Reef Clubs in other cities

wooglin

Premium Member
I think it would be wise to peruse other reef club forums in the major cities, and take a look at the kind of threads you see. Draw your own conclusion about what is going on.
 
What do you mean Alan?

I looked at a few of the other forums with similar traffic to this one and it looks pretty similar.

Chris
 
Looking around, I see pretty much the same I see in our forum (of which there are a large number of people who aren't even in the club, so to judge a club based on posts in a forum...). People asking questions about this and that, posting pictures of their tanks, asking advice, doing group buys. Nothing seems different to me... You happen to have popped back in at a time when a number of people are doing group buys. There are a larger number of these threads right now than there has ever been in this forum (probably more in the last month than in the whole last year), but a one time occurance is not a trend. As far as I can tell from posts, there have only been a small few of the proposed group buys that have actually gone through (none of which are coordinated by the club-individuals work out group buys, not the club). Where has this new fervor for coming down on people for group buys come from? Is it for the sake of LFS'? Who here doesn't support LFS'? I know I've spent well over $1000 in the last year at ours (and Sean and Chris can back that up). Are there not good discussions about how to do things and how to do the same things differently? This seem to be as good a forum as any others out there. I'm just not understanding where this new found reason for attack has come about. You've made the point so many times now that it seems to really be an issue for you. Are you not happy with the club? You are still one of the three remaining people that hold an elected office (coralreefing-Pres, me-treasurer, and you-public relations-reewik and Mimi are both out of the hobby), so even in absence are somewhat responsible for how it has turned out. I happen to think we have a great club that is doing great things for locals and the reefing community. Of course, I'm partial, as I have been deeply involved with it from the beginning. I think most people feel the same way I do. Now would be an excellent time for change, if that is what people want, though, as I'm leaving the Middle Tn. area. Which reminds me... I need to bump the election thread up. Would you like to be nominated for anything?

I'm glad to see you back Alan. Just curious why there is such angst all of a sudden.
 
I see the same type of threads in other clubs as I do in ours as well. Besides, this club is what the people make it. If they wan't to do a bunch of group buys, then they have every right to. Secondly, there is nothing wrong about this type of behavior.
 
wooglin,
I'm confused as well. You're concern in the other thread seemed to be about all of the "for sale" and "buying" threads, and that we should have giveaway threads. Every person I've sold to or bought from on a regular basis has given or I have given many freebies. I guess I'm just confused on what you are implying in the "look at other reef club forums," so please forgive me if I'm erroneous in my assumptions...just seeking clarity.
 
Alan:
I too am confused, and have (also) been out of the loop for some time. I got back in the loop about 8 weeks ago, I went to the frag swap, and had a great time.
I have looked at the other clubs forums (per you're request), and see threads similar to our's.
I have no preconceived notions about what you are inferring, I would just like to know what it is you are trying to say, so diplomatically. Most of us are adults :), we can handle it, just say it, and I'm sure a discussion will occur. If it doesn't, then you are correct with you're inference...at least I think so.
Group buy's (saw several), for sale (saw that), basic questions (lot's), and bad attitude responses (plenty).
Available for free, (if that is what you are inferring)...well I can only assume that happens, for them, like it does for us, come on over, look at my tank, want a start? OK, here's a frag. Been there done that! Been to "Fishdoc's" house more times than I can count to "BUY" a frag and left with three, for the cost of one. More than once I went there, just to talk with him and left with a plastic bag.
Also saw plenty of "Support You're Local LFS" post's, and I think we also have our fair share of them. AC/EB, always, some how, show up in club post's and for them, this is advertisement that can't be bought, for those of us that read/use this forum. Yes, some is positive, some is negative, but we are the one's that need to monitor their performance, and remind them of their short comings, and positive aspects.
Please respond, as we need all input possible to keep this club going in a positive manner.
Just Wondering:
Rick
 
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I think you might have misunderstood my post. If the group buy trend is just unusual then well I understand, but in the past few days nearly half of the posts on the front page of the forum have been about group buys. I looked at 20 other reef club forums in major cities and only in one did I find a group buy.

By no means do I think its a bad idea to swap equipment, sell tanks, etc. Its a great place to do that sort of thing. It just seems like right now the whole forum is centered around getting common critters in group buys.

I am probably all wrong, and two weeks from now there wont be any of this going on.

PS- The primary reason I posted was in the past three days I have seen one person become totally alientated , and another person be threatened with legal action.
 
Yes, I too think the club is what the members make it. I for one think there are plenty here that extend helping hands to get someone out of a bind, offer help, provide insights and feedback, etc. Yes, there are a lot of group buys going right now, and some negative posts. But it has also been a very long time since I have seen any of that kind of activity. If I recall correctly, there were a few "negative" threads that popped up just after last years swap. Maybe all of the activity associated with the swap and the energy it inspires in all of us about our tanks brings this kind of thing on. People want new things for their tanks, new people enter the hobby, people rub others a bit the wrong way...

I for one would not be where I am in this hobby without people like c_stowers and gflat, and their enthusiasm and approach and willingness to help are infectious. I think they would would likely say the same about fishdoc, commaphora (cee) and others who have helped them along the way. Some people don't make those connections, but I for one feel like I have and do my best to pass it on. We are not all going to want the same things, but we all come together with a common interest and passion for this hobby.
 
