convo Rain CSM Steve

[quote=Andski]

Here's a rough timeline of events:

[list]
[*] Somerset Mahm proposes a PLEX referral incentive model to CCP for approval. It is approved and he
later implements a referral incentive, creating a buyback program for PLEX purchased through his referral
link at above market prices.
[*] Somebody discovered that SOMERblink has created a new incentive to buy PLEX via their referral link.
This was posted to Reddit, discussed there and it made its way to the forums.
[*] The discussions about this catch the attention of the CSM, and it makes its way to the desk of CCP
Falcon, CCP's community coordinator, who mentions that he was surprised by this and unaware.
[*] SOMERblink is asked to put this promotion on hold for the meantime. They do so, and [b]publish private
correspondence with CCP's VP of Sales[/b], along with the document they presented to her proposing their
new incentive model.
[*] Players who read this document realize that the proposal was undoubtedly written with the intention
of [b]deceiving the reader[/b] into believing that there would be the incentive was not based on ISK or assets.
[*] CCP's conclusion is that the incentive implemented by SOMER was not what they approved. In response,
SOMERblink shuts down indefinitely and refunds outstanding deposits.
[/list]

So who acted in bad faith? CCP, by approving an ambiguously worded proposal and then deciding that what was
 implemented was not what they approved, or Somer, by writing an ambiguously worded proposal, deceiving CCP
and essentially implementing a similar referral incentive to what CCP previously made him discontinue?[/quote]

there are missing points of data on this timeline..
I'd like to know [u]when [/u]each significant component of the  Markee Dragon <-> ETC <-> SOMER kickback scheme appeared.

that affiliate is exclusive to Somer's ETC buy price deal, and I'm exploring the possibility that it occurred
along the way (rather than being a diabolical plan all along.)

Things like:
[u]when[/u] were the referral kickback terms hammered out between Somer and MD/ Marcus Ikenffeffer
---[u]and why are they needed.[/u]

[u]when[/u] did Somer begin buying ETCs from players at the[i] 'best price in New Eden' [/i] deal price


and the big question: [u]when[/u] did SOMER make the referrals from MD mandatory on his end / and announce that
he would refuse ETCs acquired elsewhere.


------------------------------------------------

[quote=Rain6637]



I'm working on the assumption that the plan SOMER gave to CCP was his honest plan. perhaps  something
changed along the way, for database reasons / convenience / undercutters who might dump their stock
onto SOMER for personal gain / whatever... what I'm trying to pointpoint (if there is one), is an event(s)
or decision(s) that altered the original un-biased scope of SOMER's ETC purchase offer (from everyone to only those purchased from MD).

justifiably or not.

if it turns out the MD <-> ETC <-> SOMER thing was [i]always[/i] the plan, there are still possible, practical,
understandable reasons why the source of the ETC needed verification. It's possible the arrangement with MD
wasn't merely [i]a good o'l boy agreement[/i]--it could be a more significant business pact between MD and SOMER,
all due to SOMER's altruistic ETC purchase deal.

if SOMER declares himself an instant 110% ETC dumping point, it would look very appealing to ETC resellers who
received their stock at wholesale prices... to use alts and redeem their ETC to SOMER, effectively netting a double
profit with no middle-man (a player) ...albeit in ISK. 12xPLEX worth of ISK, after turning in a 10 pack of PLEX (5xETC)
which were purchased from CCP for a reduced rate, perhaps 70% value

that sounds to me like ISK created out of nothing, which = inflation.

with this pact between SOMER and MD, MD could keep his prices high, knowing that SOMER customers have no choice but to pay it,
because he is the only ETC re-seller endorsed by SOMER, and SOMER's plan to entice players to buy PLEX with ISK -works-.
other ETC re-sellers can do whatever they want with their prices to out-compete each other, but doing so affects only
their bottom line, not MD.

When MD's prices are able to maintain healthy profitable resale prices due to his pact with SOMER, that leaves a healthy
profit from his ETC sales. when the benefit is mutual (MD agrees to not redeem his own ETC to SOMER for the deal), and MD
is grateful to SOMER for effectinvely 'niche'ing his store, perhaps a kickback is in order, as a matter of 'hey thanks for
keeping my family fed and my bills paid, I wish I could do something for you, but I'm afraid of awakening the pitchfork regiment--what can I do to repay you
for the market stability you provide me?

ISK? ETC? PLEX? something  to balance the books in this arragnement .. what do you think?


==========================================================

[quote=Steve Ronuken]


Becoming a Markee Dragon affiliate isn't a hard thing. There were likely further negotiations, because of volume.
http://store.markeedragon.com/affiliate/signupform.php



As for the rest:

Why would an Plex code seller (no ETCs any more) want to convert plex to ISK? That's spending real money, and getting
virtual money which they can't use to buy more plex codes? This isn't one or two plex. This is hundreds.

They don't sell plex. They sell codes which can become plex. Plex are useless to them.


Also, the moment that you would allow someone to cycle plex to isk, at a higher than market rate, without any other
limitation, you open yourself up to someone buying plex with isk, selling to you for more isk, buying plex with some
of that isk, then repeating. So it was always going to be tied to a reseller.



==========================

[Quote=Rain6637]


There are things that can be done with easily harvesed ISK. it's an odd process, that starts with a ETC reseller, but
with those kinds of margins, it would be tempting to figure out some way to realize financial gain.

the first assumption is SOMER's motivation was wanting to help CCP's business. I can buy that. What that causes also,
is a scenario where ETC sellers can compete with each other by driving prices down, which sucks.

still assuming the ETC deal is open to all, ETC sellers are devaluing an item whose ISK value is stable. also smells
like inflation there.

after alignging with MD, SOMER has avoided the inflation that would come from motivated sellers of ETC, -and- MD is
exempt from playing price games with the non-SOMER affiliated. Somer's system guarantees MD will have customers who are
willing to pay his price, which is secure, and good for the bottom line. helsp MD pay the bills and feed the family etc.

and the question on my mind now, is, could there be another
commodity or good that SOMER, MD, and CCP can agree is not
a violation of EULA / TOS or in any way RMT? amazone cones,
viza gift cards (to stay close to the real money aspect of things,
but there are others... right?