To my customers and LFS - Ecotech

[Mr Cob]

A few months ago I made a very poor decision. I consciously violated a company's MAP pricing policy and sold product below the MAP (minimum advertised price). In the business world this is an obvious no-no. It is not only dishonest but also unfair to the community of local retailers for one establishment to acquire such a drastic competetive edge.

With that said, I'd like to apologize publicly to anyone affected by my decision to do business in that fashion. I apologize to Ecotech Marine for entering into an agreement and then proceeding to purposefully violate part of that agreement.

I want to be clear that I'm not making this statement under any type of duress; from anyone. This comes as a result of my own awareness of guilt. Also, most important to me is that I dishonored God by being dishonest and dealing underhandedly. My walk with Him is most important and I've been convicted by Him and as a result am sorry for my actions. I regret that my decision contributed to any strife between myself and other individuals as well as Local Fish Stores.

Yes, it's embarrassing to type this, but it just felt like the right thing to do.

Thanks-

P.s. I paid my two months time in Eco-Tech expulsion...that was humbling, but I deserved it... =P lol

[Kristy]

Good for you Rob, for remembering your integrity and committing to it. That's not easy.

[allan]

Very hard thing to do, take it from someone who does it frequently. :)


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[edshas2]

I am impressed by your willingness to humble yourself, dont want to get to religious on here but you most likely already know,

Proverbs 28:13, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."

good job Rob

[Triggerman]

Good call Rob....

I see way too many vendors trying to get around MAP pricing, but it not only hurts the other LFS/vendors, but themselves in the process. Most of the high end equipment have low profit margins to begin with, and by trying to undercut the MAP pricing means vendors are taking money out of their own pockets. This doesn't make too much sense because you usually have to tie up a lot of money, deal with warranty issues, and provide customer service time and then make less money in the process. Undercutting doesn't help anyone out in the long run, it usually means businesses close down due to low profit margins.

[Texreefer]

you still have my respect Rob

[Bill S]

Way to go, Rob - class guy, as usual.

As for MAP... This is the USA. That's a crock. ANY protective pricing is anti-American. If Rob - or anyone else - thinks they can make a living by selling things at a lower margin, that's how the game is played.

Just my $0.02.

[jrsatx20]

whats up rob.

[Gseclipse02]

Ssssooooooo......... who was the snitch ?

[350gt]

Way to go, Rob - class guy, as usual.

As for MAP... This is the USA. That's a crock. ANY protective pricing is anti-American. If Rob - or anyone else - thinks they can make a living by selling things at a lower margin, that's how the game is played.

Just my $0.02.


It goes 2 ways..

cause let's say my lights that were in high demand upon release... I'm sure most shops wouldn't mind raising the price to earn a few more bucks on a light that was somewhat hard to get...

i think map pricing is fair for all small LFS, it gives everyone a chance.


think about it, if there wasn't map pricing think what big companies like marine depot or aqua cave would do to the little guys?.... They already do it with most products anyways.

[ducati996]

It goes 2 ways..

cause let's say my lights that were in high demand upon release... I'm sure most shops wouldn't mind raising the price to earn a few more bucks on a light that was somewhat hard to get...

i think map pricing is fair for all small LFS, it gives everyone a chance.


think about it, if there wasn't map pricing think what big companies like marine depot or aqua cave would do to the little guys?.... They already do it with most products anyways.well said!

[FireWater]

It will be a debate that can go both ways. Big producer sets a price that they make a profit at and control the market. Small stores can then compete with big stores for sales. In the end the manufacturer is the who really wins.

Like I said this debate could go forever and there really isn't a winner in the end.
To the point of Rob's original point. Thank you for being faithful and human. You walk a life that lets you be forgiven and it takes a man to admit when he did wrong to himself much less to the public. Knowing you I feel you truly regret your initial decision to be deceitful. Thank you Rob

[Bill S]

So, let's just say EVERYTHING had a MAP. Every store sells the same products, for the same price. Sounds like... Cuba? Soviet Union?

Competition drives consumer prices down, making everything more affordable for consumers. LFSs are always going to be more expensive than MD. You pay a premium for getting right away - and that's to be expected. And this went on long before the internet. Back many moons ago when I worked at a LFS, we had competition from mailorder houses. "That Fish Place" - which is still around - could get you products in just a couple of days.

BTW, I thought most MAP pricing is in place for advertising ONLY. You can sell it at any price you want? I've found quite a few marine (boat) products that have a MAP for public pricing, but that can be purchased for less.

