Inland Reef Salt Study - Where we're going

[cdeakle]

This is now getting ridiculous. Honestly. Either Matt is avoiding us or heavan forbid something has happened that would prevent him from contacting this forum and thread?

Is Matt ever gonna notify the forum, RDO or anyone? Has anyone started a thread over on RC yet about this. It would appear that RC has contributed more than anyone else, I wonder what they think and if they have any pull with Matt?

Source Amount
Direct Donations $770
PayPal Donations $65
Donations through Reef Central $800
Reef Central Match $500
Donation Refunds ($25)
Total $2,110

 

[Anonymous]

i'm not sure you should be questioning matt's integrity here, until he chimes in

 

[Bone]

vitz, it's pretty hard not to. What are we to think? Should we just be happy and sit here and wait until Matt feels comfy with his legal issues. Whats the statute of limitations? 7 years? lol

Offers have been made to help finish the study and we here nothing from Matt. We ask how far along Matt is with the study and we hear he nothing specific.

It's been 16 months. The ppl that donated funds deserve an explanation.

 

[Apophis924]

Matt so worried about a law suit form this co called alleged company, Hemight want to consider all of those that have paid money in this study bring a class action suit for fraud or false representation. Give these people what they paid for or their $$ back. And you wonder why Mr. Boreman s elegant coral study might not be getting funded with donations and samples. based on how well this deal is going i can see why.

 

[Anonymous]

When you are running your own business other things can occupy your time. He doesn't read this forum so surprise surprise he's not answering - but it's not like he's difficult to get a hold of. He certaintly isn't hiding or any of the other garbage that has been posted about him. I cannot believe the immaturity exhibited in this thread LOL it's really pretty sad.

 

[middletonmark]

No one forced him to undertake this study.

If he's such a busy small business owner ... then he should have never volunteered. And should have never collected money.

Once he asked for donations, got the donations ... he needs to answer back. A real answer, not an excuse about legal suits. Or substantiation to this `legal suit' claim. [edited, as my words were possibly too strong for describing an unsubstantiated claim]

Hmm ... why is it that there are any number of salt studies, some using the exact same methods, some with terribly strong and close to slanderous statement [Shimeks statements on IO] ... and yet no suits there.

I guess there's a period of time where things are in `good faith'. I think the communal frustration here signals that this time is past [especially since Matt has left this hobby]

I guess whether I might hate the answer ... I just want the truth of what's going on. If it's money down the drain / gone ... so be it. Just be honest.

If it's still available ... seems like plenty of people interested in taking over.

 

[Len]

While I don't condone the manner in which some people have expressed their concerns, I do believe they have the right to ask that Matt participate with regular frequency since he has been entrusted with their money.

 

[Bone]

Mick, maybe you can get some answers for us? Or do you think it would be ok if one of us gives him a phone call?

 

[Len]

Well Mark, to be fair, Matt has already stated numerous times he still is vested in seeing the study through. We all hope for an expedient completion of the study, but calling his reasons "bullcrap" does not help the situation.

 

[Anonymous]

Mr. Bingman s elegant coral study

Sure thats not Mr Borneman doing the elegant coral study :wink:

 

[cdeakle]

And yet, suprise suprise, still no update from Matt.....

 

[wasabi]

when i go to the acconting section of inland reef's site for this study,i find only this part of the monies collected
.Source Amount
Direct Donations $770
PayPal Donations $65
Donations through Reef Central $800
Reef Central Match $500
Donation Refunds ($25)
Total $2,110
does anyone know the exact amount of monies raised thru donations and raffle/auctions. is this just a slip of the accountants pen.

 

[Bone]

What a joke. I can't believe this guy was trusted with all that money. What can be done? Leg breaker? Class legal action? (j/k about the leg breaker)

 

[Len]

I've just been informed the test is actively proceeding. I'll try to keep you folks updated with info as I get it.

Inland has historically been terrific at testing and informing the consumers about products. Let's not forget their many past contributions to this hobby. I empthathize with everyone's concerns, but I think the manner in which some people are talking about Matt leaves much to be desired.

