banned from CVRC Forum
- Thread starter Kung
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phljess
New member
I do not feel it should be anyones responsibilty to pay for a store sponsorship of the forum besides the store itself. I can see your points but I can also see the point of the club. If you look at it this way maybe it would make more sense. Store A sponsors the club with a small giveaway every four months or a gift certificate, this is a benefit for all club members. Store B decides it will not sponsor the club for some reason. They both had the opportunity to show real concern for helping the hobbyist. One store did the other did not. So why should store B be promoted on a forum that store A helps to support. Also what would ever make the store become a sponsor if they could be promoted or advertise without being a sponsor???
Superstretch18
New member
As an unaffiliated individual, I could care less which way you guys proceed. I did however think it was important to point out a couple of things:
1. This is why stores and clubs should not be so intimately related. A club should be a respository for information and not a separate wing of some particular store. I think it's fair to say that is a conflict of interest at best and deceptive at the worst.
2. Sponsoring a particular club should offer you the benefit of being able to sell yourself. Members should be able to discuss whatever they want without fear of recourse. Think about how biased it would be if Coralife sponsored RC and members were never allowed to even mention any other skimmer, calcium reactor, supplement, etc. That would severely impact the actual information that the site could offer. You can see If you really want to be an information source, then you need to allow the free exchange of ideas and discussion.
3. There is a difference between advertising and word of mouth. I agree that companies should pay to advertise themselves. Stopping others from relaying their experiences is going to bite you in the end.
I'm usually a big LFS advocate, but this whole situation comes off as really shady. To be fair, I'm not closely tied to this situation and don't know all of the details. Honestly, I didn't even realize that this was in a club forum when I first opened the thread.
As I mentioned above, I really could care less how you all proceed, but wanted to interject. I hate to see such drama here. This is a hobby afterall and it's supposed to relieve stress, not add to it. Good luck to all of the members in this situation...
Sorry for butting in...
phljess
New member
In light of this discussion I have opened a board for vendor experiences on the CVRC. I hope this puts to rest the controversy that has been occuring between us. If you feel like using the local board that is great if not thats your choice. In all I just hope all aquarists in the area have fun with the hobby and can build positive relationships in which ever club they wish to be part of.
Here are the new board rules....
Vendor Experiences
This board is for personal experience with online and local stores. Any blatant advertising of any store online or local may be modified or deleted by moderators as deemed necessary. The threads and posts in this board are the opinions of individual members not the club as a whole or its governing body.
BTW, Kung your account has been reactivated if you want to use it. It was disabled while pending review from moderators. After review it was reopend.
Here are the new board rules....
Vendor Experiences
This board is for personal experience with online and local stores. Any blatant advertising of any store online or local may be modified or deleted by moderators as deemed necessary. The threads and posts in this board are the opinions of individual members not the club as a whole or its governing body.
BTW, Kung your account has been reactivated if you want to use it. It was disabled while pending review from moderators. After review it was reopend.
firefish2020
New member
Ok I said I would'nt be back but I have to say a few things and this will be my final post here.
After we moved to our new forum I suddenly was aware as to why RC has it's rules, they are there to make things work and and run smooth, I respect them now more than ever. They are however a bit biased as we to have been on our own forum with with commercial post restrictions.
Yes I work at a LFS, I'm not changing that, but no I can not suggest products which we may or may not sell to anyone without breaking the RC TOS, which I never have. This was one of the reasons for the move. I like how I'm being drawn out here publicly accused of making a profit 10 out of 10 times? Really how many of you have I given advice to, telling you to go get this or that from somewhere else because we dont have it? How many of you know me? Some of you do but some of you have no clue especially anyone who claims that the CVRC is nothing more than a marketing gimmik? Whats wrong with you people? Those who know me know that I believe in the ability of a group to help the comunity, not tear it appart like this! I started the CVRC to help promote aquaculture in this area, I did this freely, Barry helped but all we ever got from it were accusations of comercial gain. I did it, why did I do it? Because I believed in a dream nothing more, that and no one else would do it. You honestly think that we did all of this for money? As for the post referenced, when it was posted at that time there were literally only 2 people left in this area that could keep SPS long term thats sad but true. That has thanks to us, started to change. We are proud to be a place where many firsts in our area occured and now our latest project instead of being look at as a triumph for the sate is nothing more than a way to make money? How much do you think we need to sell to pay for all those lights? You think giving away frags to people is paying the electric bills? I give becase I have, not because I want.
