Frag Auction will open at 10:30 am
- Thread starter glaspie69
- Start date
sgarrett1108
New member
I tend to agree. With gas and driving at 50 percent if you had to come from des moines you may be lucky to make anything. You just may as well stay home post pics online and ship them out. Maybe you could have a table that is reserved for people to drop a couple of frags off as donations and then the club could auction it off. Raffels are another option. I think we did this at last years auction. Also I know speakers need buildings to be at but can't auction be at peoples houses. I am sure there are some people in this hobby that have large garages. Also look for donated equip. IT seems as though there are things we all have that we could donate to the club and then the club could sell it. Just a thought.
glaspie69
Premium Member
I don't disagree the 50% is steap, the point I've been trying to make is, if we lower the percentage and the pepople don't sell or buy the club suffers. I hate to sound like the a-hole, but it can't always be about money, the bod works hour upon hours setting up buildings, speakers, events, etc, and never get a dime. If we hold an auction in someones garage we take the risk of weather, I'd rather have my coral in a nice dry, climate controlled building. I'm not sure people are to into "donating" there equipment, if we can't get people to meeting with a 50 percent to the club it might be quite hard to get them to "donate" anything.
Ball
New member
Im not trying to speak for everyone, but I know I dont feel good about driving a few hours round trip to sell my corals at 50%. Having the club basically own half the corals I bring to an auction doesnt feel good. It will keep sellers away. Long term, you may lose more money by trying to milk the most money you can out of the members who sell. They simply wont show up.
I know I would rather donate a frag to auction off for 100% club profit then have all my profit cut in half.
Also, by charging 50% to the sellers, you are getting more money out of the sellers then it would be to charge a higher yearly membership fee.
I dont have a solution to raise more money, but I dont think taking half of the sellers profits is the right way to do it. Have you researched other clubs to see how they do things? Maybe the BOD can get some ideas by doing this.
I know I would rather donate a frag to auction off for 100% club profit then have all my profit cut in half.
Also, by charging 50% to the sellers, you are getting more money out of the sellers then it would be to charge a higher yearly membership fee.
I dont have a solution to raise more money, but I dont think taking half of the sellers profits is the right way to do it. Have you researched other clubs to see how they do things? Maybe the BOD can get some ideas by doing this.
xroads
New member
The one and only frag swap I have been able to make it to was @ Hinch's house new Des Moines. It was crowded & hot, but fun. There was tons of sellers & buyers. I think it was safe to say there was at least 15 8 foot tables totally full of corals. That was a 50% auction and no one seemed to mind. I do remember that the seller wrote down a minimum bid on each coral. If you want to make sure you take home $10 on a coral have the minimum bid be $20. I do know that it could not be cheap to fly in Paletta or Calfo for a night & speech on just membership fees. Membership fees are dirt compared to many other organizations I have been a part of. I look at this as a hobby that costs money, not a business to help me make money. That is why I give corals away instead of trying to get retail for them (although I know many of you sell your awesome corals for dirt cheap, Ball, Bullet, CoralFreak to name just a couple). Ya it costs money to drive a couple of hours to have fun, talk corals with other people who share & understand your passion, and maybe bring home a couple of goodies. But to me it is worth it. Just my 2cents.
Craig
Craig
Covey
New member
My two cent on the 50% thing is it is to steep as well. The numbers might say other wise but to the club I don't think GIRS came away with more money from the 50% cut. It drove away sellers. Like Bob said "20% of something is better than 50% of nothing". On the flip side if I remember correctly just as many buyers showed up this time as did for the auction in Bob's garage.
There where fewer sellers this year. Supply and demand kicked in and the selling prices where higher. Using Allen as an example, if it makes any of the usual sellers feel any better to the best of my knowledge he walked with nearly as much as the 20% auction. The buyers ended up footing the bill on this one in all reality.
I would rather see the auctions as large as possible. To me it is the biggiest reason to join the club and if only 3 sellers show up it is not nearly as much fun.
