Page 2 of 3
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:56 pm
by Bluestone
Paul,
I appreciate your concern for my welfare, but I am content to accept a written statement; although, you are certainly entitled to take a stricter course of action for your own sales. The sale of cigarettes and liquor is specifically legislated, and in most jurisdictions there is even an age of majority card that HAS to be tendered to purchase these items. The onus has been placed squarely upon the seller in these cases. I know of no similar legislation that requires me to determine beyond a doubt that the purchaser of my videos is of legal age. That is the difference, and that is why I would accept less than perfection in this department.
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:21 pm
by tOkie
I'd ask for a notarized signature and a copy of their photo id.
Like we used to say in the restaurant..."a health card and a pair of rubber gloves"
Wait!
it was..."eating out is fun!"
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:45 pm
by Bluestone
In our industry, people would be extremely reluctant to provide that much information, and I don't blame them. I mean they're not buying a glock... just a mere video. How did the world get so complicated all of a sudden? 
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:02 am
by Bluestone
Let's put this in perspective, Paul. A 14 year old goes to the post office, purchases a money order, mails it to me with a statement of his falsified age and email address. I email him access codes. Ooops, I suddenly get a knock on the door. It just so happens that the thought police saw the whole thing on their omniverse thought reader. I'm busted. Or, maybe the parents decided to compound their kid's actions by calling the police and insisting that they arrest and charge that horrible Blue man for believing the lies and fraudulent behaviour of their perfect child. It's hard labour for me either way. Of course, I would ask for a jury of my peers for this minor crime, because I know it will increase the costs of the prosecution (and the defense) and I just know that Smudger, Gold, Paul and Don would be on the jury, and could convince the others that I was just an innocent dupe of the vile hardcore porn video vendors. If I'm not that lucky, I would probably see the light of day after a decade or so. Then, I can always sell dime bags to kids at school yards when I get paroled until I get established again. Then, it's back to business as usual.
Am I really that far off base here??? Is this the greatest risk that I face in this business? I don't think so, but please tell me if I'm really out to lunch here. I have been looking for my meds, but I can't find them anywhere
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:07 am
by Bluestone
Civil suit? You did mention a crime. Okay, a civil suit by parents who couldn't control their child. Let's see. The child gets a hold of a Silk Video. He sees Petra naked. He goes blind, and the civil jury of six (Hey the odds are better with only 6) decides that damages for causing youthful blindness are a million dollars. So, I purchase a money order for a million and mail it to them This completes the circle of life.
Sorry, Paul, these meds are really screwing with my head. I think I need some sleep... and I've just got to learn to lighten up a little bit 
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:30 am
by Bluestone
Okay, Paul, I found my meds... right after I blasted that weasel, Geno, on DS. So, all kidding aside, I do see a danger... and it's not the only one that we face. You are using proper precautions, and, since Direct Sales seem to be your future, that is very appropriate and admirable. I am still taking credit cards, and hopefully will continue to do so. I am just testing the waters, in case I have to take a similar route. I do value your advice, Paul, and it is good advice. Thank you for putting up with my slightly eccentric humour
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:05 am
by LTerry
I've used Blue's snail mail before and it was great: quick, efficient, and anonymous. If you were to offer the discount incentive you mentioned, I'd be able to purchase far more frequently. I would absolutely use a direct sales system, and often. I'm suffering from Petra withdrawal and need another dose fast.
Best,
LT
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:49 pm
by Bluestone
Thanks for your support, LTerry,
I guess I failed to mention that I've been in this business for over half a decade, and that I also have a large, confidential customer base. Many already use my existing snail mail and other alternate payment methods. So, I can easily recognize a great deal of the customers who would avail themselves of a Direct Buy option; however, I am also open to allowing purchases by others who have never purchased my videos before, provided that I am satisfied that they are of legal age in their jurisdiction. Long before the ill-advised UK legislation, I had many UK customers. If they wish to buy direct, I have no problem selling to them in a very discreet manner.
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:33 am
by Den-CnB
Blue,
I asked my cc provider to define the source of sales and 80% are from non English speaking countries with about 40% from western Europe.
In the last year I am getting or I should say our material is getting a much stronger following and sales from all Asian Countries including mainland China, Eastern Europe and India - actually these countries are not suffering as much with the economic down turn as here. Only 20% of my sales to all sites and producers are from the US and Canada. To go full 'mail in' you could loose up to 80% of your market. Anyway something to consider in factoring that into your 'mail in' model.
Btw, some of my associated sites are now just targeting the foreign markets.
Dennis
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:48 am
by smudger
Very surprising figures, Den, I always got the impression that America was the main market with overseas just a bonus.. China? Isn't their internet totally censored, or is that just our propaganda? Have you any similar stats as to where your customers are based Blue?
However, I can understand the Far East given that their mainstream is full of fantasy violence more explicit than ours is.
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:30 am
by Bluestone
Thanks for the information, Den. Yes, I know my market in general terms. I sell to the entire world, but the major markets are still North America, with a strong showing in the Orient, European countries led by Germany, Italy and Scandinavia. Smaller markets are the UK (still), Russia and the former Eastern Block, Australia, the Middle East, and South America. Africa is just about a no show. I would maybe lose 30% of my market if I went Direct Sales only, but that is not my plan. Direct Sales are a back-up and alternate plan only. The world is progressing as to payment solutions though, so I doubt that my business would be crippled forever from such a calamity as losing cc billing. Those who want to see Suzi and Petra etc., would just have to find a way to get funds to me one way or the other. Oh, excuse me, the pigeons are arriving with my latest payday
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 1:22 pm
by Den-CnB
smudger wrote:Very surprising figures, Den, I always got the impression that America was the main market with overseas just a bonus.. China? Isn't their internet totally censored, or is that just our propaganda? Have you any similar stats as to where your customers are based Blue?
However, I can understand the Far East given that their mainstream is full of fantasy violence more explicit than ours is.
One the webmaster associated with my sites spends 8 months a year in Mainland China and Japan with his production companies. China says one thing about 'porn' but allows a great range of business activity with great freedom in what can be shown... there is really no such thing a censorship there. One of his sites is
http://2kill4.net/ and his does full length movies mostly in Japanese but some in Chinese for his sites with a with a wide range of interests for his different sites.
He posts are on the Asian message boards and does very well, he never posts on our community forums. Btw, there is good carry over of customers to our English speaking sites that helps us with the loss of income from the US and Canada.
I just contacted the cc company and they currently have 23 applications, only one application is from North America.
Dennis
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 4:06 pm
by Den-CnB
That sounds good, one never knows when we may be forced or want to go to direct payments. All in all, it saves money and time for all concerned, plus you don't have to worry about chargebacks.
Dennis