Etail/AMDA

[MaryHM]

Mary AMDA is not demanding anyone to do anything. All we can do is recognize those wholesalers that try to protect retailers and reward them with our business.

Mitch, you missed the point. I wasn't saying that AMDA is trying to demand the wholesalers quit selling etail. I'm saying that unless AMDA *could* do this, everything else is basically fruitless. You aren't going to do away with etail. So let me ask it again. What exactly is AMDA trying to accomplish. You say 'level the playing field'- what does that mean exactly? Cherry pieces as Glenn suggested or something more?

 

[dizzy]

I'm not interested in protecting businesses or organizations that don't protect me..

That the difference Mary. We are. Our stance will not only help to protect fellow retailers, but it will also benefit wholesalers who want to sell to retailers. It will also be good for wholesalers who want to cater to etail. It makes your life so much simpler.
Mitch

 

[Anonymous]

What exactly is AMDA trying to accomplish

AMDA is trying to improve the traditional local fish store. There is no exactly, yet.

 

[Anonymous]

How is AMDA even going to know what wholesalers don't support etail? You have no way of knowing or finding out. You going to trust them on it? You can't police it, you don't have the ability. It would take an act of government to get those kind of records (their customer list) from a wholesaler, and even then, after a really long court case.

 

[dizzy]

How is AMDA even going to know what wholesalers don't support etail? You have no way of knowing or finding out. You going to trust them on it? You can't police it, you don't have the ability. It would take an act of government to get those kind of records (their customer list) from a wholesaler, and even then, after a really long court case.

Gresh if you back through this thread you will see that according to Mary it is common knowledge on the streets of LA. There are no secrets in the information age.

 

[MaryHM]

How is AMDA even going to know what wholesalers don't support etail? You have no way of knowing or finding out.

They'll take their word for it of course!!

"Why of course we only carry net caught fish and of course we don't sell to etail. Now, what and how much do you want to order?"

Like Jeff said, the wholesalers have ways around things. The IMAC example was a perfect one. "Hey, just put together a group order and we'll sell to you.". Now how would a retailer know that his trustworthy wholesaler was doing that? How would a retailer know that a wholesaler isn't verifying business licenses? How would a retailer know that a wholesaler isn't letting etail jobbers in the door?

 

[Anonymous]

Huh, the AMDA BOD members on this forum won't answer my question about transhiping, guess that means they don't care about level playing fields in the first place, they just care about the field in front of their own RETAIL stores.

American Marinelife DEALERS Association. Wholesalers deal in marinelife. Retailers deal in marinelife. Service guys deal in marinelife. Manufacturers of dry goods DO NOT deal in marinelife, they deal in dry goods. Why were they ever included in AMDA in the first place? What marinelife do they sell?

If AMDA is going to serve only the LFS, change the name, it doesn't jive with your new retail only mission.

 

[MaryHM]

Mitch has mentioned that editorials and such will be going out in major trade publications. Is this before or after the AMDA members are polled about what direction the organization is going to take?

 

[Anonymous]

Huh, the AMDA BOD members on this forum won't answer my question about transhiping, guess that means they don't care about level playing fields in the first place, they just care about the field in front of their own RETAIL stores.

American Marinelife DEALERS Association. Wholesalers deal in marinelife. Retailers deal in marinelife. Service guys deal in marinelife. Manufacturers of dry goods DO NOT deal in marinelife, they deal in dry goods. Why were they ever included in AMDA in the first place? What marinelife do they sell?

If AMDA is going to serve only the LFS, change the name, it doesn't jive with your new retail only mission.

I answered the question. AMDA members will be able to order from whoever they choose to. And the new mission does jive with the name. By supporting the traditional retail storefront, the industry will improve. Wholesalers, service people, and manufacturers that are retailer friendly will have a part in AMDA.

Now answer my question. What benefit does AMDA currently give to the wholesaler, service guy, or dry goods manufacturer? And if they were to be excluded, what benefits or priviledges would they lose?

 

[Fish World1]

It would be silly of me to treat a new customer differently just because they are in frequent customers, or to treat those who only shop in the store every so often differently than the weeklies. Because the goal is to turn every infrequent customer into a frequent one. Those with something to sell have very little power over those who wish to buy. It's just the way it is. You have to treat everyone the same, like a valuable customer.