As far as saving the club money. If it cost the club $50 to rent the Elk Club Hall, the QC pizza party was like $80, (notice the dollar value) and Calfo is $2000. I think it is clear what we need to cut back on. Frankly since where here by default we are all internet savvy reefkeepers. There are only maybe 5 or 6 big name speakers available and you can talk to most of them online. There not rockstars I don't have to meet them in person especially if they are that costily.
I went to Paletta's meeting it was nice but in the end it was just a slide show. If that is going to tap out 75% of the clubs money it is NOT worth it.
I am liking the announced format for the QC auction and I am going to be working to make that one as large as possible.
There where fewer sellers this year. Supply and demand kicked in and the selling prices where higher. Using Allen as an example, if it makes any of the usual sellers feel any better to the best of my knowledge he walked with nearly as much as the 20% auction. The buyers ended up footing the bill on this one in all reality.
I would rather see the auctions as large as possible. To me it is the biggiest reason to join the club and if only 3 sellers show up it is not nearly as much fun.
As far as saving the club money. If it cost the club $50 to rent the Elk Club Hall, the QC pizza party was like $80, (notice the dollar value) and Calfo is $2000. I think it is clear what we need to cut back on. Frankly since where here by default we are all internet savvy reefkeepers. There are only maybe 5 or 6 big name speakers available and you can talk to most of them online. There not rockstars I don't have to meet them in person especially if they are that costily.
I went to Paletta's meeting it was nice but in the end it was just a slide show. If that is going to tap out 75% of the clubs money it is NOT worth it.
I am liking the announced format for the QC auction and I am going to be working to make that one as large as possible.
waverz
Slave to the reef!
I'm glad i just work here....
I guess I'll throw in my copper as well. The %50 IMO is a little steep but who didn't sell because it was that high? I only know of one person, and the reason was because he was moving out of state and wasn't going to be re-joining this year. I'm not saying we shouldn't have guest speakers because we can't afford them because fact of the matter is, we can afford them if we ALL contribute. I personally was pretty upset with the turnout of the last auction, not to mention the last meeting we had. Basically all I am saying that if you want to spend $20 a year just so you can complain about how you think the BOD is running things wrong or what you think the BOD should do or should have done then maybe you are joining for the wrong reason. I joined because i have fun at the meetings and like the people that share the same interests as me. I personally think the biggest problem with this club is lack of attendance to the functions. If we have more people at regular meetings we can raffle cool stuff off and make money for the club instead of having to take 50% of auction proceeds. Hopefully, the next auction will be better, but i can guarantee if no one shows up it will be the same thing in a different town. Participation is the key.
In short, get off your butts and show up to meetings and events so we can have a better and more active club.
I hope to see you ALL in Altoona for Mitch Carl.
Peace out!
I guess I'll throw in my copper as well. The %50 IMO is a little steep but who didn't sell because it was that high? I only know of one person, and the reason was because he was moving out of state and wasn't going to be re-joining this year. I'm not saying we shouldn't have guest speakers because we can't afford them because fact of the matter is, we can afford them if we ALL contribute. I personally was pretty upset with the turnout of the last auction, not to mention the last meeting we had. Basically all I am saying that if you want to spend $20 a year just so you can complain about how you think the BOD is running things wrong or what you think the BOD should do or should have done then maybe you are joining for the wrong reason. I joined because i have fun at the meetings and like the people that share the same interests as me. I personally think the biggest problem with this club is lack of attendance to the functions. If we have more people at regular meetings we can raffle cool stuff off and make money for the club instead of having to take 50% of auction proceeds. Hopefully, the next auction will be better, but i can guarantee if no one shows up it will be the same thing in a different town. Participation is the key.
In short, get off your butts and show up to meetings and events so we can have a better and more active club.
I hope to see you ALL in Altoona for Mitch Carl.
Peace out!
tibbs2
New member
I enjoy having the live speakers come in. I've seen Calfo, Mitch and Paletta and I've enjoyed the opportunity to speak to some of the "experts" in person. In the future, I'd like to see Sanjay, Sprung, and maybe Shimek.
