Hi Paul
good luck! Ill keep using you, -hope you keep it rolling

I don't know how you describe overwhelming but I don't consider 1 or 2 threads a week started by vendors to be overwhelming. They may be long threads sometimes but that's because it does make more sense to post pics of what you are selling rather than just describing it. And also people do post questions in those threads too. And if you don't like to read them it does say who started the thread.

Haah I just realized that the guy claiming Paul is overwhelming the forum with posts actually has more posts than Paul. Someone FAILED mathematics.

Livestrong OC crew !

hard to believe all of this came about over a question of wether or not certain corals from oceanic were "brand name". Its really quite sad seeing a vendor of such quality leave a community as close as the canreef crew. I mean, in most cases its not what the name of the coral/product is it is the value to the consumer. there are many companies out there that claim to have a similar product to another and even sell "fake items" to people (watches, handbags, etc).

In Oceanics case they jumped through all of the necessary hoops to provide us with these. I am really glad to see all of the support that you guys have gotten. You deserve it.

"If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

Seems like common sense to me. Too bad common sense is surprisingly uncommon.

To have come to this is a black eye for the community. I'm very saddened by this.

DISCLAIMER: i am a short time reefer..cronic surfer and lurker.. new to the hobby. so basically what im about to say doesnt amount to any credibility just my thoughts on the matter.

i have read all the arguments and fights over this situation and the way i look at it is if there is a will there is a way. vendor or no vender.

i personally have not ordered from oceanic corals. i just have this huge crutch living in the crotch of canada. the shipping doesnt make it worth the while unless its a huge group order. and those can be a nightmare in itself. buti will say this for them any new product or new idea they where on top of it. sure they did a plethera of threads but that also backfires whenthey sho cost and everything thier competiors canmatch or beat if they wanted.. to me they stuck thier neckout more than onenwould think. and thats just gusty and i love it

not tomentionn through thier add threads i have researched andlearned ideas and theories for my tanks, and i thank you for that.

but paul even though you dont know me or havent talked to me or even know that this flatland reefer exists. i have followed your companies nano threads to your led ideas. i paid attention and dont really care how you aquire the shiny things that make us all drool just happy that you have and did ..making this reefer oooh and awee.

so please if your reading this reconcider as you can see from the support base you are well liked and respected as well as a needed voice inthe reefing community. besides if you get through this it will just make you a more respected, stronger company.

just my 2 cents ill shut u now and go back to my vodka dosing.:drinking:

I would appreciate if people can refrain from twisting what I'm about to say....

I'm truly sorry you feel you must go. I do feel partly to blame and wish our confrontation was avoided.

You obviously have your customer service down with so many well wishing customers showing support. I wish you luck and a possible change of heart?

Good Luck!!
 

look i dont know what happend and honestly it dont matter. he had an awsome store with beautiful corals and healthy livestock(which is more then i can say for alot of stores)and hes super helpful and friendly so sponser or not he still has customers

This is harsh. OC has been a pioneering force for aquaculture in Canada. This industry is highly competitive, and it would be foolish to dismiss them as anything less than competition. But I am torn between the loss of competition, and the loss of what is very likely the future of the industry (my industry). If these people are shut down because of their efforts to farm captive corals, it does not bode well for the hobby (and by the same hand...our industry). The future of the hobby and industry is aquaculture. End of story. The time will come when our imports are restricted. The reasons are debatable, but the time will come. It's quite sad that the most environmentally conscious are the first to suffer. It's not cheap to farm corals, breed fish, and support regulated collection. I have had respect for OC since we started because of their progressive attitude. It is truly sad to see the future of our hobby suffering so badly...

Guys/Gals, keep this in proper context. They are leaving as a sponsor, not going out of business. Letting someone push you to quit is just not the way to leave.

I have to admit, Canreef is a great forum, especially in Alberta & BC, look at the locations of most of the members and regional posts. The members know which sponsors care, and which sponsors use this as part of their advertising budget. The posts show it all.

I can hardly go a day at the store without a CanReef member coming in.

It is and will be a large part of our business' but not all of it.

It is unfortunate the OTHER competitors need to resort to "low blows" or starting rumors, but you know what? Who cares, let the customer decide. They are the only opinions that count.

Ken - BWA

This is very unfortunate. While I don't know the backstory, I know I'll miss the great service I've received from Oceanic over the years. The only reason I ever started shopping at Oceanic in the first place was because of their affiliation and posts on Canreef.

The service will still be there I imagine they'll have their own forum up on their site eventually if they do cease sponsorship. They're not going anywhere!

In hindsight, my original post was misplaced and over-dramatic. All the best, OC.

Paul & the rest of the OC crew,

Always been & always will be a pleasure doing business with you and coming out to the Valley for a nice drive, steak & prawn dinner (@ the local pub) and a great visit at OC.

