Online Classified Ads

[Floyd B.]

I'm not intending this to be a complaint or to start a "whining" thread - just some honest feedback.

After all of the spirited conversation on this board and a lot of effort from the IT team it appears to me that the online classified section is a bust. There are exactly zero (0) C3 and zero C4 parts listed. I was going to post a WTB ad but was surprised to learn that it would cast me $2.50. Is this more than I can afford? - of course not, but it is just a big hassle. Especially when I can go over to that "other" Corvette site and post my add for free. I think if we are going to hold on to the pay-per-ad business model then we might as well take the classified ad section down.

Just my 2 cents worth (or less).

-Floyd-

[Jim R.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

I agree. JR

[Gene M.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

Floyd,
The NCRS has a track record of putting a cost to everything. Most other car organizations do not charge for want ads listings. But on the other hand NCRS charges a lot of money for flight judging, trailer parking, event registration, and the list goes on and on. Another car organization I have membership with has FREE registration, trailer parking and regional/national judging is $35. You get a NICE trophy in place of ribbons.

[Jeff P.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

If we as in the NCRS club is going to survive and recruite new members, everything can't have to do with a dollar value. My wife and I are the youngest in our chapter, we are early 1960 people. New Management coming in shortly Gray Fox Club!!!

[Michael G.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

I would agree with the no charge to post a ad.

[Rob V.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

I was excited about the on-line classifieds section, in spite of at least one individual saying it probably would not be utilized a great deal, since there were only 300 active users of the TDB forum. Since everyone seems to have a computer, cell phone, and IPod; uses Craigslist and EBay and other on-line shopping sites, I naturally assumed the On-Line Classifieds would be a huge success. As a matter of fact, I could not wait for it to be implemented, as I had many items that I had hoped to find (Wanted To Buy [WTB]), and am too impatient to place an ad in the Driveline, in the hopes somebody might respond several months later. Too slow for me. Anyway, I did find an item listed on the On-Line Classifieds that I wanted/needed, and I sent the individual an email--no response from the seller. Then, I tried to place a WTB ad--couldn't figure out how to create/place the ad, so I gave up. I am back to my old tried and true methods of hunting for parts--check the couple of local sources, and if unable to locate what I need, then call the big parts suppliers. So whoever predicted the On-Line Classified Site would not be used very much, take a bow, I salute you. Finally, for the IS/IT team that went to the effort to design and implement this site, I truly appreciate your dedication and hard work, and THANK YOU. Rob Vanderhoeven

[Dennis O.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

I too, had been waiting patiently for the online ads. When I tried to enter an for my '68 for sale, I was surprised that they only had provision for 350 characters in the description
and 8 pictures. Then, there was a charge for the ad. "Hi-ho, Hi-ho, it's off to eBay I go."

[Michael J.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

I would consider parts as the most applicable for the NCRS on-line ads, enough people who want rare, specific items will look. I have been thinking about putting a car on the on-line ads, but considering the small population of NCRS TDB users, and the probable "lack of money in the room" for higher priced cars here, I have declined to do it for the car I have now.

[Gary C.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

Mike,

I have knowledge of 6 Corvettes that were sold from the NCRS on-line Classified Ads in the last 3 months. I personally have listed 3 items and all sold within the first week.

In May there were over 7,000 unique ad views.

Gary
....

[Michael J.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

Mike,

I have knowledge of 6 Corvettes that were sold from the NCRS on-line Classified Ads in the last 3 months. I personally have listed 3 items and all sold within the first week.

In May there were over 7,000 unique ad views.

Gary
....

Thanks Gary, that is impressive, I may need to reconsider when my car comes free from current consignment.

[Joe R.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

Michael,

I agree with you. It doesn't cost anything to post a short Driveline ad. Maybe just charge a fee when the item sells. I would also like to suggest that it would be used a lot more heavily if all Driveline ads automatically became online ads.

Joe

[Harry S.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

Joe, the Driveline ads are freeform text. It would take one heck of an expensive AI system to turn them into structured ads. If you put them in as is, no one would be able to find anything as the system overhead to search the text would chew up CPU time. As an example, I have all my email for the past 10 years. If I tell Outlook to look for a phrase in the text it takes several minutes. Imagine all the searches at the same time from our members, I think your talking hours to get a reply.

In a past life I was a programmer, so structure is needed for the ads.

[Mike F.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

I sell my items on the other Corvette forum. It's simple, no hassle, no limits on pics/words, the ads don't expire, etc.. When I look at the NCRS Classified section I am amazed how complex/confusing/difficult they have made it. There's no need to re-invent the wheel. It's almost like the US Government was somehow involved in the design of the webpage.

Although I'm already logged into the TBD, I need to re-log on to the Classified Section when I view it. This is the order I see things when I open the Classifieds; C1 Cars, C1 Parts, C4 Cars, C4 Parts, Other, Tools, C2 Cars, C2 Parts, C5 Cars, C5 Parts, Wanted, C3 Cars, C3 Parts, C6 Cars, C6 Parts, Memorabilia. It's not alphabetical or chronological, I just don't get it.


Quite simply, if the NCRS Classified section was setup like the other Corvette forum (or any other type forum I visit) I would use it.

[Richard L.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

Truly disappointed as well on all counts but most of all confusing, difficult and slow. Why not make easy, simple and accessible, you know the old KISS idea. I would suggest:
1) members only
2) free
3) no vendors with "$149,999 or offer" 1963 SW coupes, or else in a separate section
4) accessible to technokluts (members for over three decades)
The Driveline is GREAT but, of course, too infrequent for our 24/7 age

[Steven B.]

Re: Online Classified Ads

Mike,

I have knowledge of 6 Corvettes that were sold from the NCRS on-line Classified Ads in the last 3 months. I personally have listed 3 items and all sold within the first week.

In May there were over 7,000 unique ad views.



Gary
....

I have a neighbor who was looking for an immaculate, manual transmisson C3. He checked out a C3 and a '96 from the ads. He now has a fantastic '96 Collector, manual trans in his garage he bought from a member in the NW and is very happy with the transaction. I scour the ads for parts. Steve