I went to Marine Fish yesterday, and heard that alot of members we're pretty sore at the store. I was wondering why, (honestly, I even thought about not making my purchase). When the situation was explained to me, what the store was saying made sense, also what the members was saying made sense.

What made the most sense though, was my 30% arc discount on livestock, they are a little pricey, but with that discount, they're blowing the other LFSs out of the water.

The problem comes in, when you deal with the wrong employees. This store is very ARC friendly, you just have to work within the parameters set by the owner. We would get a lot more milage, if the club and the LFSs came up with ways to benefit each other. We need to use our buying power as a club, shop together as much as possible, the larger the purchase, the more leeway a store can show you. Online shopping is great, but if we lose the local LFS, the quality of reefing and aquatics will definitely go down a few notches.

Good points.

:thumbs: I certainly agree that we do not want to loose any LFSs. I like shopping the LFSs as much as possible (however my wife tries to keep me out whenever she can). Marine Fish is a great place. That is where I picked up my 50g sump, some fish, and a couple frags. :)

It is good to support local stores. But what is up with the discount blocked out after noon on Saturday and all day Sunday. The day most of us working people can shop.

It is good to support local stores. But what is up with the discount blocked out after noon on Saturday and all day Sunday. The day most of us working people can shop.
yeah i agree i bet they would make alot more money at leaste from me they would i think they are the cleanest store out there but the prices suck to high but with the discount ill pay they full price that it would be anywere else cause they do take very good care of there live stock ....so yeah if they were to honor the discount all the time they proabably make tons more buisness but thats just my opinion :) happy reefing to all of you and enjoy your weekend.and please lets keep this friendly

Nah.....Don't want to bother them....They want the first time buyer...not worth my effort to go there.

Others around the area are just as good without their hassle.

I'd never been to Marine & Tropical Fish store before yesterday. I was in the area and stopped by. Ran in Mike from ARC. Store was very nice. Nice selection of corals and widest selection of tanks, sumps, pumps, lighting of any LFS I've been to in Atlanta. Some of the fish were a little thin or sickly - the yellow tangs in particular. I was looking for a large one so I was looking at them closely. They may have been from customers tanks. I didn't ask. Fellow you helped me was an ARC member and very helpful. I got the discount without any problems.

This was the first place I went into when I moved to Atlanta. Their store was definitely nice; however, I agree to some extent that they are looking for the first time, inexperienced buyer. Their prices weren't there... and I didn't find the people I worked with that knowledgable.

Their prices were very high. If I had the ARC discount, it would be better. However, as other alluded to... the only time I shop is on the weekends.

I visitted the store for the first time. Nice, clean, good livestock selection, great drygoods selection - especially tanks.

But then the ARC discount... ugh. I was there on a Monday. I chose a small SPS frag, and was told there is only a 10% discount on THOSE corals. I was then told the disocunt does not apply to tanks and stands either.

jeff

I visitted the store for the first time. Nice, clean, good livestock selection, great drygoods selection - especially tanks.

But then the ARC discount... ugh. I was there on a Monday. I chose a small SPS frag, and was told there is only a 10% discount on THOSE corals. I was then told the disocunt does not apply to tanks and stands either.

I wonder if the *Sticky* could be edited so people will know this ahead of time: no ARC discount on tanks/stands and that the discount is reduced on certain corals.

Why are they sponsors? They need to follow the sponsor rules or quite being one..everyone else does the sponsor discount without limitations...

Personally....I've had it.

Hey BOD...........what are you guys doing about it?

well alot of the sponsers dont give discounts on tanks but if you want sam from aquabuys does, he doesnt on alot of his stuff, but the stuff that lfs dont he will like salt

Why are they sponsors? They need to follow the sponsor rules or quite being one..everyone else does the sponsor discount without limitations...

Personally....I've had it.

Hey BOD...........what are you guys doing about it?


Everyone else does not do this without limitations. Sammy at aquabuys gives a 10% discount on tanks, stands, salt and canopies only; nothing else. Nobody has a problem with this. I go out of my way to shop their and have him order stuff for me also. He gives great personable service and supports the club. So I support him. His limiting the discount is no diffrent than Marine Fish limiting it.

I don't get it. Why so much anomosity towards Marine Fish?

Marine fish gives the best discount M-F and until noon on saturday. I would much rather have that then 10% off everday. You can always go early saturday if weekends are the only time you can go. I drive a long way to shop their. They usually have a large selection of livestock and it is well cared for. I have always received great service also. Patrick is really cool and will be brutally honest with you; he is not afraid of losing a sale.

Just a note... On any $100 purchase at the store, you will receive $10 back in store credit to use on any live stock. This is almost the equivalent of a 10% discount that many other stores provide. So, you spend 300 on a tank, we'll give you 30 bucks in store credit.

I forgot to mention. I can't do this on top of the ARC discount. We'd be giving this stuff away. This discount is offered on the weekends, when the regular ARC discount can't be utilized and on tanks/stands.

Todd, no offense, but if you don't like the store, don't shop there. There are a few of us that like the store and I'd hate to see some forum nonsense mess up my discount.

Their fish are in great condition...I can't think of a store of the top of my head that has healthier fish.

I'd rather keep our 30% during certain times instead of getting 10% like a bunch of other stores.

I'll be going there today to look for a small clown to go with my other...and since I know the times for the discount, will be there before noon!

Thanks.

Why are they sponsors? They need to follow the sponsor rules or quite being one..everyone else does the sponsor discount without limitations...

Personally....I've had it.

Hey BOD...........what are you guys doing about it?

I was there once with wife and she gave me a 50.00 limit...that doesnt get much. I do forget the guy who helped me..he was awesome..checked my water parameters answered tons of questions. I felt oblidged to by something, it was a 25.00 frag thats doing the best out of anything in my tank, some chemicals and 65.00 later I left... Oh yeah, since I didnt mention a name, he even said he was a hobbyist and recommended Cap Bay for better variety and prices on frags.. I was like WOW...Id go back

Enjoy your shopping,,The cool-aid is at the door, And if they ask you to stand on right leg and hop while singing the National Anthem..will you do that too? Enjoy your weekday discount.

And BTW, I don't shop there anymore..It's been almost 2 years...They lost about $100 a month customer in me.

Maybe not big to them but the other locations appreciate my business.

Enjoy your shopping,,The cool-aid is at the door, And if they ask you to stand on right leg and hop while singing the National Anthem..will you do that too? Enjoy your weekday discount.

And BTW, I don't shop there anymore..It's been almost 2 years...They lost about $100 a month customer in me.

Maybe not big to them but the other locations appreciate my business.

That's the dumbest argument. So, it's okay for one sponsor to have limitations, but not the other? Maybe Marine Fish should hop and sing because you say so...that would be more fair/better? What's your real beef with this sponsor? I don't see you flaming Sammy, so it can't be limiting the discount.

Anyway, I'm glad that you have found a store that makes you happy. Every store is not for every customer. I suppose we all have our reasons for shopping at one place rather than another.

Anyone seen Anchorman? "When in Rome..."

well im not to upset that they dont do discounts on certain thing ,but its kind of dumb not to have the discount on weekends ,thats when i can go and spend money on them, but wont cause the prices after the discount is over priced compare to all the other stores,i wont fight the fact that they do look healthier .but if they wont do the discount on weekends when i myself and many others are free i just wont shop there....makes sence if they did it all the time think how much more money they could make ,cause i bet there is alot of people out there that feel the same as i do jmo .happy reefing

What's so dumb about it? The truth hurt? I can give a rats *** if you shop there...Ask alot of members here what they think of their discount practice.....well, wait..nobody ever speaks up around here..

