Concerning the new Buy/Sell posting format

[sphelps]

Zoa, you can't base sponsorship price on member quantity alone, think about target audience and competition. Canadian forum, Canadian market, how many Canreef members are both Canadian and active in the hobby then ask how many sponsors to members do we have. Now ask the same about RC before you compare apples.

Plus Canreef sponsorship is cheap people! A couple lines in a newspaper would cost significantly more and provide significantly less results. And why are we even discussing this? Are sponsors complaining about the cost? And if they are that's between them and Canreef staff.

And there is a big difference between someone like Coral Master and someone with a frag tank. Coral master brings in corals for the sole purpose of fragging them, this is a business not personal propagation, clear as day and that's before you consider a website with a business name which I would assume is registered.

In regards to premium membership to obtain special privileges, IMO dumb, really dumb. To gain such privileges you have remove them from regular membership so you don't gain anything. To actually add things which I have no idea what such things would be you'd have to invest time and money so what's the point there. Donations might be better but if Canreef doesn't need charity why offer it, donate to your food bank or something if you're itching to help someone out.

[Slick Fork]

Originally Posted by sphelps

And there is a big difference between someone like Coral Master and someone with a frag tank. Coral master brings in corals for the sole purpose of fragging them, this is a business not personal propagation, clear as day and that's before you consider a website with a business name which I would assume is registered.

That's kind of what I was getting at. The problem seems to be vendors are getting their nose out of joint because of perceived competition from members and causing a lot of headaches for moderators and Titus. I used Coral Master simply because when I think specialized frags, I think Coral Master (not to suggest that he is the one complaining!)

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Slick Fork

That's kind of what I was getting at. The problem seems to be vendors are getting their nose out of joint because of perceived competition from members and causing a lot of headaches for moderators and Titus. I used Coral Master simply because when I think specialized frags, I think Coral Master (not to suggest that he is the one complaining!)

Yeap wasn't disagreeing, just throwing in my two bits is all. If vendors can't see the difference and in turn complain about high vendor fees then perhaps they shouldn't be in business anymore as they obviously aren't very good at it. Canreef has shut down plenty of people who are on the real verge of business practices and I'm not aware of anyone that gets away with it for long.

[globaldesigns]

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.

[Seriak]

Originally Posted by sphelps

In regards to premium membership to obtain special privileges, IMO dumb, really dumb. To gain such privileges you have remove them from regular membership so you don't gain anything. To actually add things which I have no idea what such things would be you'd have to invest time and money so what's the point there. Donations might be better but if Canreef doesn't need charity why offer it, donate to your food bank or something if you're itching to help someone out.

As Dc4 said.

Lots of other sites give free monthly draws, discount cards for sponsors, tshirts, stickers, special icons, allowing edits of posts?, etc...

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Seriak

As Dc4 said.

Lots of other sites give free monthly draws, discount cards for sponsors, tshirts, stickers, special icons, allowing edits of posts?, etc...

That all costs money and time my friend, you don't gain anything. Sponsors can't be expected to just donate items and credit to the site because the site brings in more money. As for editing you think mods will let you break rules cause you pay $20 a year. It wasn't removed so that it could be purchased back. Other sites may need donations to keep it going, or at least that's what the shady guy behind the scenes is telling you, Canreef isn't like that and I don't know why anyone would want it that way.

[FishyFishy!]

Originally Posted by sphelps

That all costs money and time my friend, you don't gain anything. Sponsors can't be expected to just donate items and credit to the site because the site brings in more money. As for editing you think mods will let you break rules cause you pay $20 a year. It wasn't removed so that it could be purchased back.

haha well said

[Seriak]

Originally Posted by sphelps

That all costs money and time my friend, you don't gain anything. Sponsors can't be expected to just donate items and credit to the site because the site brings in more money. As for editing you think mods will let you break rules cause you pay $20 a year. It wasn't removed so that it could be purchased back. Other sites may need donations to keep it going, or at least that's what the shady guy behind the scenes is telling you, Canreef isn't like that and I don't know why anyone would want it that way.

Those were simply examples. Avatars and special icons wouldn't cost anything. If the amount got high enough, they could put part of the proceeds towards the purchase of a piece of equipment to give away. Members could donate frags towards a draw to contributing members. If part of the vendor sponsorship fee was lowered due to member contributions, maybe some vendors would donate items or pass along discounts as a thank you to those members. These are all just ideas. You just have to think outside the box.

[dc4]

Originally Posted by sphelps

That all costs money and time my friend, you don't gain anything. Sponsors can't be expected to just donate items and credit to the site because the site brings in more money. As for editing you think mods will let you break rules cause you pay $20 a year. It wasn't removed so that it could be purchased back. Other sites may need donations to keep it going, or at least that's what the shady guy behind the scenes is telling you, Canreef isn't like that and I don't know why anyone would want it that way.

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.

[reefwars]

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....