1TROY7
Senior Member
I paid my $30 also. I'm glad for the information here and the nice people. I would also like to attend a workshop when I have time. Thanks everyone for giving us this option. :banana:
People having thoughts of leaving tcmas read (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter guy9smiley2
- Start date
briguy350
Senior Member
I'm gonna start by saying that I love this website and have learned so much on here. But charging to see the classifieds or to sell anything really does bum me out. It affects everybody. Now there's not as many people that can see the classifieds it hurts people trying to sell frags and buy them. I don't care if people just want to sell stuff on here cause you can usually get a good deal. I feel like I am being punished because I don't go to meetings. I hope you guys change your minds and open it back up.
Myclang
BOOM BOOM
It costs money to host such a large website, $30 is a drop in the bucket to share/sell frags with the community. Or go to ONE whole meeting a year and not pay anything.... It's not asking much. They could have voted that you had to go once a month to retain a member status, or removed it altogether.
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TCMAS is not just about getting good deals, that is certainly a mentality we want to change. It was voted on long ago to have it this way, and it was voted on by TCMAS members.
We hope you continue to enjoy learning and bettering your husbandry through our website and club functions, if you choose to become a member by attending a meeting than even better. There is an alternative to attending a meeting while still maintaining all of the benefits of being a TCMAS member. I would argue that it is even easier than attending a meeting.
I believe having access to our membership benefits far outweighs the dues set for the supporter membership option, if you cannot afford the supporter option then there are plenty of meeting posted with plenty of time to try and work them into a schedule.
If none of them work, just keep your eyes open for one that will.
Myclang
BOOM BOOM
^ boom
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2
Right now, I'm kind of on the fence...trying to attend a meeting in the near future or just paying the $30. In the meantime, I have found myself found myself becoming more involved on the forum. I'm checking out other "non-classified" section much more often and starting to participate in a few threads. That the real power of any club...the sharing of info via meetings and the forum...not via access to a classified section. Pretty much have all my equipment for my new build and won't be buying any livestock in the near future since I'm in cycling mode...I'm curious whats in the classified but not sweating about not having access currently.
BTW...just noticed I have 50 posts...I guess I'm ready to rock and roll in the classified forum, once I gain access.
Mike
BTW...just noticed I have 50 posts...I guess I'm ready to rock and roll in the classified forum, once I gain access.
Mike
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I know of a really good website to buy stuff from private partys. Has a nice search option too. It's called Craigslist. I myself have made some for sale threads on this forum, and when I do I hope to give the people on here that are willing to learn and share about the hobby, a good deal on live stock or equipment. Not make a buck, just not loose 2 bucks. If I want to make a buck I will post on Craigslist as most people will charge more for items in a Clist add. Most likely you will save well over $30 over the course of a year, especially if you are starting out on this forum. Just the knowledge alone will save you hundreds. How many of us have a seaclone skimmer that we bought at once? I don't know why some people choose to leave for the fact they can't see the classifieds. I know a lot of sites that charge just to see classifieds on their site, and most are well above $30 a year. I Could probably go on for days on this topic but :brick1: lol
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!
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I'm thankful for the option to pay. I'm pretty far away geographically (live in Bemidji) but I check the forum probably an average of two times a day minimum. This is the most active forum and the largest knowledge pool around. Thanks for sharing what you guys have! That's the spirit of true hobbyists and I sincerely appreciate it. The option to pay allows me to show my support and feel more like a member. Wait, I actually get to BE A MEMBER! NICE! I plan to still try to attend a meeting one day just because I know it will be fun. It makes sense, IMO, to pay now and not wait till I possibly make a meeting as I want to see all there is to see in the meantime!
One thing worth noting, the further a person is away, the less likely we are to be stopping here for the classifieds. It's hard to get in on any of the deals when it's so easy for you to find local buyers. I don't hold it against any of you. I'm just really jealous. (You would be too! LOL)
I can't wait for more contests and the workshops! What a wonderful idea and addition to the club experience. It is totally worth $30 for access to those alone. If I add that $30 to my annual hobby spending, hmmm..., nope...not even gonna notice it.
There's been so much discussion, I kinda started skimming over the threads and think I missed something somewhere. Can someone please tell me how to pay my $30? THANKS!