The rules of the sponsorship are very specific...I was you, READ THEM.

What gives them the right to be a sponsor and not follow the sponsor guidelines? Why don't you question that?

They have coolaid? Now I'm mad! They didn't even offer me any.

To each their own. I had a horrible experience at a popular LFS and I'll never go back either. But since most people like the place, I didn't post anything out of fear of getting flamed to death. I can appreciate your frustration (and trust me, mine was really bad) but each store offers a service and if they aren't really bad, this isn't a place to do it.

And keep in mind your experience was two years ago. A lot can change for a retail store in that time. I can only assume they are better now than then.

Today, I got a nice six-line that I'd wanted for a while. After my 30% discount, it cost $17.50...good price for the fish. Most places are more than $20. Plus, it's next to Trader Joes so I got some treats there as well.

Service as always was really good.

They have the discount between 10 and noon on Saturday...so you can go.

And their prices for fish really aren't more expensive...I don't know where that came from. My sixline was listed at $25...I think I paid that for my last one at Aquarium Showcase. This isn't an online store.

well im not to upset that they dont do discounts on certain thing ,but its kind of dumb not to have the discount on weekends ,thats when i can go and spend money on them, but wont cause the prices after the discount is over priced compare to all the other stores,i wont fight the fact that they do look healthier .but if they wont do the discount on weekends when i myself and many others are free i just wont shop there....makes sence if they did it all the time think how much more money they could make ,cause i bet there is alot of people out there that feel the same as i do jmo .happy reefing

They have the discount between 10 and noon on Saturday...so you can go.

And their prices for fish really aren't more expensive...I don't know where that came from. My sixline was listed at $25...I think I paid that for my last one at Aquarium Showcase. This isn't an online store.
yes i understandd that but i work like crazy threw out the week and sleep late with my wife on friday cause its the only day threw the week that i get to spend time with her so i wake up at 10-11 on sat just like alot of other people that try to get rest on the weekend ..and my price came from a 40 dollar ywg that i could get anywere else for 20 not trying to argue just saying it would be better for them to honor it all the time they would probable get more buisness cause they arent getting mine at the moment

Maybe you should evaluate what "the truth" is, obviously you have no clue. And chill out! These guys must have really done you wrong for you to get so upset. Did they touch you or something?

Maybe you should evaluate what "the truth" is, obviously you have no clue. And chill out! These guys must have really done you wrong for you to get so upset. Did they touch you or something?hah tod just likes to express him self:yes: let it be guys this isnt worth it what we should be tring ro do is talk to the source about what they can do for us if we can all point out what we feel about the discount not bash each other

I personally don't want them to change the discount. They'll likely go to 10% like most of the other stores which would just plain suck.

I personally don't want them to change the discount. They'll likely go to 10% like most of the other stores which would just plain suck.
but if we could tal to them and poitn out to them that they would make more money if they kept it that way and honored it after 12 onsat .dont you think we should at leaste give it a shot i mean there are 1700 members and i would think that more than half probably feel this way to just a suggestion .i mean that the reason i dont shop there .that and the fact that i rather get my livestock from an establish tank .but if i wanted something that they had i would get it from them first being that there live stock looks the healthiest

i think the reason that they limited the discount on weekends was because they are usually extremely busy on those 2 days. With so many "regular" customers in the store, they don't have the staff to help everyone as well as they would like. So, if 1700 members also show up, the store would be overwhelmed and nobody would receive any service whatsoever. Someone would have to look up an old post about this, but I could have sworn this was the reason.

But Loren's right; I don't want a measly 10% discount. Simple mathematics will tell you 30% is much, much better!

i think the reason that they limited the discount on weekends was because they are usually extremely busy on those 2 days. With so many "regular" customers in the store, they don't have the staff to help everyone as well as they would like. So, if 1700 members also show up, the store would be overwhelmed and nobody would receive any service whatsoever. Someone would have to look up an old post about this, but I could have sworn this was the reason.

But Loren's right; I don't want a measly 10% discount. Simple mathematics will tell you 30% is much, much better!well if thats the case then i think it makes sense

And chill out! Did they touch you or something?

LOL. Yeah, touching would be a good reason not to shop there.

LOL. Yeah, touching would be a good reason not to shop there.

LOL. Yeah, I would be pretty upset about that too! :lol2:

Speaking as a BOD member, I've tried for more than a year to resolve the problem, but can't get anything done. I don't agree with their strong-arm tactics. Yes, they always say 'but we give 30%'. That's great, but you're only required to give 10% (except tanks and stands), and give it all the time. That's the way all the other sponsors work, and I expect them to follow the same rules as everyone else. You can't bend the rules so that it best suites you. When they gave me the 'but we offer 30%' on the phone, as ARC president, I had responded 'then drop it to 10%'. Two different calls, too.

Speaking as an ARC member and customer, I don't shop there because of the above; I can't support them as a paying customer. Until the rest of the Board feels the same way, I don't expect things to change.

Chris, so how is it that other sponsers are allowed to limit the discount? Others limit certain products, whereas MF limits certain hours. Aren't these very close in nature to where they can be treated as the same? I mean, they both are limiting the discount in some way.

Would the majority of the club prefer that we do a 10% discount all the time? We do offer 10% back in store credit on the weekends on purchases over $100. I know we can drop the discount down to 10% every single day easily, but is that what ARC members really want? It would be great to hear some more feedback on this...

I have no problems getting in there during the week, so 30% is always better than 10% to me.

I have to admit that the couple of times I have been into Marine Fish their prices have been pretty high.......in my opinion that is part of the reason they are able to offer 30%. Like soemone said, it's simple math. With higher prices you can offer a bigger discount and still end up with the same bottom line.....

that said, if the store dropped to 10% everyday (and didnt lower their sticker), then their prices would be a good bit higher than most other LFS's and I would not shop there.....

IMO, it would serve the store well to drop prices on everything and offer the 10% everyday to ARC memebers.....the problem is, how can you ask a store to do this when they obviously have customers that are paying the full ticket price pretty regularly?.....its a business and as a business owner your job is to make the most you can. If people are wiling to pay high, you charge high.

that said, if the prices stay where they are I much prefer to keep the 30% discount. I would however like to hear the reason as to why its not available all the time.....that is what is a little bothersome.....I mean, they don't lower prices on Saturdays do they?

If someone is going to say that they are too busy, I personally think that is a crappy excuse.....other LFS's get alot more busy on the weekends since they sell non-marine stuff and offer the discount all the time.

It almost makes me think that the worry is a non-ARC member overhearing someone getting the 30% and then not buying their stuff because they know that if they wait and join the club they too will get it.....while i can see merit in this concern I think it's pretty crappy to the club. Not to mention that if said customer comes back and buys eveything at a 30% discount, I promise you the store is still making profit.

Overall, if their discount was 10% everyday I would never shop there....at 30% it puts them competitive and some times better than most.....I am lucky that if need be I can get over there during the week....but i do agree the problem here is the reason as to why they limit the hours of that discount?????? If there is a good reason, I am all ears? '

As for Sammy limiting his discount on certain items, C'mon guys, don't say it's the same thing as limiting your hours.....have you seen Sammy's prices? if he offered us discounts on some of the stuff he sells he wouldn't be able to keep the store open. Most stores don't offer the discount on tanks so they technically limit their items too.

I think Marine Fish is an excellent store. I have been going to them since their original owner and they were the only decent saltwater store around. THey have healthy livestock and a knowledgable staff. Personally, I would rather have the 30%. I get kinda tired about hearing about this discount... with close to 400 members...how many just join for the discount....be honest.

