| Softwarez Store Creating A Copy For Success |
Game Copying Business Is An Original Idea
The Softwarez Store is a good example, a one-of-a-kind retail outlet that is trying to take advantage of the rising popularity of PC gaming. The first store of its kind, The Softwarez Store specializes in selling duplicated titles, copies of original CDs, DVDs, and diskettes. It's a unique business model, and the store's owners hope to use that to sell the same games, applications, and utilities much cheaper than you'll expect to find at other stores. "Lower overhead costs and high profit margins are the keys to success," says store owner Duane Miller. "While other retailers are filling their storerooms with needless stock, we keep our inventory tight by only carrying one copy of each software title!" Miller's retail concept is original, and he hopes that other stores don't copy his ideas. "We have a 'Warez While-U-Wait' policy," says Miller, who uses four CD-writers, two DVD-writers, and one floppy disk-drive to reproduce the popular games for his demanding customers. "If we run out of a particular item--give us 10 minutes and you'll have that copy of Warcraft III in your hot little hands. How many other stores can offer that kind of service?" The Softwarez Store boasts the largest variety of software in the downtown area--including many titles that aren't even available anymore!--and its shelves are filled with helpful photocopies of original game boxes to show-off their impressive selection. "Oh sure, some people get a little 'burned' at us, but what we're doing can't possibly be illegal," says Miller. "We happen to own a copy of everything we sell." Duane's secret? Keep things simple. He typically sells the freshly-made CDs in plain brown envelopes, with the game written on the top with a black felt marker. Labels are available, for a little extra, as are jewel cases with genuine reproduced covers. For some customers, the perceived look of authenticity is worth the extra dollar. Although The Softwarez Store offers great prices and a huge selection, they have a strict no-exchange no-return policy. "What's to stop the customers from making a copy at home and then bringing it back?" asks Miller. Is business doing well? Miller says that sales for new software titles are always strong the first couple of days after their release, but then they drop-off significantly after about two weeks. "I'm pretty sure that my customers are pirating the copies that I make/sell to them," said Miller resignedly. "Hopefully, by that point I've recovered the cost of the original game, OS, or application. I've discussed the piracy problem with the mall management, but there's not much they can do." "It's stealing, and it's wrong," denounced mall security officer Bernard Lantz. "We're talking about shoplifting, right?"
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