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Question about the buy sell trade forum guidelines

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Armydog, Jan 28, 2014.

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  1. Jan 28, 2014 #1
    Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

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    So since this was thrown out at me and I have never considered myself a business please someone from the bod explain is it OK for a commercial seller to be responding to post in the buy sell trade forum which is for hobbyist not businesses or ones that claim they are a business?


    Commercial Sellers
    How can you tell if you're a "commercial" level seller?
    Are more than 15% of your posts related to the sale of a product that you are responsible for either delivering, growing or otherwise manufacturing?
    Do you sell your products under a business name or file taxes for the business that's responsible for delivering, growing or otherwise manufacturing the items you're selling?
    Are you publicly offering a service at a price?If you can answer "YES" to any one of these three questions, you're classified as a commercial seller.  For commercial sellers to post items for sale, go to this URL (http://www.greateriowareefsociety.o...tabid=105) to find out about becoming a sponsor.  Sponsors get access to the Commercial Members & Club Sponsors forum and are not limited to the number of for sale posts they wish to make.



     
  2. Jan 28, 2014 #2
    Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

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    Now i understand there is some questionable points here in the guidelines but is it OK for a commercial seller (a business) to be posting in the hobbyist buy sell trade for trying to sell their products
     
  3. Jan 28, 2014 #3
    Kpotter2 North liberty, IA

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    Great question.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
  4. Jan 28, 2014 #4
    Kpotter2 North liberty, IA

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    I think I know were your going with this too. Its been on my mind. I think its suppose to stay in the commercial members area, but if they have a personal account how do we address it also.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
  5. Jan 28, 2014 #5
    Armydog

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    If they have a personal account hey we can't track them all but in this particular case we know the personal account and other account. We can't track them all but whenwe do know it I think it should be addressed
     
  6. Jan 28, 2014 #6
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

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    Are we talking about a commercial vendor posting their items for sale in the buy/sell/trade sections, or are you asking about whether it is ok for a commercial vendor to buy from club members that are selling in the buy/sell/trade sections.

    It is perfectly acceptable for a site commercial vendor to buy from people posting in the buy/sell/trade section of the site. Its up to the individual selling the items to decide who they wish to sell to.
     
  7. Jan 29, 2014 #7
    Reefman

    Reefman Inactive User

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    This was brought up a couple weeks ago as a concern...
     
  8. Jan 29, 2014 #8
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

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    Bottom line is that the seller can choose who they do and do not want to sell to, and at what price. There is not reason that just because an individual is registered as a commercial vendor on this site they can't buy from hobbyists.
    And about the issue of reselling, it happens all the time when systems are parted out. Whether an individual or a "commercial vendor" buys the system. Its part of the hobby. If someone has the coin to front to buy someone out for a smoking deal then part out for profit, good for them. They take the risk in doing it, hopefully they get rewarded.
     
  9. Jan 29, 2014 #9
    mpivit Dubuque

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    .
     
  10. Jan 29, 2014 #10
    got2lb Clarksville, IA

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    Maybe I'm wrong but I think the original poster is talking about this thread:

    http://www.greateriowareefsociety.org/Forums/tabid/78/aft/32912/Default.aspx
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 26, 2015
  11. Jan 29, 2014 #11
    HarleyHawk

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    I think what the question is, to be a commercial seller, and buying from Buy/Sale /Trade. do you not have to have a Store Front or be able to buy Wholesale. Just asking
     
  12. Jan 29, 2014 #12
    mpivit Dubuque

    mpivit Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    I posted before, and took it down because I am looking for the right words, still don't know if I found them, but I'll give it a try.

    If somebody is a commercial sponsor, shouldn't they possess the means to conduct commerce outside of the club message boards?
    Most commercial sponsors that post something for sale either have a retail location or a website to which their prospective customers are directed to complete the transaction, they don't just post in threads. I think it is the posting in other peoples threads that is causing the minor controversy.

    To me an acceptable commercial post should be in its own thread directing people to their own place of business.

