How Do You Help OMAS?

[dustin Combs]

We thank you for that Travis. Sometimes with certain ?'s comes the opening of Pandora's Box.

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Ya, I just try to grit my teeth and attempt to vear the subject back on track. Dustin, what have you done for COMAS that was successful? The more ideas the better.

All, please feel free to respond with the successes and failures that you have done. Even if you respond with you haven't done anything. I won't look down on you

I know that our sponsoring LFSs have tried to help. I've heard every single one of them mention OMAS to new hobbyists. Ultimate Reefs, Reef Revolutions, Premier Aquatics, and Aquarium Oddballs. Honestly, I don't know if any other LFSs support OMAS and I apologize.

 

[dustin Combs]

We support COMAS by visiting our local fish stores! They all have product we need if the price is right we will P/U. We have contributed to an ongoing frag program. We have killed more that we have saved. But the one's we have saved we give back. You know you have a few of them. We try to make it to the meetings when schedule allows. WE TRY to participate. We want to continue to grow the group. Life long friends are made here.
Your reply about local fish stores recognizing OMAS needs to be addressed. But we can't bash them in the same sentence. The majority of the LFS's in OKC support COMAS why can't OMAS do the same. Has it been addressed? It may be allowed to be addressed on the RC forum but can be as a club. If you would like me to try I would be more than happy to.

dustin

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

Very true, Dustin. And COMAS members do a great job at that. :thumbsup:

Truthfully, I didn't realize I was bashing those LFSs. I was trying give them an honest thank you and apologize for my lack of knowledge of how many LFSs supporting OMAS that I don't know about.

I think I know why some stores don't support OMAS, and each one seems to have their own reasons. It also seems like we dig our own grave for those that are reading this that are either outsiders or prospective members. All in all, I don't recall if OMAS as a whole has addressed any issues about gaining LFS support or about OMAS supporting our LFSs. It is a two way street after all. I know that I try to divide my support up equally and respectively. I have many friends that are LFS owners/employees. And their affiliation with OMAS or their store does not effect the way I see them as a reef keeper and a friend. Hopefully, they feel the same way about me.

 

[jokeloma]

IMO there is so much to be said.

We as a club should try to help people before the first purchase. I would suggest that someone not 3-5 or more of the group create a "bookmark" that all of use could place in every book in town, i.e. bookstores and libraries that relate to marine and reef tanks with important OMAS info. I say "someone not 3-5 or more" because I can see this becoming one of the ideas that just become to overloaded with input and no throughput to get accomplished.

I think asking the LFS to help would be good but it would seem to me that as a club we may have already worn out our welcome with discounts. I mean if none of them offered discounts we would all still have to buy from them anyway for the most part. I have always felt that discounts and special treatment should be earned and given by the owner not strongarmed away. Why on earth would a LFS want to tell a potential customer who most likely will stay and spend money, to a club that offers 10% off or more by just spending $10 or $20 and joining a club. I say if you want real support from a LFS than make it profitable for them not slapping them around.

Trav, Thanks for the thread I hope you get many more posts that can enlighten us all to help OMAS. Because I really think most people are willing to help in some capacity.

 

[scott0615]

I like this thread! However, I think everyone in any club should realize the members of a club do not significantly impact any retail stores bottom line. Club members do partronize the stores, however that is to purchase livestock or items they forgot on the last online order. I don't blame anyone for ordering online. In fact, one would be crazy not to order that skimmer online to save $100 if you know what you want and need. However, we cannot compete with online. So....if a retailer caters to a club only - your days are limited. I've seen it a lot over the years and watched great stores all over the country go out of business. Most of the better retailers in Tulsa [in my opinion] do a pretty good job of supporting OMAS. None of which, that I know of, make conscious decisions about their business with the club in mind. I've watched and helped aquarium clubs all over the country [mostly during the years spent with Seachem] with donations, speaking engagements, and fund raisers. Retailers, in general, believe it or not, often find clubs irritating and offensive to be perfectly honest. This is our career and the way we feed our families. For some of us this is the only thing we have ever done with our lives, nothing but this hobby and industry. It gets irritating to hear advice, that is incorrect, coming from someone that has been in the hobby for 18 months. Then to get advice from that same person on how to best run the store. Those are the reasons a lot of people in this industry shun aquarium clubs. At the same time our industry is loaded with store owners and staffers that are totally clueless!!!!!!!!!!!! From my perspective I believe this club has come a long way, now it is seeing the growing pains; but is headed in the right direction. I think Travis is on the right track - the club needs people to step up and get stuff done [ie - tshirts, omas tank, membership cards, etc.]. Those are just a couple of the great ideas that have fallen by the way side. Posters in stores??????????? Where's mine?

Please know this post is not out of hostility. Like I said many months ago we will extend discounts to club members when a member can prove [business card or something] they are a paid club member. I enjoy the friendships I found with a lot of OMAS members.

I just thought it would be beneficial for you guys to see it through on of the retailers eyes. As usual, probably ****ed some people off - didn't mean to!

 

[Travis L. Stevens]

IMO there is so much to be said.

We as a club should try to help people before the first purchase. I would suggest that someone not 3-5 or more of the group create a "bookmark" that all of use could place in every book in town, i.e. bookstores and libraries that relate to marine and reef tanks with important OMAS info. I say "someone not 3-5 or more" because I can see this becoming one of the ideas that just become to overloaded with input and no throughput to get accomplished.

That is an AWESOME idea!!! I have never thought of that. I wonder if there are any restriction about going to libraries to add bookmarks. I know many LFSs browse this forum. And I see one replies How would you feel about OMAS placing bookmarks in the books you sell? How about on your counter similar to a business card?

I think asking the LFS to help would be good but it would seem to me that as a club we may have already worn out our welcome with discounts. I mean if none of them offered discounts we would all still have to buy from them anyway for the most part. I have always felt that discounts and special treatment should be earned and given by the owner not strongarmed away. Why on earth would a LFS want to tell a potential customer who most likely will stay and spend money, to a club that offers 10% off or more by just spending $10 or $20 and joining a club. I say if you want real support from a LFS than make it profitable for them not slapping them around.

I completely agree jokeloma. I'm just happy to have the support and respect of a LFS. The discount is just the icing on the cake and definitely isn't a "must" of anyone wanting to sponsor the club.

Trav, Thanks for the thread I hope you get many more posts that can enlighten us all to help OMAS. Because I really think most people are willing to help in some capacity.

Thank you for adding your thoughts. I know that it can be tough to show your support at times. Especially when you are a new member or a new hobbyist. This thread will hopefully give those that are in limbo ways to reach out. Maybe it will make veterans think of new ways, or see how each individual is helping as a team player.

Quoting what Scott said to elaborate. I actually thank you for your brutal honesty But seriously, I don't think some members in our clubs and others that might be surfing by realize the extent of what some stores go through. Just a little FYI and to try not to steer this thread too far off topic, I'm about to get my computer worked on, and hopefully I can make some mock ups of "paperwork" such as posters, business cards, bookmarks, and any other suggestions. Now, finding some where to print them is another story.