CameraGAS Name Change?

[ClaremontPhoto]

GAS is an in-joke for some of the people on RFF.

If you want the new site separate from the RFF Classified site then think wider and call it PhotoAuction or similar.

Not that it matters to me personally since I seem to buy a camera about once every ten to fifteen years, and I never sell anything.

 

[dmr]

IMAO, Ebay needs some good clean competition. CameraGAS can meet this need quite well.

The advantage Ebay has is variety. EVERYTHING known to humanity is available there, literally.

Unfortunately, Ebay attracts scammers like a pile of doodoo attracts flies. 🙁 To use Ebay, you really have to be streetwise and you need to be willing to accept a certain degree of disappointment.

Now for the name CameraGAS, it's as good as any, and I have a feeling that much of the target audience knows the term already. (Urban Dictionary lists GAS as Guitar Acquisition Syndrome, maybe an update is in order.) 🙂 When I joined here a couple years ago I did not know the term, but I picked it up within a day or so. (I also had to ask the gang here what "chimping" was.)

Now when a small business has a slow start, the principals go looking for that magic bullet, something that will jump-start the cash flow. Lacking a magic bullet, they tend to go for something, anything, that might give a gentle push to the flow of $$$, but often times grasp at a straw that not only doesn't work but has the opposite effect.

My suggestion is to keep the name and look for other means to bring the volume and traffic up to critical mass. IMAO, none of the alternatives just jump out and say YES as a magic bullet.

Oh well, that's my take on it, anyway ... 🙂

 

[clintock]

bidacam.com is available..
Cameragas makes me think of having an upset bowels after buying yet another camera!

 

[rover]

CameraBidder was my choice. That says exactly what the site is and easy to remember as such.

 

[ChrisPlatt]

If it was a great idea or great website or had great deals,
the name wouldn't really matter. But even the name sucks.

Chris

BTW most people have no idea what the term "G.A.S." means...

 

[Ara Ghajanian]

GAS, in itself, is not a good thing. Even if people knew what it stood for, the actual idea is that of guilt, addiction, etc. You need a more positive name. Hopefully, this time it won't be a bodily function either.

 

[iñaki]

Only a few people here knows about our GAS.
In spanish CAMERAGAS sounds very similar to "Cámara de gas" ( in english "gas chamber"), so I would change it.
I voted for Camerafleamarket. Good luck

 

[Thardy]

Check out this recent thread about CAMERAGAS.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45778

 

[pesphoto]

I just clicked on the sponsor link to cameragas on the RFF homepage. It would be nice if the sponsor links opened in a new window so we dont lose the rff page. Just a thought. It's a pretty simple coding thing to do that .

 

[Thardy]

I just looked at ebay and Camera Gas for Leica. Now, I don't claim to understand the Rf market, but prices seem to be better in stores, and the classified here than the auctions.

 

[CameraQuest]

I think that changing the name would help, but there are some other key reasons that CameraGas is struggling and will continue to struggle as it's now configured. I think the essential idea is good though and it can be fixed. I'd be happy to elaborate, but only if you are interested.

yes, definitely interesting. this thread seems to have hit a nerve with excellent discussions the result.

Stephen

 

[kevin m]

I used to buy and sell quite a lot on ebay, but site's like the RFF and the now defunct classifieds on the p.net Leica forum have largely replaced it for me. The social aspect seems to weed out the bottom feeders and scammers that make up a good portion of ebay auctions.

And the truth of the matter is there are precious few items on the planet that warrant being auctioned. An auction format only makes sense from a seller's point of view if you have a rare item desired by a large number of people. Otherwise, you're better off selling your normal items here for a reasonable fixed price and avoiding the hassles, silly questions and all the fees.

That said, if you want to compete with ebay there's a saying comes to mind:

If you want to defeat a dominant hierarchy do not imitate it: You must offer a compelling alternative.

And as others have said, Camera Gas is inside humor and undecipherable to the public at large. I'd second the motion for some variation on "Camera flea market."

 

[CameraQuest]

Responses to some of the Comments

Responses to some of the Comments

in no particular order:

CameraGAS seems to evoke enough negativity or misunderstandings to warrant a name change. New sites have enough problems without name problems.

The goal is not to compete with Ebay directly. That would be impossible without a huge ad budget. The goal is simply to have a successful niche camera selling site. What's successful? To me 1,000 new ads per day. That may seem like a lot, but it's next to nothing compared to the number of ads placed on on the net each day.

CameraGAS is NOT an auction ONLY site. There are more classified ads with a fixed price on CameraGAS than auctions. So comments about not liking auctions aren't really that accurate. This would also knock out new site names with "auction" or "bidder" in them.

Dealers selling new merchandise are prevented by the manufacturers from selling below factory mandated prices. So if new items are sold, it has to be at factory prices. This makes a "fleamarket" name illogical, unless new items were prohibited, which will not happen.

CameraGAS is better than Ebay in certain ways .. or least I think so

1) A much lower standard ad or auction price with NO final sales fees
2) No extra fees for longer than 7 day ads or auctions (up to 21 days) , or reserve auctions, classified ads, or stores. In fact, no extra fees at all.
3) Free communication between buyer and seller encouraged with no restrictions
4) Better than Ebay photographic categories

CameraGAS software is excellent after you get used to it, but there is a learning curve just like any software.

The lack of support on a no frills site is predictable, but it is also arguably better than promises of support that really mean very little unless some huge scam is involved. With both buyer and sellers warned up front to buy/sell smart and avoid the bad guys, hopefully there is less chance of becoming victims.

Thanks for your comments.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

I just clicked on the sponsor link to cameragas on the RFF homepage. It would be nice if the sponsor links opened in a new window so we dont lose the rff page. Just a thought. It's a pretty simple coding thing to do that .

good point

Stephen

 

[dmr]

It would be nice if the sponsor links opened in a new window so we dont lose the rff page.

good point

Please be courteous if you do this, and at least warn the clicker that a new window will pop up. ("This link will open in a new window.")

It annoys me to all extreme to have something unexpected pop up, particularly with no warning. I tend to close it immediately and go elsewhere. 🙁

 

[pesphoto]

Please be courteous if you do this, and at least warn the clicker that a new window will pop up. ("This link will open in a new window.")

It annoys me to all extreme to have something unexpected pop up, particularly with no warning. I tend to close it immediately and go elsewhere. 🙁

I agree most times, but if I want to search around CameraGas a bit, then I lose RFF. If I can just click shut the Sponsors window and still have Rff right there underneath it would be nice.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I'd do away with the auction system and turn the site into a camera market. With a name that says it too: cameramarket.

My two cents. Yours truly,

 

[GeneW]

I like the suggested BuyAndSellCameras.com -- it's clear and unambiguous. It doesn't need a fancy name.

Gene

 

[Fotch]

Jmho

Jmho

The name creates a negative impression. Only a few will associate it with what is intended, instead of GAS =Flatulence = Smell 😱

The few that have visited are disappointed with the offerings. 🙁

Three strikes and you are out! Take no action now, after asking for advise, well.....:bang:

Good Luck. 🙂

 

[photogdave]

I'd do away with the auction system and turn the site into a camera market. With a name that says it too: cameramarket.

My two cents. Yours truly,

Great idea Francisco!