HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: bob@consult.UUCP (Bob Willey CDP)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: Software Retail
Date: 19 Dec 92 14:13:25 GMT
Reply-To: bob@consult.UUCP (Bob Willey CDP )
Organization: CCS Enterprises, Inc. - Easton, MD

In article <724736101.AA00000@therose.pdx.com> Grant.Cunningham@p55.f54.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Grant Cunningham) writes:
> >> hit me there are practically no small scale software retailers.
> >> Why is that?  Is the margin on shrinkwrapped software so thin
>
# JH> Software retailers (dealers) typically buy their software from large
# JH> software distributors at around 50% of recommended retail with some
# JH> variance thrown in for specials, large orders, and other arrangements.
# JH> The distributors usually get price cuts from the developers at around
# JH> 40-45% of retail.  So volume is the only way they can stay in business
# JH> and the large overhead of a retail storefront is often just too much to
# JH> manage for the "mom & pop" s/w store.
#
>Actually, there shoudln't be a problem covering retail operations at 40-50%
>margins. The most popular packages will have slimmer margins, as is the case
>with any consumer good.  But the full margin on the non-competitive products
>should, if the mix is anything near normal, bring the overall profitability
>into acceptable range.

The biggest problem with the above argument is the "mentality" of the
typical PC buyer.

Virtually NONE of them will pay anything close to retail.  So your
40-50% goes right out the window.  You will typically see most software
discounted 30-40% minimum, thus bringing your gross margins down to
the 10-20% level, and sometimes below.  So unless you are churning out
a LOT of software, it would be difficult to keep the lights on.

Any if you try to compete directly with many of the mail-order companies,
they are sitting in the 4-7% range of gross margin.  "Try to make those
numbers work out....!!"

-- 
>.. Bob Willey, CDP          ..  |  ..  uunet!consult!bob  bob@ccs.com   ..<
>.. CCS Enterprises, Inc.    ..  |  ..   Office: (410) 820-4670          ..<
>.. P.O. Drawer 1690         ..  |  ..      FAX: (410) 476-5261          ..<
>.. Easton, Maryland 21601 ......|......... BBS: (410) 476-5098 ...........<
From: bob@consult.UUCP (Bob Willey CDP)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: VISA question -- Merchant Accounts revisited once more!
Date: 16 Dec 92 13:12:09 GMT
Reply-To: bob@consult.UUCP (Bob Willey CDP )
Organization: CCS Enterprises, Inc. - Easton, MD

In article <1gjq0qINNamv@mirror.digex.com> burgoyne@access.digex.com (J. Robert Burgoyne) writes:
>Say you got 2.7% instead of 3.7% for $2,000 in sales. Excuse me, but
>we're talking about $20. Per month minimum charges can easily vary
>by much more, and each merchant account incurs an application fee 
>usually on the order of $50+.
#
#And don't forget to get American Express too. There is no monthly
#minimum charge, no application fee, and the folks seem much more
#receptive to doing business than the VISA and Master Card folk.

You will find that a LOT of people do forget about
American Express on purpose.!!  It is very expensive for the
retailer.  Can run up to 2% more for American Express than
for Visa/Mastercard.  And with ever-shrinking margins, 5.7%
could be your mark-up, thus generating ZERO revenue, unless you 
charge a "credit card fee".

-- 
>.. Bob Willey, CDP          ..  |  ..  uunet!consult!bob  bob@ccs.com   ..<
>.. CCS Enterprises, Inc.    ..  |  ..   Office: (410) 820-4670          ..<
>.. P.O. Drawer 1690         ..  |  ..      FAX: (410) 476-5261          ..<
>.. Easton, Maryland 21601 ......|......... BBS: (410) 476-5098 ...........<
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: dao@rchland.vnet.ibm.com (Dan Dao)
Subject: IntelliHome	
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 12:58:42 GMT
Reply-To: dao@rchland.vnet.ibm.com
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: IBM Rochester

-- 
Have anyone know anything about IntelliHome?

