Does the word AWOL offend you?, Help name my company

[XP Summit]

Hey guys I need help with something. biggrin.gif

I am starting a camper company that will be manufacturing a small rugged light weight camper that you can haul behind an ATV, Sled, Small car or just about anything. It will weight about 700lbs and transforms from a 4' w x 11' l x 5' h trailer in tow to a 8' x 12' four season sleeping area with 7'6" head room. It will be heated, has the option of skies, tons of storage, etc... really cool.

Anyways we have been bouncing around a lot of ideas about company names and we came up with the name AWOL ...

Does that name offend anyone....especially anyone with service experience?... or do you feel it is used nowadays more lightheartedly as a term for someone who has left all responsibility's , no one has seen, there gone and are now hiding in a remote destination etc....

We are looking for a name that is a little edgy.

I appreciate any thoughts, feeling or ideas.

Cheers
Shawn

 

[DaveB]

Interesting idea! Good thinking on your part to check with servicemen and women about any negative conotations of the acronym....nothing worse than finding out later you've offended a huge group of people by accident. Personally, I use the term any time I leave work early. LOL.

 

[bonz50]

actually i don't think that would offend ex-military types (myself being one), they'd probably find it quite comical and understand it totally... i'd go for it!!!!

 

[whitefish]

I think it is a good name for something like that. Plus, aren't we usually skipping out on work to use stuff like that anyway?

 

[c-bolt]

I wouldn't mind it. The only ones who would probably take offense are the sorry ones who went "awol" to get away.

I think its a cool idea. The name seems to match the purpose of the product, eh? Just ....get away. hmmmmm, go to war or go camping???? Hard choice

Good luck.

 

[CuzzinOlaf]

If the name AWOL offends them they probably won't be driving a sled or ATV.

I'm prior service and can give a crap. Go for it.

 

[ccoleman77]

Sounds like an awesome design when you get some literature you should post it up

 

[XP Summit]

Sounds like an awesome design when you get some literature you should post it up

We will have some websites and everything up by January 2010. It's still in its demo stages right now.....

Anyone else have any feedback on this subject?

Thanks
Shawn

 

[Calvin42]

Being retired military (22 yrs) I must say the term does have a negative conotation and am not sure if I were marketing something as good as you have I would use that. I'm a die hard sledder and ATV rider and must say I may think twice before I purchase something with a name like that. However I have a problem with people that burn nations flags and wear old uniforms with rank by people who have never served or earned the right to wear it. JMHO.

 

[mnescape]

I personally find no offense in the use....only towards PERSONS who were actually charged with it (Absent Without Official Leave).......especially during a time of war!!

 

[motojunkie101]

I'm currently serving and I dont see any problem marketing it to normal folks who want to go "AWOL" for a weekend. The younger generation has an obsession with pretending to be military anyways.

Although, I swear if I see one more punk @ssed kid wearing dog tags I'm running him over.

I agree that I get angry seeing people wearing uniforms with rank on them. To wear that rank in the military you have to EARN it, and that civilian didn't do squat for his country to deserve those stripes.

 

[BowSheet]

The term AWOL is negative in general. It is a term usually not associated with camping, good times, beers with bros, riding ATVs, so forth. I envision some irresponsible slacker loser afraid to fight. I don't think I'd hang my hat on a term like that. I understand what you are going for, trying to use it in a light-hearted way, but you might want to rethink it. On the other hand, the name is likely to be remembered by potential customers because it is unconventional. Just my $.02

As far as the product sounds, that sounds like a great idea. Good luck with the new business!

 

[EastcapeAngler]

My personal opinion? Any serviceman that finds this offensive probably was, or is in that group.
& now they vote democrat....So F&^% them.
More power to ya bud.

 

[MPS]

Doesn't offend me...I am still in the Army. I think it is a cool name. I have actually chased down douches that went AWOL....as East said, f%#k them!

 

[yammadog]

Also ex Army here.....Generally I think you want a name that has a positive ring to it. As stated earlier AWOL has that negative feel. Does it stand for anything describing your company or product?

I wouldn't have any hard feeling for it, but being also formerly self employed with a start up, the name and a positive or industry relation is key. But if it can have an edge when you abreviate then it's fun.....My company was Accurate Survey Supply and my phone number was one digit away from 877-ksmyas (s), I couldn't get the last number.....it was fun with the clients that connected the acronym with the edge. So what kind of name could be turned into A.W.O.L? All Wheeled Outdoor Leisure? or some kind of play with that theme....

my $.02

 

[ouch]

thats a good idea man.

 

[EricW]

Absent
With
All
Luxuries

AWAL

 

[H2SNOW]

I think that it is cool ..make it happen and where can I get one ??

 

[EastcapeAngler]

Also ex Army here.....Generally I think you want a name that has a positive ring to it. As stated earlier AWOL has that negative feel. Does it stand for anything describing your company or product?

I wouldn't have any hard feeling for it, but being also formerly self employed with a start up, the name and a positive or industry relation is key. But if it can have an edge when you abreviate then it's fun.....My company was Accurate Survey Supply and my phone number was one digit away from 877-ksmyas (s), I couldn't get the last number.....it was fun with the clients that connected the acronym with the edge. So what kind of name could be turned into A.W.O.L? All Wheeled Outdoor Leisure? or some kind of play with that theme....

my $.02

"All wheeled outdour leisure"? That's good dewd.

 

[XP Summit]

Also ex Army here.....Generally I think you want a name that has a positive ring to it. As stated earlier AWOL has that negative feel. Does it stand for anything describing your company or product?

I wouldn't have any hard feeling for it, but being also formerly self employed with a start up, the name and a positive or industry relation is key. But if it can have an edge when you abreviate then it's fun.....My company was Accurate Survey Supply and my phone number was one digit away from 877-ksmyas (s), I couldn't get the last number.....it was fun with the clients that connected the acronym with the edge. So what kind of name could be turned into A.W.O.L? All Wheeled Outdoor Leisure? or some kind of play with that theme....

my $.02

The Company name will be AWOL Outdoors to mend that gap. We are kind of looking for that edginess in our name to have fun with and stand out. The Camper industry dosn't really have any companies that have names that stick out.... they are all really soft names....

Thanks for all the feedback guys you have all been very helpful!!!

Anyone else have any good feedback

Cheers
Shawn