I have no problem with Sammy limiting the discount. He knows his business and knows where he has enough margin to offer a discount. I never buy anything there that qaulifies for a discount, but I shop with him all the time. It takes me @ 45 min to get to Sammy. It would be easier just buying from an out of state online vendor. I wouldn't have to drive, could get it a little cheaper & it would be here within 2 days. But, I support Aquabuys.

Likewise, I could very easily buy my fish from liveaquaria. They have a great garauntee (14 days), good pricing and shipping is more than reasonable. But, I support a local store (1 hour drive for me) who has good qaulity fish and good service. I don't know what Marine Fish does with their livestock or where they buy from, but it is the best around here. I think they are a little justified in charging a little more. And like you put it, you charge what people are willing to pay. That's why a coke at Turner Field will cost you $5 (people are willing to pay...but it's not like we have much choice there!)

I would much rather have a 30% discount than a 10%. You know they will not reduce their pricing...There are many people who have never even heard of the ARC who shop there on a regular basis and pay full price and are quite happy with it.

Thanks for speaking up Chris (Mojo)...Thought I was a lone sole hear...Personally I could care less for the discounts..10% 30% Don't care.

All I ever stated was that this store makes their own rules and is not following the Sponsorship rules..Thats all...Chris confirmed what I have been saying is the truth...Those of you who fail to understand what they are doing...enjoy the store...

But their are others..(me) who don't agree with their practice...Thats all

Read into it what ya want..you think you need the 30% discount to buy there..good...But what I am seeing is thats the ONLY reason you supporters go there..IF it wasn't you most likely would go other places.

I have nothing more to say on this ...It run in the ground.

Those of you who don't understand the Kool-aid reference....must be too young.. so I will leave that alone as well...Others may fill you in on that.

Bye

Members who have to travel a long way and can only get there on the weekends every Blue Moon would like 10% on the weekend instead of store credit. It doesn't do me any good having store credit when I might not go there for 8 months. If you live close I would like the 30% also, but we all don't live close and they should follow the rules.

Would like to add just a small postcript to all of this?

I don't mind that one sponsor does such-and-such and another does this-that-and-the-other-thing, I would just like to know before I make the trip. There are no sponsors close to me, so it's always a drive. My suggestion would be to update the *stickies* on the sponsor threads to include any exceptions.

For example:

Marine Fish: ARC discount does not apply to tanks and stands and is reduced on certain (list, if possible) corals.

Cappuccino Bay: ARC discount does not apply to salt. (I found this out the hard way after making a special trip instead of going to a non-sponsor that was closer).

The exceptions don't really bother me. What bugs me are the surprises.

Sorry..I can't stay away....one last comment.....

With the elections of new members to the BOD coming up....and very few if any have even responded or posted here...

What's your stand on this issue? Cause to me, if you can't make a sponsor operate under the clubs guidelines of being a sponsor.. You don't get my vote...That doesn't show respect to the club and BOD...you represent the CLUB. or whats' the point? Planning the monthly meeting?

Just wondering cause I don't see a strong voice or candidate even saying BOO here.

And Jorge and Jeff and of course Chris!, thanks for speaking your mind here as well....never let ANYONE intimdate you on these boards..always feel free to state the TRUTH...I have more respect for that than the blind followers that drink the Kool-aid..(yes I used it again) It just fits perfectly here.

Future BOD speak up...start another string, I don't care..I want to know how you stand.

Always feel free to state how you feel. Don't let ANYONE intimidate you with kool-aid references. I have respect for anyone who stands up for what they believe and are not affraid to speak their minds and for those who can give an intelligent argument based on actual thoughts, not just put downs.

Celebrate the fact that we have great sponsors who give us great discounts. Don't cry because a sponsor is too far from you, their hours of operation don't suit your needs or that other memebers get to enjoy a discount that you don't.

Todd- you do bring up one good point: how does the BOD stand on this?

The BoD has discussed it on more than one occasion... I was there personally at the store this past weekend to discuss it with them.
The BoD does not agree as a whole. We make them follow the rules and you all lose out by getting lowered to 10% (or lose the sponsor completely). We let them continue and you have to jump thru loopholes just to get club recognition. No matter what happens, the club still loses.
The BoD has made several changes in an attempt to better the relationship between club and sponsor but the bottom line is that the sponsor doesn't view the club as the free advertising/promoting that we are. Their biggest fear is that in a line of 10people at the store, the person up front is an ARC member and asks for their discount. Now theres 9 more people wondering why they cant get a discount too. I can give my personal opinion all day on what I think should/could be done but it is up to the BoD as a whole to come to a decision. So far what we have been trying to do is protect the members where we can without the club telling someone how to run their business.

To my knowledge, most if not all sponsors have at one time or another put limitations on their discount (e.g. FS&M now does not offer it on salt, has in the past limited the days the discount was valid, most won't allow it on sale items, etc., etc.). They are in the business to make money, and sometimes they will make decisions that are smart, and sometimes not, but folks, it is THEIR business to run. We are not a contolling agency that can make them "tow the line". The market decides, not the BOD. We benefit by having local stores, and doubly benefit when they are sponsors.

The sponsor/sponsee relationship is supposed to be mutually benificial, and if at anytime it is not, cool heads try to resolve it by coming up with a strategy that is good for everyone, and if this is not possible, then one side or the other can opt out without hard feelings. Imagine Ocean is a good example of a non-sponsor store with a good relationship with ARC.


Controversy and conflict are two different things. People disagree on this one. They have since I can ever remember, and they will probably always disagree. I have seen each sponsor get their nose out of joint one time or another because of something an alleged ARC member has done (and more often than not, they end up not being ARC members, just non-paying members that post onto our boards). Some of these comments (many times unfounded) have cost them a considerable amount of money. There is no need for ruffled feathers, or "calls to action", or calling people that disagree with you lemmings that follow without thought. We are better than that.

Focus on what you can give to this community, not what you can take out of it, and you will be much happier.

I am not a member as of yet, I run a business and customer service is 1st on the list. But lets not mistaken customer service and conveinance. We cannot dictate how to run their business, I am sure they know how better than I.

I see this only as a win/win situation. They provide a service in which they discount some type of product at some give time and day. If that works within our schedule then "Great". If not, then seek elsewhere for a better deal.

I cannot make it at their specific times to get certain discounts (if I was a member) but I'd still shop there if they had what I was seeking.

They are a store that is trying to help a club in the best way they know how or can...Why criticize that? I'm reading all these posts and it seems to me that were chastizing them for helping us....

Just my 2 cents

And Jorge and Jeff and of course Chris!, thanks for speaking your mind here as well....never let ANYONE intimdate you on these boards..always feel free to state the TRUTH...I have more respect for that than the blind followers that drink the Kool-aid..(yes I used it again) It just fits perfectly here.

Future BOD speak up...start another string, I don't care..I want to know how you stand.

So if we don't agree with you we are drinking the Kool-aid? Elections will be coming up if you do not like the way things are running why don't you run for office?

I like the lemon-lime koolaid, but only when someone else makes it.:unsure:

I like the lemon-lime koolaid, but only when someone else makes it.:unsure:
<grin>

Wow....this is just amazing to me....It's obvious that no matter what I say to try and HELP the club, there are those of you out there who think all I ever do is stir up the pot, and continue to slam me..I am fine with that...I write and post so I am fair game.

However it amazes me that the majority support a sponsor that makes his own rules but still get s the sponsor recognition....As for Marine Fish being afraid someone will hear about their ARC discount..GOOD!! Wholly HELL!! they are OUR sponsor!! They should PROMOTE US!!! Tell them those people to join ARC and you will get the discount too...We all know ARC members are a REPEAT buyer...the first timer on his own may or may not come back to the store.

