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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/13/2008 10:56:35 PM
Posts: 11,
Visits: 129
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Hello, Im new here, so I thought I would get this out of the way before I end up shooting myself in the foot.
I am wondering about the policies reguarding posting questions about other online vendors, or products that might be in competition with products being sold by marine depot. I dont mean advertising, more like asking questions about and comparing items that I am thinking about getting.
I suspect there is a fine line between doing what I have stated above, and advertising for marine depots competitors, and I would like to know where that line is so I don't end up inadvertently crossing it. Don't get me wrong.. MarineDepot.com is great, but no website can be everything to everyone. 
Also, on a related note, what is the policy reguarding linking to other message boards?
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 5/17/2008 6:59:58 AM
Posts: 4,094,
Visits: 2,647
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| This forum is a discussion forum about aquarium hobby topics. So if you want to discuss hobby products by name/brand, please do so for the benefit of all... regardless of whether they are on the host's inventory list or not. And if you want to link to free content websites (like Reefcentral.com, Reeffrontiers, Reefland, etc.)... please do if it relates to the topic you are discussing. Do note as well that not all forums allow linking to other sites. Some message boards truly do walk the walk in saying they are building content for the hobby, while others do not. I for one am very grateful that MD is quite gracious in this regard and to me it is indicative of their committment to the hobby on all levels. But you must also be mindful of the fact that this host has spent considerable time and money to assemble and operate this forum. They are being gracious hosts, and we/you are obligated IMO to be a gracious guests if we want to be members in good standing. That is to say... in the context of hobby discussion, is there really a need to link to any competitors site or shopping cart when you are really only talking about the product? I think not. In fact, I'm sure it does not enhance the building of content in this archive of aquarium husbandry information. The same holds true for individual aquarists linking to their own site where they have a mix of free content as well as, for example, frags for sale, group buys of drygoods, etc. Bottom line: no commercial links of any kind - hobbyist or commercial competitor alike. And please note that this is same or very similar policy that most all such message boards have (at least regarding commercial links). We all are about building free content that improves the state of the hobby. Free advertising or shilling does not help that goal. I for one do/did not tolerate any advertising or shilling in my forums at other sites... and I will not tolerate it (in my forum at least) here either. I do hope to see you enjoy the boards here in agreement with the policies. Else I wish you the best of luck wherever you choose to go that suits your needs better instead. Anthony
. Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/13/2008 10:56:35 PM
Posts: 11,
Visits: 129
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Thank you Anthony, for your response.
I am indeed grateful to marine depot for hosting this site, and also to those such as yourself who spend considerable time helping and answering questions. I am currently planning my first marine tank on a strict budget, and would like to get the best bang for the buck. A hefty chunk of my budget has already been set aside for Marine Depot 
I would just like to be clear that I have no intentions to (nor have anything that I could) advertise. I just wanted to make sure of the Dos and Don'ts before I posted, which I think you have cleared up very well.
Here is an example scenario that I would still question -- Someone is going to buy an item and because I've been doing a lot of shopping I know of a place that has them on sale.. -- it wouldn't really be building content about the aquarium hobby, but could still be considered a service to this person, and maybe to the community in general. Would it be proper to mention the sale to the person in this example?
My apologies if this question is redundant, and I certainly mean/meant no disrespect towards marine depot!
Daniel
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 5/17/2008 6:59:58 AM
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| Cheers, Daniel I certainly do understand amd empathize with the reality of working on a lean budget, as many of us are, as well as wanting to help a fellow aquarist save money and extend their participation in the hobby by such very savings. But you are making the presumption that the person that you will impose your post onto (well intented as it is) has the same value system as you regarding the principal influences on his or her buying decision - namely price in this case. Yet we all put varying emphasis on what is most important to us among the issues that influence a buying decision. Quality, value, customer service, etc all come into play and then some. So it really is not proper for you to presume IMO that the person you respond to has the same value system as you. They may in fact be happy to spend thair dollars on X vender for other percieved benefits such as customer service (which is a legitimate and significant cost for a vendor to offer) in addition to price. And please note, we could well be talking about you giving advice on a product that MD does not sell to a hobbyist looking at another (higher priced in this case) product that MD also does not sell! This is not about MD sales or not. The vendors on either side of the coin are irrelevant here. This (good) example you have given is simply about informational content building (or not) and the discussion about it really ends there. A redirect to any commercial site is simply not welcome or appropriate. Please do simply enjoy the site for its informational content and contribute when you can on reef husbandry topics. kindly, Anth- 
. Anthony Calfo
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/13/2008 10:56:35 PM
Posts: 11,
Visits: 129
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Anthony,
I understand completely. Thank you for the time you have taken to go over this with me, I will take your advice and use and participate in this forum in the spirit that it is intended.
Daniel
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Group: Moderators
Last Login: 5/17/2008 6:59:58 AM
Posts: 4,094,
Visits: 2,647
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you are very welcome, my friend... and I thank you for the opportunity to address the question. No doubt others have wondered the same thing and our exchange will benefit them in time. That's the very essence of good content building. Thanks truly!
.Anthony Calfo
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