I don't mind the 50% fee for selling at the frag auction because I'm going to use that money to buy other frags at the same auction so I really don't lose out on anything.
Probably the only thing I don't like is having to drive to the meetings in Iowa City and further out. No one likes having to drive long distances and I myself hate to drive so I don't make it out much past Des Moines.
I would definitely like to see more local things going on in the Des Moines area though I don't know if there is enough interest for it. I am grateful the next speaker is going to be in Altoona and I look forward to it.
Maybe we can start having 3 frag auctions a year. One at Des Moines, Iowa City area and Quad Cities. We could then try and knock down the selling fee to 35% or so and see what happens.
Chris
I don't mind the 50% fee for selling at the frag auction because I'm going to use that money to buy other frags at the same auction so I really don't lose out on anything.
Probably the only thing I don't like is having to drive to the meetings in Iowa City and further out. No one likes having to drive long distances and I myself hate to drive so I don't make it out much past Des Moines.
I would definitely like to see more local things going on in the Des Moines area though I don't know if there is enough interest for it. I am grateful the next speaker is going to be in Altoona and I look forward to it.
Maybe we can start having 3 frag auctions a year. One at Des Moines, Iowa City area and Quad Cities. We could then try and knock down the selling fee to 35% or so and see what happens.
Chris
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glaspie69
Premium Member
This issue has been one thats on going. Most members of the club wanted to spread out the meeting and large events, this year we tried doing that with an event in every area, a frag auction in waterloo, mitch in des moines, bruce carl in iowa city and a frag auction in the quad cities. Every year it seems to be a struggle where to have these events, no one likes to drive, which means event attentence will be down on almost all meetings.
It was mentioned above that big named speakers that cost alot of money should be cut, most of them are. Our speakers for this year are respectively cheap. The money we saved on speakers when to the area pizza parties.
As for three frag auctions, I just don't see it happening. With the low attendence rates having the money to fund one or two even is going to be rough. We can't have "large" auctions or swaps without having a building that can accomodate 50 or more people. Those comming from out of state to see our club in action arent going to want to bring there pride and joy corals to someones backyard or garage to sell, the lack of space and climate control would hurt us the most. Personally I would be embarassed if several of the neighboring clubs came to visit and we had our auction or swap in an outdoor park or backyard, these people are driving hundreds of miles to see us in action. As many of you know the rockford,il club is planning to attend our fall swap I'm just hoping that many of you that normally don't make the trip to participate, do make the trip. If a club 4 hours away can make the effort to come to our fuction I think the least our members could do would be to show up to there own event.
Thanks J
got2lb
New member
50% or 20% it doesn’t matter much to me what we have at the frag auctions. From this auction it looks to me like it deterred one seller from bringing frags. If it makes everyone happy to go 20% lets do it, but when it comes time for us to book speakers like Calfo, Borneman, Paletta, Etc… lets not forget the club will be pulling money from this same pot.
As for people donating used equip. and places to have club events. LETS SEE IT! Everyone always has these GREAT ideas but no one ever steps up to the plate! Let’s see some action!
As to where the meetings are located, we tried to locate the meetings throughout the state this year to kind of help ease the driving load on everyone. I know a lot of people from the IC and Des Moines area might not want to drive up to Waterloo. But why should we have meetings in those areas when people from those areas are not attending them anyway! For example the DIY meeting we had in IC, I think there might have been one person from IC there, none from Des Moines but there were many others from the Quad Cities and Waterloo areas. Why not make it easier on the members that are actually COMING to the meetings!
The reason I like going to meetings: I have fun and get to talk to a lot of people that are very knowledgeable about this hobby that we all love. Maybe make some new friends, and even get some new stuff for the tank. I’m always up for checking out other peoples tanks and maybe get some ideas on how I could maybe do something different with mine. If you would like to see more local things going on in your area then try to get something going.
So what’s fair??? Should we have every meeting in Des Moines?
What should we do??? 10% 25% 50% 75% 100%
IT’S YOUR CLUB YOU TELL US HOW WE CAN MAKE IT FAIR!
