I agree. I have not been using Handango nearly as much for all of the same reasons.

Then again, I fully endorse and highly encourage the use of the JAMM store, where you can find almost any software you need.

Doug

I avoid Handango like the plague. I will actually go so far to say, if a software developer uses Handango – I’m not going to buy from that developer unless that developer sells their software on another service such as Mobihand or ShareIt. So, if the developer uses a Handango brand mini-store and that’s the only choice I had, I would email the developer asking if they would accept PayPal – if they don’t, I would even consider not purchasing the software and living without it. (Of course if the developer was giving the software away for free using coupons on the dreaded Handango site, then ok, I’ll go for it.)

Just so you guys know, according to ArianeSoft, Handango can eat as much as 40% of a developer’s profits. And PocketNow can eat as much as 65% of a developer’s profits. According to them, Handango is also affiliated with PocketNow.

http://arianesoft.ca/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3468.post

http://arianesoft.ca/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?4252.0#post_4255

This is really crazy – as granted, programs do get exposure from such thieving mega-stores (maybe that’s a bit strong as they do have the right to do business), but if a product is good, they should have faith in the product and spread the word around blogs like JAMM and MobilitySite/Aximsite. If something’s good, nothing beats word of mouth advertising.

So if developer’s when selling their software with such stores get around 40% cut out, and then they still have to pay their taxes, and their employee salaries…there doesn’t seem to be much left for even wealth building and it even sounds like the developers are living from paycheck to paycheck.

Let’s just try out some of the math excluding initial costs (it costs around $500 per developer for Visual Studio 2005 Pro) for additional components (These things like the Office 2007 Ribbon bar and other functions that would take months to write, but you buy and license the components can cost $1,000 for a development license) and assuming everything is done inhouse:

$20 for a software program.
-$8 for Handango
_________________
$12 Profit
-$4 (1/3 for taxes)
_________________
$8 Total price for a single unit of software that the developer makes from a sale. Now remember it still costs time and money for your staff, your tools, and support costs.

Now other disadvantages of using Handango = alienating your customers. I have to pay for download protection? WHAA? Yes, there are actual people out there that buy from Handango that think that you have to re-download from there rather then the at the developer’s site. So now your customers get pretty unhappy as they have to pay again for downloads. (So if you HAD to resort to that, make sure your customers know that they can download the software from your own site for free.)

This almost gets to sounding as ridiculous as the recording industry where a $20 album is made and the artist only gets $0.50 per copy if he’s blessed.

I admit, I’ve never had any software selling on a grand scale as my clientelle are usually fellow students (around 15 people). I make some edutainment type games which usually is just sold internally to fellow students as a stuy aid. But for me, when I sell something for $20, I only need to worry about taxes which in the case of $20 is $6 which gives me a profit of $14 in pocket per copy sold.

The other day, the warez issue was brought up. Have you ever thought of this? To pirate is to harm society which is harming yourself (what goes around comes around)? By depriving developers of rightful earnings, you are then starving their families (yep, wife, children etc.) I’m sure most people go out on the limb to help those who are starving – not cause them to starve.

Please note, in my last comment, I meant PocketGear…not PocketNow. Ooops..I thought something didn’t look right. Sorry about that, Brandon. Thanks Doug for bringing that to my attention.

I always thought Pocket Gear was better for developers than Handango.

Doug

ArianeSoft’s first hand experience with PocketGear and Handango – it’s worth reading.

http://arianesoft.ca/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?3468.post

In regards to better for developers, I guess that’s also based on where you are located.

Handango really annoy me, so much so i don’t use them anymore. They really do nothing to try and make their customers happy or try and retain them. Since having stopped using handango i’ve tried a few different companies until i came across clickgamer.com. It’s absolutly amazing service, great games and even better – don’t have to pay for download protection – it comes as standard. As well as not having to sign in to download trials, it really makes it the best site i’ve ever used!
SS

SecretSleuth,

Don’t forget to check out the JAMM store by clicking the link at the top of the page.

Doug