I never have once said or suggested how they run their store. Have I?...I stated that they make up their own rules, operate the discount when they want, and make us jump thru hoops to use the discount.

As for what they have done to me.....NOTHING!!! I have bought from them lots of times..you guys don't get it. They are higher priced that most...30% off gets them to what everyone else charges.. Their store is bigger than most they have a high monthly rent being in East Cobb...I know the game, I am in the development business.. It's a business, they run how they want GREAT! I want everyone to make money.

I state the 90 % of us do NOT live in East Cobb...WORK during the week, Can't drive in Cobb county traffic after work, and get home at a reasonable hour during the week. MOST of us do our shopping on the weekends, and not before noon...etc.

Limitations and making us jump thru hoops is my beef.

I am soooo happy that you all love the rules and love the store, I never once said don't go there. I support ALL LFS's!!!! I visit most of them. or I used to. I always went out of my way to go to Marine Fish..I pass 4 LFS to get there. But not anymore...so they have lost MY business, they may not care.


And Sally as you very well know, I can't run based on my travel for my job and devote the time needed to do whatever position. And most of the members here most likely have a distaste for my type of personality anyway. I would make more enemies than friends because I am not politically correct.


Skriz....I don't know you so I don't know your name... You travel from Suwanee to go there, they must do you right so keep going. You pass alot of store as well to go there. Your work hours allow you to get the discount...However. I would venture to guess MOST do do have that leisure.

Carry on....

Focus on what you can give to this community, not what you can take out of it, and you will be much happier.

Agree.....Hmmm it makes you wonder how many people would still be in the club if all the sponsors were to quit the discount.

Wow....this is just amazing to me....It's obvious that no matter what I say to try and HELP the club, there are those of you out there who think all I ever do is stir up the pot, and continue to slam me..I am fine with that...I write and post so I am fair game. ....

Hey Todd,
If you ain't making waves, you ain't paddling. Dissent is welcome.

Why not compromise? 20% during the week and 10% the rest of the time?

[quote=SShindell;77615] but folks, it is THEIR business to run. We are not a contolling agency that can make them "tow the line". The market decides, not the BOD. We benefit by having local stores, and doubly benefit when they are sponsors.

The sponsor/sponsee relationship is supposed to be mutually benificial,/quote]

I understand what you're saying, and agree to some degree, but also feel that if a sponsor store decides to not fall within the parameters that the club sets as a sponsor store, then why should they remain a sponsor store? I have no problem with Imagine Ocean, for example; they choose not to be a sponsor store, and everyone is still happy. But how is it that a store can sign up to be a sponsor, get free advertising to a target community, and then after they're qualified as a sponsor, change the requirements as they see fit, yet no change is made? What if they dropped the discount alltogether? What if they charged ARC members more? What line does a sponsor store have to cross before their sponsor status is questioned? If they don't like the requirements, then they can drop their sponsorship, and there can still be a good relationship.

I think that, as a BoD, we have a responsibility to protect the little bit of recognition the sponsor stores get. If we don't, then there's no value to the club.

Maybe I'd feel different if they had tried to talk to us first or work something out that was mutually agreeable. Instead, they told us what worked for them, and the BoD agreed blindly. (In contrast, Sammy did the opposite, and got approval for some slightly different rules.)

I see what you're saying Chris. But you are also employing a slippery slide argument there. Even though MF has changed how they do the discount, it is still mutually beneficial to both parties. I know this is going out on a limb, but if they were closed from 12 on Saturday and all day Sunday, would people be equally as pissed that they can't benefit from the discount?

How does Dr. Mac's Corals fit in to all this? They seem to violate every rule in the book?

Chris, you and I are a lone ship in the sea...for some reason we can't get it into peoples heads..they continue to hang on to this store as if it is the last LFS on the planet. Nothing we say will sink into them. They are happy jumping thru any hoop the the store creates as long as they get a discount greater than 10% even though mathematically most of the time they can still get stuff cheaper elsewhere with a 10% discount....they don't realize that almost every LFS gets their fish from the same source....

They just keep hanging on .....we have tried. But I guess we have failed.

So be it, we know what they are doing is wrong in the forum of ARC. So we go elsewhere.

But this next BOD will and needs to address this situation. I will be a PITA to them until someone does.

.they don't realize that almost every LFS gets their fish from the same source....


You're not even close to correct on that one. There are countless live stock suppliers in this industry and just about every store I've talked to relies on a different and/or multiple providers, barring of course big box stores. Now back on topic.

I fully understand what you're addressing when it comes to following the exact letter of the law as it pertains to sponsership. Why should they get the advertising and think they're above the guidelines set that define the club they support?

There's an adage here that I feel holds very true: A tree that does not bend will break. A rigid BoD is not always the best thing for an organization. Intelligent, charismatic, and independantly opinionated people will yield ideas that a single line of thinking won't. I don't think that it's unreasonable to negotiate with sponsers as long as the outcome is reasonbly beneficial to all parties involved.

I know what these fish cost the stores. I ran a department for six years. A 30% discount on live stock, even with Marine Fish's higher prices is a great deal on these fish. They are of exceptional quality. The store is one of the few I would actually reccomend my customers to if I was not able to meet their needs.

I understand that you've paid to become part of an organization and this is one of the percs attributed to joining, but everything can't work for every person (this is where I faulter in my opinion of the discount). It's an imperfect system, and I don't think it will ever be anything other than that. Each store is their own dynamic, so it's not unreasonable that there with be specific cases, as I stated before, that benefit each party envolved.

Thanks for everyone that actually took the time to read through this. Washowi, I hope you can appreciate my point of the view on the matter. I can certainly see yours, but have to disagree with it.

To each his own..I Do appreciate your opinion..I however will disagree with you....as to their fish quality....This is not my first aquarium....I have bought lots of fish from there.. Alot died and some made it...I have bought from just about everyone in the north and west side of Atlanta.alot died, some made it..their fish are no better than---Capp Bay, Imagine Ocean, Fish Store & More, Aquarium Showcase, and on and on......

I have a friend who will remain nameless was there last week..the fish he was looking for that they had in stock would not eat at all ,so he found the same fish at Fish Store & more. Those fish would not stop eating...He bought from there...maybe a bad batch of fish, who knows, but they do not have the market of fish in Atlanta..

And anyone who says that is doing a disservice to our other sponsors that follow the rules of sponsorship.

Their fish are no better than anyone else's.

The simple solution is drop them as a sponsor. Whats the harm? If they want loyal followers then they will give them discounts whether they are in ARC or not...right? My fish store is not a sponsor, But I get a discount because I am a loyal supporter of the store.....No ARC card is needed.

As for the tree bending.....I think the tree has been bent far enough by this store.To almost snapping.It's time to support the tree a little. The Bending by this store has gone on long enough. We are not telling them how to run the store..We are saying if you want to be an ARC sponsor this is what you do. We do not let them tell us what they will do.

If they want to exceed the minimum, fine!! But they must meet the minimum and that my friend ----they are not doing.

A few years a go I was looking for Green Chromis..I wanted a big school of them...they wanted $15 a Chromis!!!!! Those fish can be had for $5 a piece anywhere else in Atlanta..Of course I moved on and did not buy..But even with the 30% off that was nowhere near what everyone else sells them at.

So the 30% is basically in my opinion , false.. the Overhead there must be extremely high...The Cam costs, rent, etc....

As an advertising/ PR major, and with a good bit of experience in the PR field I have this suggestion to Marine Fish.....