I have several good friends here, I have some who are just starting to know me and they know what I'm saying is true. You can think what you want of me or my accomplishments I dont care anymore. I did what I did to create a stable reef keeping comunity and we have that now, that is why I resigned as President of the CVRC over two months ago. My advice to you is this; You have the ability here to create your own group, or club or what ever you want to call it. Focus on "your" future, get direction and stop worying about the past or others. And above all have respect, don't ever judge anyone you do not personally know. Like I said I have made many friends on here and on our newer forum, if you are really here to learn and really here help then feel free to join us, if not thats your choice but do not judge us, me or any of our motives unless you know a little more about whats going on. I'm not your President anymore, I'm through leading, I am only responding because I think this mess is counter productive and damaging to everyone in this area that seriously cares about our hobby, and paints all of us with a negative light. I suggest we all just back away from the emotion and get on with things as they are.
Best wishes to you all, good to see some of you again,
Bye guys
After we moved to our new forum I suddenly was aware as to why RC has it's rules, they are there to make things work and and run smooth, I respect them now more than ever. They are however a bit biased as we to have been on our own forum with with commercial post restrictions.
Yes I work at a LFS, I'm not changing that, but no I can not suggest products which we may or may not sell to anyone without breaking the RC TOS, which I never have. This was one of the reasons for the move. I like how I'm being drawn out here publicly accused of making a profit 10 out of 10 times? Really how many of you have I given advice to, telling you to go get this or that from somewhere else because we dont have it? How many of you know me? Some of you do but some of you have no clue especially anyone who claims that the CVRC is nothing more than a marketing gimmik? Whats wrong with you people? Those who know me know that I believe in the ability of a group to help the comunity, not tear it appart like this! I started the CVRC to help promote aquaculture in this area, I did this freely, Barry helped but all we ever got from it were accusations of comercial gain. I did it, why did I do it? Because I believed in a dream nothing more, that and no one else would do it. You honestly think that we did all of this for money? As for the post referenced, when it was posted at that time there were literally only 2 people left in this area that could keep SPS long term thats sad but true. That has thanks to us, started to change. We are proud to be a place where many firsts in our area occured and now our latest project instead of being look at as a triumph for the sate is nothing more than a way to make money? How much do you think we need to sell to pay for all those lights? You think giving away frags to people is paying the electric bills? I give becase I have, not because I want.
I have several good friends here, I have some who are just starting to know me and they know what I'm saying is true. You can think what you want of me or my accomplishments I dont care anymore. I did what I did to create a stable reef keeping comunity and we have that now, that is why I resigned as President of the CVRC over two months ago. My advice to you is this; You have the ability here to create your own group, or club or what ever you want to call it. Focus on "your" future, get direction and stop worying about the past or others. And above all have respect, don't ever judge anyone you do not personally know. Like I said I have made many friends on here and on our newer forum, if you are really here to learn and really here help then feel free to join us, if not thats your choice but do not judge us, me or any of our motives unless you know a little more about whats going on. I'm not your President anymore, I'm through leading, I am only responding because I think this mess is counter productive and damaging to everyone in this area that seriously cares about our hobby, and paints all of us with a negative light. I suggest we all just back away from the emotion and get on with things as they are.
Best wishes to you all, good to see some of you again,
Bye guys
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Orr2003
New member
Ron
Since the meaning of criticism is the act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything. the act of passing severe judgment; censure; faultfinding. I guess I did judge you. But I meant for it to be constructive criticism. For you to see how the club may be perceived from someone outside the club. Please dont take it like I am slamming you or your LFS. I wasnt. I shop there some. I do not have a problem with your LFS or the owner. I have no beef with Phil or anyone else for that matter. All I was trying to do was open the clubs eyes as to why some might have animosity towards CVRC. Thats all nothing else. I am sorry if I came off any other way.
