Dear Paul:
I read your story on Internet commerce with great interest. I too share your optimism that it is only a matter of time before commerce on the Internet takes off. However, I don't agree that CyberCash is the long-term vehicle to make this happen. Here‚s why:
The CyberCash business model derives revenue off transaction volume (clicks) just like a processor. The value they add is an IP connection from the Internet to the processors, which most processors do not yet offer directly. For this service CyberCash charges a percentage of the transaction (our understanding is that it‚s about one percent).
However, when merchants begin pushing significant transaction volume, the CyberCash model breaks down. Merchants and processors alike will search out solutions such as GO Software‚s PC-Charge because we offer a low entry price and no ongoing transaction fees that add up to large dollars over time (think of what that transaction percentage does to a mid-sized or low margin business, much less a Wal-Mart). Since there are many times that a direct connection (dial or leased) from the merchant commerce or site server is preferable to an IP connection through the Internet (it‚s still faster and more reliable) many ISPs, CSPs, and merchants have already decided on this option and are using our software and other solutions to do so.
Once the processors offer direct IP connections themselves (most tell us that they will do so in the near future) you will be able to use our product or similar products to connect to the processor though the Internet directly, thus eliminating the value that CyberCash now offers. The Internet is all about creating friction-free transactions where non-value added middlemen are eliminated. Consequently, CyberCash will be a victim of the technology that created them.
Bill Pittman
Chief Technical Officer
Go Software, Inc.
Bill:
Thanks for the note. I am beginning to hear some real complaints about the cost of CyberCash ($300 and $400 bills.) You have an excellent point. By the way, this may make the ChecksByNet product look even better to some retailers.
Good Selling!
Paul H. Green
Editor-in-Chief
Mr. Green:
I just want to express my appreciation to you for putting out a fine on-line publication specifically addressing the ISO segment of the Payment Processing Industry. Better education benefits all concerned.
Keep up the good work.
Sonny Mckinney
Director, Banking Services Group
First Data Merchant Services, Inc.
Sonny:
Please provide your mailing address, and we will mail the print versions of The Green Sheet, and the GSQ magazine. Much of what we do, including special reports, does not appear online.
Thanks for the kind words.
Paul H. Green
Editor-in-Chief
Dear Green Sheet:
Hello. My name is Jeff Kehl and I‚m currently working for NCR Canada in the marketing development department. I have been asked to request permission to scan a publication that NCR bought from your firm. The publication was the United States Check Study, Results of 1997 Research. We wish to scan this study on to our Intranet site for reference for NCR employees. The primary users of this study will be Waterloo (Ontario, Canada) employees, but any NCR employee will have access to it. The document would be protected from outsiders by our firewall. By scanning the image on to the Intranet site, it will save those requiring the study from painfully finding the physical copy of the book. We will wait for your reply on this issue before proceeding with the scanning.
Thanks
Jeff
Jeff:
Yes, it is fine to place the Check Study information on your internal web site. As the information is protected by copyright laws, we thank you for requesting before posting the information.
Paul H. Green
Editor-in-Chief
To the Editor‚s Office:
The management here at PayPoint enjoys your publication and finds it to be one of the top sources of information within our industry. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Chi Chow
Product Marketing Manager
PayPoint EPS, Inc.
To: greensheet@greensheet.com:
Please send a copy of the Check Study to my attention Thank you.
Louann Sieber
Marketing Manager
Boise Cascade Paper Corp.
Louann:
I am sorry for the delay in responding, my travel schedule in May got the better of me. We will send out the 1997 Check Study to you today, and some notes from my presentation from the 1998 Check Forum in Atlanta last week, which have some of the early data
that will be in the August 1998 Check Study.
Good Selling!
Paul H. Green
Editor-in-Chief
To: greensheet@greensheet.com
How can I subscribe to The Green Sheet?
Louann:
You can subscribe on-line, at The Green Sheet web site. Or you can contact us at (800) 757-4441.
Good Selling!
Paul H. Green
Editor-in-Chief
Mr. Green:
Just out of curiosity, what is The Green Sheet‚s circulation and how do you track which areas of distribution do well and which do not? How have you determined your reader demographics?
Thanks for your help.
David Threshie
David:
The answer to your question must be based on which of our efforts we are tracking. At the moment we have four areas that we watch. We are interested in our Web readers, and have a wonderful tracking system, which tracks reads, amount of time per page, who and what is read and how the reader gets to the page. In the case of our paper-based newsletter and now our magazine, we mail an annual readership survey. Last, but not least, we have a survey that is handed out at our seminars.
Good Selling!
Paul H. Green
Editor-in-Chief
To: greensheet@greensheet.com:
Do you have any information on recent proposed amendments to FDCPA that would limit attorney‚s fees to $1,000? If you could give me a Web site address with a draft of the bill that would be great.
DC HABER LAW OFFICE
DC Harber Law Office:
I am sorry to say that I do not have the information that you are seeking. Your best source is the American Collectors Association, Inc. and their Government Relations Department. To my knowledge, they do not have a web site. The phone number is (612) 928-1824. Also, you should get a copy of the May 1998 issue of ACA Advocate, lead story. Sorry I can not give it to you, due to copyright law.
Best of luck.
Paul H. Green
Editor-in-Chief
To: greensheet@greensheet.com:
Looking for more on Carmax.
Dear jcricchio,
Thank you for your request about Carmax. The Green Sheet has published two articles on the company, in the 96:02:01 and 96:07:01 issues. Carmax also has a web site detailing their insurance quotes, 30-day warranty, and how to browse for cars on-line. Their web address is http://www.carmax.com.
Good Selling!
Paul H. Green
Editor-in-Chief
E-mail your Letter to the Editor to greensheet@greensheet.com or mail to PO Box 6008, Petaluma, CA 94955-6008.
