Besides, he says, netMarket is not just a cybermall but a discounter that promises to match the lowest prices of its rivals. Jim Wood of Phoenix is a believer. None of this is a slam-dunk. NetMarket's modus operandi is different from most Web merchants, anyway. CUC cashes in on membership fees, not on the products, which it delivers as the middleman.
Online members are even more lucrative, since they require less telemarketing costs.
Still, Forbes isn't betting the CUC farm on the Net yet. In October, CUC will merge with competitor HFS Inc., which owns brand names including Avis and Century 21 and makes its money on franchiser royalties. There's no charge to see this list of stories. A small payment is required only if you decide to view any specific article. The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.