Superstretch18 said on page 1 exactly what I was tyring to say.
Since the meaning of criticism is the act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything. the act of passing severe judgment; censure; faultfinding. I guess I did judge you. But I meant for it to be constructive criticism. For you to see how the club may be perceived from someone outside the club. Please dont take it like I am slamming you or your LFS. I wasnt. I shop there some. I do not have a problem with your LFS or the owner. I have no beef with Phil or anyone else for that matter. All I was trying to do was open the clubs eyes as to why some might have animosity towards CVRC. Thats all nothing else. I am sorry if I came off any other way.
Superstretch18 said on page 1 exactly what I was tyring to say.
sixliner6
Premium Member
So much I would like to add, but I won't add much more to this. Over the years there were alot of things I wanted to say but didn't. I got help from alot of members(you know who you are)and I thank you. I never got much love from this LFS in particular. I am planning on getting back into the hobby soon. I always come here (RC) for my info and certain friends at CVRC. I am glad that this forum was able to get the name changed because not everyone that went to CVRC contributed to it's success. OK I'm gonna stop here.
baldwinaquaman
New member
I hate to open this back up, but I was just scrolling through old posts and found this, and it really rubbed me the wrong way. Look ron i've talked to you a couple of times, and I think your really knowledgeable, and helpful in many ways, i sometimes still check the CVRC forum as well, but I really hope you didn't mean to say this. Or atleast that you meant to say literally two people THAT YOU KNEW. I know I keep FOWLR, but that is by choice, and I know that their are people in charleston/that area that have been keeping corals for years who still haven't met you, sooooo what I'm trying to say is that your statement is insulting to Charleston, and WV in it's entirety within the reefkeeping hobby to anyone who may read it. I also think it's really shady that Jo mars never has the price of fish on their tanks, it makes me think that if there someone that they suspected as new they would be taken advantage of, just my opinion. that's why I shop at Fuji's or online 99% of the time, but I do like to stop in Jo mars and look occasionally because they do get some different fish in. I know I'm prolly going to get scolded for bringing this post back, haha oh well.......
firefish2020
New member
Your right that was far to hasty and not well thought out let me clarify that, "As for the post referenced, when it was posted at that time there were literally only 2 people left in this area that could keep SPS long term who were willing to talk about it and to help others publicly."
We set up a virtual 24/7 reef hotline, for anyone to ask questions and we got them, no one else did it, but they could have. We tried to help as many as we could and we never once turned anyone who had a problem away. We went to their houses and plumbed tanks, we gave away frags after tank crashes, we recommended products and found ways to get those products to those who needed them and could'nt afford them. We did this, we did this without compensation, we did this freely for over five years with much sacrifice. Anyone could have did the same, they did not. I remember Phil asking me one day after a low meeting turn out. "Man why do we keep doing this?" and I remember Bruce asking me the same question after donating his money to keep the webpage up, never once being offered any compensation, and rarely a thank you. "Why do we do this?" During particular bad times I asked my self the same question and when I was ready to walk away from it all, some thing amazing happened. Total strangers who we had once helped approached us and asked us. "What can we do to help you?" and then we got our answer. It was never about trading and selling frags, it was never about auctions. It was always about teaching the ones who will one day teach others. It was about making a difference in our community and we did it, we continue to do it everyday and EVERYONE is invited to do just the same in what ever way he or she can. You won't get approval from everyone it's impossible don't try, you will always have those who think you up to no good, who will read and focus on negative aspects but you know why you do it, and your friends know as well, and that' s all that really matters, it's infectious, in time it spreads and you see others taking up the reigns and those who were new hobbyists asking questions a year ago begin to answer questions on there own. I have met some great friends in the CVRC both past and present, they post both here and on our local forum and no one has a problem with it. I have friends here who wont post on the local forum as often, again no one thinks less of them, I don't think less of them. The time for animosity and hurt feelings is over IMO, what is done is done, I miss some of you and do hope we can see you at our next swap, or yours if all goes well.