---
Dan Dao dao@rchland.vnet.ibm.com (507)253-8023
From: Grant.Cunningham@p55.f54.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Grant Cunningham)
Sender: postmaster@therose.pdx.com
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Carlton Sheets: What's the deal?
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 08:38:40 -0700

Peter Sarrett wrote about "Carlton Sheets: What's the deal?".
Here's what GRANT CUNNINGHAM thinks:

 PS> Ok, I admit it: I was up late watching USA last night and watched the
 PS> Carlton Sheet's "No Money Down" infomercial.
 PS> But I figure someone out in Netland must have first- or second-hand
 PS> experience with this thing.  And I was wondering, what's the deal?  How
 PS> much work is involved in this thing?  What's all this about buying real
 PS> estate for no money down?  Have any of you actually made money because
of
 PS> this program?

The "no money down" bit has been around for twenty years that *I* know of, and
I'm told it's older than that.

The idea is with merit: there are, at any given time, a few people who
desparately want to get rid of property.  To do so, they will let you have it
and carry the paper themselves without down payments; although many times,
they will ask you to pay closing (if they're that desparate, they often can't
afford closing costs!)  The idea is to buy decent property that will provide
an income to cover the payment outlay, or one that you can turn at a profit
before you've paid much cash to the lienholder.

There's always a catch, right?  Well, there are a couple here.  First, you'll
be competing for the few no-down properties that ARE available with every
other graduate of the myriad "no money down" gurus that have come and gone.
Lest you think that they're few and far between, ask any local realty agent;
every one of them has a pile of phone numbers for people looking for these
properties.  I mean *hundreds*!

Second, the system really bases its chances for success on the possibility for
substantial real estate appreciation.  A lot of people did this prior to 1986;
when the housing market across the country fell, many (if not most) of the
no-downers ended up selling *their* holdings for no money down (sort of poetic
justice!)

The whole concept of this idea is to take real estate speculation -- which is
not an activity for amateurs -- and reduce the risk, making it easier for
amateurs to play.  Can you make money this way?  I'm sure someone can.  But I
think it's safe to say that the days of great success have come and gone. Ask
this question:  if this is *so* lucrative, why aren't these people sinking
*more* of their effort into real estate, instead of training their own
competition??

-=[ Grant ]=-

Fight-O-Net:  1:105/54.55
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         INTERNET  grant.cunningham@p55.f54.n105.z1.fidonet.org


Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: cjackson@adobe.com (Curtis Jackson)
Subject: Re: New College Grad needs $$ now to pay off school.  Help..
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated, Mountain View
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 04:32:27 GMT

In article <1992Dec9.013413.29765@ucsu.Colorado.EDU> olsonkk@ucsu.Colorado.EDU (Kirk Olson) writes:
}I am graduating from College in one week.  Obviously, I am a December
}Grad, but here is my problem.  Before I can actually get my degree in my
}hands.  I need to pay Luther College, roughly $3000.00.  I do not

Exactly how does one go about owing one's college $3000 at the *end*
of the semester/quarter? Traffic tickets? Vandalized equipment?
Bounced tuition checks?

Some philanthropist might even loan the money if they knew why you
owed it and the reasons were verifiable.
-- 
Curtis Jackson  DoD #721   '62 Yankee Brunette "Dorothy"    '81 Maxim 650
cjackson@mv.us.adobe.com   '91 Black Lab "Studley"  '92 Collie/Golden "George"
  "They that can give up an essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
   safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin (1759)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: pgt@fc.hp.com (Paul Tobin)
Subject: VISA question
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 22:11:20 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Fort Collins Site
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.4 PL6]


My wife's business is ready to start taking credit card orders.  She's
contacted all the local banks, and the best deal is 3.7% for months
under $2000 (current situation).  Are we missing something by only
trying the local institutions?  Will out of state banks even want to
deal with us?  We'd love to hear and learn from your experience!

Thanks, and good luck to all of you,

	Paul Tobin
	pgt@fc.hp.com
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: tleylan@pegasus.com (Tom Leylan)
Subject: Re: Subject: How can teen make money?
Organization: Pegasus,  Honolulu
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 92 07:08:06 GMT

Dale@sol.cs.wmich.edu (Dale Gee) writes:

>25 bucks? Oh get real you would scam some 15 year old girl for advice
>in how to raise some bucks for school.  How low can you go?
>I didn't know this was the alt.scam.teenagers newsgroup.  
>I hope the next you ask someone a question they ask for your visa card 
>number first.
> 
>*flame off*
>
Some where about this time a man named Dale Gee is thinking, "Hmmmm,
I wonder if this was just humor"...

