Ok well I like this part

On the other hand, wouldn't this replace the need to pay LL for advertising? And the costs of running bots to build search numbers?

And if it's a cut, you can always put up a free demo on XStreetSL, with an inworld link/LM to the actual item.

I practically never go to the main SL page, so would never use the link there for Xstreet - wouldn't have even known about it except for it being mentioned here on the forums.

If there is a Shop tab in search and I was a new player, I most definitely would probably be using that to find the items I am looking for. New players would not know how this all works, so Phil is definitely right in that it would drive more business that way so that LL can get a cut.

Now there's a lady with some business savvy.

You're not looking at from an average inworld trader's point of view.
Many don't have bots inflating their traffic fpr Search Places; don't have paid picks influencing All ranking; or don't have the skill for a bunch of other moves.

Xstreet allows them compete on a more transparent and level footing for exposure.
Maybe it's a good thing that more people are moved to use Xstreet.

If I were selling purely inworld and wasn't seeing much action, I think I rather get a goodly percentage of something rather than 100% of nothing.
Xstreet always took a cut. LL just bought the operation. It's not a new cut being taken out of Xstreet sales.


Add: When I use Xstreet. I generaly go inworld to the outlet to see the goods - and in many cases got a lower price because the seller wasn't giving Xstreet a percentage.

People *can* use Xstreet as free advertising.

The problem is, that someone who was searching for a 'low prim specific piece of furniture' could type 'low prim couch' into shop tab a million times and unless what Phil (as an example) has on Xstreet as a freebie isn't a low prim couch, they will NEVER find him.

And I am willing to bet that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of in world vendors who do not use Xstreet.

I doubt that comparitively many people pay for classifieds, but I've no idea how it would affect them.

That I don't know. Never having put anything on Xstreet, I don't know how it works. If items can be put up that cannot be sold via Xstreet - just links to inworld stores - then I think that stores will use both options. I were going to put stuff on Xstreet, I'd use both options. I'd think it silly to run the risk of losing sales just to avoid the 5%(?) commission.

I don't follow. If the shop tab becomes and xstreetsl search, why wouldn't they find low prim furniture? Perhaps not Phil's, but they would likely find something they like.



Well, times changes. Change with them.

Yes, it's a % cut. And I agree with you 100%. But I was addressing the people who are put off by the commission.

That is the problem. It isn't that people wouldn't be able to find that low prim couch, but Phil (and any other vendors who do not use Xstreet) would basically be EXCLUDED from the search.

And yea, the cheese has been moved, I'm off to find new cheese!

Why is he excluded again? I'm missing something here.

I agree, and that's what I object to. As a trader, I have no objections to an external system that takes a commission. My objection is LL taking a commission. It's just the same as LL taking a cut if a user used the existing search to TP to a store and made a purchase there. LL makes money by providing the system (like an ISP). In my very strong opinion, they should not be taking a cut of transactions.

Again?

Ralektra is talking about traders who don't use Xstreet, and people who search on Xstreet. Right now LL is directing people to buy wonderful things via a place (Xstreet) where many or most traders are not represented, and they are doing that so that they can take a cut from sales that are made there. If they subsequently add a tab to the inword search, they will be doing it even more so, and taking even more cuts from sales, to the exclusion of all traders who don't put their stuff on Xstreet and pay LL a commission on sales..

It happens more than you'd think.



Right, but if you choose to ignore xstreetsl going forward, you aren't being excluded. You are choosing to exclude yourself.

As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water...

Anyway, thanks for the clarification.

I do that, too. I have yet to purchase something directly from Xstreet, nor do I advertise my own products there.

I'm concerned that LL will notice people doing what you and I do---just checking out items on the site, then going inworld to buy. And their response will be what Phil suggested---to take a cut of ALL transactions.

Am I the only one who shops at stores in SL? I occasionally will use X-Street to find a product I like, but will only buy it if there is a store that I can go and see the item. In nearly every situation I will then buy the item at the store.

I guess I'm not much of a RL catalog shopper either.

Just a quick note: XStreet.com (http://www.xstreet.com) is a completely different entity than xstreetsl.com (http://xstreetsl.com).

Yes, I know. It's what I've done with XstreetSL all along. But it's different when LL is now pushing people to XstreetSL and it's *LL* that is making the commission. I wouldn't mind if LL pushed people to XstreetSL as long as they are not the ones who are getting commission money. I just see it as a way for LL to rake money from transactions, and I envisage it going further by using other means to push people towards XstreetSL, such as inworld search.

what difference does it make who gets the commission, the commission was always there, someone was always taking the money, and hell if you want to be technical, LL was getting the money

after all xstreetsl had a sim, the money to pay for that had to come from somewhere...

all LL did was cut out the middle man (the previous owner of xstreetsl)

I would also add that perhaps it's a good thing that LL has found another revenue stream. After all, we don't want SL to become corporate disney coca cola going to jail for interacting with a minor crash crash can't log in. Where was I? Right. It would be great if the current SL was profitable enough that LL was happy to keep it for residents.

Speaking purely as a buyer, I have to agree with Phil that this could very easily become a slippery slope towards a defacto "sales tax". At the very least it's another step in the IMVU-ization of SL.

For the record, like several earlier posters, I only ever use xstreetsl as an adjunct to the standard search and I do all my actual purchasing in-world. I also very rarely go to the search hits with the highest traffic preferring the quieter shops.

as a seller that uses both xstreetsl and inworld, I say, I will take the sales where I can

as said before not all of us can afford or have the resources to run traffic bots to get up in the rankings, or set out picks camping systems, or place high cost ads

I personally see this helping the little guy a little more

and for me, any help I can get is help appreciated (even if I have to pay a small commission)

and frankly I am surprised they do not have a tax already on things we sell in world

(wasn't there some kind of tax years ago?)

Prim tax, as I understand it. You were taxed for your prim usage. I'm sure one of the oldtimers can elaborate.

I think this is the thing I was thinking of, pre tier fees


*shrug*

we will all have differing opinions on SL taking over xstreetsl

I like it, others will not

they are entitled to not like it and I will not try to change their mind on that.

I respect their opinion, but that doesn't mean I have to agree with it

The point I'm making has nothing to do with LL taking over XSSL. It has everything to do with LL taking a cut of transactions.

To reply to a point of yours in a previous post, LL hasn't cut out the middleman, as you said - LL has *become* the middleman. I don't even mind them doing that. What I mind is them directing people to XSSL so that LL can get a rake off.

I feel your pain, Phil. It does seem pretty obvious that LL is already attempting to direct traffic to XSSL and I'm sure this is just a step. Those who choose not to advertise on XSSL are at a disadvantage created by their government (Linden Labs).