Rya Nitely

Qie Niangao wrote: Across the street, there's speculation that the current blip is caused by folks cashing-in L$s to take advantage of the grandfathered rate buy-down offer. Makes some sense to me; I've certainly heard a lot of Estate owners exercising that option. So there would need to be a lot of people who have a spare L$160,000 (~$US600) sitting around for a rainy day, and they are selling it to pay the buy-down fee. I thought most people (merchants and estate owners) sell their excess L$ regularly to pay tier and/or take profit, not hold onto such large amounts. I'm considering buying a full sim, and if I do I will sell my lindens as usual but I won't process credit. My selling would have no impact because it's my regular activity. Perhaps people are selling some of their land to pay the buy-down fee, but then there must also be people buying L$ to purchase it, and this would be an offset. I don't understand how the buy-down fee is causing the current blip?

Chrismaky wrote: Thank you for visiting my sim. Too bad ya couldnt go a step further and actually engage in any form of conversation. And yeah, laying out a box (or a shape from the building tool for that matter) and is way too easy and simple. Same with stretching and such. The basic build engine is incredibly simplified. Yeah, I don't think I'd like to come in here and post a load of rubbish, and then have someone find me inworld either. Sort of takes the fun out of it a bit. But seriously, have you ever tried building with prims? It isn't just stretching. You need to put in values (twist, taper, top shear etc) to get just the right shape, and for flexi (something you can't get with mesh) you need to play around with gravity, softness, wind etc). It takes learning and practice. All my old prim items still sell very well, and whenever I think of converting them to mesh I decide no. My boats can be seen from a far distance, and they have that solidness about them. I also have many offsim structures made with prims (and sculpties). The point of offsims is that you want to see it at a distance. It has to be big, like an island, mountain, shipwreck or a lighthouse. It's not easy to get this effect with mesh because big mesh equals high LI, and if it isn't high LI then it will vanish too quickly. People are still buying old prim and sculptie items, and they are happy with it, so this speaks for itself.

Darrius Gothly wrote: and because we have no other choices, it tends to rub one the wrong way ... making you feel like the Godfather made you an offer etc. etc. /me takes off his tinfoil hat ... ... this time. This ^. We have no other choice, and not only does it rub the wrong way, but when you have a lot invested in SL, it's a concern. I was cashing out twice a month before, and now I haven't done a cash out since March 23. I'm trying to accumulate to reduce fee cost. I think many others would be doing the same. At the moment I have a sell order in at 250, and this has been there for a few days now. Once this is executed I'll do a cash out and pay my $15 fee, and then wait for 4 or 5 days.

Drake1 Nightfire wrote: LL does not pay a lick of attention to the forums. Well, colour your face wrong. But seriously, it might be allowed and all, but it does sound a bit trashy. If it's true what the OP is saying then it sounds worse than the sort of thing we've always complained about - like 100 listings of the same dress in different colours. Although I haven't seen the gatcha problem on MP myself, but maybe I just don't shop enough.

$15 every 3 months is $60 a year, compared to the $12 a year he was paying on the old fees when done once a month. This is what he meant. But, if you only cash out once a year then you won't pay more than $15 a year.

Darrius Gothly wrote: (Beware of flying pigs .. I'm kind of taking LL's side on this .. kind of .. ) Speaking from a purely technical data-integrity perspective, it makes sense that the Third-Party service Linden Lab has chosen would limit their "Trust Database" to only their own self-collected information. By restricting their decisions to only those transactions they have processed, they can guarantee the veracity of the data and the outcome of their algorithms. To accept transaction data from outside sources would be to forfeit the 100% accuracy required to represent themselves as being accurate and reliable. So, what you're saying is if they are successful in doing that ^, only then should they charge the fee. Move along folks, no flying pigs here. :matte-motes-wink-tongue:

chardonay Babii wrote: Regarding reviews I thought the only people that left them these days were disgruntled customers or the people that made the item that has only one review saying it's the best product ever by the ultra talented builder. This isn't true. It's a fallacy believed by merchants who rarely get reviews, or only get poor reviews - the belief is based on personal experience. But in reality there are many high quality stores getting genuine 5 star reviews often. These merchants are just not coming here to talk about it.