*flame was never on so no need to turn the flame off*

tom

Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: vlad@inavia.msk.su (Vladimir D. Korovkin)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Wanted: fax/phone numbers of sport oriented PROMOTION OFFICES (alpine skiing needs)
Date: Tue, 08 Dec 92 13:09:19 +0200
Distribution: world
Organization: International Aviation Industry Exchange
Reply-To: vlad@inavia.msk.su

We badly need in relations with any of sport oriented PROMOTION OFFICES
that could find out investors and provide participation of Russian Women's
PRO TEAM in US PRO SKI TOUR. Would you please be kind enough to send us
fax/telephone numbers and addresses of known sport oriented promotion
companies?

Thanks in advance,

Vladimir Korovkin

Deputy Director General
International Aviation Industry Exchange

2, Aviamotornaya st.,
Moscow,111250, Russia

Phone/Fax: +7-(095)-361-6473
email: vlad@inavia.msk.su



Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: js@Turing.ORG (Jon Schull)
Subject: Re: Mailing a small catalog...HELP!!!! Please?
Organization: The Turing Project, Public Access Internet Host
Distribution: usa
Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 22:07:18 GMT

In article <Bz0ABE.6EC@news.udel.edu> sharris@chopin.udel.edu (Scott A Harris) writes:
>
>It's probably a faq but I couldn't find it so.......
>
>I own a small business and would like to send out a small
>catalog.  The primary target area is the university community.
>I have checked with the U and they won't give me a mailing
>list in electronic form so I have sent out about 200 by just
>typing in the names manually into a mailing list and doing a 
>small catalog by computer.  This gets old quickly and was 
>wondering what have been peoples experiences with different
>compaines that will put together such a catalog and how much
>a creature like this costs?  Your comments and suggestions
>would be greatly appreciated.
>
>Thanks
>
>Scott
>
>
>-- 
>Scott Harris
>sharris@chopin.udel.edu

There
are many "phonebooks" and directories available on the internet if you 
have access to a Gopher program, or some other way of browsing cyberspace.
From these you could construct a mailing list if its worth your time....
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: tndf6@isuvax.iastate.edu (BRYAN_L_SUTTON)
Subject: Re: Mailing a small catalog...HELP!!!! Please?
Reply-To: tndf6@isuvax.iastate.edu
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 21:34:30 GMT

In article <Bz0ABE.6EC@news.udel.edu>, sharris@chopin.udel.edu (Scott A Harris) writes:
>
>I own a small business and would like to send out a small
>catalog.  The primary target area is the university community.
>I have checked with the U and they won't give me a mailing
>list in electronic form .....

However that list is considered public information (at public universities).
We send out an Adult Student Newsletter to non-traditional students and we have
to purchase the mailing list from the university.  The cost runs $75 - $100 for 
approx. 3000 preprinted, stick-on labels depending on the search criteria and
the number of databases searched by that criteria.  I would suggest speaking to
the ADP Dept. as a starter.

bls
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: klosp@rimail.interlan.com (Patrick Klos)
Subject: Re: VISA question
Organization: Klos Technologies, Inc. (603) 424-0138
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 14:14:16 GMT

In article <Bz48Aw.20A@fc.hp.com> pgt@fc.hp.com (Paul Tobin) writes:
>From: pgt@fc.hp.com (Paul Tobin)
>Subject: VISA question
>Date: Fri, 11 Dec 1992 22:11:20 GMT
>
>My wife's business is ready to start taking credit card orders.  She's
>contacted all the local banks, and the best deal is 3.7% for months
>under $2000 (current situation).  Are we missing something by only
>trying the local institutions?  Will out of state banks even want to
>deal with us?  We'd love to hear and learn from your experience!
>
>Thanks, and good luck to all of you,
>
>	Paul Tobin
>	pgt@fc.hp.com

I just went through the process myself.  None of my local banks (including 
the bank I do ALL my business with) wanted to have anything to do with a 
phone/mail-order (paperless) business.  After going through the phone book, 
I came across a small (one branch only) bank nearby that used a large out-of-
state company to process it's merchant accounts.  The company is called 
Central BankService Corp, and they can be reached at (800) 347-3510.  Now I 
have a NEW bank handling my business account (I believe in going where they 
treat you right) and the ability to acept VISA and MasterCard from my 
customers.

Check it out...

