Re: Bad News for UK PBM players

From: Bob McLain <mclain@tightbeam.com>

Date: Sat, 27 Jan 1996 00:00:00 +0000

Phil Shulkind wrote that a three-week UK postal strike would put him out
of business. Greg Lindahl replied:

>>One word: Undercapitalized.

I prefer sticking with companies with good business sense, as much as
one can tell that from afar.
<<

And then Bob Thomson wrote:

>Greg, Phildee is one of the most respected and well-liked pbm companies
in the UK.  Not everyone has enormous cash reserves in case of emergency.
<

I think we're making a mountain out of a particle of dirt.

Let's see if I understand the point made here: it isn't enough that a
company like Phildee Enterprises gives excellent service, has a sterling
reputation in the field, and has gone out of its way to improve the level
of professionalism in play-by-mail. This company must also keep an
enormous cash reserve in case of emergency. Maybe it needs office space
in London, with a pretty receptionist. Or a big staff of salaried
employees, among them an office manager, a lawyer, and an out-of-work
thespian to light Phil Shulkind's big Havana cigars...

We're talking about play-by-mail. It's a small hobby, with small profit
margins. Only a very few people do it for a living (Phil Shulkind among
them). Most moderators do it in their spare time, supporting themselves
and their families with a 'real' job. If I had to trust someone with my
money, I'd rather trust the guy who depends on my business for his
livelihood. I don't care about cash reserves. I care about the
determination and sincerity of the moderator -- in these qualities, at
least, Phil has quite a good reserve.

Bob McLain

References

Re: Bad News for UK PBM players
gl8f@fermi.clas.Virginia.EDU (Greg Lindahl)
Mon, 22 Jan 1996 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Bad News for UK PBM players
llucky@crl.com (Bob Thomson)
Thu, 25 Jan 1996 00:00:00 +0000
Bad News for UK PBM players
kebl0110@sable.ox.ac.uk (Chris Dickson)
Mon, 15 Jan 1996 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Bad News for UK PBM players
Phil Shulkind <chelsea@phildee.demon.co.uk>
Wed, 17 Jan 1996 00:00:00 +0000