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Ponders Survey
Question:
Let me introduce myself, I am Glenn Rieker and my wife is Cheryl. We own a garden centre that specializes in water gardens and perennials. We believe strongly in educating our customers…thus one of our slogans is "Education is our most important tool". We launched our website this spring and have received great response to the info on the website and have recently begun to overhaul the site and we now upgrade the site at least once a week. My question is, in reading rec.ponds many of you have questions about where to purchase such things as filters, pumps and the like. We are considering an on line catalog, however, as we have found and the successful business clients we have done landscaping projects for tell us, you need to focus to be successful and meet your clients needs. Our goal is not to offer everything for ponds, rather to find the void and see if filling that void meets our business goals. We are considering custom built filters which will be less costly than current manufacturers using simple yet effective methods we all talk about here on rec.ponds. I understand some of us are not power tool whiz kids…in fact when it somes to building a picture frame I can’t make a square one, however we can build filters and some people cannot find all the bulkhead fittings where they live necessary to build a filter. What is the interest in a reasonably priced filter and what is the $ window you are willing to pay for a filter to run a 300-1200 gallon filter? We are also considering selling plans to build larger veggie filters for the bigger ponds. What about water garden related t-shirts? I know 900 numbers are related to the sex phone industry, so when I suggested to my wife we start a 900 number she gave me a funny look. After my explanation she said OHHHHHH. After discussions with local architects and builders and resorts I received a lot of interest in having an "expert"(expert is usually defined as some from not in your city by my grandfather) just a phone call away for info on water gardens and landscaping in general. The fee would be in the $1.50-$1.99/minute range. What do you think??? I have learned that a few minutes like this saves you a lot of money and headaches down the road working with someone who sells and install ponds and landscaping on a daily basis. Rec.ponds answers a lot of questions and I think is great, however I am wondering how a quick to the point phone call accompanied by a fax with a sketch or an e-mail with a picture would make us say ohhhhhhhh no I get it! Enough of my ideas….what would you like to see on a focused water garden on line catalog???? You are the ultimate consumer how can we meet your needs. One of the great things about the net is instant survey ato see what your customers want. I thank you in advance for your help and please fell free to e-mail me directly with you ideas usually the best ideas are those that go unsuggested!! We would also appreciate any input you would have on our website and how we could improve the site. The last time I asked for help this spring the ideas were great….larger print for those of us chronologically challenged, different background…for the same reason. So, if you have suggestions that is the only way we can meet your needs….Thanks for your help. — Glenn & Cheryl Rieker Remember…..Life is a game don’t live it on the bench! http://www.gardenhaus.com
Response:
A few thoughts — Reasonably priced filters: Here in Austin TX, many of us use the "sink filter," which is a biofilter that is adequate for up to a 2,000 gallon pond. We can make these all day long from new materials for less than $50 each. My three sink filters came in at $35 each. If you can beat that price point, you will have a real winner. Alternatively, if you can license the bubble-bead filter design and sell complete units cheaper than $250/cu.ft. of media, you will have a big winner too. Selling plans: If somebody needs plans, then there’s a market for them but to be competitive you have to be as good as the stuff you can buy at the big chain bookstores. Take a look at the Sunset home-improvement books (and price points) to see what you need to do. Note that if you can put everything in one book for $20, it’s a better deal for the ponders who buy three or four books to get everything. Note also that if the plans are on rec.ponds or the www for free, it’s not ethical to ask $20. for them. T-shirts: Them’s fighting words! Our local pond society does a tidy little business selling t-shirts, and it subsidizes our activities of distributing the best information and presenting the best speakers in the country to our members. There’s a market for t-shirts. Around here, we find that localized and event-focused t-shirts do best. YMMV, and don’t muscle in on our turf! (or is that "our lily pad"?) 900 numbers: If I can buy a $20 book to get an answer or make a $20 call to a 900 number for the answer I need, I will buy the book. However, if I can provide a local pond merchant a $20 profit on an item that answers my question and need — and he gives me the information for free — THAT is the ultimate answer. I say "NO" to 900. Plus, I block 900 calls. Most people do. On-line catalog: Get a FAST, high-bandwidth net interconnect. Ditch the cutesy, but time-wasting Java crapola animated garbage on the home page. Provide time-saving, sensible connections to information such as text-based links instead of .GIF push-buttons. Use downloadable .JPG images instead of forced-display .GIF pictures to show products. Put your catalog up as a .PDF file for download, and keep it current. Make using the internet our compelling answer for information exchange — or at least make it better than sending off for a paper copy of your catalog. Jim