Now as for the shop, I have no idea what you are talking about as far as no prices on tanks goes. We post prices on all fish and coral that are for sale when they are ready to go. If the tanks are not marked they are either being cleared and ready for prices or the fish are not for sale. Prices change all the time as we do not buy from the same place weekly. I would ask around about your price hike speculations, I think you will find we are quite generous with pricing well below the marked at times. Your right regulars do tend to get special deals that's the least we can do for those who support us and there is nothing wrong with that. But no one has ever or will ever get gouged above the prices written on those tanks. We are consumers as well and that practice is just plain wrong and I believe it's quite illegal. As far as where you buy from is concerned, continue to support which ever local fish store you go to because without those stores none of this or us would be here, they are the original teachers.
Take care my friends,
Ron
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baldwinaquaman
New member
Ron thanks for the swift reply. It really shows me that you care a lot about this hobby by still checking this forum, even when you said you wouldn't be commenting on it anymore. I don't want to give the wrong msg. here, as I have said before I believe you to be very passionate and well informed in this hobby. I'm glad that you have apologized for that hasty comment. This was my main concern, however I can only speak from experience that the real reason I never hardly by from the store is exactly what I've stated. I have never been there (which i have been there over 20 times) that I have not had to ask the price of the particular fish I was lloking at. This is bad business, and customers don't like it. I know you disagree with me, but honestly I have no reason to lie. I just wanted to bring this up because I would love to see it change. I think you would receive more customers, and let's face it, only a fool would think that going somewhere, or looking to buy something which has no price is a bit quirky and questionable. I no you disagree with me about the prices being listed, but i'm sure that there are others on here that can attest to this. There is nothing wrong with regulars getting special deals, but as long as I have to chase someone down everytime I want to know the price of something, I will never be a regular, so I just ask you to take that into consideration, and into the workplace. As far as setting up this forum for everyone, great job, but let's not act like it's not so easy a caveman can do it.
However, no matter what, I hope you continue to support, educate, and further the hobby, as you have been.
firefish2020
New member
Those words were spoken during a time of great division, time heals all woulds. Clarity comes only after the smoke has cleared. I come here because I have friends here. Like them with our forum, I don't post unless I see a reason to but in this case I got an email that notified me of this post so it was good to re-visit it in a way and clear it up a bit.
That has no bearing on me or this community at this time, and is irrelevant IMO. My biggest concern is not the store, it's the hobby and helping people both here, there and on the site. If you have a problem with store policies etc, please feel free to talk to the owner, he is the only one who can do anything about it, he doesn't come here so you would actually have to call him or stop by what have you. However, I will take into account all your comments, and when I am in a position to do something about it, trust me I will
Actually your right, I was talking about our own forum / site and the countless meetings and hours people have dedicated to our community as whole.
Thanks you, I am confident that we are training the next generation of those who will be the teachers in this hobby, what they decide to do with that knowledge is up to them. I am also confident that the direction we are taking is the right one, the CVRC is finally off it's training wheels and I could not be happier. I hope you continue to support all of you're local groups etc, they are the ones who will truly give you what you need in this hobby. If you have any questions as always feel free to ask anytime
Best of luck,
Ron
baldwinaquaman
New member
I also want to clarify to everyone that I was on the CVRC chat the other night, and asked a couple of questions, so it's not llike I am against that, more of the store routines. I also wanted to post this to clarify that I do not have a problem with ron, nor can I say that anything ive ever been told by him was incorrect or skeptical information (except maybe the fact that jo mar's put prices on their fish the way it should be). So Now that ron has clarified, and/or corrected the comment that got me started on this rant, I am happy, and will leave this discussion alone.
Thanks Ron, hopefully I will get to chat again on the CVRC sometime.
Thanks Ron, hopefully I will get to chat again on the CVRC sometime.
firefish2020
New member
Your welcome anytime, and thank you for telling me about your dissatisfaction with the shop, like I said when I can make a difference there I most certainly will
baldwinaquaman
New member
any pics of your home tanks?
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