CompuServe Thread

#Amiga Market Question

7 messages in this thread
#42307From: Walter LounsberyAug 20, 1994 9:40 AM
Hi all: I am looking for information on selling software via mail order. I would like to know ballpark figures or typical terms that distributors or mail-order houses impose. List discounts, credit terms, volume, that sort of thing. Any help would be appreciated! – Walt Lounsbery 72755,135 waltal@well.sf.ca.us
#42308From: Marlene Zenker/SYSOPAug 20, 1994 10:15 AM
Typical discounts distributors expect are 60% off of retail price. Typical discounts dealers expect are 40% off of retail price. I would recommend that if you send software to a distributor, be *sure* of the number of packages you've sent them, and send them software COD. I've see some real horror stories of companies trying to get the money they're owed from software distributors. Steve
#42341From: Jolyon SmithAug 22, 1994 6:41 AM
It will depend on the kind of software you are looking to sell, but if you're up here on CompuServe, why not use that as your advertising/delivery service. I don't know that there are any rules against this kind of thing (if there are somebody had better jump on me quick).
#42344From: Mal LansellAug 22, 1994 10:16 AM
I don't know about actual rules, but the online world seems pretty much against having people use the system for advertising. Imagine if we all had a huge stack of junk e-mail to sift through each time we logged on… Mal
#42345From: Walter LounsberyAug 22, 1994 11:17 AM
Jolyon: Thanks for the encouragement. It is possible to sell via a commercial service like CompuServe or even on Internet. The limitations can get sticky, but the worst limitation is that you are selling to a limited audience, and getting access to a broad audience on-line (esp. for Amiga) means subscribing to several expensive services. Not that I don't do that now 🙂 Like Mal said, the advertisement is usually curtailed by necessity. After going through the arithmetic a bit, I understand why people are quoting me discounts of 40% to 60%. But I am beginning to wonder how anyone could make a living publishing OK software (not the occasional mega-hit). This exercise is helping me understand what is going on in the Amiga market. If anybody is interested in some of the figures, let me know. – Walt Lounsbery 72755,135 also at waltal@well.sf.ca.us
#42356From: Dale LarsonAug 23, 1994 8:33 AM
Sure, I'm interested in the figures. I'm also interested in hearing about what you want published. IAM may be willing to work with you… Dale L. Larson Intangible Assets Manufacturing (info@iam.com) "That's the best part about being crazy. You see things no one else can see."
#42359From: Walter LounsberyAug 23, 1994 11:54 AM
Dale, I'll get back to you via Internet email or phone. Mal, I must apologize for somehow mixing up the userid! I'm rusty on CompuServe! So much for 14 years of experience on this net… – Walt