As for people donating used equip. and places to have club events. LETS SEE IT! Everyone always has these GREAT ideas but no one ever steps up to the plate! Let’s see some action!
As to where the meetings are located, we tried to locate the meetings throughout the state this year to kind of help ease the driving load on everyone. I know a lot of people from the IC and Des Moines area might not want to drive up to Waterloo. But why should we have meetings in those areas when people from those areas are not attending them anyway! For example the DIY meeting we had in IC, I think there might have been one person from IC there, none from Des Moines but there were many others from the Quad Cities and Waterloo areas. Why not make it easier on the members that are actually COMING to the meetings!
The reason I like going to meetings: I have fun and get to talk to a lot of people that are very knowledgeable about this hobby that we all love. Maybe make some new friends, and even get some new stuff for the tank. I’m always up for checking out other peoples tanks and maybe get some ideas on how I could maybe do something different with mine. If you would like to see more local things going on in your area then try to get something going.
So what’s fair??? Should we have every meeting in Des Moines?
What should we do??? 10% 25% 50% 75% 100%
IT’S YOUR CLUB YOU TELL US HOW WE CAN MAKE IT FAIR!
leeweber85
New member
50% seems steep, but you have to realize the organizing of the auctions are a lot of work and money. If it weren't for the club organizing them where else could you sell as many frags as you can grow in a couple hours? It's a lot less work then having to box them up and ship them and worrying about them arriving ok. It's not like the money is going to a lost cause. It's helping to support club activities. I like this club, $20 for a membership is dirt cheap so I don't mind splitting the profits.
jbrunken
New member
A couple of thoughts...
1) I'd go with 35% as someone suggested earlier. 20% short-changes the club and 50% seems unfair to the seller. 35% seems like a nice split.
2) Based on my limited exposure to the club, I'd say the biggest problems are promotion and geography. The best thing would be to find ways to make things a bit more regular.
In a nutshell, I would suggest that the club should have regularly scheduled monthly meetings, but they should rotate between the 4 primary locations, so every location would have a meeting at least once every 4 months.
-JB
1) I'd go with 35% as someone suggested earlier. 20% short-changes the club and 50% seems unfair to the seller. 35% seems like a nice split.
2) Based on my limited exposure to the club, I'd say the biggest problems are promotion and geography. The best thing would be to find ways to make things a bit more regular.
In a nutshell, I would suggest that the club should have regularly scheduled monthly meetings, but they should rotate between the 4 primary locations, so every location would have a meeting at least once every 4 months.
-JB
overanalyzer
New member
one idea too would be to throw out the idea for a meeting (say the MOD meeting). then find out who is committed and from where. I was planning on attending the Auction but we had to get ready for an open house instead....my in-laws live in CF so the 2 hour drive is no big deal and a family event.
Another thought...can we do a webex or web cast of remote meetings.... not sure how that would work exactly (not a whiz on that topic). but it seems to me if there is a meeting in say davenport and I don't want to drive from des moines - I could at least log on and listen in and give some feedback.... not sure how possible that sort of thing is - maybe do something through google talk?
lastly - I agree a nice professional edge to presentation is always nice - but I don't think it should limit us ..... if we can save some money and use someones garage for a picnic and informal frag swap do it.... bring in a speaker - find a place .....
Another thought...can we do a webex or web cast of remote meetings.... not sure how that would work exactly (not a whiz on that topic). but it seems to me if there is a meeting in say davenport and I don't want to drive from des moines - I could at least log on and listen in and give some feedback.... not sure how possible that sort of thing is - maybe do something through google talk?
lastly - I agree a nice professional edge to presentation is always nice - but I don't think it should limit us ..... if we can save some money and use someones garage for a picnic and informal frag swap do it.... bring in a speaker - find a place .....
musty baby
New member
FWIW, the 50% taking wasn't what deterred me from selling. Taking all things into consideration (gas, time, a membership fee I may or may not be able to utilize, the 50% subject, how much I had to sell) it just didn't make financial sense for my broke *** to drive that far. I enjoy the meetings, and I enjoy sitting and bull****ting with every last person with whom I buy or sell corals.