    Commercial members are Club Sponsors, meaning they give to the club hoping to increase their exposure, build a reputation and contribute to the hobby. Hopefully that exposure and reputation result in people being driven to their business and result in sales. I don't believe there is anything wrong with commercial sponsors buying and selling on the site, but it should not be the primary place they do either, and it should not be done within threads which are not their own.




     
  13. Jan 29, 2014 #13
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

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    Club sponsors and commercial sellers are exactly the same. They pay the club extra money and get extra posting privledges and the option to have a banner displayed. They don't need a store front, they don't need to be able to buy wholesale. If someone wishes to become a sponsor, they pay an extra fee and get some extra privledges. If we see someone just using the site for the buy/sell/trade forum we will kindly ask them to be a bigger part of the community with their posts, or ask that they become sponsors.


    In the case of Basement Bay he approached the club wanting to be a sponsor, I don't know his reasons for wanting this, but we welcome new sponsors. Operation Tidal Wave, another hobbyist sponsor posted a website he set up to sell frags so we asked him to become a sponsor. The only difference between these guys and several other members that have frag tanks and constantly sell frags is that they chose to be a sponsors. At the end of the day, they don't have storefronts, they don't buy wholesale, they are just hobbyists wanting to unload some frags.



     
  14. Jan 29, 2014 #14
    jazzybio13 Ames

    jazzybio13 MBI Breeder

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    I think we shouldn't hinder the hobbyist who DOES sponsor, what's the big deal with letting them volunteer up their product. Now, if Seachem or Live Aquaria started posting up our threads, yeah I'd take a beef with that.... BUT... these are our local hobbyists we are talking about! Isn't this something good and worthy of promoting? I just don't feel like we should harp on them... at the end of the day the person who is searching for the coral can choose to pick and buy from 'joe shmo' down the street, or a 'sponsor'... (who in my opinion is joe shmo still, just has paid into the local community more!)

    Just saying.
     
  15. Jan 29, 2014 #15
    HarleyHawk

    HarleyHawk Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Like I said David I am just asking, I did not even bring up Basement Bay, Hell I have even driven to his place to buy. I am about ready to take this club ****ttt and shovel it. I try to buy everthing through the club and has spent 1000's to alot of members. If you have a beef with me send me a PM . I just asked a simple question
     
  16. Jan 29, 2014 #16
    Kpotter2 North liberty, IA

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    David is just explaining the answer to the question guys. He is not attacking anyone.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2015
  17. Jan 29, 2014 #17
    mpivit Dubuque

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    Buying and selling options are great, I agree.
    I think our sponsors are great, all of them. But there should be guidelines on how they are allowed to post in the buy sell trade. If there are hobbiests the club wanted more money from, my question is why? If a hobbiest wanted to pay more money to be viewed as a commercial sponsor and increase their exposure; they should be expected to conduct themselves like a commercial sponsor because they have increased their exposure drastically.

    I think these small sponsorships somewhat devalue a true commercial sponsorship.
     
  18. Jan 29, 2014 #18
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

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    I was just answering your question. I don't know how you read my message, but I really meant to do nothing more that provide everyone with some explanations about our commercial sellers and sponsors. I used Basement bay and Operation tidal wave as examples of hobbyists that are also club sponsors. The thread that was linked previously was one that basement bay had posted in saying he had what the OP was wanting.



     
  19. Jan 29, 2014 #19
    Eric & Amber

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    By the way DONNY you can kiss my A#@ I have spent about 600-700 dollars at your house and you even contacted me today to buy all my hi dollar stuff that I have that you don't sorry I don't have my banner or website set up I have been in Iowa city trying to keep my newborn alive for the first 9 weeks of his life and may be here for the next 6 months lost my job and trying to make a buck on the 5000-6000 I have spent mostly at either a club members house or a sponsors store i don't think it is wrong of me to post on someones WTB post that i have what they want . As far as all the stuff you contacted me about it is nat for sale to you . THANKS ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT !!!!
     
  20. Jan 29, 2014 #20
    Armydog

    Armydog Expert Reefkeeper

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    Wow when did I say any names not once did I say anybodys name.... As for your high dollar stuff yes I do have it just wanted more but ok
     
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