FYI: Through direct contributions and the auctions/raffles, Reefs.org has contributed over $2,000 to this study (well over the combined donations from all other source). It goes without saying that Reefs.org is interested in seeing this study completed as much as any one else. On a personal note, 5% of the direct donations through Inland's website came from my pockets, so I'm as vested in this as any of you. I would simply like to ask everyone try to stay constructive, mature, and civil in their responses.

 

[tazdevil]

Correct me if I'm wrong, aren't civil lawsuits public information? Somewhere there should be a link to the lawsuit then. I also thought that in any of the 50 states, if a frivolous lawsuit was brought against you, the offending party can be forced to pay for your legal fees etc. including "pain and suffering" if applicable. I know that judges have been getting harsher with plaintiffs of frivolous suits, as they overwhelm an already overloaded legal system.

 

[keethrax]

I've just been informed the test is actively proceeding. I'll try to keep you folks updated with info as I get it.

Inland has historically been terrific at testing and informing the consumers about products. Let's not forget their many past contributions to this hobby. I empthathize with everyone's concerns, but I think the manner in which some people are talking about Matt leaves much to be desired.

FYI: Through direct contributions and the auctions/raffles, Reefs.org has contributed over $2,000 to this study (well over the combined donations from all other source). It goes without saying that Reefs.org is interested in seeing this study completed as much as any one else. On a personal note, 5% of the direct donations through Inland's website came from my pockets, so I'm as vested in this as any of you. I would simply like to ask everyone try to stay constructive, mature, and civil in their responses.

While I see your point, it can hardly be said that the people expressing serious concern at this point are acting any more poorly than those who have the money and are remaining silent.

If you take someone's money then all but dissappear, that person has eveyr right to be concerned. And if you remain silent they have every right to pursue other options.

Now none of my money is invested as it was underway before I knew about it, btu I would happily have contributed, and at this point I'd seriously be looking at my options for either recovering my money, or receiving some sort of documented proof taht somethign useful i sbeing done with it.

Inlands historical record is relevant in as much as it is what allowed them to be trusted with the money. After being so silent it counts for less and less every day. The occasional second and third hand information that something is beign done isn't near as reassuring as hearign form someone actually involved.

 

[Len]

Yes, I've regularly implored Matt to update us on a regular basis. I think much of the disparaging discussion (whatever their merits may be) has made him less inclined to participate. Still, I understand that he should for the simple fact he has custody of other people's money. I will continue to request updates.

As you said, one's poor behavior doesn't condone another's. I have no problem with people pursing the issue whatsoever. It's just the manner in which it is sometimes done that is very unconstructive and uncivil.

If I had an inkling that this study will not happen, rest assured I will be the first in line to demand my money back and last in line to make sure everyone gets theirs. I am entirely confident we'll see the study completed shortly.

 

[Bone]

I want Matt to understand that he will not be riding off into the sunset with the cash.

Len, thanks for your attention to this matter. Please stay on him.

 

[melev]

Len, I hear your comments and agree. However, I have to look at it from my own point of view and think about how I would handle it.

A couple of years ago, I was part of a campaign to save a tv show. The fans banded together via the internet and a few message boards, and we did all that we could do to get noticed by the executives at the network. We purchased three full page ads in three issues of The Hollywood Reporter and in Variety - the trade publications. We also put up a huge billboard in W. Hollywood where everyone saw it, including the lead star of the show. Via Paypal or snail mail, I received contributions that added up to $25,000 during that three month period, which was used to pay for all those advertising efforts.

I had to answer to those fans, even as I signed one contract after another with the magazines and the billboard company.

No matter what has been typed in this thread, I would be reporting news, any news at all when people asked for it. Matt's silence is aggravating and even appears criminal. He may be the nicest and most honest guy around, but by not responding in a timely fashion, it just fuels the distrust many have felt.

I'm glad that you have contact with him, and that the testing continues. I look forward to the report. Do we have an estimated timeframe for the completion of these tests?

 

[Len]

I should have more information by Friday and will keep everyone posted. I will continue to encourage the people of Inland to update us on a regular basis.