Let's talk about benefits of our club and CHARTER membership

[TexasTodd]

This is not a cranky thread.

I want people who are on the MAAST site regularly, but haven't paid the measly $25 to REALLY read the posts here and evaluate doing this.



First, without any discounts, you should save way more than this per year just in not making as many mistakes. Mistakes that kill animals, or mistakes on purchases where you'd be much better off with another type/brand of something. This right here should justify the expense. MAAST has to pay for things like web site expenses etc.

Second, there are a ton of high quality stores in the MAAST area that honor a "MAAST Charter (paid) member discount". Generally this is 10%. So, all you have to do is spend $250 a YEAR combined in all these stores to get your $25 back! I've even pulled it out in Houston and Dallas and stores were HAPPY to give a discount!

Third, you will learn more here than buying several books each year.

Fourth, you will likely get GREAT deals on items sold in the "for sale" area. Put some of this savings toward your yearly membership dues. PLEASE!

Fifth, you will probably SELL things in the same forum that you'd otherwise have to give away or pay for a news paper add.

Please, think about this. I know I've personally given some new people KILLER deals on some used equipment. PAY THE DUES.

Support our club.

Todd

[jaded]

here, here!!! and thats just the monitary eand of the deal... I have met many people through MAAST that I consider friends and thats worth more than cash

[blueboy]

this site has been invaluable to me over the last couple of years, and i feel it is among the best reef oriented sites on the web.

[TexasTodd]

Very true Jade!

I think everyone that I regularly correspond with is a Charter Member too.

Todd

[::pete::]

Well put!!

Lets not forget raffles as it only takes one ticket ($2) to win some great prizes.

[Darth-Tater]

I joined in March 2005 because I was getting back into salt after 26 of fresh water. I wasn't going to spend the money on a membership until my wife said that it is only $25.00 and it will do some good somewhere. So ....I joined paypal :lol (big mistake) Now I use PP for evrything. Anyway I have learned so much here that it is worth a bunch more than $25.00. I have met only a few people because of my limited mobility right now but everyone has been super. Pete saved me a bundle of money when he built new stand and canopy. Alex has been most helpful, Richard at CB pets knows his stuff and helped us. Luis, and many others.I have even met Crash Dingo's mom and dad :o (brian & Christina) I very seldom pull out my MAAST card (should do it more often) I am just so darn thankful to Jason at AA for steering me this way. It has been most benificial for my wife and I. I am getting ready to send in next years dues soon. SO......you asked for input for me it is well worth the money.

Cost less than 8 packs of cigs :)
Cost less than 4 12 packs :)
Cost less than 1 semester at Texas A&M :roll
Do you catch my drift :roll


David

[Bill S]

:o OK, Todd, you got me. I'm the Forum administrator for a couple of car clubs where we let the "public" in and then show them the benefits of club membership. So, I went to the MAAST membership page. I'm not sure I completely understand the $25 and pro rated stuff. If I go to PayPal, how much should I send and how long is it good for?

Thanks for the nudge!
Bill

[TexasTodd]

GREAT BILL! You rock!

Um, e-mail Sherri on here. It's $25 still I think and it's a direct paypal address for memberships here.

The pro rated you'll have to have Sherri e-mail you how much to pay. Probably $32 I'm guessing for 2005 balance and 2006 paid up.

Drop me an pm once you're done, it will be worth a free frag. ;)

Todd

[gjuarez]

I became a member this year and I have saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico. LOL I have a lot of reefers like Gary, Pete, and Steve and these folks are great. Just from watching Pete's and other reefer's tanks it was well worth it. Not too mention, the discounts and the awesome deals that i have gotten at Fin-Addicts. Oh, and I live 4 hours from San Antonio and I still enjoy all the great benefits. I must say that coolest benefit I have received is the chance to cruise the forums, even though its free.

[Bill S]

Ah, it ain't worth the trouble to email her. I just sent in $35 and told her to keep the difference...

Bill

[falcondob]

Well people, you have convinced me. Lots of things I hadn't thought about.

I paided, a long time ago, because I believe in supportting that with which you associate and use. Never really thought about "benefits" from my membership.

For those of you that are "users", I recommend you pay the dues, join the club, and participate. Everytime I go to a member's house or a meeting, I learn some new fact, see a new tatic, or find out I am doing something wrong.

I wish I had spent 6 months on here doing nothing but reading and asking questions and going to meetings doing the same. It would have saved me tons of time, money, work, and heartache. Local pet stores are not necessarily the best source for info. (There ARE exceptions!!, something MAAST members can tell you in private.) Just watch the number Mandrian gobies that go out the door with a new tank and stand. They have to make money to stay open. That fact and proper advice sometimes are in conflict with each other. Ask questions before you buy! I am going to post 2 questions today.