Response:
Thanks for the info about your website, Glenn. For most purchases, I prefer to work with a local vendor who is experienced in dealing with the flora/fauna/zones of my pond (So Calif). (It appears from your email address you are in eastern Pennsylvania). For an occasional item I may go to the web, Internet Pond Society and/or commercial websites specializing in info about the item I seek. Don’t think I’d use a 900 number (there are too many free 800 numbers out there) :-> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Let me introduce myself, I am Glenn Rieker and my wife is Cheryl. We own a >garden centre that specializes in water gardens and perennials. We believe >strongly in educating our customers…thus one of our slogans is "Education >is our most important tool". We launched our website this spring and have >received great response to the info on the website and have recently begun >to overhaul the site and we now upgrade the site at least once a week. >My question is, in reading rec.ponds many of you have questions about where >to purchase such things as filters, pumps and the like. We are considering >an on line catalog, however, as we have found and the successful business >clients we have done landscaping projects for tell us, you need to focus to >be successful and meet your clients needs. >Our goal is not to offer everything for ponds, rather to find the void and >see if filling that void meets our business goals. We are considering >custom built filters which will be less costly than current manufacturers >using simple yet effective methods we all talk about here on rec.ponds. I >understand some of us are not power tool whiz kids…in fact when it somes >to building a picture frame I can’t make a square one, however we can build >filters and some people cannot find all the bulkhead fittings where they >live necessary to build a filter. What is the interest in a reasonably >priced filter and what is the $ window you are willing to pay for a filter >to run a 300-1200 gallon filter? >We are also considering selling plans to build larger veggie filters for >the bigger ponds. >What about water garden related t-shirts? >I know 900 numbers are related to the sex phone industry, so when I >suggested to my wife we start a 900 number she gave me a funny look. After >my explanation she said OHHHHHH. After discussions with local architects >and builders and resorts I received a lot of interest in having an >"expert"(expert is usually defined as some from not in your city by my >grandfather) just a phone call away for info on water gardens and >landscaping in general. The fee would be in the $1.50-$1.99/minute range. >What do you think??? >I have learned that a few minutes like this saves you a lot of money and >headaches down the road working with someone who sells and install ponds >and landscaping on a daily basis. Rec.ponds answers a lot of questions and >I think is great, however I am wondering how a quick to the point phone >call accompanied by a fax with a sketch or an e-mail with a picture would >make us say ohhhhhhhh no I get it! >Enough of my ideas….what would you like to see on a focused water garden >on line catalog???? >You are the ultimate consumer how can we meet your needs. One of the >great things about the net is instant survey ato see what your customers >want. I thank you in advance for your help and please fell free to e-mail >me directly with you ideas usually the best ideas are those that go >unsuggested!! >We would also appreciate any input you would have on our website and how we >could improve the site. The last time I asked for help this spring the >ideas were great….larger print for those of us chronologically >challenged, different background…for the same reason. So, if you have >suggestions that is the only way we can meet your needs….Thanks for your >help. >– >Glenn & Cheryl Rieker >Remember…..Life is a game don’t live it on the bench! >http://www.gardenhaus.com
Response:
Even Better how about posting it here so we can all benefit. Sounds great. thanks sm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A few thoughts — > Reasonably priced filters: Here in Austin TX, many of us use the > "sink filter," which is a biofilter that is adequate for up to a > 2,000 gallon pond. We can make these all day long from new materials > for less than $50 each. My three sink filters came in at $35 each. > Jim >Jim can you send me more info on the "sink filter"? sound like something >that we might be able to use. Will it handle a large load of the >floating green algea?