I see this rolling into a mess. You guys putting things together are doing a great job. I see nothing wrong with how the club has been moving, in fact I'm glad to see what's going on. With as large an area as this club covers, I think it is perfectly fair to have events spread across the state. Not everyone is going to want to or be physically able to make it to all meetings, but that comes with being spread over such a large area.
So it was originally 50%. If the club decided to try dropping it to 20%, there must have been a reason. I'm not criticizing. If it is not feasible to try somewhere in the middle ground, say 35% (dead middle) or an even third, we should be discussing why. I have no doubts that there are very good reasons why 50% was considered the best option.
Again, I'm not criticizing anyone or anything. Yes, I do think that 50% is steep, and if things had worked out better for that Saturday for me I'd still have been selling, just probably not the things that I'm not fighting to get rid of. I'm very happy with the way the club is running, and I may end up being able to remain a member for another year (recent events) and look forward to the possibility. Thanks guys for doing, in my opinion, a great job.
I see this rolling into a mess. You guys putting things together are doing a great job. I see nothing wrong with how the club has been moving, in fact I'm glad to see what's going on. With as large an area as this club covers, I think it is perfectly fair to have events spread across the state. Not everyone is going to want to or be physically able to make it to all meetings, but that comes with being spread over such a large area.
So it was originally 50%. If the club decided to try dropping it to 20%, there must have been a reason. I'm not criticizing. If it is not feasible to try somewhere in the middle ground, say 35% (dead middle) or an even third, we should be discussing why. I have no doubts that there are very good reasons why 50% was considered the best option.
Again, I'm not criticizing anyone or anything. Yes, I do think that 50% is steep, and if things had worked out better for that Saturday for me I'd still have been selling, just probably not the things that I'm not fighting to get rid of. I'm very happy with the way the club is running, and I may end up being able to remain a member for another year (recent events) and look forward to the possibility. Thanks guys for doing, in my opinion, a great job.
jtesdall
Premium Member
I am new, but I also want to thank the BOD for doing what appears to be a great and caring job. When I joined a week or so ago I was contacted by several members offering their welcomes and helpful advice.
I also want to apologize for not being at the auction. I had every intention of going but found out I had no choice but to work that day. Unless work or family activities get in the way, I plan on becoming very involved. I have the Altoona meeting on my schedule now.
OK, some ideas for money:
1. An online auction - Have a monthly online Frag auction. There would be lot's of details to figure out but there would be advantages to everyone. Delivery I would see as the biggest hurdle, but we have a network of people, we could setup a network of frag pickup points. If you bid, you must be willing pickup your frags at designated homes of club members that have agreed to do this. This may be far out, but who knows ...
2. Does Fosters and Smith or other retailers offer kickbacks to clubs that point their members to ordering from that retailer. I know if the club was going to get a kickback I would order from them.
3. Also maybe something with volume buying. Many people on here offer to order for people to save on shipping. Maybe there is way to offer this regularly and get volume prices from retailers and keep half the price break for the club.
I am not sure if any of these ideas are valid. But I am trying. I also have many years of experience in organizing events and making out of the box ideas happen. Also, I could help with the setup and software for an online auction. I tend to be short on time like everyone else but I am willing to try to help.
I also want to apologize for not being at the auction. I had every intention of going but found out I had no choice but to work that day. Unless work or family activities get in the way, I plan on becoming very involved. I have the Altoona meeting on my schedule now.
OK, some ideas for money:
1. An online auction - Have a monthly online Frag auction. There would be lot's of details to figure out but there would be advantages to everyone. Delivery I would see as the biggest hurdle, but we have a network of people, we could setup a network of frag pickup points. If you bid, you must be willing pickup your frags at designated homes of club members that have agreed to do this. This may be far out, but who knows ...
2. Does Fosters and Smith or other retailers offer kickbacks to clubs that point their members to ordering from that retailer. I know if the club was going to get a kickback I would order from them.
3. Also maybe something with volume buying. Many people on here offer to order for people to save on shipping. Maybe there is way to offer this regularly and get volume prices from retailers and keep half the price break for the club.
