so... Paid MARS Members get 10-25% off
- Thread starter Doahh
- Start date
funman1
Active member
certain stores have certain rules about the discount.
Your Reef is 10% on just about everything but salt.
Coral Reef Shop is 10% off livestock ONLY no dry goods discount.
O st is 10% almost everything but salt.
Don't get mad and complain though if what you are trying to buy is not discounted.
It's by the grace of the store owners we get any discount at all.
So if it's not covered say "ok" and pay full price like everyone else, if it is covered then rejoice and thank them.
Your Reef is 10% on just about everything but salt.
Coral Reef Shop is 10% off livestock ONLY no dry goods discount.
O st is 10% almost everything but salt.
Don't get mad and complain though if what you are trying to buy is not discounted.
It's by the grace of the store owners we get any discount at all.
So if it's not covered say "ok" and pay full price like everyone else, if it is covered then rejoice and thank them.
Justin74
New member
Not sure of list, but I recently found out that Aqualife does NOT honor a discount anymore, in fact, the club was mocked and ridiculed by me asking. I was completely offended. They said they dont do it anymore because that was the only time MARS members came in, was during there Saturday 20% off sale. They scoffed and said it was "just rude".
Meanwhile back at the ranch I wanted to say HELLO!! I AM A MARS MEMBER!! And not only that, but Im here droppin over 80 bucks on a Sunday!! I have periodically gone in from time to time but have never been there on a Saturday. Initially the gal was going to give it to me upon presenting my card, but after the "guys" gathered around once I mentioned MARS, that's when the poo started to fly. I didnt say a word, and just left, but I really wanted to tell them off, that is for certain. Especially me being a customer there for over 6 years, not directly mocked, but the club I stand behind in turn mocking me.
Amazing thing is I advocated for the store upon it's new ownership. But I see the "old" mentality and holier than thou persona is still alive and well through the staff that remaind. For me? I AM NOW BOYCOTTING AQUALIFE!
-Justin
Meanwhile back at the ranch I wanted to say HELLO!! I AM A MARS MEMBER!! And not only that, but Im here droppin over 80 bucks on a Sunday!! I have periodically gone in from time to time but have never been there on a Saturday. Initially the gal was going to give it to me upon presenting my card, but after the "guys" gathered around once I mentioned MARS, that's when the poo started to fly. I didnt say a word, and just left, but I really wanted to tell them off, that is for certain. Especially me being a customer there for over 6 years, not directly mocked, but the club I stand behind in turn mocking me.
Amazing thing is I advocated for the store upon it's new ownership. But I see the "old" mentality and holier than thou persona is still alive and well through the staff that remaind. For me? I AM NOW BOYCOTTING AQUALIFE!
-Justin
funman1
Active member
Uhh yeah um pretty unimpressed with them lately too.
Have you seen the tank stands in the back that are so water logged I can't belive they are holding up tanks?
I get treated like crap there too now.
So I took it off my list of fish-storeing besides I have CRS to fill the void (I love that place)
But to answer your question, you show your membership card to the store
Have you seen the tank stands in the back that are so water logged I can't belive they are holding up tanks?
I get treated like crap there too now.
So I took it off my list of fish-storeing besides I have CRS to fill the void (I love that place)
But to answer your question, you show your membership card to the store
dots
Premium Member
A membership card will be provided once you pay, Edwin (NU2SW) is the one to speak to about doing that. I expect him to chime in anytime.
To be quite honest, I think the LFS discount thing is focused on a little too much, this is an expensive hobby.
In the end, these LFS owners are not part of some big retail chain like Walfish, they are our neighbors and I would rather spend a little extra locally and help my neighbors and keep them in business and around for years to come. Trust me, if your a good customer they will help you out regardless.
Most of the stores are in a state of flux and are all working hard to make them better, Rome was not built in a day. With as many around, I am sure you can find what you are looking for with these many choices we have. With that being said, the ones that don't offer good selection and service will fade away......its that simple. But on the same thought, they can't offer a large selection or knowledgeable employees without outlaying some coin that comes from sales........
So what do you want, good selection and good help at market rates, or discount cut rate wholesalers with poor service and poor selection and heath of livestock?
Please, there is no need for another LFS bash thread while complaining about two issues that directly conflict in the correction of each one.
Networking here with other members here will save you WAY more in the long run and provide you access to things not available on a daily basis at LFS.
But people join and pay the membership fees for different reasons...heck, I've been a member for nearly two years and have yet to go to a meeting or a frag swap. But I can say, everyone of the MARS members I have met have been stand up individuals, what I have learned and gained by being one is far greater a benifit rather than $2 off a fish.
FWIW, I paid my dues at the beginning of this year and still don't have a card...so I do practice what I am preaching.
But I understand, when first setting up a tank and getting into the hobby, everywhere you look its money just flowing out the door with nothing to show for it.
