Policy on garage sale "For Sale Aquarum equipment"

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seldin

Active member
I am new to this forum. So I don't know all of the rules. I enjoy that it is moderated and appreciate the work effort from the Administrators.

Thank you for doing a good job.

I went to the FAQ section and did not see a "policy on For Sale stuff", yet I remember seeing it somewhere. Maybe a FAQ for this can be placed in the FAQ section.

Here's my question. Last week, someone posted a For Sale where a large number of tanks, chillers, heaters, skimmers, etc. were For Sale. It was not new equipment. It was "used stuff" from a guy that does Aquarium maintenance.

Well, you guys removed the posting for violating your policies.

My thought is maybe we are possibly doing a dis-service to the members.

For instance, when I went this weekend, I was not really going to buy anything. However, my shock, was that I was able to get a 1/3 hp chiller for $100, heaters were $5, pumps were $5, etc.

I could not resist and bought some good stuff.

I understand that this violated some policy. However, I keep thinking about that "used chiller for $100". Wow!

So while, I don't want to see ads from commercial places. Something where this guy was having a Fishtank Garage sale, was a very nice surprise.

So I am just posting this for food for thought.

- larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net
 
I concur, and may be a little biased as well. I bought a 1/2hp chiller for $150 in mint shape. My buddy bought a complete 75gal setup with lighting for less then $500, and a vortech for $40..... If we are in it to support the hobby and while the guy may be commercial, he isn't commercial in the sense of being a retailer to the public. This was a once in lifetime opportunity for those who were able to take advantage of it. He clearly wasn't in it to make money (not with the prices he was charging) but rather to clean up excess and surplus dry goods that would have ended up in the garbage. Just my 2 cents, feel free to give me change.
 
Reef Central provides your club, free of charge, with this forum to use. The only thing asked of you in return is that you abide by the rules set down for the entire board. WE give you this forum, but do not forget that when you're here, you are a guest in RC's house.
Selling by commercial members is prohibited. Advertising a sale for someone that is prohibited to do so themselves, is sneaky, and underhanded, ESPECIALLY once the rules have been spelled out to you, in no uncertain terms. There were at least two threads, and one member removed over this issue. Other clubs have taken it much further, to the point where numerous members were banned, and their forum was closed completely. A precedent has been set, and although it would hurt me to see it happen here, I would ban anyone I had to, and I would personally close this forum if I had to.
You don't have to like the rules, or the people charged with enforcing them, but if you wish to remain a member, you do have to respect them.
Here's a link to the selling forum rules, so you can all acquaint yourselves with them. We do allow selling in club forums, but anything for sale, in any club/selling forum at RC, MUST follow our rules. No ifs, ands or buts.
I hope that clears things up, and that we can put this to bed now.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10534971#post10534971 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DgenR8
WE give you this forum, but do not forget that when you're here, you are a guest in RC's house. [snip]
Advertising a sale for someone that is prohibited to do so themselves, is sneaky, and underhanded, ESPECIALLY once the rules have been spelled out to you, in no uncertain terms. There were at least two threads, and one member removed over this issue. Other clubs have taken it much further, to the point where numerous members were banned, and their forum was closed completely. A precedent has been set, and although it would hurt me to see it happen here, I would ban anyone I had to, and I would
personally close this forum if I had to.
[snip]
You don't have to like the rules, or the people charged with enforcing them, but if you wish to remain a member, you do have to respect them.
[snip]
I hope that clears things up, and that we can put this to bed now.
Click to expand...


DgenR8,


I am the guy that was asking about the policy. I do not think that by asking about the policy and asking questions, I violated anybody's rights. However, (in my opinion, I could be wrong), it just sounds like your response is a bit hostile. Now, please don't take my questions that way. If I am wrong, I am sorry.

Again, I was asking questions, because I found out about a "garage sale for fish supplies" that offered really good prices. So that's why I am questioning this.

However, (I could be wrong), your response does not sound very nice. Can I ask, if it is against any policy to ask "what the policy is" and if maybe "it can be improved". If it is, I am sorry, I just thought that this could be food for thought, since this is a discussion forum.

I did mention that I looked at the FAQ on this forum, and did not find anything on this. I also searched the FAQ on the general forum and did not see this. If I am wrong and the FAQ contains the policy prohibiting "for sale", please forgive me.

What do you think?

If you think, I violated any policy for asking what the policy is. I am sorry. If you think that I violated a policy for asking some thought provoking questions, I am sorry.

Can you please not ban me for asking these questions?

larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net
 
He couldn't post the sale himself because he is not a computer guy, doesn't really take part in any kind of forum, isn't going to have these sales on a regular basis (probably the first and last for some years now).

I read the link on selling and I'm still at a loss.

I guess my main question is, and I did previously ask this was how does letting the local reefers know that there is a good shipment of corals/ fish or a sale at a pet store differ from letting the local reefers know a good guy who wants to support the local hobby is also having a sale?
 
You are completely fine in asking about policy, and when I said that;
"Advertising a sale for someone that is prohibited to do so themselves, is sneaky, and underhanded, ESPECIALLY once the rules have been spelled out to you, in no uncertain terms. "
I was referring to the person that is now banned from RC.