I guess I look at things a little differently. I treat my weeklies different than the infrequent shoppers. If there is a nice fish or coral I think they'd be interested in I'll call them or wait untill they come in to see it. Why should I let some infrequent customer buy the cherry stuff and not take care of my regulars. It's the same way with wholesale. You're sales rep should be your cherry picker. They should see the stuff before any outsiders have a chance. If I ran a wholesale facility I'd hold the "cherry" stuff for my regulars. To me it's just a good business practice. Take care of the ones who keep you in business.

There is always going to be someone around "lowballing". It's everywhere, not just in this business. I have Wally World right across the street. I have PetCo 5 miles down the Hwy. What can I offer that they can't? Knowledgable, experienced help to questions. That's what I focus on. I don't sell dogs, cats, reptiles or small animals. I sell fish, freshwater and saltwater. I'm not "high" retail but I'm not the cheapest around either. I guess that's my "niche". I sell quality products at "reasonable" prices.

I'm more confused now than I was at the begining of this thread. It seems like the 2 AMDA BOD members and the AMDA president have 3 different ideas of where AMDA is headed. :?

 

[dizzy]

Like Jeff said, the wholesalers have ways around things. The IMAC example was a perfect one. "Hey, just put together a group order and we'll sell to you.". Now how would a retailer know that his trustworthy wholesaler was doing that?

Mary you seem to imply that all wholesalers are lying cheats that will stab retailers in the back every chance they get. That may well be true for the biggest part of you. If you guys are all as stupid as the one Jeff mentions it would not be hard to find out what you're up too. That by the way is a perfect example of why we are doing this. You guys have simply left us no choice. That is why we can't back down and why we can't change or direction. If AMDA survives it will go forward under the next president because it is necessary and it is just. You guys have taken us for granted for too long. You have awoke a sleeping giant and now you will need to deal with the consequences.
Mitch

 

[MaryHM]

Wholesalers, service people, and manufacturers that are retailer friendly will have a part in AMDA.

What is "retailer friendly"? It was said earlier that those who produce their own stock are ok to etail that stock and be AMDA members. Like I said earlier, I've been in the process of revamping SeaCrop and it should be completed by the end of June. Damaged pieces that retailers don't want (I've offered them, no retailers (well, maybe 3) want them) and what we produce in our new greenhouse. So I can be an AMDA member?

What benefit does AMDA currently give to the wholesaler, service guy, or dry goods manufacturer?

NONE. That's been answered. You can include retailer in that list because those members don't have any benefits now either.

And if they were to be excluded, what benefits or priviledges would they lose?

With the new direction you're taking it, you're making it seem that wholesalers are either doing exactly as you demand or they can count on losing support from B&Ms.

 

[Anonymous]

How is AMDA even going to know what wholesalers don't support etail? You have no way of knowing or finding out. You going to trust them on it? You can't police it, you don't have the ability. It would take an act of government to get those kind of records (their customer list) from a wholesaler, and even then, after a really long court case.

Gresh if you back through this thread you will see that according to Mary it is common knowledge on the streets of LA. There are no secrets in the information age.

Its also common knowledge on the streets of LA who sells drugs, what cops are corrupt and what gangs own which turf, whats that got to do with legal evidance? Your talking about possiable lawsuits for excluson Mitch, common knowledge isn't court worthy, at least out here in California (not sure about KY).

There's more secrects in the information age Mitch, more. Sure, you can google just abouit anything, doesn't mean its the truth. Its easier to hide the truth now as most just read the websites PR. How do you know we don't sell to etailers? Who do you know we don't sell to the public? You only know whats told to you, unless you see it for yourself. That goes back to the policing of members and AMDA's inablility to do that.

Whats AMDA's stance of retailers transhipping? How can that be considerred kosher?

 

[MaryHM]

Mary you seem to imply that all wholesalers are lying cheats that will stab retailers in the back every chance they get.

No I'm not. You're twisting my words yet again into something worse than what they are. They're business people trying to make money in a very tough industry. Tell ya what. Name me a wholesaler that is big enough to service the AMDA membership, verifies all business licenses, does not allow walkins, and does not etail either directly or indirectly. Name them, Mitch. They'll be glad for the exposure.

