to be honest sponsors can do alot more to better themselves on canreef , seems to me to be a waste of money if you dont post, dont sell ,dont do anything....

i find it funny that i read through the sponsors list and i bet just about them all post very little about anything.

if sponsors are worried about members taking up the sell sections they should post their products themselves too, i rarely ever see frags for sale by any of the sponsors, none of them post pics or videos.

i can guarantee for a fact that i take no business away from the lfs here in calgary because my coral comes from there....where else would it come from??

im currently helping 2 stores in town do better business and bring in more customers as i know so many reefers and new reefers, one of the stores im talking into doing a sponsorship with canreef to help with his online business.

just so know one gets the wrong idea im a hobbyst always have been for years im about collecting coral, i have over 50 colonies of zoa and palys that i frag reguarily and never sell out ,ive researched and practised to the point where i can grow them fast.

anyone who knows me knows im up for a trade before cash , but alot of people refer to just buy coral.

as levi mentioned earlier currently in calgary there is not one place in town out of 6 stores to buy zoa frags(im not including coral master in this list, i dont think he does much for zoas anyways), its colonies only. none of the stores are willing to frag and its buy the $150 colonie or go elsewhere. to me and im sure many others that kinda sucks as sometimes i dont need 200 heads of watermelon zoas to get the 5 polyps of blue i did like.

if i have to buy a large colonie of something you can better believe ill be willing to frag it to offset the cost....anyone would.

also anyone whos been to my house knows i only have a 90g tank and a 50g fragtank so by no means a big commercial operation hell not even a basement operatation.




thought i should clear this up as it seems my name is getting thrown into this....:neutral:

We have avatars so are you thinking some shouldn't have them or some should have bigger ones? Special icons? Like "I'm Special"? Who cares, like I said unless the site actually needs the contributions it's a waste. Lowering vendors fees for the exchange of vendor donations doesn't get you anywhere, both the site and the vendors end up with the same net. Plus you must think peoples time is worthless, as all those things will take time to organize and arrange each month or whatever. Time is money. I can also assure you while this might sound great for so called "premium members" plenty people will be left out and p'd off about so called privileges. And vendors rarely care for such things either, if they want to give things away it would be in there best interest not to exclude anyone or focus on actual customers. And do you really think regular members will donate items to be given to premium members?

Trust me you're not thinking outside the box, you're talking about creating a very small box and forgetting about everything outside of it.

If I give 10 friends a gift at Christmas and they in turn give me each a gift and we are all net zero. Was it a waste of time? The size of the box would be dependent on the members. At this time, we have no idea how big or small it would be. I think titus was right in at least throwing the idea out to a poll. :)

Cool we can change the name to ChristmasReef

You guys want to be premium members forget about the title and money, go spend a little extra time helping out another member in need. That's what this site is about and that's how to contribute.

You're missing the point...

My post was not to say what would happen, it was simply to state what other sites do and what could be done here.

For example, lets say there is a $5-$10 optional monthly fee. If only a small fraction of members contribute, lets just say 100 ppl. That would generate $500-1000 per month more than the site gets now. Multiply that by 12 months, and thats an easy $6000-$12,000 a year.

I never said anything about sponsors donating items, simply the owner of the site can use those fees to run contests and give out promotional items like shirts, stickers, gift certs. (good for both members and sponsors). The costs would only be a fraction of the optional fees that would be received. Also, I would hardly call having an edit feature "breaking the rules".

All we are saying is that, there could be an OPTION, for a paid membership. Whether you like it or not has no bearing as you would choose to pay or not pay. If you dont pay, you are not penalized, you just carry on with your day as you normally would on canreef. I dont see what your arguement is.

Oh ya, big time rule breaking there. No editing. :)

edit: ever!!

We all know that will never be a perk for anyone. I didn't even bother going there. :)

This is getting semi outta hand. I don't see anything wrong if some of the member wish to support. Canreef support avatars will be cool but it shouldn't give you "special previlages". Its a choice and not a must. If any member decides to contribute then he or she gets an avatar to show that they enjoy this forum and they are willing to go a step further to ensure others can enjoy this site as much as themselves, nothing wrong with that. Also this doen't mean they should lower the sponsorship cost for vendors, what for?

