At first glance, You appear to be a typical web start up, having bought a "shopping cart" package and embarked on the business of selling to the general public, with the minimum of stock and no premises open for customers to visit. If I am wrong in this "snap judgement" I apologise. What seems a reasonable course of action to you has great dangers for my audience, for the number of failures far, far exceeds those that have succeeded. It is thus a minefield for me to try and make judgements about new "internet only" firms - I don't wish to get involved in accounts or credit ratings, so I just use one commonsense tactic - delay!
Recognition on the web is not just about having a web site and a few adverts in the camera press, it is also the ability to build a solid base from perhaps an existing business, camera shop or other retail outlet, for you are then not solely dependent on the sales generated by the internet.
In terms of pricing, you not only have to beat the famous multiples, you have to undercut them by such a margin that people will be "tempted" into dealing with an unknown. This leaves very little "profit" and because the rewards are so small, most entrepreneurs throw in the towel in under a year, leaving a trail of unhappy customers.
Harsh Judgement? Certainly, but experience has taught me that I must exercise prudence in putting new ventures in UKcamera, if I am to protect my "readers" from losing money.
My attitude is simply to "wait & see". I will observe your progress for the first year or so and then come to a decision. This is not always a guarantee of financial soundness, as Internet Cameras Direct have recently gone "feet uppermost" and I waited over a year before I listed them in UKcamera!"
UKcamera was established simply to help preserve the small specialist camera so much under threat these days from internet/mailorder firms operating out of factory units with low overheads. In a sense you have taken internet competition a further step forward by not even having a physical address! (at least I couldn't find one on your website!)
I receive no money from the vast majority of the shops listed and yet I feel they need my support in these difficult times. Why? If diversity goes, then where will our hobby be? In my opinion, buying from five makers (one of which, I agree will be Canon) and from three sets of chain stores.
To advertise a private individual selling on ebay would be against all the things I established UKcamera for.
I hope you understand my position and I wish you the best of luck with your venture."