One thing worth noting, the further a person is away, the less likely we are to be stopping here for the classifieds. It's hard to get in on any of the deals when it's so easy for you to find local buyers. I don't hold it against any of you. I'm just really jealous. (You would be too! LOL)
I can't wait for more contests and the workshops! What a wonderful idea and addition to the club experience. It is totally worth $30 for access to those alone. If I add that $30 to my annual hobby spending, hmmm..., nope...not even gonna notice it.
There's been so much discussion, I kinda started skimming over the threads and think I missed something somewhere. Can someone please tell me how to pay my $30? THANKS!
kieffer_5
Senior Member
User control panel- left side- paid subscriptions that will being you to the right page
Thank you for a great post..... Very well said!! most likely if you cant afford the 30 a year membership you are going to be "tire kicking" every deal in the classifieds anyways!! Go "tire kick" full prices at the LFS.....
madscientist1
Senior Member
I was happy to "donate" the $30. And I do plan on hosting a meeting. And I will most likely attend a few meetings... and will be happy to donate more money next year.
I found TCMAS about a year ago. And the amount of knowledge I have gained has saved me more than $30. (It also cost me many of hundreds of dollars in purchases) but It is all well worth it... to those that wish to leave... I am truely sorry that happens. But I will be here for as long as ya'll will have me... or until Angie kicks me out (kidding)
:beerchug:
I found TCMAS about a year ago. And the amount of knowledge I have gained has saved me more than $30. (It also cost me many of hundreds of dollars in purchases) but It is all well worth it... to those that wish to leave... I am truely sorry that happens. But I will be here for as long as ya'll will have me... or until Angie kicks me out (kidding)
:beerchug:
I'm sure someone, at some point, brought up this scenario, but if I may, I would like to share something which is not, in any way, meant as a criticism.
As someone helping his wife get back into doing saltwater the right way after issues with a FO system, I have found the information and members here very helpful. The classifieds, themselves, however can help those like me enter the hobby, by locating needed equipment those others want to get rid of, but would help the newbie. Often the items are "lower level" due to the person upgrading, so are suitable for newbies. Also, seeing what is for sale has given me ideas about what was needed. In that regards, the open classifieds can promote the hobby and increase membership.
I understand that attending a meeting isn't a big deal for most people, but if you are just entering the hobby, the likelihood that you will feel comfortable getting together with others who are so well versed and can show off their tanks, is rather low.
In my case, I have been around and researching for over a month and still have no tank, although, we found one in the classifieds while they were open. Until we have a system up and running, I wouldn't feel comfortable getting together with a bunch of strangers until I was confident in my tank and/or I developed some relationships on the forum that I could translate into having a "buddy" to see at the meeting.
In my case, the chronology of being able to access the knowledge and classifieds so that I could set up a system, will lead to an eventual meeting attendance (depending on the wife). Had the classifieds not been open to view, I can't honestly say that our system would be coming together. If we do attend a meeting, the time will have passed when those classifieds would have done the greatest good, that being the initial setup and investment of a lot of money.
Yes, I know there is a pay option, but the majority of people will not pay to get access to classifieds which may or may not contain items that they are interested in.
Again, please don't take this as any sort of criticism, for it isn't. It is just an honest observation from an appreciative "newbie".
As someone helping his wife get back into doing saltwater the right way after issues with a FO system, I have found the information and members here very helpful. The classifieds, themselves, however can help those like me enter the hobby, by locating needed equipment those others want to get rid of, but would help the newbie. Often the items are "lower level" due to the person upgrading, so are suitable for newbies. Also, seeing what is for sale has given me ideas about what was needed. In that regards, the open classifieds can promote the hobby and increase membership.
I understand that attending a meeting isn't a big deal for most people, but if you are just entering the hobby, the likelihood that you will feel comfortable getting together with others who are so well versed and can show off their tanks, is rather low.
In my case, I have been around and researching for over a month and still have no tank, although, we found one in the classifieds while they were open. Until we have a system up and running, I wouldn't feel comfortable getting together with a bunch of strangers until I was confident in my tank and/or I developed some relationships on the forum that I could translate into having a "buddy" to see at the meeting.
