Author: Dann Corbit
Date: 13:40:23 02/22/99
Go up one level in this thread
On February 22, 1999 at 16:17:55, Lawrence S. Tamarkin wrote: >I'm affraid that the surly crowd is always there, waiting quietly in the >backround, no matter what. That surly crowd can curse you, but also they are >your best supporters. So companies know their audience, and I immagine, live >with their opinions. > >I'm not going to get all caught up in complaining about the higher cost of >Hiarcs, (or other programs), but neither do I see it wrong in asking why that is >so. And I resent the poster(s), who imply that it is whining to discuss price >on as an important facter in selecting one's chess programs. This is ON TOPIC, >(within the charter of the Computer Chess Club, as I understand it), and this is >the Computer Chess Club, is it not? I do not disagree at all. But I think it is strange to ask the manufacturer's to cost justify. That's why I said "Vote with your pocketbook." If you think the price is too high, buy something else. >I bought Bookup8 and Hiarcs 2.1 a few years ago when this business of companies >claiming 'My program can Kick your program in the but' advertising was just >starting, and I have bought into this like the Software addict! that I am. But >even a chess software addict! such as myself can resist the temptation to get >EVERY SINGLE DIFFERENT ONE (and upgrades), when there is so much competition for >my strained buck... Consumers may imagine that they benefit most when prices drop. This is not true. Additional profit from a sale can (and will) be used to create a superior product on the next go-round. If all chess programs sold for the media cost plus one dollar, there would be no development and chess programs would stagnate. All small innovators would be immediately driven out of the market. Be careful what you ask for. You might just get your wish. If all chess programs become cheap commodities, you will get cheap commodities as chess programs. That does not take a brilliant mind to figure out. I think it absurd that a program developed for a very tiny market should be considered overpriced when selling for under $200. And if one product is too dear for you then buy a different one. That's voting with your pocket book. But if you pay less you will get less. Does that surprise anyone? Supply and demand. If a product is excellent enough, it will increase demand which will raise price. If the product becomes popular enough, it will increase the production and reduce price. Finding a balance is a very difficult business problem. I think it 'a bit fresh' at the very least to demand such an analysis from a software manufacturer.
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