Web Commerce vs. Sim-hosted Malls

I think having a website for your 'virtual' mall is certainly a good thing.

+good architecture and decoration helps A LOT too.

If Maxx Monde made a mall, there'd be no prims left for vendors...

Its funny because it is true.

But I can restrain myself. I haven't built one since Aqua, considering what that leveraged up into, I doubt I would again.

Maxx, with all due respect, I think your original post is short-sighted. A bit like early 20th century pundits saying the car, being noisy and ureliable, will never replace the horse drawn carriage.

I'm not saying the Web is obsolete, but there is a lot of potential for commerce directly in SL. We have constraints to be sure (texture downloads, etc.) but we also have potential the WWW or RL will never realize. You're comparing two very well done and efficient web sites to dozens of malls/stores which do not live up to SL potential, nor rethink how things could be done and just use the ubiquitous "vendor box."

I wrote up a post about how malls and stores could offer a better experience, but there are so many things you can do which I haven't thought of, and when someone does we'll all slap our av heads and say "why didn't I think of that?"

Where are the SL shopping carts? Where are sale-based fees instead of prim-based? Where are resellers? There is a lot of untapped potential right here in-world, but until then you have many good points and I'll continue to use the web to augment my in-store locations.

I used secondserver.net yesterday and I will never vistit another mall again.

I have an idea lets just do away with anything fun entirly. I mean whats the point when a handful of players own most of the land and control most of the resources anyway. I would just love to see nothing but a bunch of malls and for sale signs and clubs...oh wait we already have that. happy happy joy joy.

Fun factor down to 20% marketing and money making up 80% WTF?

Cat

I think there is a place for specialty stores, and there always will be. I do think the 'Throw a bunch of stalls together' == NEW MALL, idea is totally limited and should decline due to the features inherent to web listing. Ultimately it would mean a decline in sims that are dedicated to featureless masses of vendors grouped in haphazard ways.

This would not include areas that are designed well and have clear demarcations/organizational tools to determine where the heck everything is. The number one thing I hate about any retail area is the time it takes for things to load in order to browse successfully.

Your points are noted, and I concur with some of them.

If I had known SL was just going to be an elaborate marketing tool I would of saved my money for a mmorpg.

Read the forums folks its all about the all mighty dollar.
Look at the events its all about the all mighty dollar.
Read the news and up coming features its all about the all mighty dollar.

Instead of a balance the scales have most definatly tipped in one direction. Although you will be told that your "creative" builds are needed. Of course they are they are an attraction to new players without them it would just be another virtual store front.

Fun? for who?

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I see a ballance comming, I do see a drop in inworld sales but not a total lack of them.

I'm having fun. I love creating items, and for me, following that to its logical conclusion means getting them in people's hands. I enjoy designing the packaging and store space. I just want the experience to be better than it is so it's more fun for my customers, and the people that have to live next to my shops. Whether you charge money or not, selling is selling. YadNi's junkyard and the GNU $1 shops are still stores.

I'm having fun making things too. The novelty of selling even the smallest item has not worn off for me yet and might not ever. But creating is still what I like best. Add to that the process of setting up your own little shop and decorating it... It's a good thing.

sooo your having fun selling. WHAT ABOUT JUST FUN!


how depressing this is now.

Ingrid...what is the difference between a row of stores, and a mall? I guess we all know that...but what is it in SL?

I guess I'm wondering why a store is good but a mall is bad?

I also enjoy pushing my friends off tall buildings in SL. There's still plenty of fun to be had. Don't be sad.

Actually I have nothing against malls. Unless they're really unsightly. I guess I just like stores better because the owner of the store decorates and builds their own place and that's often more interesting to look at than a generic looking mall. I've always liked shopping in stores over malls irl.

Actually I have lots of fun making, and lots of fun buying, and lots of fun doing other things...

But the selling totally sucks. I hate packaging and organizing and advertising. I cant even imagine how much of a pain it would be to set up a vendor...

Anyhoo, I hate malls just 'cause they're slow and disorganized. My computer is slow (disorganized too) and Malls are zippo fun. A few small stores like in Biarcliff, or like the ANOmations store I can handle - mostly 'cause I saw something advertised online and went there. I don't shop in malls and will only sell in a few places that have really high standards for good shopping experience.

funny i thought this game was called SL not RL. My mistake.

Welcome to reality. Even in other MMOGs, it is all based around currency. Except you have to "grind" your skills in order to be able to attain the really nice stuff.

-AP

No thanks selling off and leaving. I am tried of the fight to be honest. SL isn't worth the fight anymore. Philip told me personaly he would make sure there was a balance, apparently he lied. Its all about the all mighty dollar now I see very little creativity left that isn't $$$ related.

I'm tired of fighting against what everyone else wants. So enjoy your www.3d.crap

OK, goodbye Cat. Again.

-AP

i took a break once for 3 months. I was reassured that the balance would return. After reading the forums for the past few months apparently it hasn't and it won't. As soon as my land in ross is sold I am not just leaving my account I am deleting it. I don't want to fight for what is right anymore. The only thing you all are doing is screwing this game into the ground. good luck with that. Dont believe me look at the land issues and the value of the L$ both down. Yeah your doing a great thing.

Why thank you! I appreciate the words of support and encouragement!

-AP

I think your heart is in the right place wanting to do the right things, but you're using the wrong tools. Money, like many things, can equally used for the good as well as the bad.

Look at vertous, for example. Though I think the donated money should be used for SL projects, it certainly is a 'good' use of money, don't you think?

absolutly vertu is an excellent cause but its still centered around getting money. I for one am sick of hearing about money in any form.

So stop talking about it? That would work wonders.