Response:
> A few thoughts — > Reasonably priced filters: Here in Austin TX, many of us use the > "sink filter," which is a biofilter that is adequate for up to a > 2,000 gallon pond. We can make these all day long from new materials > for less than $50 each. My three sink filters came in at $35 each. > Jim
Jim can you send me more info on the "sink filter"? sound like something that we might be able to use. Will it handle a large load of the floating green algea? — david Oly, Wa In the beautiful Pacific NW where it seldom gets above 80 & we get lots of liquid sunshine USDA zone 8.5, Sunset Zone 4.5
Response:
Let me introduce myself, I am Glenn Rieker and my wife is Cheryl. We own a garden centre that specializes in water gardens and perennials. We believe strongly in educating our customers…thus one of our slogans is "Education is our most important tool". We launched our website this spring and have received great response to the info on the website and have recently begun to overhaul the site and we now upgrade the site at least once a week. My question is, in reading rec.ponds many of you have questions about where to purchase such things as filters, pumps and the like. We are considering an on line catalog, however, as we have found and the successful business clients we have done landscaping projects for tell us, you need to focus to be successful and meet your clients needs. Our goal is not to offer everything for ponds, rather to find the void and see if filling that void meets our business goals. We are considering custom built filters which will be less costly than current manufacturers using simple yet effective methods we all talk about here on rec.ponds. I understand some of us are not power tool whiz kids…in fact when it somes to building a picture frame I can’t make a square one, however we can build filters and some people cannot find all the bulkhead fittings where they live necessary to build a filter. What is the interest in a reasonably priced filter and what is the $ window you are willing to pay for a filter to run a 300-1200 gallon filter? We are also considering selling plans to build larger veggie filters for the bigger ponds. What about water garden related t-shirts? I know 900 numbers are related to the sex phone industry, so when I suggested to my wife we start a 900 number she gave me a funny look. After my explanation she said OHHHHHH. After discussions with local architects and builders and resorts I received a lot of interest in having an "expert"(expert is usually defined as some from not in your city by my grandfather) just a phone call away for info on water gardens and landscaping in general. The fee would be in the $1.50-$1.99/minute range. What do you think??? I have learned that a few minutes like this saves you a lot of money and headaches down the road working with someone who sells and install ponds and landscaping on a daily basis. Rec.ponds answers a lot of questions and I think is great, however I am wondering how a quick to the point phone call accompanied by a fax with a sketch or an e-mail with a picture would make us say ohhhhhhhh no I get it! Enough of my ideas….what would you like to see on a focused water garden on line catalog???? You are the ultimate consumer how can we meet your needs. One of the great things about the net is instant survey ato see what your customers want. I thank you in advance for your help and please fell free to e-mail me directly with you ideas usually the best ideas are those that go unsuggested!! We would also appreciate any input you would have on our website and how we could improve the site. The last time I asked for help this spring the ideas were great….larger print for those of us chronologically challenged, different background…for the same reason. So, if you have suggestions that is the only way we can meet your needs….Thanks for your help. — Glenn & Cheryl Rieker Remember…..Life is a game don’t live it on the bench! http://www.gardenhaus.com
Response:
A few thoughts — Reasonably priced filters: Here in Austin TX, many of us use the "sink filter," which is a biofilter that is adequate for up to a 2,000 gallon pond. We can make these all day long from new materials for less than $50 each. My three sink filters came in at $35 each. If you can beat that price point, you will have a real winner. Alternatively, if you can license the bubble-bead filter design and sell complete units cheaper than $250/cu.ft. of media, you will have a big winner too. Selling plans: If somebody needs plans, then there’s a market for them but to be competitive you have to be as good as the stuff you can buy at the big chain bookstores. Take a look at the Sunset home-improvement books (and price points) to see what you need to do. Note that if you can put everything in one book for $20, it’s a better deal for the ponders who buy three or four books to get everything. Note also that if the plans are on rec.ponds or the www for free, it’s not ethical to ask $20. for them. T-shirts: Them’s fighting words! Our local pond society does a tidy little business selling t-shirts, and it subsidizes our activities of distributing the best information and presenting the best speakers in the country to our members. There’s a market for t-shirts. Around here, we find that localized and event-focused t-shirts do best. YMMV, and don’t muscle in on our turf! (or is that "our lily pad"?) 900 numbers: If I can buy a $20 book to get an answer or make a $20 call to a 900 number for the answer I need, I will buy the book. However, if I can provide a local pond merchant a $20 profit on an item that answers my question and need — and he gives me the information for free — THAT is the ultimate answer. I say "NO" to 900. Plus, I block 900 calls. Most people do. On-line catalog: Get a FAST, high-bandwidth net interconnect. Ditch the cutesy, but time-wasting Java crapola animated garbage on the home page. Provide time-saving, sensible connections to information such as text-based links instead of .GIF push-buttons. Use downloadable .JPG images instead of forced-display .GIF pictures to show products. Put your catalog up as a .PDF file for download, and keep it current. Make using the internet our compelling answer for information exchange — or at least make it better than sending off for a paper copy of your catalog. Jim