If people are bickering and bantering about your policies, why not come forth and explain your point of view and where you stand.....I am sure that if there is reason and logic to it (which I am sure there is), most dissenting opinions on here would probably turn in your favor.....if not, at least they would understand....or so you would hope.....

Even if your stance does not sway opinions, at least an explanation would show interest on behalf of the store to participate and better the ARC.

I don't want to start a discussion not related to their sponsership, nor do I want to look like I'm defending Marine Fish specifically, but I will address some of what you're asserting. Understand that what I'm saying in most cases, will apply to all fish stores.

[The fish] they had in stock would not eat at all ,so he found the same fish at Fish Store & more. Those fish would not stop eating...He bought from there...

It's not uncommon to have feeding issues with new fish. Stores are the frontlines dealing with the issues that arise from collection, holding, and shipping of livestock. Your friend made the right decision of not buying a fish that was not eating, but we I'd like to see more details when comparing stores. We don't know how long those fish have been at that location.

And anyone who says that is doing a disservice to our other sponsors that follow the rules of sponsorship.

All I said was that in my opinion they had exceptional fish. I did not say they had the market on them, or that you could not find exceptional fish elsewhere.

Their fish are no better than anyone else's.
Fish are fish. You're right about that. It's the care given to the fish and the help provided by the staff that makes the difference.

The simple solution is drop them as a sponsor. Whats the harm?
This would give a negative impression to other possible future sponsers. This is something, however, that can be put up to a rigerous, specific, open discussion between the BoD and the registered ARC members.

We do not let them tell us what they will do. - If they want to exceed the minimum, fine!! But they must meet the minimum and that my friend ----they are not doing.

It's not so much as what they will do, per se. It's what they offered that they feel they can do, which this club accepted.

they wanted $15 a Chromis!!!!! Those fish can be had for $5 a piece anywhere else in Atlanta..

I've sold XLG Tonga Green Chromis for $12.99 many times. I don't know what standard of chromis you were looking at.

As Jgoal55 said, and I think this is great, Marine Fish should come on here with an official statment. It would really kick off the true debate on this. We're only debating what we think their position is.

It's my turn to chime in. Even though I've posted our stance in a previous thread, I'll go over it again. I've been an employee at Marine Fish for a while now, and I first joined the ARC back when I started in the hobby in 02-03. When the rules about the weekend were implemented, as a consumer I was disappointed. Now that I am on the other side, I can see and understand exactly why it's done like this. I've talked to many ARC members regarding our policies and our discounts. In the end, it makes it very difficult to please everybody because everyone has their own opinion on how the store should be run.

I highly advocate the ARC, and I try to promote it as much as I can. I go out of my way especially to help ARC members who come into the store, and I've helped and befriended many who come into the store.

In regards to high fish prices and quality... A retail fish store is very expensive to run, especially one the size of ours in East Cobb. We have a large staff, and a lot of floor space for both livestock and drygoods. We are one stop shop and carry a little of everything. For the most part, we have a very knowledgable staff, and we all try to focus on one thing...Customer Service. As stated before, every single fish and coral that we ever receive go through a rigerous routine to get into our tanks that involve many acclimation procedures and medications. I honestly do not know of a store that spends 20+ hours when an order comes in to acclimate and dip each individual specimen to their holding tanks to aid in the health and quality of our livestock. This does not mean that we will never have unhealthy fish or coral, but we do our best to treat sick fish and remove pests from corals.

We pride ourselves in our staff. Dave, our livestock manager, previously worked with Kent Marine for 15+ years. He made and produced every single additive, and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Marine Chemistry because he has formulated and cross tested many, many products. Kevin, our other manager, is a hobbyist w/ 10+ years experience at reef keeping. He has tons of personal experience firsthand, not just relayed information. We have people w/ Master's degrees in Marine Biology and a few others with bachelor degrees. We have people that have worked at and been involved with various aquariums around the nation. This is truly a highly qualified staff... not your typical group of fish store employees.

The discount is such a touchy subject. We want to support the club as much as we can, as long as it is mutually beneficial to both the store and the club. In offering the discount on the weekends, it is the opposite of that. The store tends to get slammed on weekends, almost to the point where I don't feel like I am giving as much one on one attention as I want to towards helping a customer in making decisions about choosing a certain fish or coral, or even helping with a problem in their tank. I hope more people post exactly how much personal attention we try to give to our customers to help them run a successful aquarium. If we were to offer the discounts on weekends, it would be absolute chaos in the store. I'd be bagging fish left and right...not sure if they're going to the proper homes... not knowing whether he stands a chance for survival or not. In fact, we get so busy on weekends, that sometimes we lose customers because we're not able to help everyone as soon as they walk into the door.

Because we do offer the Atlanta Reef Club such a large discount, it just seems better for us to limit the time that it's offered to help spread the business out during the week. In doing this, I can spend so much more time to help an ARC member out than I would be able to do on a weekend where I might be able to bag him a fish and then head on to the next customer. Remember, I'm an ARC member too, and I know how we all are. We have lots of questions and love to talk about our systems. We like to see a fish eat before we purchase them, and we like to ask questions (even though we know the answers) to double check and see if the lfs employee knows what he's talking about. As an employee, I can't cater towards all of these on the weekends when I'm running around bagging fish, answering questions, getting corals, and telling that little kid to stop banging on the glass.

If I could change the policy, I would. It was one of the first things I spoke to my bosses about when I began working at Marine Fish. After seeing the business side of the store, I truly understand why they decided to do this. I really want to help the club out as much as possible, but I don't think anything can be done about this discount...not yet at least. Besides, my ARC discount is even better than my employee discount...so you guys shouldn't complain about it being limited.

For all of you who havent made it the store recently, please just come into the store sometime and see exactly what we have to offer.

Sorry for another long post...

Ill say what I said before..I did not know who the ARC was when I went into the store for the first time..I was a NEWB (hold on, I still am) Im really not sure who helped me but man did he spend some quality time with me answering stupid, im sure, Newbie questions. He even took me into the back of the huge 600 gallon tank they have and showed me the workings. I only made a small 70 dollar purchse but Id go there all the time if it wasnt 90 minutes away.

Thanks for the "chime in"

Too many holes in that response.....so basically..the discount is not good on weekends (afternoons) because your understaffed?


And we are not asking you to please everyone..asking to provide the sponsorship minimum..you aren't.

as for the discount driving up volume of customers.....ahhhhhh, last time I went to business school, having customers is a GOOD thing. as a matter of fact, by doing what you are doing now, you are LOOSING customers, that's a BAD thing.

And all those things you say you do like feed fish for customers, etc., that's what a fish store does. So maybe they need weekend help.

and by the way, what does the discount have to do with servicing the customers? I can't figure that out..Help me there.

I can see both sides of the arguement, but IMO if you are going to hammer MF for the discount times you have to get all the sponsers for limited discounts. I understand why Sam doesn't offer a discount on most items, but I am guessing that few people take advantage of Sams sponsership discounts and a lot take advantage of MFs.

Personally, I can see why MF does it and completely understand. They want more business on the dead days and we want a good discount. Seems like a reasonable compromise to me. After the discount, you will often find they rival online stores for price on some fish (not in every case but in quite a few). As for other prices in the store, some are high just like other places. Walk into PetLand Alph and look at a flame angel price... ouch! Every store around here is reasonable on some stuff and terrible on others. If you want real sticker shock, walk around Fish Store and More... they have some pricey stock as well.

As for hours, prior to a month ago, you couldn't even use Sams discount on weekends because he wasn't open and even now he has limited weekend hours.