B.T.W. I think my rate is about 2.2% with no minimums or penalties, etc.
========================================================================
        Patrick Klos                 Internet: klosp@rimail.interlan.com
        Klos Technologies, Inc.      Compuserve: 71521,145
        (603) 424-0138
========================All opinions are my own!========================
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
From: haynes@mace.cc.purdue.edu (Carl W. Haynes III)
Subject: Re: Software Retail
Organization: Purdue University
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 13:47:07 GMT

In article <1ginusINNn4u@aludra.usc.edu> josephk@usc.edu (Joseph Kim) writes:
>While I was reading an article in the latest Forbes on Babbages, it
>hit me there are practically no small scale software retailers.
>Why is that?  Is the margin on shrinkwrapped software so thin that
>you have to be the size of Egghead or Software Etc. to make profit?
>It seems like a small stand-alone neighborhood sotware retailer in
>a populated mall area would do nice business.  Any comments?

I have yet to see a small software retail store whose prices even come close
to mail order.  The big warehouse type stores do a little better. 
I believe Egghead is having financial problems and I attribute
that to people becomming more savvy about using mail order and
big warehouse type stores. I don't think there is a market any
more for small mom & pop software stores.

carl

--
Carl W. Haynes III                    ||  hcs@applelink.apple.com
Haynes Consulting Services            || haynes@mace.cc.purdue.edu 
Macintosh Programming and Consulting  ||      ** AVAILABLE ** 

 
Xref: sparky misc.entrepreneurs:3604 soc.college:5523 misc.consumers:20610
From: stuczyns@presto.ig.com (Martin Stuczynski)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs,soc.college,misc.consumers
Subject: college newspapers
Date: 14 Dec 92 19:16:26 GMT
Followup-To: poster
Organization: IntelliGenetics Inc., Mtn. View, Ca.


I'm looking for a directory that lists domestic college newspapers
names/addresses etc. for advertising purposes. If such a directory
exists could you please forward info to me on where or how to obtain
the directory? Or if anyone knows names and locations of major college
newspapers please forward them and I can call the newpaper offices myself. 
 Or simply forward the name and location of YOUR college newpaper. 


Thanks in advance,

MArty

<marty@presto.ig.com>
From: charlesw@sail.LABS.TEK.COM (Charles Wilson)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Re: Software Retail
Date: 18 Dec 92 16:59:27 GMT
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton,  OR.

In article <1992Dec16.001754.12057@newshost.lanl.gov> hutch@bellman.lanl.gov writes:
>In article 1ginusINNn4u@aludra.usc.edu, josephk@usc.edu (Joseph Kim) writes:
>The plight of the small entrepeneur software developer can be even worse,
>however, as he has to pick up the tab not only for development, but for
>packaging, advertising, shipping and customer service.  It's no wonder many
>jump at the chance to sell the rights to their software for puny 5-15%
>royalties just so they can concentrate on the fun stuff... programming!

Who's currently buying or selling rights?  Where would one find someone
who is willing to buy software on a purely royalty basis?  Do these people
advertise for "Software Wanted" somewhere?  If so, where is it?

Thanks.
From: Grant.Cunningham@p55.f54.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Grant Cunningham)
Sender: postmaster@therose.pdx.com
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs
Subject: Software Retail
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 21:56:20 -0700

Here's what GRANT CUNNINGHAM thinks:

 >> While I was reading an article in the latest Forbes on Babbages, it
 >> hit me there are practically no small scale software retailers.
 >> Why is that?  Is the margin on shrinkwrapped software so thin

 JH> Software retailers (dealers) typically buy their software from large
 JH> software distributors at around 50% of recommended retail with some
 JH> variance thrown in for specials, large orders, and other arrangements.
 JH> The distributors usually get price cuts from the developers at around
 JH> 40-45% of retail.  So volume is the only way they can stay in business
 JH> and the large overhead of a retail storefront is often just too much to
 JH> manage for the "mom & pop" s/w store.

Actually, there shoudln't be a problem covering retail operations at 40-50%
margins. The most popular packages will have slimmer margins, as is the case
with any consumer good.  But the full margin on the non-competitive products
should, if the mix is anything near normal, bring the overall profitability
into acceptable range.

(My credentials include 10 years of high-level retail management in the
jewelry and photographic industries; in jewelry, the margins are obviously
sufficiently high.  In the photographic industry, the margins typically hover
in the 22-26% range overall.)

