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Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 2:51 pm
by Bluestone
Hey Gang,
I have been very supportive of what Paul of KHP has been attempting in the way of direct sales. Sending funds directly to a trustworthy producer such as Paul is much safer and more cost-effective than purchasing through credit cards; although, credit card security with respect to protecting a customer's identity is first rate in secure stores such as my Silk 'N Blood store. This would, in my opinion, only really work for producers whose work a customer buys on a regular basis. It is also extra work for the producer, and there is a delay in obtaining your download codes. On the other hand, it is great for budgeting. If you plan to spend $50 every couple of months at Silk Videos, and I provide a 15% discount for buying direct, it's far easier for you to snail mail me $42.50, and you'll have a $50.00 credit towards your next 3 or 4 videos. If I'm ever between credit card suppliers, this back-up system would already be in effect. If UK customers desire anonymity, this system would provide same. So, time for a poll. Other permitted producers are free to run similar polls on this forum, if there is interest in setting up a Direct Buy program.
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:24 pm
by smudger
Well I see I am the first one in!
I don't think I would use it instead of my credit card which is a prepaid one and is in a different name and address.
However if the credit card system did go down I would have to use some other way.
Whilst UK users would I think welcome anonymity, the problem might be that to fund they would (I presume) need to send a cheque linked to a bank account which might be identified. Add to that uncertainties and delays with post. What would be the situation with cash transfer like Western Union, as suggested to Paul?
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:55 pm
by Bluestone
Hi Smudger,
These accounts could be funded in several ways. Western Union is one, but there are fees. Perhaps the 15% discount that I would offer will cover these fees; however, I feel that the best method of funding such accounts would be postal money orders in US funds. These can be bought at any post office with cash, and are secure but untraceable, except by the purchaser. That is the way that I would suggest going. If someone wanted to buy a Silk Videos membership, I would get their money order in a week or two, then they would have access for another 3 months. 2.5 months into it, they can send another payment and so on. For UK citizens, it would be the easiest and safest way of all.
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 3:57 pm
by tOkie
I would be happy to use a system like this. I would prefer it to the cc system, since the cc companies seem to want to know everything about you and your spending habits.
I would think that any form of money order would be far better than a check from a personal account. That's just me, as you wouldn't really know who you were sending the material to, from just a return address on a slip of paper. I suppose you would have to set up, in advance, some kind of email or ISP address confirmation, for those who wanted *total* anonymity. With Paul's method, he is limiting his sales only to those he knows from past cc sales and/or people that he knows on a more personal level. That would tend to rule out quite a few people, that otherwise, might want to go this route for privacy reasons.
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:15 pm
by Bluestone
Hi tOkie,
I would not be limiting customers to previous customers, or have them confirm anything other than that they are of legal age in their jurisdiction, and I'd need an email address to send the access codes to. It would operate similar to my current snail mail system (see: http://www.silkvideos.com/snailmail.html).
Total anonymity can be assured, since the sender chooses what is included in the way of information on the money order. For example, it could be as simple as an email address by way of identification.
Personal checks are a problem, since they take a while to clear, especially through a Canadian bank. PayPal is another funding option, but I use this sparingly, and seldom advertize this method of pay. So, at least with Silk Videos, there is always some way for people to purchase my stuff 
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:41 pm
by smudger
I'm not sure you can buy postal orders in U.K. made out in foreign currencies. Do you know, Blue?
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 4:57 pm
by Bluestone
Hi Smudger,
You're right. They can be bought, but Canada is not listed as a country where they can be cashed. Here is the site: http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/c ... d=96200777
I will check into this further.
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 5:16 pm
by tOkie
https://www.ikobo.com/country_pages.html
World Wide Money Orders
ok...after further review, it is not money orders, it is a prepaid card.
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 5:20 pm
by Bluestone
In the UK, you can also use this site to buy bank drafts in foreign currencies. You can do this through a money transfer from your bank to EX.com, a reputable on-line exchange company. They will then send out the bank draft. That way, the recipient does NOT get your banking details. The age of majority information can all be sent by email. Here is the relevant page from the site: http://www.xe.com/fx/how.php
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 6:01 pm
by smudger
Had a look at this one. As far as I can see they don't charge a fee as such, but make something on the exchange rate? If that's the case, there might be a minimum payment they would want to accept, though I can't find any reference to it. And it isn't very straightforward funding the transaction since they don't accept a credit card. Paying out of a bank account would still leave a trace if someone wanted to look hard enough, though probably they wouldn't- its not child porn after all. You could fund it by wire transfer to be anonymous but if you're going to do that you might as well use that for the entire transaction. Not easy, is it?
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 6:34 pm
by Bluestone
No, it ain't easy, but the funding through a bank account is really not that great a hurdle. All you'd be doing is sending a bank draft to an individual in another country. There would be no indication whatsoever what it was for. There is no connection whatsoever between the payment and the website from which the customer is purchasing. All of the actual communication would be through email (or FF pmail which is even more secure, since it does NOT go through the Internet, but is restricted to my dedicated server's intranet). This would seem to be the safest and most anonymous method of a UK customer purchasing Silk Videos! Add to this the fact that Silk Videos do not constitute violent porn, and, I believe, are NOT illegal under the infamous UK legislation.
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 6:40 pm
by gold
Voted yes .Anticipating you going to 4 a month < which you mentioned >,and fans having more product to order.Have noticed you have plenty of time to Party at the mansion..If it gets the Petra vault emptied count me in...and get her out of the punch bowl..PLEASE
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:34 pm
by smudger
Paul, it seems to me that if you are selling to people you will never meet, its impossible to be sure they are of legal age. Even if they use a credit card they could have borrowed Dad's. All they can do is to give you a written signed note they are of age of maturity, if that is a lie what can you do? I realise its a problem for you. However, if your position is that what you are selling is not porn anyway, then will it matter?
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 9:50 pm
by Bluestone
I agree with Smudger on this matter, especially since my stuff is not hardcore porn. I will use reasonable steps to confirm age, and I will post warnings, but I will not jump through hoops to sell videos. Anyone who takes the trouble to mail me a money order and a statement of age will be able to buy videos in this fashion. Of course, other producers are free to take other steps. I'm only speaking for myself here.
Blue
Re: Direct Sales! Any interest for Silk Videos fans???
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 10:55 pm
by smudger
Well the problem is that you're not in a position to ask for ID like the liquor store. A kid could say Dad can I borrow your credit card to order a DVD, after all the sites come up on the statement as something very neutral which doesn't give a clue as to what it really is. Ul;timately its your ass on the line. I should be OK cos I was a member of your site till you shut it down! and I'm not a minor