Darrius Gothly wrote: With luck the 4 days may decrease as you complete more Cashouts. Cross your fingers and keep us posted. It will be interesting to see how "intention" matches up with "reality". It should have nothing to do with luck or crossing your fingers etc. Until they can give everyone the faster credit processing they should not be charging everyone the higher fees. The whole thing is just disgusting. Those people who don't meet 'the better we know you' criteria shouldn't have to pay the increase in fees. Charging for a service that you may or may not get. WTF is that about? I haven't tested the system yet. I would expect them to know me, as they have all my identity and info and I've been cashing out since 2011. But at the same time I'm not only worried for myself, I care about the injustice to the 25% or more who may never get the benefits, but are paying for it. They really should have two options - as it was or faster pay out. But they won't, because they know that too many people would choose to have it as it was.

I agree with you, most people would be paying with fresh US$ not hoarded L$s, and those who are using L$ to pay for land would not wait in that 249 queue. They would want that money fast, so those big orders would come and go, leaving thing as they were, at least some of the time. Read that thread, especially the last few posts.

Qie Niangao wrote: So yeah, I'm pretty sure Supply is now actively managing the exchange rate upwards about 1L$/US$/calendar quarter. I don't know why, unless maybe it's trying to very gradually correct for long term appreciation of the US$ vs the Euro, Sterling, etc., against which the L$ really has become expensive over the past few years. I've always leaned towards this view. It makes more sense than any other, and here's why: There wouldn't be many new sell orders going in at 249. They'd be placed at 250 to 252. And if the current orders at 249 are not getting filled then you would expect these sellers to move their orders up. This should then help to reduce the quantity at 249, but this isn't happening, and it won't happen because it isn't a backlog of orders, it's Supply Linden. It is a wall that has been purposefully created - for whatever reason. Maybe it is a correction to make L$ more affordable outside USA, which is a good thing. 

SabaothMastema wrote: If anyone can easily get L$1000 then prices start to climb because the customer can afford to pay higher prices. The effect you're describing here is an increase in L$ /US$, which is the current situation. Buyers get more Lindens per dollar, which gives them more buying power and hence they can afford to pay higher prices. So, prices could climb, not only because the customer can afford to pay more, but also because of sellers recouping the loss at the exchange. But of course we're not talking about 1 or 2 points here.

The last time we had significant L$ fluctuations was late 2011 according to the data. Since then it was stable around 247 and 248 until late last year. If a fluctuating L$ is so important to the SL economy then why did things run so smoothly for 4 years? If it keeps going up then merchants will start looking to recoup their losses. These small increases might seem insignificant, but they add up. Many merchants depend on their SL income. If their income keeps decreasing as a result of L$ price changes (and also the recent cash out fee increase) then this might lead to consumer price increases. ETA: Stable around 247 and 248 from late 2011 to September 2015, and after that 249, then 250 and now 251 for a quick sell.

Sassy Romano wrote: The issue is that it's a human trait that when receiving a reward, it's usually going to be for something equal in return thus I would suggest that someone is far more likely to leave a positive review when they know that they will be rewarded. Exactly. And it isn't fair on the customer because it's misleading, unless it's made very clear in the description that the reviews are paid for. If I wanted to purchase something in SL or RL and I read reviews I'd be very sceptical of any that were paid for.

