Jim Evans exclusive interview - part two

[LMan]

I'll buy one at $100 or less. It's only money

[cbfoulds]

Actually, Tee, NOW you are not "just pi$$ing".
For a 1K+ page, authoritative text, yeah, I'd plunk down $100+; more if there was a companion disk, etc. PARTICULARLY if it would be updated with "supplements" periodically [which I would be willing to pay a reasonable amount for], so I didn't have to shell out for a whole new one every year or two. [Hey, Carl, just a thought ...]
I did not envision such a thing, based on Carl's mention of a "spiral-bound" version [1000 pages is a heck of a lot to spiral bind in a single volume]. If memory serves, I paid that much or more for a multi-volume mechanics manual set published by another well-known entity.


[Edited by cbfoulds on Nov 5th, 2004 at 11:37 AM]

[David B]

Originally posted by Tim C
The original JEA is over 1,000 pages . . . add the updated addenda that happened every year or so.

I know you cheapskates will faint:

The real deal (printed) should go for about $150.00 -- IF it was done on Disc the cost could be considerably lowered. I would expect that it should eventually cost about the same as a college text book.

A fully searchable disc, premium addition, could run about $75.00.

That makes it a value for the user, a profit for the writer and makes sure that it is a committment by the purchaser.

Of course I am just pi$$ing according to Master Foulds . . .

I would not expect many of the "free riders" on eUmpire to purchase the resource.

Tee

Tee,

We're not talking apples to apples here.

The new edition would probably be a new and updated edition with much left out.

If it were 1K + pages sure it would be a great work to have in my library.

I know I paid a pretty penny for the two volumes of the baseball guidebook and that was 10 years ago or so.

But a condensed version, not worth the same as an unabridged version.

Kind of like Carl's book. I don't mind paying for BRD, but I don't like to pay for it every single year since there are not that many changes.

But every other year I do purchase. It would be great if it were bound better and lasted longer for the price, but that's the world we live in today.

That is what I would be talking about. I can't speak for anyone else.

Thanks
David

[Gee]

The book is actually only 500+ pages as it uses only one side of the page. It is the best of the best and covers every rule in the OBR with a customs and usage section and a professional interp on each and every rule.

The price would be dependent on the marketing of it. I'd start it out at $200 a copy with no fringes. G.

[Tim C]

Thanks for the noggin' knocker . . .

Last August I order a Black Plate Coat from Honigs'. I paid them $275.00 plus $24.00 shipping.

I was told that it would be "at least" February before the coat would be made available. I think I better check on it!

Again, thanks for the reminder.

Tee

[Tim C]

David said,

"The new edition would probably be a new and updated edition with much left out."

Why would that be? . . . only if you are comparing what Wilson Sporting Goods does to every product they take over would this be accurate.

Wilson ruined the West Vest and the A2000 Fielders glove . . . why would we anticipate that this site would follow that pattern and ruin the JEA.

Only because "if" this site is the test market the umpires represented here are, in the most general of terms, the least likely people to spend money on a true advancement resource for their careers.

Gee and I come from the same school (no, not the school that we are OLD) and recognize the value of the complete works as written. It would be much like buying an encyclopedia set and skipping every other letter.

Tee

[Rich Ives]

Golly folks, "Gray's Anatomy" is only $96 at Amazon and it ranks just a bit higher in complexity, research, and importance.

[jumpmaster]

Depends on the type - if we are talking spiral bound, $30. If we are talking the 1000 page, w/ companion CD, I would easily plunk $100 - $125. (It is only 3-4 game fees). If I had the option of buying annual updates, it would increase my desire.

[jumpmaster]

Originally posted by Carl Childress
Sherman: All would be forgiven...[/B]

The real Sherman will never be forgiven...that a$$ burned Atlanta!

On the other hand, I would like to see some of Tim's writing again...and Peter's...but then again, I am a paid subscriber.

[GarthB]

Originally posted by Rich Ives
NTE $30

Absolutely amazing.

A true legal copy with all anotations? $199.00, easy. Put me down for two.

[Rich Ives]

Originally posted by GarthB

Absolutely amazing.

A true legal copy with all anotations? $199.00, easy. Put me down for two.

You failed Marketing 101 didn't you . . .

How many can you sell @ $30?

How many can you sell @ $199?

Which way are you better off?

[GarthB]

Originally posted by Rich Ives

You failed Marketing 101 didn't you . . .

How many can you sell @ $30?

How many can you sell @ $199?

Which way are you better off?

Actually I aced my marketing classes and I've spent over 20 years in the profession.

Just as there is more to the JEA then you apparently understand, there is more to pricing then your level of comprehension grasps.

Using your (ahem) logic, a Lexus should be priced at $5,000.

Let's look at the potential market. All amateur umpires? Hardly. You and your lack of appreciation of what may be offered is example enough that that isn't the case.

We need to whittle the anticipated market down to those amateur umpires who either know what the JEA offers or who can be easily educated to understand that. Again, you apparently do not fit either of these groups.

Now then, we can compare value with what exists in the market place and estimate demand. (Why don't we consider the cost of the material? Because in the real world, that is insignificant. People don't care what something costs to produce, they make decisions based on what they are willing to pay. It;s quite simple really: decisions come down to "which would you rather have...the $199 or the JEA?

The demand by the market most likely to purchase a JEA will be effected only minimally by cost, provided it is not completely out of line with value and comparable material.

Or to put it in terms you might understand; out of 1,000 potential customers who fit the profile, let's say 500 (a low figure) will pay $199, while 950 (a high figure) would pay $30. In case you can't do the math, even with 450 fewer copies sold at the $199 price the gross revenue is still $71,000 more than selling 950 copies at $30.

Stick to coaching.

[Sal Giaco]

Let's split the difference (almost) and sell it at $99.00 - I think most levels of amateur and pro baseball umpires could afford that. Just my opinion

[GarthB]

Sal:

My copy of the JEA, is over 600 single sided 8 X 11 pages with normal spacing and type size. It is an incredibly valuable source of information, much of which is unavailable, in a direct form, any place else.

I believe an updated version, contrary to other guesses, will prove to be even more inclusive, particularly in light of the years gone by and new rulings and changes in practice being made.

Like the others here, I have no concrete idea on where Jim would price this work, but I believe I have a better than average background to make an educated guess at what point it would sell profitably and still be accessible to those who would understand what it represents and appreciate its value. Special interest books tradtionally sell for more than general interest books.

Example: A Breed Apart, by George Evans, a 189 page book about dog breeds sells for $184.95

Would you pay that? If you're not emotionally invested in the topic, probably not. Neither would I. But many people do. It's one of the top selling books on the topic.

Again, the potential audience consists of amateur umpires and others who understand the importance of the content and the value represented by having immediate access to it. This is business. What Rats want to pay doesn't matter.

[Edited by GarthB on Nov 7th, 2004 at 01:21 PM]

[my3sons]

I would buy a copy.