-=[ Grant ]=-

Fight-O-Net:  1:105/54.55
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Newsgroups: misc.taxes
From: johnen@cs.columbia.edu (Colette Johnen)
Subject: foreigner Resident in the US
Organization: Columbia University Department of Computer Science
Distribution: misc.taxes
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 21:49:24 GMT


I am french, for this year, my official residence
will be the USA (because I spent all the year in the USA).

I know that I will have to pay income taxes in the US
on my income from the USA but also abroad income. I haven
	+ a apartment in france that is now rented
	+ and some compagny shares

How I can get thwe information that I need to 
avoid the double imposition (I know that
I will be imposed in France on my imcome provide
by my apartment)

Do you know a good book ?
the IRS tape on the phone are not very helpful !

- Colette -

#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@
Colette Johnen
Columbia University			(+1) 212 939-7096
Department of Computer Science		johnen@cs.columbia.edu
450 Computer Science Building
New-York 10027, USA
#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@
--
#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@
Colette Johnen
Columbia University			(+1) 212 939-7096
Department of Computer Science		johnen@cs.columbia.edu
450 Computer Science Building
New-York 10027, USA
#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@*#@
Newsgroups: misc.taxes
From: RMCCOY%RCKHRST2.BITNET@SHSU.edu
Newsgroups: misc.taxes
Subject: Re: medical deductions
Date: 16 Dec 1992 13:34:25 -0500 (CDT)
Organization: Fedtax-L<==>Misc.Taxes Gateway
X-Gateway-Source-Info: Mailing List


>Given a 1992 salary of x dollars, how much must my medical expenses be
>in order to claim the medical deduction?
>
>Thanks,
>*swfc
>
>--
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Shu-Wie F Chen                               Department of Computer Science
>swfc@cs.columbia.edu                         Columbia University


You can claim medical expenses above (x * 7.5%) provided that you itemize
your deductions.

I.E. --         A.G.I.            = $40,000
                Medical Expenses  = $ 5,000

         40,000 * .075 = $3,000   Therefore $2,000 medical expenses can be
         included on Schedule A.($5K-$3K)

Roger McCoy
Assistant Controller
Rockhurst College

Newsgroups: misc.taxes
From: allen@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Cheryl Allen)
Newsgroups: misc.taxes
Subject: allocated tips
Date: 15 Dec 92 14:41:04 GMT
Reply-To: allen@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Cheryl Allen)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Carderock Division, NSWC, Bethesda, MD





I have a question, I work part time at a pizza restaurant for extra
money. The IRS now has this law that you must claimat least 8% of the
store sales in tips. How can they, THE IRS do this?? This store is really
a fast food type restaurant, not everyone that comes in leaves tips,
we for the most part cater tokids and they dont leave tips. The IRS
now claims that the amount of sales for the storeI should of claime
almost $800.00 dollars more they I did.





Thanks in advance if anyone knows anyting about this new 8% law.

Cheryl
Newsgroups: misc.taxes
From: an2355@anon.penet.fi
Subject: Gambling as a Professional
X-Anonymously-To: misc.taxes
Organization: Anonymous contact service
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 15:50:38 GMT

As a follow-up to my previous questions -- Some
of the people I gamble for also gamble for me.
However, in some cases, although they expend
considerable energy gambling to make a profit
(ie. not as a hobby) and keep good records,
they do not gamble as their primary source of
income.

Would they nonetheless qualify to deduct losses
in excess of winnings?  Specifically, I'd like
opinions on whether it is "primary source of
income" or "gambling for others" that is more
important in qualifying.

Would it help if we formed a partnership or a
corporation?

Thanks again,
        Jason

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
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From: carl@Cayman.COM (Carl Heinzl)
Newsgroups: misc.taxes
Subject: Re: Can married file as single?
Date: 17 Dec 92 15:55:12 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Cayman Systems Inc., Cambridge, MA
In-reply-to: davidc@meaddata.com's message of 15 Dec 92 19:29:02 GMT
bcc: carl


>More importantly: what does filing single "buy" them?

Quite simply... lower taxes.  Yep, if you and your spouse earn roughly
the same amount then (if you could) file as two singles you would pay
*less* tax.  Welcome to the system of fair and just taxes (NOT!!!).

-Carl-
--
Newsgroups: misc.taxes