 

[dizzy]

Mitch has mentioned that editorials and such will be going out in major trade publications. Is this before or after the AMDA members are polled about what direction the organization is going to take?

We already sent Burton's letter to all the members. By e-mail and by snail mail. It is also posted here and on reefcentral. It is far from the type of secrets the board kept when you were apart of it. You see any of them coming here to attack this new direction? I think they all know this is necessary for the good of our industry.
Mitch

 

[Anonymous]

It would be silly of me to treat a new customer differently just because they are in frequent customers, or to treat those who only shop in the store every so often differently than the weeklies. Because the goal is to turn every infrequent customer into a frequent one. Those with something to sell have very little power over those who wish to buy. It's just the way it is. You have to treat everyone the same, like a valuable customer.

I guess I look at things a little differently. I treat my weeklies different than the infrequent shoppers. If there is a nice fish or coral I think they'd be interested in I'll call them or wait untill they come in to see it. Why should I let some infrequent customer buy the cherry stuff and not take care of my regulars. It's the same way with wholesale. You're sales rep should be your cherry picker. They should see the stuff before any outsiders have a chance. If I ran a wholesale facility I'd hold the "cherry" stuff for my regulars. To me it's just a good business practice. Take care of the ones who keep you in business.

There is always going to be someone around "lowballing". It's everywhere, not just in this business. I have Wally World right across the street. I have PetCo 5 miles down the Hwy. What can I offer that they can't? Knowledgable, experienced help to questions. That's what I focus on. I don't sell dogs, cats, reptiles or small animals. I sell fish, freshwater and saltwater. I'm not "high" retail but I'm not the cheapest around either. I guess that's my "niche". I sell quality products at "reasonable" prices.

I'm more confused now than I was at the begining of this thread. It seems like the 2 AMDA BOD members and the AMDA president have 3 different ideas of where AMDA is headed. :?

I agree and do the same thing. I just don't think it's wise to ever turn down an opportunity to create a new regular customer. I've never liked the stores that feel like a little club, where you need to "know someone" to get good service. And don't take this conversation as the Bible regarding AMDA. This is a lot of public pondering and contemplating of issues that dont' have clear answers yet.

 

[Anonymous]

The transhipping of livestock is no different then dropshipping (non facility owning etailers) for the animals health and actually worse depending on the location of the retailer.

 

[MaryHM]

We already sent Burton's letter to all the members. By e-mail and by snail mail. It is also posted here and on reefcentral.

Seems to me that it should have been strictly between the AMDA members until a firm course of action was decided. Have you taken a poll of the AMDA members or just sent out a letter? Is there a vote in the works? How is this new direction going to be decided?

You see any of them coming here to attack this new direction?

Remember the whole MAC thing on the AMDA discussion board, Mitch? All of the AMDA members received that daily. About 4-5 actually participated in the conversation. And that was direct and exclusive to AMDA members. I don't expect members who never come in here to come in here and start posting now. Do they even know about this thread? I don't see them in here supporting your stance either.

I think they all know this is necessary for the good of our industry.

The worst possible thing you can do as a board member is assume you know what the membership thinks or wants. Please look at Mr. Goodlet's example with the whole MAC debacle.

 

[MaryHM]

The transhipping of livestock is no different then dropshipping (non facility owning etailers) for the animals health and actually worse depending on the location of the retailer.

AMEN. More animals die being transshipped from overseas, through LA, and to some customer on the east coast than do from a facility in LA directly to a hobbyists door. Transship is the retailer's "etail". It's how they get cheap animals by circumventing the traditional system. But that's fine and dandy apparently.

 

[dizzy]

AMEN. More animals die being transshipped from overseas, through LA, and to some customer on the east coast than do from a facility in LA directly to a hobbyists door. Transship is the retailer's "etail". It's how they get cheap animals by circumventing the traditional system. But that's fine and dandy apparently.

I personally don't like to see marine livestock treated that. They change the water for the fresh stuff in LA and it usually gets through in good shape. The stuff is all being cultured too, so things are not being taken from the wild and killed like in saltwater. I imagine it was you wholesalers who thought this one up to begin with. A lot wholesale and transship. You guys are the ones who keep changing the rules to satisfy your greed. I think it's high time retailers had a say in how things get done.
Mitch