Your chance to develop "the big idea..."

Scott Fellman · Mar 21, 2016

briancarterkc said:
I actually am a product development person (software, not "wetware", but whatever). I think this sounds like a great idea. I have a sock subscription. It's ridiculous how excited I get when I see the Foot Cardigan bag in the mailbox. Same for my wife and her Birchbox. So, on its face the idea has a lot of merit.

I think the previous suggestions around frequency are good. A quarterly with three selections is better than monthly for the reasons mentioned. This is how most wine clubs work, for the same reason (shipping costs are silly and someone has to be home to sign for it).

I am someone that would actually prefer not knowing anything about what's coming other than it fits my loose parameters. I like the surprise, but I guess you could offer a premium to know ahead of time (by opting not to know, you get it cheaper because vendor could load-balance demand with those that did want to know.) of course, you can't always send the dregs to the surprisers.

I think if people could be in one of about 3-4 "clubs", most would work out. SPS only, Mixed, Softies only, and SPS/LPS only would work for most people as choices. In that way it also works like a wine club (white only, red only, mixed).

Probably the trickier part is the capability for people to shuffle around their delivery day from quarter to quarter.

As for getting something you already have, or didn't want...about one out of every 5 wine bottles we get isn't to our liking; they make great gifts/trades. But that means 4/5 are ones we love!

Love this feedback! Yeah, I suppose you could "opt in" for a "surprise" package or just a "menu" of what's available. I agree with you about the "flavors" of the packs...makes sense to have multiple "tracks" to run on.

I think the tricky part is what you mentioned...logistics, tracking, billing, fulfillment...the not-=so-fun, but Auber-important details. I think with the right mix of customer focus, proper software design, backend management, and of course, KILLER corals, such a concept could work. Ideas ("Problems?") like this are what really separate the dreamers from the doers. If someone takes the time to research the viability AND work out those troublesome details- which is simply flat out hard work- it could definitely create a cool business model...IMHO.

Jimbo · Mar 21, 2016

I'm pretty sure one of the sponsors is in the process of trying this. Can't remember which one though.

Eienna · Mar 21, 2016

I have never gone in for a subscription for anything. I just don't have the money reliably enough.

Scott Fellman · Mar 22, 2016

Jimbo said:
I'm pretty sure one of the sponsors is in the process of trying this. Can't remember which one though.

Good. I hope they can do it in an effective, beneficial, and of course- profitable manner, in which everyone wins...That'd be cool. With all the talent in this hobby and industry, there's no reason why it can't be done- and done well, as discussed here!

Bunnee911 · Mar 22, 2016

This would be great for newbies like me. I can tell you my tank parameters and lighting and you can figure out what will grow in my tank. I have hit the wall of experience and am now flying by blind luck.

Scott Fellman · Mar 23, 2016

Bunnee911 said:
This would be great for newbies like me. I can tell you my tank parameters and lighting and you can figure out what will grow in my tank. I have hit the wall of experience and am now flying by blind luck.

Well, I think it could be a good "learning tool" for a new hobbysist. But I think it would require some communication, like an ordering feature that allows the newbie to indicate, "Okay, I'm ready for this______" Perhaps based on some predetermined personal "milestones" or something. Interesting possibilities, though.

-Scott

Rybren · Mar 24, 2016

I like the idea of a subscription service and would opt in if the pricing was right.

For such a service to work, however, I think that it would have to have a fixed base price with additional fees for shipping. With the varying distances involved across such large countries as the US or Canada, it just wouldn't be feasible to have one fixed shipping price. Of course, the cost to ship a single coral, regardless of the distance, might make the whole scheme cost prohibitive. Shipping fees would have to be available to prospective members prior to enrollment and then fixed for the duration of the subscription so that members will know what the total cost would be. There shouldn't be any surprises or hidden fees.

Assuming that the shipping issue could be resolved, I think that the next issue to tackle would be to determine what the subscription would provide. For me, I think that it should allow for x number of corals (say 3 or 4) over the period of the subscription (maybe 12 or 18 or even 24 months). Each month, a listing would come out with a selection of corals. Members would then get to chose from that month's availability list (WYSIWYG). (I don't know whether they should be limited to just one selection per month or if they should be able to use up to their total entitlement in a month). I think that the availability list should be available for viewing only for a fixed period of time to allow all members to view it, and then it would open up for selection. Should it be first come, first served; or based on some sort of priority (if you got a coral last month, then you would be a lower priority for this month)?

A nice feature would be to allow members who have used up their allocation to be able to directly purchase additional corals at a predetermined fixed price for the remaining period of their subscription. This should be limited to an 'as available' basis after all other users have made their selections for the month.

Thoughts?

Scott Fellman · Mar 24, 2016

Rybren said:
I like the idea of a subscription service and would opt in if the pricing was right.

