>>>I don't feel that they have a viable business model. I don't feel the need to go to a middle-man - I would rather go directly to the web sites that are selling the goods.<<<
Yeah, right Jon. I've got factory outlets down so well and so deeply instilled into my consciousness that I know which region in which state in which geographical portion of the U.S. that I can find my product, and at the best price.
How come all these states in America have funny names on license plates like cotton state or peach state or nutmeg state, and why's there a lobster on the Maine plate? Well, don't you know it's 'cause different areas produce and specialize in different goods and services and reputations follow? Now, whose gonna memorize all this stuff? I'll tell you who: Your middle vendor!
Depending on where you live, why have a milk man when you can go straight to the cow?
I'm telling ya, Jon--and I've said this before--you sometimes appear as though you're writing on behalf of Zulu's competition!
>>>I can see using a comparative-shopping site, but that isn't what BFL does. In fact, it is exactly the opposite of compartive shopping. Instead of giving you choice, they narrow it down to one company in each category. They explicitly state that this is their intention. Smart consumers will realize that this is limiting their choices and costing them money.<<<
Geez, Jon. Are you telling me I get a choice at Fenway Park as to what kind of hot dog I'm gonna get? Go into any store and see how products are organized. Is the Pepsi separated from the Coke, for example? Are Drakes pies separated from Hostess pies? Whether you realize it or not, select marketing is a proven strategy!
It all comes down to who can offer the best quality products at the best price, doesn't it? Do you think Bob's and Sam's or Home Depot-type outlets offer every single product line? No, they offer the top five quality and top five best price items. Something like that. What's wrong with BFL doing this? Oh, I know. For you, it's the unreconcilable fact that BFL is now associated with Zulu. I noticed you never criticized BFL until it became connected with Zulu, did ya?
>>>The only part of BFL's business plan that MIGHT make some sense is their creating of shopping sections for other sites, such as the CNN store. (Somebody on YooHoo incorrectly stated that BFL created the CNN web site. They didn't - they created the CNN store.)<<<
Please produce, for all of us, the specific quote and SI or Yahoo Post #, with the name of the writer who said BFL produced the "CNN website."
More importantly, isn't this what the Internet is all about? The so-called "middle-man" you're complaining about, indeed, offers more options for a particular entity to sell its products.
Hey Jon, do you think a Maine lobster pound has the capital, resource support and a product delivery capacity such it can advertise lobster and deliver it everywhere in the U.S.? How often do Yahoo's Indy or BMW get to eat lobster in the Midwest? Well, a "middle-man" just might be helpful here. Particularly if folks learn that they like eating lobster, without having to go to Maine to discover this.
>>>But visiting the CNN store, I see they are following the same business model, which I don't believe will succeed. I did visit the CNN store, and found it confusing and just not useful.<<<
Yeah, just like you found Merklermedia Internet.com less than adequate, or whatever words you used back then, when you discovered for a period of time it rated ZuluMedia as "Best in Class." Sure, CNN isn't top-notch either, right?
Jon, go fly a kite!
>>>I suspect that this didn't cost CNN anything, and they took a flyer. I doubt that it is paying-off for them. For example, after learning that if you buy books from the CNN store, you are going to be sent to barnesandnoble.com, I'd prefer just to go directly to barnesandnoble.com, rather than screwing-around with the confusing interface at CNN. (And cutting-out CNN and BFL from the profit loop.)<<<
Nice of you to cut out all of the places which might provide us more incentives for buying too, Jon. That's a good way not to make money. And, of course, I suppose that's why the theory and practice exists that if you order more, you pay less. Do you think BFL gets discounts on products given the quantity with which they move them, and therefore are able to offer a great discount price? Brands for less, Jon!
And, Jon, are you really saying convenient stores with 40 percent mark-ups don't work, that you won't go there 'cause you can go directly into a supermarket.
And how frustrating would it be to leave the site that is easily and directly offering you the product you want? I mean it's staring ya right in the face! It's on your computer screen. Plus, it's got a good price, and it's a convenient and a direct offering. All you gotta do is hit a button and type in your code.
Why go wandering to other sites, particularly if you're buying more than one item? We're shopping now, aren't we Jon? OK, I want a dozen different items. Geez, Jon, how convenient. According to your plan and your preference, I now gotta go to 12 different websites to get my 12 different items, bypassing BFL all together?
Jon, do people really go into department stores for only one item? Sometimes. But I bet ya they walk out, more than not, with several in hand, and probably grab a shopping cart when they get in there. Same deal on the computer with BFL offerings, without the shopping cart too!
And, if you do wander to another website, do you take a chance of going somewhere only to discover the particular product website you want to is either busy or the server's down for whatever reason? And then you forgot what website you were on before you left it? And, of course, Yahoo never malfunctions, does it? So why would a particular company's website malfunction?
Really now, all you gotta do is click the item presently on your screen, type or talk in the code and, presto, the next day it's yours! It's a great way to give gifts to others. It's that easy, Jon, isn't it?
And could BFL, in a multi-sale, be offering a sale on products the particular storeline won't have on sale? Of course! And what if someone is brand conscious--you're more likely to get it where you find it, right? Not everybody is cheap and tries to save a penny, Jon.
So Jon, put more string on that kite and really get it up there?
>>>I'm afraid I do have to add some historical perspective. SIM was a troubled company, whose business model was not working. Why do you think ESVS was able to buy BFL so cheaply, and on such favorable terms? If they really had potential, do you think they'd be taking an IOU from ESVS? Wouldn't they be getting cash on the barrel-head or rapidly-appreciating stock from the likes of YHOO?<<<
I know this is hard for you to accept, Jon, but just maybe BFL has a hint to exactly what kind of demographic advertising Zulu can put forward in order to support BFL products. Or maybe Zulu can improve the kind of websites, which you now complain about, that are on CNN, etc. Also, did you ever consider the possibility perhaps BFL, too, might like to participate in a millenium-crossing vertically integrated Internet commerce strategy?
It's your contention BFL is going downhilll? Jon, your prejudice truly amazes me. Why is the BFL chairman sitting on that prestigious national committee for the Progressive Policy Institute, along with a dozen U.S. senators and U.S. congresspeople. He probably got picked 'cause he was representing a failing Internet company, right Jon?
Jon. Bring your kite back down. You forgot to check whether the kite had a Zulu or BFL logo on it, before you flew it. And I know you you don't like flying those type of kites.
>>>I must conclude that, for them to have accepted this deal, they must have been desparate. I suspect that their business model is failing, and that they have salvaged what they could out of it, by taking a bit of cash and an IOU from a delisted company whose stock is only heading down further.<<<
[Paraphrased] I must conclude that, for Jon Tara to have written in the manner he has, he must have been desperate. I suspect his Zulu bashing model is failing, and that he will salvage what he can out of his efforts, by using up $70,000-120,000 worth of his time yearly in order to condemn a penny stock which only wants to move further upward.
Jon, if you have all of this wonderful knowledge, how come we never find your name and input among those professionals who communicate about advertising and ecommerce on the The Internet Advertising Discussion List?
internetadvertising.org
I mean aren't these the folks who really offer analysis, free from the kind of prejudice which you bestow upon Zulu, now BFL?
Perhaps it'd be better, Jon, if you simply got a kite with your own name on it. And don't forget, since you're gonna need more of it, you can go directly to the company that sells that string. I'm sure you know the proper brand name of the company which sells string, don't you?
In closing, you know what Jon? If you'd quit wasting your time posting such prejudicial saspisash, I could quit wasting my time by having to respond to it, no strings attached! |