Works in progress.........both our tanks and the LFSs........
Justin, your story is disheartening and downright rude to you. I would think that they would have known you by now, and know that you have always been a fair, loyal customer that is not the "complaining" type.
I guess, this begs the question......Is it good PR for the club even to ask for one anymore? And for as much as abuse some LFS take on here, do we deserve it? Could it be causing more harm than good?
I would resent it greatly if there was a website where a group openly bashed my hard work and rarely gave credit when credit was due. Especially when I had no recourse to defend myself or explain the other side of the story.
To be quite honest, I think the LFS discount thing is focused on a little too much, this is an expensive hobby.
In the end, these LFS owners are not part of some big retail chain like Walfish, they are our neighbors and I would rather spend a little extra locally and help my neighbors and keep them in business and around for years to come. Trust me, if your a good customer they will help you out regardless.
Most of the stores are in a state of flux and are all working hard to make them better, Rome was not built in a day. With as many around, I am sure you can find what you are looking for with these many choices we have. With that being said, the ones that don't offer good selection and service will fade away......its that simple. But on the same thought, they can't offer a large selection or knowledgeable employees without outlaying some coin that comes from sales........
So what do you want, good selection and good help at market rates, or discount cut rate wholesalers with poor service and poor selection and heath of livestock?
Please, there is no need for another LFS bash thread while complaining about two issues that directly conflict in the correction of each one.
Networking here with other members here will save you WAY more in the long run and provide you access to things not available on a daily basis at LFS.
But people join and pay the membership fees for different reasons...heck, I've been a member for nearly two years and have yet to go to a meeting or a frag swap. But I can say, everyone of the MARS members I have met have been stand up individuals, what I have learned and gained by being one is far greater a benifit rather than $2 off a fish.
FWIW, I paid my dues at the beginning of this year and still don't have a card...so I do practice what I am preaching.
But I understand, when first setting up a tank and getting into the hobby, everywhere you look its money just flowing out the door with nothing to show for it.
Works in progress.........both our tanks and the LFSs........
Justin, your story is disheartening and downright rude to you. I would think that they would have known you by now, and know that you have always been a fair, loyal customer that is not the "complaining" type.
I guess, this begs the question......Is it good PR for the club even to ask for one anymore? And for as much as abuse some LFS take on here, do we deserve it? Could it be causing more harm than good?
I would resent it greatly if there was a website where a group openly bashed my hard work and rarely gave credit when credit was due. Especially when I had no recourse to defend myself or explain the other side of the story.
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kevin95695
Member of the Registry
Be grateful for any discount. Thank you for the people like Brian/Jami, and Jon who are willing to offer it.
You respect those of us who are in it for the love of it. Thank you.
You respect those of us who are in it for the love of it. Thank you.
kevin95695
Member of the Registry
Whaaaaa??? Soooo...... betito: JoJo's run?
Justin74
New member
To be fair I could understand there point. From there perspective the only time they "notice" MARS members coming in was when they threw on there 'MARS DAY' after our monthly meetings. So naturally they felt taken advantage of. A counter thought of that is: Better to have a handfull of folks come in, than not at all, whatever the incentive. Not only can it potentially create a loyal customer but brings word of mouth. Not to mention the only time I ever came in there was on fridays and sundays.
And trust me folks, I dint whip out my card and say "dont forget my discount...", nay, I asked" Do you guys still offer local club discounts?" and this is also after I plopped all my goodies on the table and was ready to be rang up anyway with cash in hand. Which, after having the club I belong to bad mouthed I was rang up and allowed to exit the store.....
-Justin
And trust me folks, I dint whip out my card and say "dont forget my discount...", nay, I asked" Do you guys still offer local club discounts?" and this is also after I plopped all my goodies on the table and was ready to be rang up anyway with cash in hand. Which, after having the club I belong to bad mouthed I was rang up and allowed to exit the store.....
-Justin
dots
Premium Member
My thoughts exactly.
In the end, we need to work with each other to form last mutually benificial arrangments. I don't think its reciprical from their point of view as of late. (not just this one, but all LFS)
On the other hand with internet options now and the variety of stores in the area........I can see that as the "pie" of what can be made in this area is further sub divided, that this relationship may become more and more important to some than others, so this tune may change.
As well, we have a responsibility in this situation as well that needs to be addressed.
I think that one statistic that I heard was MARS members only make up about 10-15% of the average LFS sales daily, but am unsure of the validity of it. But if this is true, to really make your opinions and buying power felt, we really need to focus on membership........
With that in mind, it takes me back to my original statement and why I react to LFS bashing threads as I do........though fun to read the "Rants and Raves" on Craigslist, I don't take ANY of those people seriously..........