MF has always been friendly and courteous to me (and not many stores around here can say that), even with high stock turnover they tend to keep good stock, have some very knowledgable staff and honestly when they have the time they really take care of you and are often willing to work out a deal. Another MF plus is you can often work one of the best deals around on new tank/stands compared to other sponsers even without the discount (I know I did the leg work) and they kick in 10% store credit after that.

I like Marine Fish and would hate to loose them as a sponser because we want to enforce a rule I really don't understand to begin with. If we go down this line, they will just retract the discount and give us a 10% discount on lighting or something to comply with the sponsership agreement. If that is the case, it seems we all will loose out.

BTW if other sponsers want to give a bigger discount through the week, I would not be allergic to that offering either. I can see maybe stating they have to have some hours during the weekend where the discount is offered, but beyond that I have no problem with bigger discounts on limited hours.

I am done...I tried...sorry for the ruffling of fins...I am obviously off base here because it seems everyone but me and Chris is alright with this. Not me, and that's OK cause I don't need to go there.. Still don't understand the practice cause if I am going they need to spend the time to get the stuff I want whether I am an ARC person or not.The discount does not work into the equation.

I see it as they don't want ARC people on the weekends. If you do come you pay for their time and effort.

Going to work have a good day to all..

Maybe I will have better luck on some other string.

Pnguye.....thank you for posting the stores position here and I am sorry that it was already in another thread....honestly I didn't even think about searching for it.....

Like I said (and you said), not everyone will agree with your position but at least now they can and should understand what the issues are.

I personally do not agree with the reasoning used only because like Todd said, it seems to me that you may be losing a handful of weekend customers. Also, like I said earlier, I can pretty much gurantee that you are not the busiest store on weekends. But by the same token, it's a business decision and if the store owner feels that extending the discount everyday that the store is open or at least offering the minimum (10% and not in store credit) on weekends is not a business savvy move then I respect that.

With regards to what Todd said about being a sponsor or not, I think that the majority of the club would vote to keep the store as a 30% off sponsor during the week, than not at all.....however, I also very much agree that all sponsorship rules should be followed and that said, and to an extent the store is ignoring the rules of sponsorship on weekends. That issue should be addressed.

Otherwise, any other sponsor that wants to do the same thing should be allowed and then at that point we will quickly climb on the slippery slope of letting our sponsors define the clubs sponsorship rules. With so many sponsors, that could be a problem.

I agree that this issue needs to be resolved and if the store is not willing to work with the club to resolve it then we have to find a way to not let this strongarm policy spread.

I love your store and also agree that many times you have the best looking livestock (especially fish) so I do very much hope that there is an amicable solution to this issue.

Good luck to both the BOD and to Marine Fish in working this out.

I like Marine Fish and would hate to loose them as a sponser because we want to enforce a rule I really don't understand to begin with.

I think Cameron makes a good point here in that maybe the issue lies with the clubs sponsorship rules. Until then however, the rules should be followed.

We have a large staff. I would believe it is safe to say that we have the largest staff of any store in the Atlanta area, and it is certainly difficult to have the right number of people on hand and still be able to give everybody the hours they need to make a living.

We provide a more than ample discount during the week, and we also implemented a 10% store credit on any $100 purchase on items that you would not get the traditional ARC discount. I believe this compensates for the 10% down the board. Now, if it comes down to it... MF can easily drop the discount like that, but who would lose out? I, as a hobbyist, definitely don't want to see that happen. How many ARC members would be upset over this?

We were, in fact, losing customers over the weekends because it really just became too busy in the store. Our store front is big, but we could not accomodate for so many customers in the store, just like how it would be very difficult to hold an ARC meeting inside the store nowadays. Not only is the staff limited in a sense, but the actual physical space is even limited. As far as business goes, the right choice was made in regards to limiting the discount.

Local Fish Stores do not have to become sponsors to be successful. I know we could do away with the sponsorship, and still keep up with business. However, we want to support a club who is passionate in this hobby and will continue to spread this passion, knowledge, and experience. By offering a discount at all, we are supporting the club to a certain extent and on things like the "no weekend policy", we try to compensate for a larger discount during the week and a 10% store credit policy - which includes everything in the store.

The most important thing about this orginzation and the sponsor's is to help eachother out. When somebody joins the ARC and is entitled to that discount, it is not "free advertising." Marine Fish, like any other LFS, is losing profits by providing that discount. In the long run, both the club and the sponsors should gain from eachother - not complain that they aren't getting enough. Once again...we can change it to 10% and be like every other club, but who would honestly lose out? MF will still be a successful store, in my opinion. But club members would be out of an awesome discount.

Well for all of you out there as confused as I have been while reading this... here is what the byLaws state regarding sponsorship:

Section 7
A sponsor membership shall be given to all aquarium related businesses who, as a courtesy, give all members who present proof of membership in good standing a 10% discount. The 10% discount should apply to all dry goods and livestock purchases throughout the year except shipping/handling, box charges, items currently on sale or discount, tanks, stands, canopies/hoods, lighting, and salt. Other items can be exempt from the 10% discount if the Sponsor member gives notice to the Board of Directors. Sponsor members may not hold office, unless 2/3 voting members approve. Sponsor members may vote.

It is my understanding that those are the minimum requirements right? If someone wants to offer better discounts and incentives of course that is allowed, but to be fair to other sponsors, they must follow the same guidelines and offer the same minimum terms. This is also helpful for members when going to a sponsor, they know they will be getting at least 10%. So I think I am with Chris and Todd here. It does not state that these discounts can be "whenever" an owner wishes to honor them. MF is pretty smart. They have offered a very appealling discount, attracted interest, and then restricted it. Are you sure they aren't really the government??? OK Just kidding...

I am an newb here on the forum, but to be honest I joined primarily because of the discounts offered. Otherwise why pay the $30.00 when I could still read and reply to the posts. I do think it would be awesome to have it laid out clearly: each sponsor, their location, and especially their discount terms.

And I also hope that everyone can play nice, otherwise we need stronger kool-aid ;) (yes sadly I am plenty old enough...)

I am done...I tried...sorry for the ruffling of fins...I am obviously off base here because it seems everyone but me and Chris is alright with this. Not me, and that's OK cause I don't need to go there..I am not upset by your position and I have heard from several people offline that don't like the no-weekend discount either.

Still don't understand the practice cause if I am going they need to spend the time to get the stuff I want whether I am an ARC person or not.The discount does not work into the equation.A lot of people have to price shop when buying items or they simply couldn't afford it. I love Petland Alph as they always have friendly staff that take the time to talk to me and they have always given me great service, but I wouldn't by a flame angel there for $70-$80 when I could go to MF on a Wednesday and get it for half that. For a lot or people, that $30-$40 difference is a really big deal. For me and I suspect for you, it isn't a huge issue but for those that scrape their tanks together on a budget these kinds of discounts can make a world of difference.

I see it as they don't want ARC people on the weekends. If you do come you pay for their time and effort. It isn't about no ARC members on weekends. For them I am sure it is about getting more people in on days when they have "dead time" or slow days. Like a resturant offering discounts on Tuesday dinners. They just want to spread their business out over the week. They have to pay to keep the lights on M-Th even though they probably aren't making much those days. If they can get more people in on those days by giving a big discount, it makes sense as a business for them to do that. Few if any of our sponsers give a discount strictly for the social benefits. By comparison with Sam, he gives a discount on select items... doesn't mean he doesn't want ARC members not buying the other stuff.