In my case, the chronology of being able to access the knowledge and classifieds so that I could set up a system, will lead to an eventual meeting attendance (depending on the wife). Had the classifieds not been open to view, I can't honestly say that our system would be coming together. If we do attend a meeting, the time will have passed when those classifieds would have done the greatest good, that being the initial setup and investment of a lot of money.
Yes, I know there is a pay option, but the majority of people will not pay to get access to classifieds which may or may not contain items that they are interested in.
Again, please don't take this as any sort of criticism, for it isn't. It is just an honest observation from an appreciative "newbie".
OP
OP
Although you do have valid points on the meetings, that is why there is the pay option. Yes some people may not want to pay $30 to obtain access to the classified ads, but if they are looking to purchase a tank or equipment anytime I. The near future I can almost guarantee you that the $30 they spent will be saved if not by 3-4x that amount. There are 75g tanks on Craigslist for $500 empty. One recently was just sold for $75 tank stand and I believe a sump even. The $30 will be long forgotten with the amount of $ you save. And if your not looking to buy anything from the classified where you wouldn't save $30 there is no need to view them then IMO.
As a fellow reefer and just a member of this forum I honestly hope you do choose one if the two options if you are looking to purchase used equipment or a setup. It will benefit you greatly!
Hope this helps!
A meeting isn't about showing off your tank, I've been to meetings and the member only had a 40g breeder tank/29G biocube/Nano setup. Its just nice to talk about something we all have a passion for and putting faces with names. We are pretty diverse with experience ranging from a goldfish bowl to a 1800G setup, I'm still learning how all this S**t works *excuse my language*. Also it is nice to see how others have certain setups, ie. lighting, sump, filtration, Skimmer, etc. You'll come out every meeting having a new ideas for your own setup. It is different experience when you are just typing, compared to visually seeing the entire setup(s).
i guess im unable to relate to this thought myself, when i joined TCMAS, i went to a meeting within 2 months, and the meeting i went to was in Blaine (i cant remember the name of the persons house now, but Angie will it was where we met and i called her Carpenter!)
The meeting we went to, the host only had a 29g biocube up and running, nothing fancy, had some cyano, we talked about the tank a little then we sat and just BS'ed about everything. I soaked in lots of knowledge, asked a few questions and left enriched.
Thats my take on attending a meeting. If it still makes you uncomfortable, and you dont want to go to one for this or that reason or you cant make one, like guy9 said, become a TCMAS Supporter for $30 a year!
i have really been trying my darnest to take this "paying for access to the classifieds" mentality out of peoples minds. You are NOT paying for access to the classifieds, that is one of the MANY benefits that come with the priviledges of TCMAS Membership or becoming a TCMAS Supporter. You have access to the members only area, where the workshops will be listed and the giveaways will be listed, not cheap giveaways either. Not only access to those areas but able to partake in them as well! You also can get free table space at the Expos, acccess to special members only postings and offers... really the classifieds is just a fraction of what paying for the supporter option really gives you.
Like ive said more times than i care to, if you only want to partake in the classifieds benefit, that is your choice... but this is surely not 'just' what you are paying for.
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Also a suggestion, if you are not comfortable going to a meeting I would suggest partnering up with a club member *So you know someone there* or PM MOD/BOD who is attending and introduce yourself to them and I'm sure they will introduce you to others.
SmnParish
Senior Member
Just out of curiosity; has anyone noticed changes in site traffic since the change? I feel like recently when I glance over at the people online the list seems half as big, but don't know if it's related to anything.
immediatley after the change, i actually noticed more traffic...
take a peek at how many people have posted to try and win this months giveaway, might give you an idea on how many people are still trolling about, and a bunch of people i see posting havent entered it as of yet.
currently i think people are still having site issues after the ip switch.
take a peek at how many people have posted to try and win this months giveaway, might give you an idea on how many people are still trolling about, and a bunch of people i see posting havent entered it as of yet.
currently i think people are still having site issues after the ip switch.
I'm sure it is somehow related. Eventually it will be back to normal.
SmnParish
Senior Member
Interesting connection, wouldn't have suspected traffic to increase but it's a good thing that I was wrong! Odd that I thought it was less, but I guess that's just because I always go on during the middle of the day and early in the morning when not as many people would be on.
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