagine the time. My decision to do a business was really motivated by setting up a new tank. It sort of just blossomed into something larger and it may have been unwise to discuss it here.
No matter as my involvement with the club is nearing an end anyways so I will probably just go the vendor route on various websites.
Actually the sponsorship has been discussed and is pretty much all setup. The only we had been waiting for was the website. Going totally off tangent here, Larryl has done a great job in helping with it as he has taken it upon himself to finish it.
It is still my hope that (finally) the website can be up and running and we can have elections and the baton can be passed to someone else. Anyone want it? It has been a short but frustrating road I must admit. Hopefully some groundwork has been laid to help the next person.
Kip
I really think this is a conflict of interest since Kip, the president of the club, is advertising a salt sale for his own company. Jeff & I are not allowed to do this for our store. We have tried very dilligently to follow RC rules about such advertising. We would get into all kinds of trouble if we had posted something like Kip's post.
Hey all, I'll chime in with RC's rules & regs here.
LFS owners, employees or otherwise interested parties are not allowed to post any promotional information about their store.
Members are welcome to post information about stores, but shilling a store is also not allowed. So if a store pays you (frags, credits, "do me a favor"..etc,) to post something on here about their store, that is not allowed.
On the assumption that ktani is a store owner, this thread is a violation and would be removed. But for the sake of information, I'm going to leave it for a little bit so everyone reads and understands this.
The fact that this is a club forum doesn't change the overarching [ua] of RC.
Hope this helps.
LFS owners, employees or otherwise interested parties are not allowed to post any promotional information about their store.
Members are welcome to post information about stores, but shilling a store is also not allowed. So if a store pays you (frags, credits, "do me a favor"..etc,) to post something on here about their store, that is not allowed.
On the assumption that ktani is a store owner, this thread is a violation and would be removed. But for the sake of information, I'm going to leave it for a little bit so everyone reads and understands this.
The fact that this is a club forum doesn't change the overarching [ua] of RC.
Hope this helps.
I say it's a good source of info for various LFS and vendors to pass the word of sales or ???. If it is in violation of RC policy, get the club website up and jump the RC ship. No offense meant to RC, but it is a valuable piece if info saving tons of time and energy to know of sales and so on straight from the horses mouth.
Bill
Bill
BrokenSpoke
New member
What store does ktani own?
aztecdreams
New member
He doesn't own any store.
BrokenSpoke
New member
I just got the impression from the first post in this thread that he was a LFS owner. Thanks for the clarification.
castorpollux
New member
ME RC STAFF PAY ME MONEY OR ME DELETE YOU!
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