It costs money to accomplish the goals of MAAST. That is true of any organization. Your dues, support of sponsors, and purchases from the organization are its lifeblood. We Americans are becoming more and more "takers", we need to return to our roots of "give, then take". We still have it in us, look at the outpouring of support for the hurricane victims.

Well, if you took the time to get here, you are (1) patient, (2) just learning I write and talk too much, (3) a friend and humoring me, or (4) absolutely devoid of anything to do. ;)

Pay the bucks! Get the card! Become a part of one the most robust marine organizations in the country! Or Not. Is this a great country or what?

[TexasTodd]

Nice goint Bill! That would have been how I'd have done it.

John, "Falcondob" nice...and long. :) :)

I also thought that well GaryP's advice is worth say $15 per year and well it's worth another $10 to see him in a G-string! Seriously though, most of the charter members will take as long as needed to help someone out.

Anyone else out there ready to anti up?!!!!

Thanks!

Todd

[NaCl_H2O]

John I read it all - it was a little of #3 & #4 combined :lol

I have been a charter member for two years now, and that $50 is by far the best investment I have made in this hobby! Entertainment, Education, and new friends - can't get that from Cable or DSL ;)

[C.Mydas]

Dont forget too, the 'secret' benefits you only find out about after you've paid!!! So pay up! and Pete will contact you with our secret handshake and other great perks...lol.

Seriously, Brian and I are both Charter Members and couldn't be happier that we made that decision!

[LoneStar]

I wish Todd was giving away free frags when I paid my dues!!! But then again he did give a my 55 gallon tank for FREE!!! :w00t :o :lol

So for that alone, MAAST has paid off. Not to mention the readings, research, pictures, deals, deals, and more great deals. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

Ah Jeez, you aren't supposed to tell them about the handshake until AFTER they pay - next thing you know you will be telling them the members of the MAAST Mafia :ph34r

[::pete::]

Dont forget too, the 'secret' benefits you only find out about after you've paid!!! So pay up! and Pete will contact you with our secret handshake and other great perks...lol.

Dont forget the first born ... oooops :blush

[gjuarez]

Too late, you called the mafia and now I am here. Pay up before I make you an offer you can't refuse guineas. Not only do you get the benefits, you get my friendship. And if honest men like you should make enemies, then your enemies become my enemies, and then they'll fear you.

[::pete::]

treasurer@maast.org is the address if you would like to pay dues online. Or you can do it in person at a meeting if you can make one with these gas prices.

[gjuarez]

What doesnt make sense? Do you ever attend meetings? I picked up my Maast Card at a meeting if that is what you are talking about. Anyways, welcome aboard. BTW, I also live kind of far away from San ANtonio/Austin but I still get to take advantage of the beneits. If you havent gone to one of the meetings, you might want to plan to go to one. They are a blast. The one with Mike Paletta as a guest speaker is a must. Its difficult for me to attend meetings, but I am not missing that one for anything.

[::pete::]

Gerry
Hopefully we can post the details after we meet with them on Monday. Trust me this will be the meeting of meetings!!

[gjuarez]

Cool. You go Pete!!

[bigdscobra]

The benefits, with out MAAST I would not even have close to the tanks that I have today, the help, the members and the great deals WELL worth the $25.

[::pete::]

I wouldnt know what to do with myself if y'all werent here!

[gjuarez]

Without Maast I would be rich. Thanks to those awesome tanks and ideas I have spent a lot of money and I am now broke. Without Maast I wouldnt have nothing to look forward to during my evenings. Thanks to Maast I am not getting drunk right now.

[::pete::]

:lol .... yea but you have us!!

[gjuarez]

Yup, I am getting drunk on info. The way I see it, I go out with my buddys to have a few laughs and drink beers. I am getting the laughs right now and its free. Right now, this is a better deal.

[NaCl_H2O]

The way I see it, I go out with my buddys to have a few laughs and drink beers. I am getting the laughs right now and its free. Right now, this is a better deal.

What, and we ARE NOT your buddies :cry

[TexasTodd]

Thanks to Maast I am not getting drunk right now.

This SOUNDS funny, but I have heard this before. And people are serious about it as are you Q.

Yes, Mike and Dan, your areses would be grass if you two didn't anti up with the deals I've slid your way(s)! But I knew you two would from the start. ;)

TT

[gjuarez]

SOrry Steve, I didnt mean it that way. :) To be quite honest, I did go out yesterday, but I make sure to make time for Maast every single day, not because I have to, but because I want to. I like to keep up. My screenname starts with a G not a Q. Dont worry Todd, everyone does it all the time. ITs G for Gerardo but everyone knows me as Jerry.

[TexasTodd]

OK, "G":) Darn font.