IMO the sponsership discount value should be weighted by how much members gain from it rather than its adherence to the rules. Sam follows the rules as they are today, but few members take advantage of his discount. MF doesn't follow the rules as they are written today, but lots of us take advantage of it. Which is better? IMO, the discount more people use.

Section 7
A sponsor membership shall be given to all aquarium related businesses who, as a courtesy, give all members who present proof of membership in good standing a 10% discount. The 10% discount should apply to all dry goods and livestock purchases throughout the year except shipping/handling, box charges, items currently on sale or discount, tanks, stands, canopies/hoods, lighting, and salt. Other items can be exempt from the 10% discount if the Sponsor member gives notice to the Board of Directors. Sponsor members may not hold office, unless 2/3 voting members approve. Sponsor members may vote.

We exceed the bare minimum, and we provide a 10% credit on tanks, stands, canopies/hoods, lighting, and salt.

Why focus only on the bad...why not look at the the good things we have to offer?

The actual numbers:

Club Discount:
30% discount on quality (there's no dispute about quality, right?) livestock
20% discount on dry goods

10% in store credit will be offered on tanks, stands, and lights.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The ARC discount will be available:

OPEN: Mon-Fri: Noon - 7:00 p.m.
----- 35 hours (out of 35 hours)
OPEN Sat: 10am-6:00 p.m.
----- 2 hours (out of 8 hours)
OPEN Sun: Noon-5:00 p.m.
----- 0 hours (out of 5 hours)

So......... 37 hours out of 48 hours (only 11 hours blacked out) to enjoy a substantial discount.

Something to consider before losing a good thing?

10% store credit offered on ANY purchase over $100 when ARC discount cannot be utilized

[quote=pnguye3;78039]10% store credit offered on ANY purchase over $100 when ARC discount cannot be utilized[/quote*]

Okay... see I didn't know that because it's not on the sponsor *sticky*

I've been advocating that the sticky be updated to read something like:

"30% discount on livestock (with the exception of select corals which receive a lesser discount)"

*Sticky could also be updated to include this (your statement)

I believe more goodwill can be maintained if there are no surprises once a customer is at the counter making a purchase.

QUOTE: We exceed the bare minimum, and we provide a 10% credit on tanks, stands, canopies/hoods, lighting, and salt.
Why focus only on the bad...why not look at the the good things we have to offer

That is fair. I do really like your store. Honestly until I read this post (all morning lol) I did not realize your offer was not honored on the weekends (well part of the weekend)...

I can see both sides. To be fair you do offer an amazing discount. I am one of the fortunate few who live close and can go at my leisure so I benefit greatly from your generosity.

From the other side, it seems unfair to SOME of the people I would imagine large part of your customer base - ARC members. I know you are saying "UNFAIR We offer 30%..." BUT If you are going to limit it, AT least offer the minimum required discount of 10% at those times. Not store credit. That may take the sting out of it for those who can't make it in for those few hours.

And be careful with "It makes non ARC members unhappy... " they can always Join. That is what I did. Pay the $30.00 and get the credit! Stores do that kind of thing all the time!

Again, I benefit from your generosity. I just feel that this could get ugly and we could end up losing the 30% all together if those who are unhappy with it stay unhappy.

I believe more goodwill can be maintained if there are no surprises once a customer is at the counter making a purchase.[/quote]

My point exactly Linda! You are much more succinct than I... :)

Perhaps if an ARC member lives outside a certain radius of the store (50+ miles or so?), you could make an exception for that reefer to allow the Sat a.m./Sun discount? The member would have to show a drivers license with the ARC card to show residency, but that shouldn't be too hard.

I can see where a member who lives in Macon or Athens, for instance, and works or goes to school during the day would never ever get to enjoy the ARC discount at Marine Fish.

Amen Linda...Could you include Covington with that? lol (I can see her scratching head..hmmm Covington...wheres that?) lol

...

as for the discount driving up volume of customers.....ahhhhhh, last time I went to business school, having customers is a GOOD thing. as a matter of fact, by doing what you are doing now, you are LOOSING customers, that's a BAD thing.

And all those things you say you do like feed fish for customers, etc., that's what a fish store does. So maybe they need weekend help.

and by the way, what does the discount have to do with servicing the customers? I can't figure that out..Help me there.

Having customers is a great thing...as long as you can service them. As soon as you have more than you can handle, it quickly becomes a BAD thing; customers start to get neglected and then get upset. One upset/dissatisfied customer will share his experience with 10 people. A happy one may only tell one person.

Weekend help? I would much rather have a qualified person help me with my purchase than some punk kid that is just there to make some extra cash on the weekend. This is how stores go out of business (ie. Under the Wave).

Having a qualified staff, wanting to spend time and helping the customer and trying not to overwhelm the store are Good business practices.

The one thing that is fundamental in business is that you cannot please everyone; you will lose certain customers. Trying to limit that is the best you can do.

Many people join the ARC for the discount (I didn't, but many do). This is one of the big "perks" for paying the dues and joining. Starting to drop sponsors who give members a discount will ultimately hurt the club. I don't know the percentage of members who joined only to get the discount, but if we were to lose them and their revenue, this really affects the club as a whole. Not to mention, we lose sponsors also.

Cameron may have a point. Maybe the Bylaws need to be looked at?

after reading all of the posts i though i would add my 2 cents. Marine fish is usually slammed on the weekends and they want to add more customers to times when they arent as busy on the weekdays. to me they are in compliance with they bylaw because their discount is offered through out the year or maybe the bylaws should be more specific. It seems like we are beating this subject to death now and most everyone who looks at this site knows that they have their discount on m-f and for 2 hours on saturday. i know that most of the patrons that shop at marine fish arent arc members so the advertising part really isnt helping them. Their business would probably be the same with or without the arc. we can help them by giving them business on their slower days and we benefit by having the largest discount any lfs offers. which is even mentioned as a perk in the why to join arc page "some lfs even offer a 30%" which marine fish is the only to offer that. To me it seems like if they dont really need our advertising and we are just pestering them for a discount all them and becoming a pain to them we are just going to lose out on the discount entirely if they decide to stop being a sponsor which i would hate to see.

I'll add my thoughts. Technically I agree with Todd they are breaking the rules but let's be a little more pragmatic here.

The idea of the sponsorship is the store gets advertising and business and members get a discount correct? So the discount is laid out at 10%, I'm fine with that in theory but MF comes along and says guys this really doesn't work for us! We'd really like you guys to have a bigger discount but come when we are not as busy probaly driving INCREMENTAL sales.

It's difficult but in my opinion not bad. I mean is a flat 10% better then 30% on the non-weekends? For some yes and some no. I would be all over them if they were 10% during the week and cut it on the weekend that's different but here a good faith effort was made to compromise and I have no issues with it. I think that instead of this flat 10% rule it should be changed that any sponsership has to be approved by the board and as a guideline we suggest a 10% discount all day everyday but are open to other proposals. It's not like you have to review hundreds of these things. If they want to change it has to go to the board (I would hope they would bring it up here) and then we decide to keep or not.

So Todd ya they are in technical violation (as are some others) but in my opinion it's the rigid rule that's wrong. The good news is it can be changed! I think you can see from this thread the majority like MF and can live withthe current discount plan so do we follow the rigidity to the detriment of the club????? I sure hope not.

Personally for myself I'm with you. I can never ever make it during the discount time due to work location and other commitments but I bet you we're in the minority. Other can go there at lunch or after work or early Saturday!

BTW there is no easy answer to this. I've gone through the same issues with 2 other clubs in 2 other cities!

I want to respond sooo bad....but I am done.....

bye :)

Would people still be complaining about 30% off if there were no weekend restrictions?