IMO group buys are a great way to save on shipping and to get better prices on lots etc.....especially on things like cleanup critters and fish. This is just an added benefit that goes along with being associated with the club..or at least the forum.
There have probably been quite a few more posted lately because of the time of year(it's just the last few weeks been actually feeling like winter and that's when people think about their tanks the most) and the frag swap has really peaked interest in the forum.
Unfortunately when you get people together, especially when they are protected by a computer screen, they will sometimes do and say things they shouldn't. People go to "moved on" land every day here on RC.
Fortunately there has been very little of that in the last couple of years on this forum and by and large this is a very helpfull place for reefers that wish to take advantage of it:)
Here is a recent thead that exemplifies the patience and helpfullness of the club IMO:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1016453&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
FWIW, Chris
 
Alan,

It just so happens that you popped back in to the forum while this is going on.

It is unfortunate that people don't always see everything the same and disagreements between thinking individuals happen. It's life as we know it. Nothing a little TIME won't heal, Feeling get hurt now and then.

I will also say that this is one of the only negative threads since this forum started. The other two were centered around OLD SCHOOLER and his rants.

But all and all things have been civil. You want to see nasty start a political thread. lol

I think that this is a great place to pass along things that we no longer need. And as for frag selling and trading I think everyone has benefited from that as well. JMHO

Another example as well of what this club/forum is about.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showt...9688&perpage=5&highlight=wooglin&pagenumber=1
 
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I did not intend for this to be a negative thread, and to be honest right now there are two threads sitting on the front page that are extremly negative. One where a long time member of the club has decided to quit being involved, and another where a lawsuit has been threatened.

Just keep in mind the old saying "friendship and business dont often mix well". When the swapping, selling, and group buying becomes business, well its a bad mix.

I dont want to start a negative trend. I was just really shocked when I popped back in the forum and saw what I saw. My first thought was well perhaps this is normal, I looked at a bunch of the other club forums and I found nothing that even remotely resembled what was being posted here.

After having done a little research out of 3892 threads the word group has only appeared 198 times, so it must just be some sort of weird trend. I just hope it does not get out of hand and become the norm.
 
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Alan:
As I said in my previous post, I have been out of the loop for awhile.
Thankfully, I missed the "Totally Alienated", and by all means the "Threatened With Legal Action" post's.
Assuming that is correct for recent post's (I am not about to look for these post's), I as a club member, totally in the dark about both situations, would like to say I'm sorry for all situations causing club members (assuming parties involved are actual club members) to respond like this.
This is supposed to be a hobby causing joy to us, and anyone coming into our homes, not pain (emotional or legal).
Again, I have no knowledge of either situation, but I regret either occurring.
JMTCW:
Rick
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9184625#post9184625 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wooglin
I did not intend for this to be a negative thread, and to be honest right now there are two threads sitting on the front page that are extremly negative. One where a long time member of the club has decided to quit being involved, and another where a lawsuit has been threatened.


This hasn't turned into a negative thread at all IMO:)

Those 2 threads are atypical of what has been going on here for the last few years. In fact those are the only 2 that have gone that route that I can remember since the "old days" of shill posts galore when this forum was shut down for a few days. I'm sure there have been others.
In short Alan with all due respect, and I do have a lot of respect for you and hope you won't take this the wrong way, I think you are throwing the baby out with the bath water.
To discount the club/forum for a couple of threads gone in the wrong direction is to ignore the hundreds/thousands that have.
This forum/club has it's problems just like all forums/clubs do but they are few and far between and far outweighed by the benefits from involvement. I can't help but recall my favorite saying by Bill Cosby "I don't know the secret to success but the secret to failure is trying to please everybody".
again FWIW, Chris:)

Chris
 
No offense taken Chris. I was not discounting the club/forum at all. In fact I dont think I really ever said anything that even implied that. If I did, it was not my intention.

What I was trying to point out was that all the business oriented posting looked like it was getting out of hand. Since its been chalked up as just an odd period of time, it really does not matter. If it were like this for several months then there would be reason for concern.

Where I made a mistake was I assumed this had been going on for some time, when all I saw was a snippet of time. My bad really.

I do stand by my opinion that Business and Friendship/Club type activity dont mix well.
 
Yeah, I don't see this thread as negative, but do feel the little shot I'm guessing you were throwing at me (long time member of the club has decided to quit being involved-not by choice, moving to Alabama makes it hard to be very involved in Nashville). It's all good, though. That ole book and cover thing. The cover's been a little tarnished of late, but the story's still good;).
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9185331#post9185331 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gflat65
Yeah, I don't see this thread as negative, but do feel the little shot I'm guessing you were throwing at me (long time member of the club has decided to quit being involved-not by choice, moving to Alabama makes it hard to be very involved in Nashville). It's all good, though. That ole book and cover thing. The cover's been a little tarnished of late, but the story's still good;).

I believe Alan is refering to Angela Gary...and yes that is a huge shame as she is one of the most helpfull, honest, friendly reefers I know:)


Chris
 
Ahh. So I put my foot in my mouth. Something about being on the defensive when I shouldn't... Sorry about that. I forgot all about that...
 
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