Another common scenario is where retailer makes original deal to sell X units, and thus gets a discounted wholesale price. If it doesn't sell in the volumes anticipated then the retailer owes the wholesaler additional monies. So then they have 2 choices, pay back the wholesaler the volume discount they didn't meet, or raise sales volume somehow. No idea if this is that case. But this was probably not an excess stock assignment per se, as Amazon had to wait for new stock to come in - they were out of stock at the time the lower price was announced, with a 2-3 week wait for supply. All kinda moot if the product value isn't there. IMHO it isn't even at $99 unless you don't have any copy of Poser at all to updgrade from (to P4). Certainly wasn't at last year's price!