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I understand what you're saying, but in the end, having the Marketplace Showcase open to offsite vendors hurts Renderosity vendors more than it helps.  That is one of the main reason for the change.

Meh - I honestly don't think its perils outweigh the benefits. Sure, a sale here or there will go somewhere else, but if a reciprocal arrangement is made? Basically state up-front that if you post an external link here, then that linked site must have links point back to the RMP. I can almost guarantee you that the smaller sites will see more sales driven towards the RMP than vice-versa.

Expanded beyond our little world, history and economics have shown that protectionism is crap in the long-run, and only serves to stifle.

/P

I have to completely agree here and I would welcome a reciprocal arrangement.  Many, if not all, of my products are going to wind up in the Rendo marketplace anyways because I feel that customers need choices to shop at.  Some are comfortable buying here, some at CP, some at my site shoppe.  I would have zero issue linking back to rendo or running banners for Rendo at my shoppe.  It fosters community and I think that's important.  I've also extended that to ANYONE who runs another shop - I'll gladly do a merchant exchange with you - banner for banner with reciprocal links.

Anyways, I guess I'm just community oriented and I don't truly feel that any of the real-world comparisons hold too much water.  Digital product is much different from tangible goods and the costs and real estate requirements for businesses housed in concrete are much different from online shops with digital downloads.

But hey, if folks don't agree ... that's fine.  No worries here.  I can hang out a bit more at the other sites and promote where allowed.  I do like coming here though.  There is a wealth of information and some really nice folks around, even if we don't always see eye-to-eye.  :)  Doesn't matter.... I've grown a pretty thick shell.

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