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Thanks for the feedback. I've closed the service

discuss.joelonsoftware.com

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Re: Thanks for the feedback. I've closed the service

#31

Post by patio11 »

Raphael wrote: post #16
arethuza wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You mean something like Xbox Live points but for any site - not just linked to Xbox content?

Actually, one could leverage existing "points" platforms: give them something nominal in-platform, such as a game or virtual item, but also credit some points of your own. Then partner with many websites to make your points valuable (sharing revenue from the first platform when your points are spent on the websites).

You said the magic words: points are redeemable for money. Congratulations on your entry into international money services! Please send a truck around at your convenience to pick up the relevant regulations. Please make sure your convenience is immediately or we will seize your accounts and possibly prosecute you for money laundering.

Re: Thanks for the feedback. I've closed the service

#32

Post by stakent »

kranner wrote: post #21
gabrielroth wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We can't know what was in the guy's head, but it doesn't make sense to me that you'd feel like shit. You suggested he change the copy a little. Someone else asked if he'd consulted a lawyer. Someone else pointed him to the Wikipedia page for Flooz.com, which includes the sentence, "In 2001, Flooz.com was notified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that a Russian organized crime syndicate was using Flooz and stole…

Thanks, I realize it wasn't my comment that made OP do it. It's just that I found myself leading the lynch mob, without intending it.

No.

You, among others, saved him from lots of trouble.

Re: Thanks for the feedback. I've closed the service

#33

Post by kranner »

stakent wrote: post #32
kranner wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks, I realize it wasn't my comment that made OP do it. It's just that I found myself leading the lynch mob, without intending it.

No. You, among others, saved him from lots of trouble.

Thanks, I should have seen it that way.

Re: Thanks for the feedback. I've closed the service

#34

Post by cubicle67 »

philwelch wrote: post #26
sdrinf wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Word of encouragement: "This too shall pass" :)

"This too shall pass"--encouraging words when a startup doesn't work out, but not the best toast at a wedding.

ditto with "on to the next one, on to the next."

Re: Thanks for the feedback. I've closed the service

#35

Post by gdee »

pinksoda wrote: post #12
jasonlotito wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, and no. I had a startup in this industry, and I still work in it. Here's your biggest problem. It isn't PayPal or Google or any online service. It's the credit card companies and the banks that control this. The best part is, your entire business will be based on the premise that the bank lets you process. They can drop you for whatever reason. It's not hard. Trust me, they'll manufacture whatever evidence they…

The banks only want to drop you if you're attracting too many charge-backs, fraud, or money laundering. If you have a good system in place to minimize these problems, they will gladly take their processing fee from each and every transaction you process and they will do it with a smile. PayPal's automated fraud detection is notoriously inaccurate. They also don't have very good customer service. For years their phone…

  >  PayPal doesn't need to freeze your account, they can
  > just as easily prevent you from withdrawing money to 
  > your bank account, which sucks but it probably won't 
  > kill your business. At least your customers can still 
  > pay you.
I can't believe I'm writing in PayPal's defense but facts are facts.

They did this to me last week. They sent a message Friday night that they would need some extra documentation. I acted upon that on the spot. They then proceeded to restrict my account next Monday because they didn't bother to process my response to their request from Friday. That sucked, but they only locked withdrawals. My customers didn't see a thing, and they finally suspended restrictions Thursday. Took a few phone calls to make sure they hurry (to a number that is not free and not on the front page, but definitely not "10 pages deep": from your account > contact (footer) > call us).

Like anticipated, I feel dirty for speaking to their defense.

Re: Thanks for the feedback. I've closed the service

#38

Post by alex_c »

philwelch wrote: post #26
sdrinf wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Word of encouragement: "This too shall pass" :)

"This too shall pass"--encouraging words when a startup doesn't work out, but not the best toast at a wedding.

Interesting distinction, since the relationship between co-founders is often compared to marriage.

Re: Thanks for the feedback. I've closed the service

#39

Post by moon_of_moon »

JonM wrote: post #5
mtigas wrote: post #4

Can you imagine how much worse this could have been if they’d never posted this and simply plowed ahead? Knowing when you’re in over your head is crucial and it looks like they caught it early enough since they opened up the feedback thread. Hopefully they’ll take this, regroup, and have a bit more ground to stand on in the next phase or project.

Totally, a few days and a bit of embarrasment here is much better than ploughing months of work in with no return.

Pretty sure a real entrepreneur will not view that as embarrassment. This is the only way to start. Build something, put it out, review lessons learnt, improve it, build the next thing...

Bill Gates' first idea for a company was one that made devices that were supposed to be installed at traffic junctions, IIRC. (ref: business at the speed of thought)

Way to go Vasudeva.

Re: Thanks for the feedback. I've closed the service

#40

Post by philwelch »

alex_c wrote: post #38
philwelch wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"This too shall pass"--encouraging words when a startup doesn't work out, but not the best toast at a wedding.

Interesting distinction, since the relationship between co-founders is often compared to marriage.

Maybe, but you can have another startup. One particular startup failing doesn't have to mean the end of the co-founder relationship. And it would be equally a dick move to say "this too shall pass" at the beginning of a startup.
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