When I said that "I would push the ban button on anyone that deserved it, or even close the forum if I had to." that was to say that although I am local, and would prefer not to be the bad guy, if things were to get pushed that far, I could push back without a second thought about what this club once meant to me.
I harbor no hostility toward this club, or it's members. I personally know many, if not most of you.
As far as "improving" policy, our policy is long standing, and has been working out very well. It seems that this type of opposition to the policy set here only happens when it's your Ox being gored (not you specifically, this comes up in other club forums as well).
I did post a link to the selling rules/regulations in my post above. Here it is again
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1105272
You should also be aware that there are no "rights" here. This is a privately owned, global community. We are not subject to the Constitution of the United States of America, and the owner of the board sets the rules. The board is here for anyone to use for free, subject to the requirement that they follow the rules I and others are here to enforce.
The point of my posts here is not to make you feel as if these rules will be enforced "harder" in this forum, I'm here to say that enforcement will be no "easier" here than it is elsewhere on the board.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10534204#post10534204 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by purebullet417
dam wished i would have went i didnt know there was gana be that good stuff
Click to expand...

We tried to tell as many as we could, both LIRA and non-LIRA members but...

Also, we need to update our members email addresses on our new website, but we need the LIRA members to do it, so register your name can be on the mass email list.
We did do a mass email to try and notify the LIRA members as well.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10535381#post10535381 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justjoe
He couldn't post the sale himself because he is not a computer guy, doesn't really take part in any kind of forum, isn't going to have these sales on a regular basis (probably the first and last for some years now).

Being commercial aside, in order to post items for sale here, you must be a member no less than 90 days, and have no less than 50 worthwhile posts to your credit. Someone else posting what "he" can't does not change the fact that "he" can't. It merely makes that someone else appear to be "sneaky" as they attempt to circumvent the rules of the house.

I read the link on selling and I'm still at a loss.

I guess my main question is, and I did previously ask this was how does letting the local reefers know that there is a good shipment of corals/ fish or a sale at a pet store differ from letting the local reefers know a good guy who wants to support the local hobby is also having a sale?

Les is my buddy, and I want very much for his store to do well. That has not stopped me from shutting down members here that were shilling for his store. I don't think any of them are members of LIRA anymore, but they do still post here, and they don't shill anymore.
Perhaps this, from our <a href=http://reefcentral.com/agreement.php target=_blank>User Agreement</a> will help a little.

"Recognizing that it is impossible to construct a definition which will satisfy every situation or circumstance, Reef Central reserves the right to determine whether or not a post violates the “intent” of the “commercial post” policy or definition. Violation of this policy will be grounds for removal from our community."
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10535409#post10535409 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justjoe
Also, we need to update our members email addresses on our new website, but we need the LIRA members to do it, so register your name can be on the mass email list.
Click to expand...

Justjoe,

Sorry for dumb question, but can you please tell me specific URL to add my name to a list for garage sales, etc.

Thank you,

larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10535404#post10535404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DgenR8
You are completely fine in asking about policy[snip]

When I said that "I would push the ban button on anyone that deserved it, or even close the forum if I had to."
Click to expand...

DgenR8,

Thank you for answering my questions and not "pushing the button".

- larryTAKEOUT@seldin.net
 
Originally posted by DgenR8
Les is my buddy, and I want very much for his store to do well. That has not stopped me from shutting down members here that were shilling for his store. I don't think any of them are members of LIRA anymore, but they do still post here, and they don't shill anymore.
Originally posted by DgenR8


I was commenting in general about any of the local reefers letting us know about shipments/ sales at any store. The stores themselves can't do it. It is very common for members here to post about what they just saw at a local pet store, which I think is a great service to everyone. Should they not do that in the future?

Originally posted by DgenR8
Perhaps this, from our User Agreement will help a little.
"Recognizing that it is impossible to construct a definition which will satisfy every situation or circumstance, Reef Central reserves the right to determine whether or not a post violates the “intent” of the “commercial post” policy or definition. Violation of this policy will be grounds for removal from our community."
Originally posted by DgenR8

Right, and I and many others think on this particular one RC did not interpret intent here, and that it was to provide a great service to the local reefers, and even when this was clearly stated via PM's, it was still ruled against.
I hope in future similar situations, something can be worked out so the local reefers don't miss out.
Would the Mods be open to a pre post discussion so the RC mods don't feel like they are being undermined, or that there is a disregard for the rules?
 
I wish there was a cut and dry answer Joe, but in actuality, each case is an individual. I'm sorry you don't agree with the decision made in this case, but you should know that it's a decision that was made by multiple people, no one acts alone.
If in the future you want to post something that you are unsure about, any member of the staff here would welcome an email to discuss it before hand.
 
Wow Chucks been moved on! Best bet for any future problems is what Joe said. Update all your current members email addresses and do it thru email. Generally debating with RC mods ends in tempers flaring and someone getting banned. It isnt worth it. Ive come close myself!
 
The email address you are referring to update is that the one on the LIRA website that is created when you setup your profile? I just want to make sure I have my email address setup in the right place to find out about these kind of sales in the future. Based on what I am hearing here, I am really sorry that I missed this one, since it wasn't able to be advertised here and i was unaware of it.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10537607#post10537607 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cb747
Generally debating with RC mods ends in tempers flaring and someone getting banned. It isnt worth it. Ive come close myself!
Click to expand...

Nothing wrong with debating an issue, as long as all keep it professional and we can all move forward which is fine with me. I think we'll all do whats best for the local reef community.
Thanks.
 
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