Response:
Thanks for the info about your website, Glenn. For most purchases, I prefer to work with a local vendor who is experienced in dealing with the flora/fauna/zones of my pond (So Calif). (It appears from your email address you are in eastern Pennsylvania). For an occasional item I may go to the web, Internet Pond Society and/or commercial websites specializing in info about the item I seek. Don’t think I’d use a 900 number (there are too many free 800 numbers out there) :-> – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Let me introduce myself, I am Glenn Rieker and my wife is Cheryl. We own a >garden centre that specializes in water gardens and perennials. We believe >strongly in educating our customers…thus one of our slogans is "Education >is our most important tool". We launched our website this spring and have >received great response to the info on the website and have recently begun >to overhaul the site and we now upgrade the site at least once a week. >My question is, in reading rec.ponds many of you have questions about where >to purchase such things as filters, pumps and the like. We are considering >an on line catalog, however, as we have found and the successful business >clients we have done landscaping projects for tell us, you need to focus to >be successful and meet your clients needs. >Our goal is not to offer everything for ponds, rather to find the void and >see if filling that void meets our business goals. We are considering >custom built filters which will be less costly than current manufacturers >using simple yet effective methods we all talk about here on rec.ponds. I >understand some of us are not power tool whiz kids…in fact when it somes >to building a picture frame I can’t make a square one, however we can build >filters and some people cannot find all the bulkhead fittings where they >live necessary to build a filter. What is the interest in a reasonably >priced filter and what is the $ window you are willing to pay for a filter >to run a 300-1200 gallon filter? >We are also considering selling plans to build larger veggie filters for >the bigger ponds. >What about water garden related t-shirts? >I know 900 numbers are related to the sex phone industry, so when I >suggested to my wife we start a 900 number she gave me a funny look. After >my explanation she said OHHHHHH. After discussions with local architects >and builders and resorts I received a lot of interest in having an >"expert"(expert is usually defined as some from not in your city by my >grandfather) just a phone call away for info on water gardens and >landscaping in general. The fee would be in the $1.50-$1.99/minute range. >What do you think??? >I have learned that a few minutes like this saves you a lot of money and >headaches down the road working with someone who sells and install ponds >and landscaping on a daily basis. Rec.ponds answers a lot of questions and >I think is great, however I am wondering how a quick to the point phone >call accompanied by a fax with a sketch or an e-mail with a picture would >make us say ohhhhhhhh no I get it! >Enough of my ideas….what would you like to see on a focused water garden >on line catalog???? >You are the ultimate consumer how can we meet your needs. One of the >great things about the net is instant survey ato see what your customers >want. I thank you in advance for your help and please fell free to e-mail >me directly with you ideas usually the best ideas are those that go >unsuggested!! >We would also appreciate any input you would have on our website and how we >could improve the site. The last time I asked for help this spring the >ideas were great….larger print for those of us chronologically >challenged, different background…for the same reason. So, if you have >suggestions that is the only way we can meet your needs….Thanks for your >help. >– >Glenn & Cheryl Rieker >Remember…..Life is a game don’t live it on the bench! >http://www.gardenhaus.com
Response:
Even Better how about posting it here so we can all benefit. Sounds great. thanks sm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> A few thoughts — > Reasonably priced filters: Here in Austin TX, many of us use the > "sink filter," which is a biofilter that is adequate for up to a > 2,000 gallon pond. We can make these all day long from new materials > for less than $50 each. My three sink filters came in at $35 each. > Jim >Jim can you send me more info on the "sink filter"? sound like something >that we might be able to use. Will it handle a large load of the >floating green algea?
Response:
> A few thoughts — > Reasonably priced filters: Here in Austin TX, many of us use the > "sink filter," which is a biofilter that is adequate for up to a > 2,000 gallon pond. We can make these all day long from new materials > for less than $50 each. My three sink filters came in at $35 each. > Jim
Jim can you send me more info on the "sink filter"? sound like something that we might be able to use. Will it handle a large load of the floating green algea? — david Oly, Wa In the beautiful Pacific NW where it seldom gets above 80 & we get lots of liquid sunshine USDA zone 8.5, Sunset Zone 4.5