I do think the extra 20% discount for ARC members is generous. If you want to limit the discount you could do the standard 10% on Saturday and Sunday. That would be a happy balance. I just felt shut out at 1pm purchase on Saturday. It is a 30 minute drive, but the store is worth it. Great stock, clean, personable and quality.

I am all for local support of stores. 95% of my purchases are local unless they cant get the product.

Todd,
I am with you in the fact that the prices are so high that the only thing the 30% does is bring the product back down to what the other stores are offering at regular price minus the discount.

Donald,
There's a big difference between price and value. If you always shop based on price, you could very well end with something of low value, costing you more money in the long run. This isn't always the case, of course, but alot of times it is.

WOW I see what you are running into Todd. I do not see the value when the 30% just brings you back down to the area market price. They are a good store but the prices are high because the rent is high and they have alot of employees that they have stated having themsleves the cost of the product in the store is above market price compared to the rest of the stores in the area. Dont get me wrong they have alot of fish to offer but to me the price on corals is extreme at regular price and when you get the 30% it is at market value. So with that said should you feel like you are getting a great discount when all the 30% does is bring you to regular market price.

Donald- most of the time the 30% discount brings their price down to internet pricing or close to it. It brings it lower than most of the area stores. BUT, even if it brings it to the same price as other stores have with their discount, then you are getting a better selection and a well cared for/quality specimen at a fair price. Without the 30% and a lesser discount, the price would be higher than most, but for me still worth it.

That's not to say that other stores don't have healthy stock, they may. But from what I have experienced, MF has the best.

[quote=Skriz;78119]Having customers is a great thing...as long as you can service them. As soon as you have more than you can handle, it quickly becomes a BAD thing; customers start to get neglected and then get upset. One upset/dissatisfied customer will share his experience with 10 people. A happy one may only tell one person. quote]

I used to own a business and the above comment is completely correct. Ive seen people storm out because there was not enough people to help them, so i can kinda see MF reason for not wanting to offer the discount on the weekends HOWEVER, rules are rules and i do not think they should be able to change the rules to suit there needs! Another thing that no one has mentioned is that certain corals are not discounted the normal 30% but they are only discounted either 10% or 20%. When i found out that these stores are getting FREE advertising on this site I could not beleive it. Advertising expenses is one of the biggest PITA'S around, I hated it whenever I had to pay for advertising but it is a necessary evil. I dont beleive one second that, that store does not benefit hugely by the ARC. If we pulled their sponsorship or lowered it to 10% they would definetly feel it maybe not immediatly but over time their bottom line would diminish. So I personally feel they should play by the rules.

Not to completely throw things "off subject", but I don't see a sponsor receiving FREE advertising on club forums. It's their trade off for offering a discount. If you sum up the amount of money they are "giving" to the club by offering discounts, it amounts to advertising or close to it. Either way, this is just to point out that a sponsor benefits from a sponsored entity just as much as the sponsored entity benefits from the sponsor.

Think about all the company names printed on NASCAR cars... ;)

Bleeding thought, when you dont pay for something it called free. Not only are they getting free advertising on a hugely viewed website by their target audience, but they are still making money off that free advertising. Do you honestly think they are losing money by offering a discount to us ? Maybe you dont know about the profit margin off Livestock - I can assure you its at least 100% and yes even with the discount.

I agree that their product is healthy and the service, I believe is excellent, but if the markup is that much higher and the discounts bring you down to the norm than the advertising "is" free...

I have a day off today, maybe its time for a drive..anyone wanna go..sure could use a 30% discount lol

Bleeding thought, when you dont pay for something it called free. Not only are they getting free advertising on a hugely viewed website by their target audience, but they are still making money off that free advertising. Do you honestly think they are losing money by offering a discount to us ? Maybe you dont know about the profit margin off Livestock - I can assure you its at least 100% and yes even with the discount.
I see where you're coming from but if you and I traded frags, would it be free? :)

Plus, I don't think about the profit on livestock anymore because of overhead. They have to. But yes, the mark up is quite high! ;)

Well, I think the place is great. In fact, I am going there after work. I love the fact that in my general area there are 3 really quality LFS. I have no problem with their terms for their discount. I have never even been there on the weekends, I usually stop there on my way home from work. I think their quality is superb. FWIW

The discount is very generous. I find the prices at any of the LFS to be close enough to one another with some exceptions. I have had great service at Marine Fish.

My original post about the discount did not think it would create so many opinions. On Saturday I thought they could do a 10% for members like other stores. I will just try to get my self in before Noon on Saturdays.
Hey a savings of $7.80 would have been nice. They have worked with me on another purchase, so I really have no hard feelings, I now am more informed an will shop accordingly. M-F or early on Saturday.

Here is a thought for you.

I just paid very low prices on several inverts from www.aquacon.com and totaled $115.82. BUT then I paid $49.99 in shipping and $16.25 in fuel charge for a total of 57% of the original purchase value. On top of that one item was missing and one item arrived deceased (due to Georgia heat despite the FedEx priority overnight). So now I have to deal with all that.

Bottom line ... even with internet 'discounts' we are often better off purchasing locally, even if the price is 30% higher than the internet. Of course, this assumes the item is available locally which seems to be less and less true as time goes on.

Here is a thought for you.

I just paid very low prices on several inverts from www.aquacon.com (http://www.aquacon.com) and totaled $115.82. BUT then I paid $49.99 in shipping and $16.25 in fuel charge for a total of 57% of the original purchase value. On top of that one item was missing and one item arrived deceased (due to Georgia heat despite the FedEx priority overnight). So now I have to deal with all that.

Bottom line ... even with internet 'discounts' we are often better off purchasing locally, even if the price is 30% higher than the internet. Of course, this assumes the item is available locally which seems to be less and less true as time goes on.


Good point. That is very high on shipping and charges! Most sites are much lower than that; did they have stuff that the others didn't?

They have everything. Plus, you gotta expedite the shipping in this weather. I have to admit, the 'Fuel Surcharge' was a surprise.

Yeah, the fuel surcharge is the killer! I think I remember live aquaria chargina a fixed $35 for overnight. marine depot too. Could be wrong.

Donald,
There's a big difference between price and value. If you always shop based on price, you could very well end with something of low value, costing you more money in the long run. This isn't always the case, of course, but alot of times it is.

This is very true. Been down that road before. Value is always best in the long run.

I think many others in the area have the same value. yes the 30% is a great discount but the stores prices are so high that all the 30% does is bring the product down to a price that everyone has without the discount. Dont get me wrong 30% is nice when it is a deal. Minus 30% to pay the surrounding area market price is not.

Marine is a great store and has a larger selection of fish then most but when you look at the surrounding market the 30% really is not a deal and I am not talking about the online stores.

Do I go to marine you bet they are a smart bunch of people and they do help and patrick has a nice selection. But when it comes to the views of the club discount I am sorry I am with Chris and Todd on this one.

Even though I posted last I am going to request this post be closed. We need as a group to refocus on the fun stuff like reefing and trading and attempting to beat a certain animal lover in powder springs on the stuff that goes up for sale in here :) I started not this thread but the trunk of this tree and it has grown to be to big and a little crazy. So MOD please lets remove this or close it and lets all just enjoy the great stores that we have in the area and just be plain nice to each other.

We need as a group to refocus on the fun stuff like reefing and trading and attempting to beat a certain animal lover in powder springs on the stuff that goes up for sale in here :) .

Okay, before this is closed..... I KNOW you're not talking about ME... Uh oh, you're saying as a group ya'll need to beat me to the punch? Okay... checking to see how I can link this forum to my cell phone alerts...

;)

Rats she is on to me guys