If LL own CasperVend, why aren't they free ?

[Coffee Pancake]

As the subject says .. As @Linden Lab now employ @Casper Warden and own CasperTech why aren't CasperVend available to people for free, or at least as a premium perk.

Why does the "free" 5% commission vendor still exist at all.

Is this planned to change and if so, when can we expect LindenVend? or is LL operating as market owner and competitive vendor the new normal ?

 

 

[Love Zhaoying]

This is a great question! I am following for an answer.

I predict the answer will be, "Integration of Second Life with the CasperVend system is ongoing. The existing CasperVend systems use external systems (maintained by Casper), and this integration includes bringing any dependent systems "into" the Second Life infrastructure of servers and web services, etc. Along with that integration, there are multiple discussions on possible fee structures, etc. We plan to provide details once decisions have finalized."

 

[Rockridge Constantine]

At this early stage, I am not sure why they should be free.  A perk would be nice, but this all seems way to early to call.  Like anything the Lab does... only time will tell.  Stay tuned.

[Casper Warden]

Hi Coffee!

Well, first of all, I should point out that LL do charge money for some of their services  and these additional services still cost money to run. Honestly, I think that CasperVend and CasperLet remain incredibly competitively priced.

It was made pretty clear during the announcement that nothing would change for the foreseeable future. LL have secured CasperTech for Second Life, there's now no risk of us disappearing like other operators have - stability is important for merchants!

 

[Coffee Pancake]

4 hours ago, Casper Warden said:

Hi Coffee!

Well, first of all, I should point out that LL do charge money for some of their services  and these additional services still cost money to run. Honestly, I think that CasperVend and CasperLet remain incredibly competitively priced.

It was made pretty clear during the announcement that nothing would change for the foreseeable future. LL have secured CasperTech for Second Life, there's now no risk of us disappearing like other operators have - stability is important for merchants!

 

But that's the problem.

There can't be any other operators now, CasperVend have all the secret sauce, the house can and does always win. The competitive market for vendors is over and anyone thinking otherwise is just in denial.

Pretending nothing has changed and this "normal commercial product" is really just like all the others isn't on.

There can be no serious competition against LindenVend, just like we can't go roll a 3rd party marketplace anymore.

[Casper Warden]

I can totally understand your concern.

At the moment, we're still genuinely operating exactly as we always were. No secret sauce

I expect that in the future, we'll be able to offer enhanced services as a result of tighter integration with Second Life - that makes complete sense, right?  But I wholeheartedly disagree that it precludes resident-led alternatives.

There's nothing stopping anyone from making a 3rd party marketplace - I even ran one for a while. I shut it down due to lack of time to maintain it, not due to any interference from LL, inability to compete or lack of interest.

If we do manage to make a system which is so amazingly perfect for everyone that nobody could possibly need anything else, then surely that's a win for merchants - but I think that a "one solution fits all" scenario is unlikely.  The community is so diverse, and creators are always innovating - that's one of the things I love about Second Life.

There do exist some great alternatives to CasperVend, and I can't imagine why they wouldn't be able to continue. Put it this way - if the tables were turned, I wouldn't be concerned.

(This comes from me, and me alone. I am not speaking for, or on behalf of anyone but myself.)

Edited March 14 by Casper Warden

[Dictatorshop]

If LL starts changing that it would likely go to TEN PERCENT like the MP. I am perfectly happy for LL to keep their fees off the Casper system. Just saying....