Re: pbem games having players from around the world

From: sjoerd@cs.vu.nl (Sjoerd Schreuder)

Date: Mon, 28 Nov 1994 16:24:08 +0000

In article <3bbipb$9u5@runner.ccr-p.ida.org> desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins) writes:
>Colin Bell <crb11@cus.cam.ac.uk> writes:
>> I think the trouble with non-free games is that the hassle (and cost)
>> involved in actually paying for it in dollars puts most non-USA people off.
>
>Well, do you accept credit cards, or not?  It seems to me that is the
>whole issue.
>
>If you expect people to pay with negotiable instruments (checks or money
>orders), the hassle in doing so across national borders is large, and is
>borne by the players, and as a result you won't get many.
>
>If you make it possible for people to pay with credit cards, then it's
>completely trivial for the players, but a modest expense and
>inconvenience for the GM.

Here in the Netherlands, only 25% of the families have a credit card, so
most people, and especially the students, _don't_ have (access to)
a credit card.

In the Netherlands, it's easier to pay with a bankcard (if that's the
right word), so I still have to pay (large) fees to pay any American
games compagny. And I don't want to pay $60 to get $30 at the other side
of the ocean :-(

Don't expect credit cards to be available all over the world, just because
everyone in the USA has three or more. The rest of the world might
not copy every American habit. ;-)

>So it seems to me that the real issue is: does the GM really want to go
>after an international market, and take the steps necessary to do so, or
>not?  This is very much like the pbem question.  If a company really
>wants to draw pbem business, then they have to do things like offering
>discounts for pbem play, direct entry to reduce errors, reliable
>delivery and confirmation messages, and so on.  If companies make an
>effort to do these things, then they will be attractive to pbem players,
>and they will draw on that audience.  If they don't, they won't.  Pretty
>simple.

I agree that accepting credit cards is a first step, but unfortunally
it's not enough for me.

If anyone has experience how to get money to the other side of the ocean
(without large fees), please mail me/ post here. If many europeans
have the same problem, maybe it could be turned into a FAQ.

>                                        David desJardins

Sjoerd Schreuder

References

Re: pbem games having players from around the world
crb11@cus.cam.ac.uk (Colin Bell)
Thu, 24 Nov 1994 17:18:50 +0000
Re: pbem games having players from around the world
desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins)
Mon, 28 Nov 1994 03:28:43 +0000
pbem games having players from around the world
gl8f@fermi.clas.Virginia.EDU (Greg Lindahl)
Sat, 19 Nov 1994 02:52:08 +0000

Referenced By

Re: pbem games having players from around the world
crb11@cus.cam.ac.uk (Colin Bell)
Thu, 24 Nov 1994 17:18:50 +0000
Re: pbem games having players from around the world
desj@ccr-p.ida.org (David desJardins)
Mon, 28 Nov 1994 03:28:43 +0000
pbem games having players from around the world
gl8f@fermi.clas.Virginia.EDU (Greg Lindahl)
Sat, 19 Nov 1994 02:52:08 +0000