pay for classifieds?!!?!

[Maxthecat]

Hi, I just want to  about having to be a paying member in order to post classified ads. Now chances are that this post will be "moderated" so repply a soon as you read it. Im angry because this hobby is already $$$ enought as it is and this website is supposed to be non-profit so can someone please explain to me why they need my money?


-- edit: lol i got reported.. how funnay..

[Bubbles]

I agree. It's most definitely a cash grab.

I paid so I could post but there have been a lot of aquarium ads popping up on Kijiji or usedottawa.

My 2cents

[Maxthecat]

my thoughts exactly, you cant get anything worth getting on kijiji because people don't know what they're talking about!! that's why we come here!

[TLe041]

I'm willing to bet that this thread will just get locked up and/or deleted.

The execs are just not interested in what people think.

[Benja]

Ask not what your local club can do for you; ask what you can do for your local club.
Support OVAS.
Buy a membership.
Whats $20 to someone who owns saltwater.  Seriously.

[KrazieCanuck]

yep, so all paying members now lose about 80% to 90% of the items being sold or offered because it's probably only about 10-20% of the users that are actual members. 

Also, they have removed access to the Sponsors Forums too it appears, so they are now not only hurting the non-paying members but their sponsors as well who list their new shipments and stuff to advertise.

I do realize the argument on the Exec half somewhat, but what they have done not only is limiting the non-members, but hurting the members and sponsors as well.  Not very well thought through if you ask me.

[aqua666]

you know they talk about posts about people that were not related to the whole section and abuse of it but the thing is that if any one wants to post random stuff they still can. what is that have to do with the classified add?
I think they are just coming up with excuses to explain them self but the reality is they wanna make some money. all of the sudden they are thinking you know what we control the site so why not make some money out of it now.
I really think ovas should go back to its original settings and they should do it before they heart this site any more.

[cdylnicki]

Yeah, big money grab - a whole $20 a year...  They must be really pulling in the millions...     It would be like not buying coffee for a week from Starbucks...  But in this case you get DISCOUNTS at local fish which in turn might actually SAVE you money.

Support the club and all of the hard work they put into planning meetings/guest speakers and keeping up this website (all of which are NOT free). 

[bitterman]

Come on people you keep this up and there will not be an ovas, the execs will all quit... (Hmmm this has started already) the site will be taken down and ovas will go back into trust for caoac. They volunteer because they want to help and further peoples knowledge, not to deal with all this BS.

STOP COMPLAINING this has been rehashed more then enough.  You will need to earn back the privileges removed.

Get back to the true meaning/mission of ovas

"The Ottawa Valley Aquarium Society (OVAS) is a non-profit, educational, and recreational organization. It has four main objectives

    * to further the study of all forms of aquatic life,
    * to promote interest, exchange ideas, and distribute information concerning the hobby,
    * to encourage breeding and displaying of aquatic life,
    * and to work toward the conservation of endangered species."

Regards,
    Bruce

[mseguin]

Not that we should have to address this yet again, but here goes:
-No idea what you're talking about with the Sponsor Forums, I tried logging out and all the Sponsor Forums were still visible as a guest, more than likely you may have accidentally closed that tab. Take a look.
-Again with the cash grab? Really?
-I'm not even on the executive next year, so why would i even care about making money, I won't be doing anything with it?
-As for not caring what anyone thinks, there has always been ongoing discussion on this, and we always take people's opinions into account. We are currently discussing the best solution to this discussion, even though this is usually the time the exec essentially splits off for the summer. So give us a little time before you start repeating the same angry posts all over again.

[gerryo]

I understand that this is supposed to be a community with common goals.

It sure seems that some people have the goal of destruction.  So it costs $20., if you can't afford that then maybe you shouldn't be in this hobby.  Seems that this is an expensive hobby, not some fly by night cheap endeavor.

If that is all you want from the site is cheap adds, believe me there are other places to take your cheap ideas and put them somewhere that will never do you any good.

I paid my $20. and am enjoying every minute I'm on this site.  I do not use it for a bitch session.  GET REAL.

Gerry

[dan2x38]

#1 OK guys I voiced my opinion and a lot of us have. Lets let this go for now. OK folks? Please!

#2 It is changed for now and that is the way it is whether we agree or not. At some later date maybe it will be looked at again. But I am sure the voices of those (includes me) opposed will have less impact if this issue keeps getting brought up every day or other day.

#3 The executive does not meet until Sept. so this is a moot point for now.

[holachicka]

This subject has been discussed to death - let's all just enjoy our summer and discuss this at the next meeting in Sept.

[Maxthecat]

arguments from people who have 1000+ posts dosent count simply because they paid a good while ago. That being said, the main reason why the pay for ads is bull is because it won't attract ANY new members. Think about it, I would have never joined when i did if I had to pay. Any person who is new to the hobby will not pay, period. If you don't agree then you don't understand economics.

But I get why they did it, if the site is going under, well they have no choice, so fine for now i guess.

THIS PART IS FOR THE &%$?$'S WHO KEEP SAYING: "IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, DO SOMETHING ELSE"

I'M POOR, LIKE STUDENT LOAN POOR, BUT I LOVE THIS HOBBY AND WHAT IT BROUGHT IN MY LIFE, HEARING THAT MAKE'S ME WANT TO PUNCH SOMETING. JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE MORE MONEY DOSEN'T MEAN YOU CAN ACT LIKE A BIG SHOT.

If there's something I always said to people interested in it is YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPENT A TRUCK LOAD OF MONEY TO GET YOUR PIECE OF PARADISE... so to all the peps who hold such views like those guys (see previous posts), ... well you get the picture...

[mseguin]

It has been requested by several members that this thread be locked. I think every argument for or against has been voiced. The exec are taking everything that has been said under consideration. Thank you.