It appears - Membership has dropped off

[caad3]

Just curious if anybody else has noticed this, but when I log on, I see alot less members/guest logged in. I know depending on the time of day/night online users fluctuates, but it looks like there are less people. The question is why?

Economy?
Other Websites?

 

[noelskii]

people are hiding/ghosting/invisible

 

[Deanos]

It's summer time. Too nice outside to be logged on.

 

[grknyer]

people are hiding/ghosting/invisible

Better word for it is SPYING!!!
Sneaky sneaky!!!
Why some people would do that is beyond me!!!

 

[meschaefer]

I agree with Deanos, it's summertime. People spend less time indoors, so they spend less time with their tanks, and as a result they spend less time here.

 

[KathyC]

Not to worry Caad..it happens every year during this time

 

[RyanG]

You all are lucky enough to live in a huge thriving metropolis. If I had anything to do way out in the sticks I would be doing it too before the 6 months of winter hit! Ok back to sanding the floor.

 

[Chongpark27]

Two words Economic recession.

 

[Solace Aquatics LLC]

Two words Economic recession.

LOL... oh wait..

 

[tosiek]

its summer, alot of people take it slow because of either tank issues like heat or power outages. Or summer time stuff. People spend more on outdoors things and vacations and less on their tank.

I bet if we had a mid summer swap it would be like a ghost town.

 

[REEF MANIA]

People spend there time on outdoor fun & vacations.

 

[Josh]

Same stats, different year.

 

[fritz]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7476780.stm
Note how many "Out of the hobby" threads you see here and other places. Also note how long items like eheim pumps, deltec skimmers and icecap ballasts stay up for sale. Used to be things like that sold in under an hour, now they sit for weeks.

 

[Killerdrgn]

Yeah same thing happened last summer in Boston. They have monthly meetings up there and the summer ones were really, really low attendance.

 

[marrone]

This is just the normal slow down that occurs every summer. You will also find that a lot of people take breaks during the summer time, some even get out of the hobby, only to comeback in the fall. You'll also find that a lot of LFS don't carry a lot of live stock during the summer time.

As for equipment, well the summer is usually a good time to buy as people are usually getting out of the hobby and there is a glut of equipment. Most things don't sell and sellers usually need to reduce prices to get rid of things.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I think it has a lot to do with the rise in costs of everything, normal summer stuff and the fact that lots of people are jumping in too quickly, not being patient and having experiences with lots of loss and they are getting discouraged and getting out.

 

[fritz]

All very good points

 

[Josh]

Good points, let's not ignore the economic downturn we are all dealing with. This is a very expensive hobby!

 

[jhale]

Good points, let's not ignore the economic downturn we are all dealing with. This is a very expensive hobby!

there is no downturn if you don't speak about it :shhh:

 

[jhale]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7476780.stm
Note how many "Out of the hobby" threads you see here and other places. Also note how long items like eheim pumps, deltec skimmers and icecap ballasts stay up for sale. Used to be things like that sold in under an hour, now they sit for weeks.

nows the time to buy stock, some good bargains out there for long term investors Deltec is a great investment also, I just happen to have some for sale