For such a service to work, however, I think that it would have to have a fixed base price with additional fees for shipping. With the varying distances involved across such large countries as the US or Canada, it just wouldn't be feasible to have one fixed shipping price. Of course, the cost to ship a single coral, regardless of the distance, might make the whole scheme cost prohibitive. Shipping fees would have to be available to prospective members prior to enrollment and then fixed for the duration of the subscription so that members will know what the total cost would be. There shouldn't be any surprises or hidden fees.

Assuming that the shipping issue could be resolved, I think that the next issue to tackle would be to determine what the subscription would provide. For me, I think that it should allow for x number of corals (say 3 or 4) over the period of the subscription (maybe 12 or 18 or even 24 months). Each month, a listing would come out with a selection of corals. Members would then get to chose from that month's availability list (WYSIWYG). (I don't know whether they should be limited to just one selection per month or if they should be able to use up to their total entitlement in a month). I think that the availability list should be available for viewing only for a fixed period of time to allow all members to view it, and then it would open up for selection. Should it be first come, first served; or based on some sort of priority (if you got a coral last month, then you would be a lower priority for this month)?

A nice feature would be to allow members who have used up their allocation to be able to directly purchase additional corals at a predetermined fixed price for the remaining period of their subscription. This should be limited to an 'as available' basis after all other users have made their selections for the month.

Thoughts?

Excellent points; mimicking some of my own thoughts, actually! I do like the ability to have a "fixed price additional corals option..", sort of like "locking in" your eligibility or points on a mortgage, etc. I'll have more to say on this...want to think through something. Good input!

Reeflogic · Mar 28, 2016

Here's one Scott...

http://boroaquatics.com/products/coral-subscription-1-month?variant=18055741827

I might have to check it out, haha! I guess it's ok to post these links here? If not someone remove it, lol!

Rybren · Mar 29, 2016

Unfortunately, it looks as though these folks don't give you a choice for corals. You get what you get. This isn't good. At least, for me it isn't. The other thing that I don't like is that they give you three corals per month. I guess for some people, that wouldn't be too bad, but I'd prefer to have it spread out.

On the plus side, $75 for three corals including shipping might not be too bad. It would, however, depend on what types of coral they provide.

It's too bad that they don't provide much in the way of details on their site.

chefjpaul · Mar 29, 2016

This might be a good idea for local clubs as a "group buy" program.

Scott Fellman · Mar 29, 2016

Rybren said:
Unfortunately, it looks as though these folks don't give you a choice for corals. You get what you get. This isn't good. At least, for me it isn't. The other thing that I don't like is that they give you three corals per month. I guess for some people, that wouldn't be too bad, but I'd prefer to have it spread out.

On the plus side, $75 for three corals including shipping might not be too bad. It would, however, depend on what types of coral they provide.

It's too bad that they don't provide much in the way of details on their site.

Ah, interesting, but I think a number of reefers here felt like you do- it would be a little better if they could choose from a "menu" of sorts..Cool to see someone at least playing with the idea.

-Scott

Scott Fellman · Mar 29, 2016

chefjpaul said:
This might be a good idea for local clubs as a "group buy" program.

Great thought!
-Scott

thejoshdavis · Mar 29, 2016

Rybren said:
Unfortunately, it looks as though these folks don't give you a choice for corals. You get what you get. This isn't good. At least, for me it isn't. The other thing that I don't like is that they give you three corals per month. I guess for some people, that wouldn't be too bad, but I'd prefer to have it spread out.

On the plus side, $75 for three corals including shipping might not be too bad. It would, however, depend on what types of coral they provide.

It's too bad that they don't provide much in the way of details on their site.

Check it out again. They updated it with sample pictures.

NeveSSL · Mar 29, 2016

Rybren said:
Unfortunately, it looks as though these folks don't give you a choice for corals. You get what you get. This isn't good. At least, for me it isn't. The other thing that I don't like is that they give you three corals per month. I guess for some people, that wouldn't be too bad, but I'd prefer to have it spread out.

On the plus side, $75 for three corals including shipping might not be too bad. It would, however, depend on what types of coral they provide.

It's too bad that they don't provide much in the way of details on their site.

If you had a choice for which corals you got, then you would just be shopping at that point. :)

And I agree, most people put 20 corals into their tanks when they go to frag swaps. Not a big deal.

Brandon

millertyler22 · Mar 29, 2016

"Coral dudes" a sponsor on this forum is doing it now it's 75$ a month and u get two corals

Basically u choose what type of coral u want like acan zoa lps sps and they sent u frags I did it for 3 months in the middle of winter and they always worked around weather and other things it was pretty neat and seemed to work well I only stopped because I decided I wanted to hand pick ever single piece in my tank but they have great customer service btw