[350gt]

Cuba, USSR???.... A little far off, ehh.. We are talking about wave makers..


with map pricing, I get the same price locally rather than online and don't have to pay for shipping..... So your suggesting it would be better to have online companies being able to cut us better deals than a LFS getting a fair shot...?


and your right about premiums, can you imagine what some LFS would put on a product that's hard to get, especially during release.... Sorry but I'm glad there is map pricing on some products right now..

[Bill S]

Cuba, USSR???.... A little far off, ehh.. We are talking about wave makers..


with map pricing, I get the same price locally rather than online and don't have to pay for shipping..... So your suggesting it would be better to have online companies being able to cut us better deals than a LFS getting a fair shot...?


and your right about premiums, can you imagine what some LFS would put on a product that's hard to get, especially during release.... Sorry but I'm glad there is map pricing on some products right now..

NOT a stretch. If a MAP can apply to wavemakers, why not all reef products? Everyone sells everything at the same price. The same HIGH price... With guarantees that everyone who sells it, makes a big profit. Do you not see, that's NOT how capitalism works? This amounts to collusion on pricing - in effect, "price fixing". There's a reason why price fixing is illegal.

[350gt]

NOT a stretch. If a MAP can apply to wavemakers, why not all reef products? Everyone sells everything at the same price. The same HIGH price... With guarantees that everyone who sells it, makes a big profit. Do you not see, that's NOT how capitalism works? This amounts to collusion on pricing - in effect, "price fixing". There's a reason why price fixing is illegal.


It would makes sense if I felt ai products or ecotech products were priced too high...

but they are not.... And I'm sure there is little money being made off of either product for LFS.... IMO they would love to rake up the price, especially during release when the products are hot...... There was a preorder list being made more than 6 months before ai released the vega...

[350gt]

The products are not needed and there is other options...

They are a luxury in this hobby.. As long as they don't start taxing them as a luxury, I'm happy..

[350gt]

Lol I know you have seen how much LFS mark up crappy products.... Such as marineland pumps, I've seen stores have them almost double what they go for online..... And we all know there is not half as much to building a Maxi jet as there is to a ecotech product...

can you imagine how much a MP 40 would be if a LFS could raise the price?

[Mr Cob]

can you imagine how much a MP 40 would be if a LFS could raise the price?


Tony, you might be confusing what the policy is. There is no maximum price regulation. Stores can sell an MP40 for as high as they want, however; they cannot sell it or advertise it below the minimum price that Ecotech sets.

My account was suspended for breaking the MAP. I privately advertised lower than MAP prices.


MAP and MRP.


http://ecotechmarine.com/new-customer/


Thanks for the comments and support all. I really appreciate it and was not expecting all the kind words.




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[FireWater]

Rob, we all screw up in time. I am sure you will not follow that easy path again. You know why temptations are put in front of us.

[Bill S]

Well, of course, in an ADHD moment, I took the time to research Unilateral Minimum Retail Price. Seems that this is fairly likely to become illegal. Although the Justice Department is not supporting this change, 35 State Attorneys General are. The bill would modify the Sherman Anti-Trust Law to include MRP as "price fixing". I'm in full agreement.

Specifically, there is a multi-state suit to prohibit MRP for electronic books, headed by Texas - the big book publishers are trying to keep profits up.

[rrasco]

While I am far too tired to discuss politics nor do I want to, Bill does have a point regarding collusion. Interesting view I have never previously considered.

[Triggerman]

I think FireWater said it the best....things can be debated on both sides of the table.

The clear winners are the manufacturers in all of this....the LFS/vendors get a very small piece of the pie.

After reading the Eco MAP policy they are really strict and want to maintain complete control of their products...they put out a good product and have no shortage of resellers.

[350gt]

Tony, you might be confusing what the policy is. There is no maximum price regulation. Stores can sell an MP40 for as high as they want, however; they cannot sell it or advertise it below the minimum price that Ecotech sets.

My account was suspended for breaking the MAP. I privately advertised lower than MAP prices.


I guess I was a little mixed up.... and I do remember your prices being pretty low, I did receive a email and do remember the "keep it quiet" part....... I thought to myself why but didnt think anything of it..lol


Im no one to judge you, we all make mistakes but ppl commit worse everyday..... no reason to beat yourself over this...



hey I really wonder what it cost to produce a MP40.....

[FireWater]

Probably around $29.99

[350gt]

LMAO.....