Bankrupt

Because of the lack of sales I have experienced since the new rules went into effect. It looks like I will be closing my booths in malls that I rent.

My booths in the areas that are so generous to let me stay for free will not be effected.

I may keep one rental mall open but I am not sure. I am extremely angery because my business was not doing all that great before the stupid changes went into effect. At least I got good pay which off set my losses. But since a second pay cut was enacted against me, I am now Bankrupt.

(Previous bonus pay (After the stupid cut) was above 500 but for no reason the lindens have again cut this to where it is now 400 (My ratings have not changed ). And at this level, I declare bankrupcy)

I want to thank everyone for shopping for my products they were not the best but it is my best work I can do The booths at Transylvania, at Flippers store and at Cinde's shop at suggies shop and other free areas will diffinatly remain open as well as the booths at purple (Mashes) mall. Others will have to be studied but more than likely will close down.

I also want to say how displeased I am at those who wanted these changes. now I cannot afford to keep my business operating in paid rental areas.

Awwww, so sad.

Magnum, have you stopped to think that maybe- just maybe- there was ANOTHER reason for your bad sales? Like maybe your products arn't up to par.......?

Sorry to hear that bro. (edited)

My sales have been seemingly unaffected, despite losing my "free advertising" position in the former Top Picks.

None of this is conclusive... just adding my $L.02

Magnum I understand you are upset and it sucks to hear you'll be closing some shops but shouldn't your business be deciding whether or not you rent instead of your stipend bonus?

If your business isn't selling in a particular location then keep trying until you find a location thats good. Your store should support itself not depend on your stipend to stay open.

Blake are you really making 2-10k from home? I somehow doubt this.

Right, so don't sell in paid rental areas. It's not a wise or cost-effective way to sell anyway. The fact that you're earning slightly less money per week won't put you out of business.

If you really want to sell stuff... SELL IT. There are lots of ways to do it, and everyone is playing by the same rules. If others are selling and you're not, find out what they're doing and do that too. If you have a good product and you help people find it, success will find you.

This forum thread may help you:
/130/be/33002/1.html

why do you think the changes are to blame? you said your bonus after the changes was about L$500 which means about L$1000 before. your business can't absorb a loss of L$500 a week? you might just be spread too thin. you said you're keeping four shops open and evaluating the rest. if you can afford those four you might be better off getting rid of your rental shops, changes or no changes. if you have at least four shops and people buying your stuff you got to be doing pretty good. hope this helps.

I smell MLM...Many are legitimate, but the grandiose claims of wealth and riches are often limited to a select few at the top tiers of the pyramid.

After a weird period of like 2 days with no sales, mine have actually increased fairly steadily after the changes. I am sorry you are having difficulties, Magnum, but I don't think they can be blamed on the changes.

I've never seen a legit MLM company.

I had to close all my mall stalls too. Rents got raised right before my stipend got lowered and no I don't make enough on my creations to offset mall costs, nothing I sell is over $200 and that is for a complete dress including hair.

My sales have actually been very consistent. I did speak with someone yesterday who couldn't afford to buy my skins. I told her about the money trees, renting stalls in malls, and gave her L$500 to start with.

It is in everyone's best interest to keep people playing SL. I do believe that these changes will be ultimately for the better but there's so much doomsdaying that I'm afraid that too many people will quit and we'll be stuck with the L$1 ratings again, and more system abuse (though I personally never had a huge problem with it).

Keep your chin up, Magnum. I think part of why you're feeling so down is because you expect things to fail. Did you try publicizing it more when you realized your sales going down?

And also, it's been a very short time since the changes. Do you think you jumped the gun a little?

what are mall rents like generally?

and has anyone actually quit over these changes? i mean other than said they were going to quit on the forums.

My advice:

1) make new stuff. new things keeps people coming back. Its how most of us keep a steady customer base.

2) have you had steady sales from the rental spots in the past? I often pull out of spots that I pay for that are non-performing unless the rent is really low.

3) give the recent changes some time. things will fall into place. I haven't noticed any significant decreases in sales or store traffic so not everyone is broke or boycotting purchases.

Mall rents vary from location to location, but most are based on prim allowances. I've seen everything from L$25 a week to L$1000 a week for rent.

I'm brand new, often broke, and I still have two booths. My sales suck because my products are so-so and I have no marketing, but I still managed to make enough to break even. I also have adjusted the prices of my objects to fit the current economic climate.

I reccomend you do the same, and advise the booth owners of the shifting value of the Linden. Maybe ask them to lower the rent or go somewhere that has already done so. If you're a big renter I bet you can get a discount.

I'm not being facetious here, seriously, I think everyone has to adjust to L$'s being more valuable and more scarce. This is how economics works even in SL. Had things continued the Linden would be worthless, you could charge $1000L for a shirt, and that wouldn't amount to any value at all.

Hyperinflation.

Yes, and there are also free malls. I'm not sure where those would be however.

Location is very important and it's a good thing when you find that one spot is not working for you, because then you can pull out, cross it off the list, and look for the next one. Malls are also a great way for people who are just starting out.

Guys, the value of the linden went up about 2.33%.

I just started, however; I've seen Pay Checks by the one that's teaching me this new business. Very impressive to say the least, and he's only been in it 4 months.

I have the same stuff to report. My sales seem to be completely unaffected.

To those who rely on renting mall spots, I'd recommend putting your product up for sale on SLExchange.com and SecondServer.net. It's very cost-effective, and you'll probably reach a wider audience than with malls.

I gave up on renting mall spots a while back. I never once made more in sales than it cost me to rent the stall.

I removed vendors from half the places I was at but not because I couldn't afford the rent. On the contrary, I've sold more since the change than before. Possibly this is because some of my items are usefull in more productive events, which are on the rise.

My businesses were located at very good locations all across Second Life. I also did not use the lindens as real cash. What was made in game stayed in game. And unfortunatly for those of you who said I should design somethng better this is the best I can do

People were at least buying my stuff before the changes.