I don't see anything wrong with the site right now. We are still allow to buy and sell stuff, sometimes a member with a larger tank have more corals to sell so be it! I don't post too many for sale threads but I can tell you my corals are growing like crazy and I will be posting them on the site for sale and if the mods question about it I will be gladly to bring them into my house and show its definitely not a commercial operation or a side business.

However if the member contribution support program does come into effect, I would like to see some of the areas like TOTM do get updated on a timely fashion, you know just small stuff like that. Use the that money to better the site.

Well, if future upgrades allow easy distinction between forums, we would allow some and not others, rather than a blanket policy. For now, we don't have that option, so it's all or nothing, and nothing works best for us. We would prefer to be able to tweak the feature, and we do edit larger things for people, like indexing on build threads, etc. So if something really needs editing, contact us and we can do it for you, just not in the for sale threads.

Well first no site similar to this charges $5-10 per month, $20 per year is normal. Then the problem comes to these paying members wanting something in return like say a month draw for something worth $50. 100 members (unlikely) = $2000 per year, = $167 per month. Then consider the time involved to set this all up. That's my argument, if you can't see it I'm sorry.

As for editing, cry all you want it was clearly removed for a reason. It was a privilege that came with responsibility mostly relating to not editing/removing items in for sale threads as per Canreef rules/guidelines. After many people broke this rule the privilege was removed. So yeah improper use of the edit feature is breaking the rules, if you cared to read them you would know this.

Lol, honestly, I could care less about an edit feature and have never complained about not having one.

Anyways, lets get back on topic about prefixes and we can discuss paid membership in a different poll/post. :wink:

Just my 2 cents,

Vendors pay a nominal fee to have access to thousands of users, very low cost to doing business, without much effort or door knocking (cold calling). If LFS's and online vendors wanted to really benefit from their sponsorship, they should look at how to maximize their return, instead of complaining about competition or the house guys (if that is what is happening).

I am not a LFS, but am a businessman, and can say that I have done many forms of marketing techniques, offering something to entice awareness and/or need. Problem I find with most LFS or vendors on Canreef is their inability or unwillingness to either offer fair market pricing or even wanting to provide such to us in areas like Canreef. As I stated in another thread, what is with all the Hush Hush, and PM me for price. This tends to tell me that it isn't one price for all.... And before anyone jumps on me for that comment, I mean fair market price for all, and if they want to offer better to bigger or repeat clients, then albiet, that can be done. I tend to buy from people that openly express their product, service and pricing.

Personally I feel if the vendors concentrate more on their business and how to grow or maximize potential in arenas like this, instead of worrying about others, they may reap the rewards.

Lastly, in regards to the new system, doesn't really matter to me, I will work with what is supplied and abide by the rules. In regards to memberships to us, I will not say I would or wouldn't buy it. Not sure there, but will say that based on the fact this forum has been declining and over the past year I find it not as valuable, I am leaning towards not purchasing.

Just my point of view, nothing more.

Thank you

And thanks Titus for spending so much time explaining to us why this was implemented in the first place
I hope you and the staff find a format that works well for you all
As I said in the beginning, I'll use whatever you come up with, and hope it's something simpler :wink:

Some of my fish have thought to think outside the box and it hasnt ended well for them.
:razz:


At what fiscal point does this become a concern and sponsorship is requested of a user / small time dealer?

If I sold $2000 per year worth of merchendise out of my basment or garage it's not financially practical for a $1000+ sponsorship fee.

If there is enough justification to demand sponsorship, then perhaps a simple cease and desist letter is in order.
If that is ignored, send Revenue Canada after them for there "fair" share of taxes that should stop it pretty fast.

Too funny :razz:

LMAO!

Hahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahhaahhahahhahahaha hhahhahahahhahahhahahahahahhahahahha

After reading this thread, I have no idea really what it is about anymore.
apparently it has become b*tch about whatever you want to thread.
what is the big deal about making a couple of more steps in trying to sell the item???? it takes 10 seconds - if that.
is it me, or am I missing something?
nothing was mentioned about vendors complaining or canreef needing money.
yet, it is what is being more discussed than anything.
if you are on here as often as most of us are, we all know the people are who are running in the grey area of business or not in business on here.
Having a slew of extra brand new equipment laying around doesn't really look like oversight, but an an attempt to make a bit of cash... and that will definitely affect the bottomline of the vendors.
members offering a few frags here and there is what makes canreef a great place for people to get a wide variety of various corals. Or people like Slick fork who spend hundreds of hours perfecting the breeding process and sell a few Captive bred fish now and then.
This I have no problem with.
however, someone that is constantly selling a wide variety of numerous frags on here is in direct competition with someone like Coral Master - who although may bring stuff in, also gets most of his frags from his own tanks.
I personally don't think we should have 2 levels of canreef or varying levels depending on how much you pay.
if it is so difficult to take that extra step on putting something up for sale - try kijiji or other forums to sell your stuff.
I think the staff here does a great job of balancing between the member's and sponsor's demands...I, for one, would not want the job.
once again, this place amazes me.
just my two cents
Neal

My opinion has been stated by other members here so I won't repeat them.

I want to say that I am in line with the idea of posting the city in the title of the thread. Yes it will be in the sellers signature, or below the avatar, but I would have to open the thread to read that.
If some thing was for sale in Calgary, I don't want to travel there to buy it, but I have wasted my time by opening and reading the post.

Even if it's in Calgary, the seller may ship, so it doesn't matter. That's not something we're going to enforce. The info is there, if you don't want to open a post for some item that' you're interested in, then I guess someone else buys it :)

I think the general consensus is we want a slightly more readable format...

Personally, I'll follow the rules the best I can and life goes on. I think there hasn't been any over reactions thus far. Lots of good views and some bitterness towards members having opinions :twised:... I'm sure the moderators / owners will take everything into consideration and do the best they can with it.

I'm just happy to be part of a forum that listens to it's members.

I'm really getting tired of coming back to this thread, I wish it would get closed. lol ........ Ya ya I know "you don't have to open it and continue reading it" Unfortunatly I suffer from GLCRWDBI "gotta look at the car wreck when I drive by itis"

Sounds like to need to upgrade to a suite and get some decent room service :smile:

I have bought dry goods and had them shipped, I'm not adverse to having something shipped.
But sometimes I'm in a hurry and don't want to waste my time.
I try to buy local.
I know I'm not the only one with this view. :)

I know, but we ask for enough without enforcing the addition of info that's already provided elsewhere. If sellers want to add it, fine, if not, that's fine too.

And it's not the topic of this thread :razz:

Ya, and that !! lol

Hello,

Thanks to all the comments and discussions. There has been a lot of feedback and details for us to think of. What I'd do is to investigate for now how to remove the prefix from appearing on the New Posts or Today's Posts result.

I'd also consider utilizing a more slimmed down version of prefixes such as:
For Sale
For Trade
Want To Buy
Group Buy

Anything else?

Titus

For Free?

Lol this was a funny read.... and for the record I have never complained about anybody selling frags/equipment.... for those of you who know me, I encourage anyone to sell frags and specialty coral because I am a hobbiest first and a businessman second....and we arent hurting by the little guy trying to cover his costs, where do you think that fragging money goes anyways ;)

but getting back to Dennys comment about no LFS selling frags or taking pictures..... we do both.... just sayin' lol

Steve

of the stores


and thats what i miss about edmonton is most of the stores frag :) your store is a prime example of what needs to be here in the city:)

good point!! someone should open a red coral calgary!!or heck even in Lethbridge would be cool!!:redface:




lol sorry had to!!

Getting back to topic ...

Unless someone has any other prefix suggestions, I think that probably covers it Titus

Somebody gets it :)

Locally, you can always choose to sell your wares elsewhere.
BCaquaria for example.

I'm sure that the rest of Canada has similar options to be explored.

Hello,

Considering there is a better alternative called Forum Fields, I have just turned the Prefix off. However I wouldn't be doing this add on until we have vBulletin 4.

Titus