SUGGESTION: Break up Buy/Sell by platform

[Night Owl]

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that browsing the Buy/Sell forum would be more user-friendly if I didn't have to get past all the stuff that doesn't fit my needs. Perhaps a few broad categories would make it easier.

• Canon
• Nikon
• Other Camera Brands
• Accessories (tripods, lighting, backdrops, bags, etc)

My 2¢ (3¢ Canadian).

[rab3rd]

using the search function in the buy/sell section can narrow down what you are looking for. The more choices you give people the more confused they get about where is the right place to put something. That in turn creates more work for the poor under paid mods...

For instance. Lets say I have a Canon bag, do I put that under Canon or under Accessories?

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Night Owl

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that browsing the Buy/Sell forum would be more user-friendly if I didn't have to get past all the stuff that doesn't fit my needs. Perhaps a few broad categories would make it easier.

• Canon
• Nikon
• Other Camera Brands
• Accessories (tripods, lighting, backdrops, bags, etc)

My 2¢ (3¢ Canadian).

I like this idea. At least break up the camera and lenses if nothing else.

Originally Posted by rab3rd

using the search function in the buy/sell section can narrow down what you are looking for. The more choices you give people the more confused they get about where is the right place to put something. That in turn creates more work for the poor under paid mods...

For instance. Lets say I have a Canon bag, do I put that under Canon or under Accessories?

I would say it is ultimately a bag so it falls under that category.

[Night Owl]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

using the search function in the buy/sell section can narrow down what you are looking for.

I often browse without looking for anything specific. Like today, I was just poking around, looking for a short prime for Canon. Searching "Canon" would miss any Sigmas where the poster didn't follow directions and left off the "for Canon."

The more choices you give people the more confused they get about where is the right place to put something. That in turn creates more work for the poor under paid mods...

Perhaps I'm being too picky, but if someone is trying to sell a lens for a Nikon camera and can't figure out how to post it in the "For Nikon" section, perhaps they shouldn't be posting anything at all. As a mod on an unrelated forum (albeit with much, much less traffic), I've not found it a hassle to click a couple of boxes to correct a wayward thread into the appropriate home.

For instance. Lets say I have a Canon bag, do I put that under Canon or under Accessories?

I'd say Accessories, as you can stick an Olympus camera in it and it still functions as a bag. It just happens to say "Canon" on it.

[TheFantasticG]

I see breaking it up into a "WTB" section and a "FS" section, then breaking it down to manufacturer being that much more beneficial.

[rab3rd]

In my experience, the more sub divided a forum becomes the harded it becomes to manage and use. There is a particular black and white forum I use to use a lot but they started sub dividing and everytime I went back there were two or three more sub forums. I stopped going there main due to that...

But thats just my opinion/experience, but Im pretty sure it isnt worth much.. ;-)

[Night Owl]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

In my experience, the more sub divided a forum becomes the harded it becomes to manage and use. There is a particular black and white forum I use to use a lot but they started sub dividing and everytime I went back there were two or three more sub forums. I stopped going there main due to that...

But thats just my opinion/experience, but Im pretty sure it isnt worth much.. ;-)

I understand your point and agree that subdividing too much causes more problems than they solve. Breaking down into a dozen categories would be too much. Which is why I suggested only four sub-forums.

[Abel]

The section already has a system implemented.

When viewing the section, click a "FS:" prefix and the forum will only show "FS:" listings.

Or

When viewing the section, click a green link like "Canon" for instant and the forum will only show "Canon" listings.

It does the same thing for city and will or will not ship listings.

Go check it out...

[auddii]

Originally Posted by Night Owl

I often browse without looking for anything specific. Like today, I was just poking around, looking for a short prime for Canon. Searching "Canon" would miss any Sigmas where the poster didn't follow directions and left off the "for Canon."

I like how you assume people are smart enought to realize that a Sigma with a Canon mount should go in the Canon section, not the third party section. You have horribly high hopes for people...

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by Abel

The section already has a system implemented.

When viewing the section, click a "FS:" prefix and the forum will only show "FS:" listings.

Or

When viewing the section, click a green link like "Canon" for instant and the forum will only show "Canon" listings.

It does the same thing for city and will or will not ship listings.

Go check it out...

Ah...that is cool. Although it does not combine fields to further narrow down a search.

For instances, I click Canon and the forum filters out all other brands. Now I want to only see Canon and FS (For Sale) items but the moment I click on FS the forum does not narrow down the search. I now see all name brands that are labeled FS. Is there any way to enhance this feature?

[Night Owl]

Huh...never realized the green tags were clickable links. That does make it easier to browse. Perhaps putting a banner of those links across the top would be a good addition? For instance, if I were looking for Tokina lenses - which don't pop up very often and likely wouldn't be on the front page - I could click the green link at the top, rather than hunt for it.

Or I could just search "Tokina," as was previously suggested. That's assuming the poster labeled it correctly.

[rab3rd]

Originally Posted by auddii

I like how you assume people are smart enought to realize that a Sigma with a Canon mount should go in the Canon section, not the third party section. You have horribly high hopes for people...

My point exactly...

[Sonny]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

My point exactly...

If you wear a hat you can cover up your point.

[Jake]

You will always miss stuff if users don't follow directions. Even with sub forums.

I really like the way Abel has it set up right now. He's awesome!



*working on winning the next contest.

[Abel]

Originally Posted by Jake

You will always miss stuff if users don't follow directions. Even with sub forums.

I really like the way Abel has it set up right now. He's awesome!



*working on winning the next contest.

thanks a ton for the kind words!



*not really gonna work.