I prefer genuine, spontaneous reviews rather than prompted ones. If I prompted someone to leave a review it would be like asking for a favour, and even worse to pay for one. I want reviews to come from a smile when the customer first sees the item, and thinks 'I'm going to leave a review'. If this doesn't happen then I'm ok with no reviews. In my opinion MP reviews are not that important (unless it's bad reviews saying the same thing). Inworld word of mouth is much more important. An item can have no reviews and sell very well because people see it inworld or their friends talk about it. When I see items on MP with loads of reviews I'm often suspicious, especially if it is not the type of item that attracts lots of reviews. For instance, people are more likely to review clothes or a mesh body part rather than a fence or footpath. So, if something like a wooden fence has heaps of 5 star reviews I ask why, and that will put a question mark over the whole heavily reviewed store. For me, word of mouth is most important. If you have a very good product it will take off naturally.

The data is interesting, thank you. So, it was in late 2011 when I started selling that the market became stable at 248, until September 2015 - approximately 4 years. And I also just realised that if you place a market buy at or above 25000L then you will meet the 249 sell price, and the 0.40 fee is absorbed. I couldn't understand the market buy rate as quoted, but now I see that it includes the fee. Anyway, it's an interesting topic, I think, even if there is no need for concern.

I don't remember exactly how long it was stable at 248. I know I've been selling since 2011 but maybe it took me a while to catch on that I could place limit sell orders, or I wasn't earning enough for it to be important. My total profit has increased significantly over the past few years (I have more than one SL business), and every 1 point increase in the LindeX is costing me about $15 a month. With the recent fee increase it starts to add up. But, it is just a minor concern. I should be grateful because I am making money in SL, and also because my local currency is still experiencing a good exchange rate. This is business - you take the ups with the downs. Obviously, there are many sellers who think the one point is significant as they are prepared to wait in that 249 queue.

Phil Deakins wrote: The increase is no doubt due to the natural market, and nothing (imo) to be concerned about. My experience is like Pamela's and some others here. For several years I was cashing out at 248 for an instant sale, and this was stable. Not once did I need to go higher. Then recently it became 249 and now 250 or 251. If it is indeed due to the natural market (some big sellers) as you say, and I hope it is, then the quick sale value should drift back to 249 or even 248 in the near future - at least get there some of the time. But I doubt it.

I just find it interesting and a bit concerning. The change is coming quickly. I'm not asking a question here. There are diffferent views on the reason for the change. I just thought I'd raise the subject if anyone is interested, as I am, and a bit concerned. 

I think you need a new and more powerful computer :smileywink:

There is no reason for it except to get money out of us. They are currently exploring and implementing all sorts of methods to do this. The faster payout was a pacifier, and not a very good one. Actually, I think it can be called a trick. But we have no choice but to suck it up.

People have been asking for faster payouts for years, and this is what they give us It's like they took advantage of the constant requests for faster payouts to get more money out of us. And still not give us faster payouts. When people asked for faster payout nobody meant 3 days or even 2. We wanted 24 hours. Edit to say: Within 24 hours - then at least we can say we're getting something for the exorbitant fees. Instead of feeling ripped off ;(

Now it also takes about 2 days to sell at 249 so we can add this onto the payout time. Unless you choose to sell at 250, and then that's a further decrease in your cash out amount. We are paying more and gaining nothing.

I wouldn't even be commenting if I was looking at an extra $2. If I continued to cash out my usual way I'd be paying $30 a month. The minumum $3 is if you cash out $200 or less. If I cashed out small amounts it would end up costing me more than the maximum $15. The only way I can pay less than $15 a month is if I accumulate the money and cash out every second month or so. There is no advantage for me at all. YES, they took advantage of the constant whining about long payout times, and used it as an excuse to charge us more. They didn't care about any of the complaints over the years, or any of the suggestions people say they made. At the risk of stating the obvious, the motivation was primarily for their financial benefit. The shorter payout times is the pacifier, that may work for some. I spat it out.

It's probably still not a good idea to cash out too close to a weekend, or maybe they don't know you. I believe they need to know you. Do they know you? :matte-motes-dead:

I'll be interested to hear how long it takes. I was cashing out twice a month for $2, but now I'll start doing it once a month for $15. Maybe I'm tight, but there's a lot I could do with that $13. Just saying