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johndietzel
= Cult of Ray =
Burkina Faso (Upper Volta)
464 Posts |
 Posted - 12/12/2002 : 00:53:21
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Yeah. This has happened with nearly everything online. They start off with this model that, to Joe Surfer like me, seems destined for failure. Then they slowly augment the model, changing "what you're used to" to premium and asking for money (wait, you mean there's a way to make money by charging consumers for services?). I guaran-damn-tee you the 3-song limit on Mp3.com is a temporary fix before the ball drops. I assume they are banking that people like you, Dave, will feel so entrenched that they'll have no alternative but to upgrade. Fat lotta chance for that. Next step is Mp3.com starts allowing you to "feature" some songs, but have them hosted elsewhere. Then they fold.
Fortunately for the consumer, it rarely means much, because the internet is a vacuous happy land. So everyone will start to use Iuma.com while its business model succumbs, enjoying its convenience while it lasts. Then they'll move on.
I remember (in 1998) when Snap.com was giving you $20 cash to make purchases with select online retailers, regardless of the price. I was buying half the Miles Davis Prestige catalog at the pretty swell price of -(minus)$8 a pop (they were paying ME $8 to take their CDs from them!). My jolly baptism into the headscratching, then shrugging, and finally unapologetic skipping away that was "enjoying" the magic of the internet.
Obviously this is not the same, but I was sad when Garageband.com went under.
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"Liam Neeson backwards is broken English empty post office box." |
Edited by - johndietzel on 12/12/2002 00:57:56 |
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