As much as people probably don't want to admit it, this forum is very public representation of the club that most ever see and we should ALL be doing our best to create a positive, stimulating enviroment filled with engaging and supportive dialog that shows a group of well-informed, highly motivated enthusiats. What does it mean, when a large portion of your own club doesn't participate here? There are a BUNCH of knowlegable enthusiats that I highly repect here that rarely post. Upping the quality and getting our own to participate again is a place to start IMO.
If you want to make a positive change in the subject of this discount thing and be able to change the way the store do business and especially and quite frankly, the embarassing view that some LFS have of the club, we need to start from the ground up and change the tone here first, increase membership so that your voice is better heard, in a repectful tone rather than a "bunch of whiners" as I believe I heard us described in the past.
As it may appear I am on a soapbox, I think this is a problem that should be adressed for the greater good of the club and this is my only agenda here.
I think that perhaps, this discount is an excellent recruiting tool for new members that has been abused to the point where it is not really a benifit anymore.
If you were considering being part of a group that has a reputation from the LFS as Justin describes, would you reconsider joining? I would.
I think its imperative that this reputation and these relationships be reevaluated and discussed, because this is not the only time I have heard this.
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Justin74
New member
Ive heard that as well, but even less percentages than 10-15%. I think you bring up a good point, and somthing to strive towards in regards to membership.
Personally if I was a was a stranger standing behind me in line listening to this I would be a little apprehensive to join some rude and greedy little club that just comes in on saturday for a discount.
But anyway I turned this into a big deal, but as comradery to the club and you guys I felt that this needed to be disclosed as I felt stabbed in the back for myself and other MARS members stereotyped this way.
-Justin
Personally if I was a was a stranger standing behind me in line listening to this I would be a little apprehensive to join some rude and greedy little club that just comes in on saturday for a discount.
But anyway I turned this into a big deal, but as comradery to the club and you guys I felt that this needed to be disclosed as I felt stabbed in the back for myself and other MARS members stereotyped this way.
-Justin
dots
Premium Member
I just hope we look at it in the bigger picture of things and try to forge better relationships with the LFS as well as reputation of the club.
I don't think that you made this a big deal and is part of something bigger in which we need to start by looking criticly at ourselves first.
We are all responsible and should all be charged with fixing the situation and ensuring it does not happen again and not fixate on this specific individual instance any further.
I don't think that you made this a big deal and is part of something bigger in which we need to start by looking criticly at ourselves first.
We are all responsible and should all be charged with fixing the situation and ensuring it does not happen again and not fixate on this specific individual instance any further.
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kdblove_99
New member
Maybe cause i go to Aqualife 3 times a week, I find the people there cool.
You should have told them you are in there now and its not the day after a meeting.
Kyle which is Brandons brother runs the store now is pretty cool i have never had any issues with him. Dane the owners son is really cool also.
I will just bring it up casually to them about the Mars discount and see what they say.
You should have told them you are in there now and its not the day after a meeting.
Kyle which is Brandons brother runs the store now is pretty cool i have never had any issues with him. Dane the owners son is really cool also.
I will just bring it up casually to them about the Mars discount and see what they say.
Eclectic Taste
Premium Member
Yeah, I was a little disappointed not getting a discount at aqualife last Friday, but I scored a sweet flame angel for $40 and a Majestic Angel for $69! Liveaquaria lists them at $129!!! They had two, if anyone is interested.
Underwaterparadise
New member
I don't think I know this person but Damn I LIKE you!!! Great post I tell you and I am a store owner!!!
I won't say much but IMO even if members only came in on the Saturday after the meeting that is $100-500 or more in sales that day they would not normally have.
saltykelly
Member
I had a similar discussion with kyle where he bad mouthed mars, but my conversation went well in the end. I realized that he was not bad mouthing me or mars it's self, but some of the negative experiences he had with members of the club. Even though we are all friends I think that we can all admit that we are human, and we have our moments where we wouldn't want to be on the other end of our wrath. He was aware of some of the bad mouthing that had gone on in this forum and I think that had something to do with his thought process.
I agree with dots. Especially when it comes to bashing. Our words do spread and we should be cautious about the image we project.
As far as the owner of Aqualife, I was talking to him at his house today and he's a pretty nice guy. He was asking me if I thought he should advertise on RC. I told him he would be better off getting an ID and offering help to questions. Better advertisement and PR.
I would suggest if you have a particular problem with a rude or offensive employee you should contact the owner. Same would go with John at YR. I'm sure they'd rather deal with it "in house" than have to fight the bad PR
I agree with dots. Especially when it comes to bashing. Our words do spread and we should be cautious about the image we project.
As far as the owner of Aqualife, I was talking to him at his house today and he's a pretty nice guy. He was asking me if I thought he should advertise on RC. I told him he would be better off getting an ID and offering help to questions. Better advertisement and PR.
I would suggest if you have a particular problem with a rude or offensive employee you should contact the owner. Same would go with John at YR. I'm sure they'd rather deal with it "in house" than have to fight the bad PR
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