I've dealt with Paul for many years & always found him to be a nice, genuine guy. Have also known Eugene since he first started in this hobby & he's also been a great guy to know & deal with.

I'm sure that whatever the final decision, whether to stay or go, their brand of ultra customer service will help OC grow, even thrive, in this very competitive business.

To the ones who helped drive away a great vendor/sponsor, karma is a b!tch :twised::twised::twised:

Unfortunate you are leaving the board, hopefully you choose to stay. You clearly provide good service and contribute some great photographs of your livestock.

That being said, I would historically be one of those to give you a hard time about some of your marketing strategies (call me a consumer advocate, or whatever other term makes sense).

As dealing with feedback can take way to much time for a small business, many vendors simply post pics and say call the store for additional info. Perhaps that is approach that will work in the future. The serious buyers always show up or call.

Paul, I am really sorry to hear this. You have been a great help as I have been accumulating the equipment for my new aquarium (by the way it comes in Saturday!!!). I hope you are able to set up an email list to advise customers when you have new corals come in. I have been drooling over the pictures you have posted waiting for the day I could buy some. Anyway, good luck!!

First off, I'm "glad" OC is leaving. The few frags that I have gotten from OC make the rest of my corals look bad in comparison! What jerks! That and all of the pretty pictures they post make me under appreciate the corals I already have.

I know that all of the great product and customer service is not going anywhere, but I want you guys to stay on the board. I probably wouldn't have discovered you (well, as soon as I did anyways) if it weren't for your activity on this board.

Anyways, all the best and thanks for the eye candy!

OMG! You've opened my eyes Danny.. I have a new prospective!! Think of all the money I will have left at the end of the month now!! Those damn pictures Paul used to post clogging up the whole internets were actually costing ME money!! Now I can save my money for something constructive, like a new
Vacume cleaner:sad:

You two crack me up, especially Danny. Good one:wink::biggrin:

Will that clean my sandbed?

I haven't lurked for a while, so it looks like I missed all the drama. I would be very sad to see OC leave as a forum sponsor. Also I'm not sure of their percentage of local VS out of town/forum business, but I think leaving this forum might not be the best business move. I for one am having my tank + beautiful modern stand built by OC, and between the MP60s, high end lighting, skimmer, etc. I'm sure it will be around $15,000 before a drop of water gets into the tank.

If it wasn't for this forum, it's doubtful I would know about OC, let alone having them build my system. Dealing with them has been great, especially considering I'm 4 hours away. I provided a photo of where my tank would go, and they re-created my entire kitchen in a beautiful 3D renderings with dozens of different tank options. Amazing service and a nice surprise.

I've also spent hours on the phone with them, and they are never too busy to share as much honest advice and knowledge with me. Their boutique is awesome, and despite being small, they actually have way, way more livestock I want to put in my future tank, than the shops that 5-10 times the size. Despite living 4 hours away, they are coming out to setup my tank at a very reasonable cost. The bottom line is this: OC is one of those businesses that really gives a damn about hobbyists.

From my lurking, Canreef appears to be a very peaceful community that rarely needs moderation. I'm all for hobbyists keeping vendors honest, but the recent badgering from certain individuals with personal agendas that extend far beyond looking out for fellow hobbyists was simply out of control IMO. Canreef staff needs to step back, have a look at their policies and realize that they've got a problem on their hands when one of their most active and quality sponsors is packing up and leaving.

OC will do well with or without this forum. If you do leave here for good, I will offer my $0.02:

#1) Create a blog that is updated continually, with all new livestock and nice big, high resolution pictures. That way we can comment and ask questions, without having to bother with forum registration.

#2) Have the blog content sent out at the same via newsletter as many people won't have RSS readers. Also I would tie it in with FB & Twitter posts.

#3) I wouldn't worry about a forum until each blog post is getting 20-30 comments.

I really hope that OC will reconsider, as they are a great asset to this forum. I wouldn't let a handful of individuals ruin it for everyone.

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for ALL your support through emails, PMs and phone calls.

It makes if even tougher for us to make this decision but please be rest assurd that you can now stay in touch with us via our Blog.

www.oceaniccorals.blogspot.com

We will endeavor to update our blog weekly and hopefully be able to service you better through that medium so please ensure that you subscribe to our blog.

As an incentive to subscribe we will be drawing for a $100 GC to O.C. with the closing date of Dec 1, 2010. Winner will be announced on our blog.

Come on in, check us out.

And on behalf of all the staff here at O.C. Thank you so much for everyone's expressed support for us. Your comments and well wishes have touched us deeply. You guys are great and all us (retailers) are lucky to have you as our Customers.

Happy Holidays to everyone here on Canreef.

Paul

Hey Paul was that GC ever drawn? never saw anything mentioned on the blog?