"I do not want to prolong this thread much longer and keep dragging you back here but in the context of all you have said I would ask you to consider one more thing." Thanks for emailing me privately to let me know that you'd posted a response here specifically for me, Storm. (I have to admit that after the subject of this thread took this turn, I stopped checking up on it.) "I hope you will not find what I suggest below to be the words of an interfering busybody trying to run your company for you." Not at all. I appreciate your concern and input. (Which seems quite valid.) "If I were running Zygote...(he, he)... Well I would compare my sales split for the periods when Victoria was at the reduced price to when she went up to the full price. If I found that the split dramatically favoured sales during the reduced price period, and that sales during the full price period were more sluggish than anticipated, I would seriously consider bringing her price back down to the reduced price, permanently." While Vicki's current sales are not necessarily less than we expected in the period immediately following her introductory rate, they certainly are drastically fewer. As a matter of policy, Zygote doesn't ever want to bring Vicki's price back down to her introductory special price. (We've been very happy with this system, and want always to reward those who buy early.) However, I have proposed your idea to the management, and we are considering lowering the permanent price. Though we wouldn't go down to the original $59.95, $69.95 or even $64.95 might be possible. At this point we're trying to estimate whether this price drop would make at least as much money as the current price, and pay for the refunds we would have to offer those who have paid $99.95 in the interim. (Good idea with the credit option, too, by the way.) "If you have already covered your development costs and you still hope to make Victoria the standard Poser mesh I think this is a business risk worth considering and taking." I agree, Storm. We'll see how management votes. For the record, we have already decided that the Millennium Man should be less expensive if possible. Despite our expectation that fewer Poser users will purchase a male model than a female model, we realize that these products will upsell one another and should be affordable together. "For evidence of how this might be received just look above at this post alone, Ikyoto said that $100 meshes were too rich for him, momodot said that $40 was the limit of his discretionary spending (it might rise to $60 for Victoria) and there are many more on this forum who may well be swayed by the reduced price. "In addition the goodwill impact would be huge - "company responds to consumer wishes etc.etc." - and it would give you greater future market leverage." It does seem that $100 is a cut-off number. (Placebo effect as well as wallet depth?) I'm sure you understand that it's difficult to calculate how many more Victoria's we'll sell at which specific lower prices, but again, I'm inclined to agree with you that some reduction would be good. Also, we've discussed the growing Poser market/Zygote customer base, which I expect will expand again with the release of Poser5. Because Victoria (and her man) will not be included in Poser, we hope for an expanding market to which we can sell Zygote's existing models. While a price reduction on Victoria may not make its money back immediately, we may see positive results a year from now, once more people use Poser and Zygote's products. "... [Poser 5] has the potential to become the main character modelling and animation program for both amateurs and professionals." While that's still a way off, we at Zygote agree that Poser has a lot of potential, and are excited for the expansion of its capabilities and market. "That would mean a much larger market for all model makers and plug-in developers who require either high unit price sales or very high volume sales to a mass market to become interested. "I also can envisage situations where seperate companies could team up to complete projects, hire or work partnership deals with talented poser users on projects, and compete honourably for their share of the differing market segments." Absolutely. Zygote has already had Poser product business/partnership relationships with Metacreations, House of Moves, The Forge Studios, and Lipsinc. Also, we've begun to broker the Poser products of individuals in our online store. I imagine that in a couple of years we will be working in cooperation with many more companies and individuals specifically marketing Poser products and plug-ins. I look forward to getting better acquainted with you and your work, too, Storm. Thanks for your suggestions and ideas. (Since this thread has shifted focus so dramatically, please contact me privately if you have any further thoughts on the issue.) I will inform you all as to what develops. -Chad Smith Zygote Media Group