Todd

[Sherri]

Just thought I'd add that as soon as I receive your PayPal...that you'll be upgraded quickly from Web Member to Charter Member....and you will receive your new laminated Membership card with your name on it QUICKLY in the mail along with a letter welcoming you to MAAST with a list of wonderful things that can happen to you as a member of MAAST. We've received 4 new members in the last week or so...keep it up!

It's a great club...with great info....and great deals...opportunities...and great friends...and only getting better. JMO! ;) And I've been here pretty much since the beginning and I see the wonderful growth and strength in numbers that's happening.

Again.... treasurer@maast.org

[CD]

GaryP's advice is worth say $15 per year and well it's worth another $10 to see him in a G-string!


So is Gary going to wear the G-string to the Blanco meeting?http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport29.gif :o ^_^

Seriously folks - this is a WONDERFUL club, and not only will the membership fee benefit you (as far as discounts at LFSs, door prizes at our meetings, great friends, knowledge, etc., etc.) but it will also help give the club the opportunity to grow and provide members with totally AWESOME events such as the upcoming Mike Paletta event in November. ;)

Chris (VeeDub) and I have really enjoyed being a part of this club, and the $50. bucks (for both of us) has been WELL worth the money spent!! Think of it as buying yourself a Christmas or birthday present that keeps on giving all year 'round!!! ;)

W. :)

[NaCl_H2O]

Think of it as buying yourself a Christmas or birthday present that keeps on giving all year 'round!!! ;)
Ok, that does it ... can I buy three memberships :D


So is Gary going to wear the G-string to the Blanco meeting?
"HEADLINE - Rare Albino Walrus Seen In Blanco State Park Today" :lol

[SBreef]

So is Gary going to wear the G-string to the Blanco meeting?
"HEADLINE - Rare Albino Walrus Seen In Blanco State Park Today" :lol[/quote]

Now that is FUNNY!! :wacko

[CD]

"HEADLINE - Rare Albino Walrus Seen In Blanco State Park Today"


ROTFLMAO :lol So Steve - are we gonna have to hold you down and put a thong on you too?! :o :lol

W. :ph34r

[NaCl_H2O]

So Steve - are we gonna have to hold you down and put a thong on you too?!

You are gonna need a lot more pugs to do that! Besides, when I wear a thong it makes me do this http://users.pandora.be/eforum/emoticons4u/happy/050.gif

[bigdscobra]

So Steve - are we gonna have to hold you down and put a thong on you too?!

You are gonna need a lot more pugs to do that! Besides, when I wear a thong it makes me do this http://users.pandora.be/eforum/emoticons4u/happy/050.gif


Toooooooo much info :D :lol

[gjuarez]

I agree.

[MikeyBoy]

Let me tell you the biggest reason to officially become a charter member............

Its the people man........its the people.


I sent out a message about having a pump that is too big for my application, and my desire to get a smaller pump for my oceans motions..
Within minutes I had 3 different messages offering suggestions and offers for help.

JesterGrin 1 (aka Clifton) is on his way over here as we speak (deliveing another pump mind you) just so I can try out another pump he currently owns so I can see if if fixes my problem or not before I go out and purchase another NEW pump......and so he can see my system

This is why we pay our money to be a Charter Member,........Its the relationships you build and the friends you gain.
If $25.00 is too much to ask for all the benefits, you should be in the Hobby....................The fee should be 10times that IMO....


Off my soap box now......... ;)

[JimD]

Keep in mind, if a member wishes to remain a "web member" for whatever reason, they will still receive the same helpful information as a charter member, I think its important that these folks dont become intimidated because of their membership status and feel uncomfortable asking questions because of it. They need to feel as comfortable to do so as the rest of the "gang". Its a matter of choice, we were all "web members" at one time.

[gjuarez]

Shhh, dont tell them. :)

[TexasTodd]

Bump. We had two people join as Charter Members from this the first week.

Hopefully they followed through and Paid. I believe they did!

Thank you!

Any others?

Todd

[pilot_bell777]

MAAST is so much more than just a club of people that love aquariums.

Not only do you get the value from the savings on knowledge and equipment; but like Jade said the friendships made are unbelievable!!!!!

I meet SOOOOO many new people and even on the first time meeting them I have always been welcomed and treated like they have known me forever and I try to extend the same.

THis is an awesome place and an even better club and you will NEVER know what this club is like completely until you become a member. I learned that after being a web member for over a year.

It's like having a GIANT family that LOVES aquariums and will bend over backwards to help the rest of their family. Sorry; but to me the friendships alone are worth WAY more than $25.

[Sherri]

Well said, Pilot.... :P

[::pete::]

and then there are the added savings some members get in the for sale trading forums *cough - cough* ;)