I am not sure if any of these ideas are valid. But I am trying. I also have many years of experience in organizing events and making out of the box ideas happen. Also, I could help with the setup and software for an online auction. I tend to be short on time like everyone else but I am willing to try to help.
faylor
New member
WoW...............thats all i have to say. In terms of the club i think we are doing a hell of alot better than we were 4 years ago when i joined. Now personal circumstances have held me from having a tank of my own for quite some time now and i havent been as active in the club. However i read these forums everyday and try to chat for a while on the website.
As far as the auctions go, does it really matter....I mean arent we all friends. If you want to make money selling corals there is a wonderful place called eebaydotcom. go there and sell corals all day long if you want to. the purpose of the auctions is to bring people together and have a good time not a get rich quick scheme.
SIDE NOTE:
as some of you may know and most prolly dont i am the sous chef of the five sullivan brother conventioin center and ramada inn down town waterloo. I have a building that can house 5000 on a bad day oh and did i mention that i can use the whole damn thing at any time as long as there isnt anything planned or already happening there. Someone pls let me know what i can do to help with that. Also and i know how much yall hate talking about money. But we have 3 full service kitchens in that building so if something were to come up that would need to be catered. Or OR...............OR if we wanted to grill burgers and brats without having to lug all of the equipment to and from i would love to help out there as well. I may even be able to swing my personal discount through martin brothers food distributing to get said burgers and brats cheaper than your local grocery store.
HA.......I win
BEAT THAT.
Above all guys and gals pls pls pls have fun thats what this hobby is all about.
As far as the auctions go, does it really matter....I mean arent we all friends. If you want to make money selling corals there is a wonderful place called eebaydotcom. go there and sell corals all day long if you want to. the purpose of the auctions is to bring people together and have a good time not a get rich quick scheme.
SIDE NOTE:
as some of you may know and most prolly dont i am the sous chef of the five sullivan brother conventioin center and ramada inn down town waterloo. I have a building that can house 5000 on a bad day oh and did i mention that i can use the whole damn thing at any time as long as there isnt anything planned or already happening there. Someone pls let me know what i can do to help with that. Also and i know how much yall hate talking about money. But we have 3 full service kitchens in that building so if something were to come up that would need to be catered. Or OR...............OR if we wanted to grill burgers and brats without having to lug all of the equipment to and from i would love to help out there as well. I may even be able to swing my personal discount through martin brothers food distributing to get said burgers and brats cheaper than your local grocery store.
HA.......I win
BEAT THAT.
Above all guys and gals pls pls pls have fun thats what this hobby is all about.
overanalyzer
New member
i agree we get smarter and a little better ever year!
jtesdall
Premium Member
Yes everyone could sell on ebay, but that doesn't make money for the club and why give the percentage to ebay when we could keep it in the club. I think it would be great if the club had a source of good revenue to bring in some names like Sprung or Shimek. Actually that would be awesome. If they cost that much then the club could make some more cash to make it happen.
I think faylor has some wonderful offers. Save money and utilize a great facility.
Here's some ideas people will stand behind. I'd say some have stepped up to the plate ......
I think faylor has some wonderful offers. Save money and utilize a great facility.
Here's some ideas people will stand behind. I'd say some have stepped up to the plate ......
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glaspie69
Premium Member
Long story short the next frag deal will be a garage sale type and we won't need to worry about any of this, when the next board is elected you should fell free to express all these thoughts upon them.
It would be nice to get sprung or skimek, honestly the chances of it happening aren't likely. Speakers like this are EXTREMELY pricey, like the 5 grand or more.
As for people stepping up to the plate, ideas are great unfortunately thats all they are. It's the planning and executing these ideas that is the hard part. On top of the planning and executing, getting people to the events or to use what you've created, I'll use the webpage for example...over 120 hours into building it and fine tuning it, i'd say a max of 15 people use it a week, and thats a busy week. People seem to want these things finished yesterday and then never use or attend them, but find it easy to complain or critize.
It's a shame
