Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

[Rick Wilson]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

Yeah and SpyFu estimates revenue, ad spend and potentially margin.

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

They're not accessing it. You're providing it to them, and you have been for years. That's how the licensing and hosting model works. Unless I'm reading things incorrectly, they're using the data to generate an invoice, not set its fees across the board.

I can only refer to their privacy policy. I can say that in the many years I've worked with clients on Miva Merchant, I've never had one tell me they were contacted with the thought that Miva sold their info.

I'd also add--though sounding like the lawyer my mom always wanted me to be--that Miva is NOT accessing private sales data, they are logging TRANSACTION data. No different than bandwidth (though you may care more about sales transactions than bandwidth). Interestingly, if they COULD access your true Sales Data, half this discussion would be gone cause they'd be able to determine your margins.

BTW: I believe sites like Builtwidth will provide gross revenue 'models' of sites...so that data isn't as private as one would think. (No idea of where or how they come up with this number, could be inferred. Welcome to the world of Big Data.)

[Rick Wilson]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

Eldon,

Send me an email on what you're thinking (mostly so I don't lose track of it).

[Rick Wilson]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

Keitho,

You (and everyone) should know that anyone will have (at least) 30 days, we're certainly not going to "run the clock out" and then say oops, denied.

We're working with people who ask and have an alternate way to review their usage to see if they should be grandfathered, put on a different plan or given some sort of discount.

I should have your feedback to you by tomorrow or Monday at the latest.

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

Simple "Save basket" or even just send a url with the current session id attached? Wouldn't that work?

[Pamela Hazelton]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

That doesn't make it ok. Accessing private companies sales data when you won't share your own is
not only a double standard but improper. Miva isn't just using data in aggregate to report trends here
but using individual private company data to set its fees. Who knows if they are selling this or sharing
with competitors to generate more revenue.

They're not accessing it. You're providing it to them, and you have been for years. That's how the licensing and hosting model works. Unless I'm reading things incorrectly, they're using the data to generate an invoice, not set its fees across the board.

I can only refer to their privacy policy. I can say that in the many years I've worked with clients on Miva Merchant, I've never had one tell me they were contacted with the thought that Miva sold their info.

[eldon99]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

Eldon99,

Yes we've already added multi-channel (eBay and Amazon) and eBay Motors and Amazon UK as well as the other 2 Amazon Regions, ETSY and a Mobile POS are all on deck.

Rick,

Sorry, I meant where a customer can shop using multiple devices (e.g. start shopping on mobile, but complete purchase on a desktop):
http://www.business2community.com/co...rchase-0350623

[Keitho]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

Rick.

I read this with interest "...or you're one of the 200 or so special cases we're holding back on." I guess I'm one of those since I sent you an email on the 2nd as you requested. The longer you "hold" these in place the shorter time some store owners will have to plan and make a switch with a result of likely having the new pricing imposed on them. I would suggest that since you've put this group of store owners in stasis that the 30 day clock doesn't start for them until you make a decision and notify them. Some may be researching other options but I think few would be going into full transfer mode if there is a chance that they'll be staying with Miva. I would really prefer to stay but while $600 >> $960 is acceptable going to $3000 annually is too much for my <$100,000 revenue store.

[Rick Wilson]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

Our privacy policy (amongst other things) keeps us from even sharing your name with others, let alone any private data.

[Eric S]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

That doesn't make it ok. Accessing private companies sales data when you won't share your own is
not only a double standard but improper. Miva isn't just using data in aggregate to report trends here
but using individual private company data to set its fees. Who knows if they are selling this or sharing
with competitors to generate more revenue.

Just want to point out that every SaaS out there, along with the majority of standalone programs that sync to the web, track sales data. That's how Shopify, for example, is able to produce all those reports and infographics - the data comes from their customer base. Any service you use - for pretty much any purposes - is utilizing data to report trends and for understanding their existing user base.

[Rick Wilson]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

Eldon99,

Yes we've already added multi-channel (eBay and Amazon) and eBay Motors and Amazon UK as well as the other 2 Amazon Regions, ETSY and a Mobile POS are all on deck.

We have been releasing more and more new features on an accelerated pace and our plan is to continue that.

We also have our Enterprise tools that automate ERP, CRM, POS and 3PL connections as well.

[Pamela Hazelton]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

Rick,

“We're a privately held company and I'm certainly not going to turn this into a circus by posting our financials and having people chime in on them” – Rick Wilson
Does that fact that Miva is monitoring each and every “privately held” company’s eCommerce revenue, tax, shipping and returns bother anyone, specifically when they are not willing to share their own information?

Just want to point out that every SaaS out there, along with the majority of standalone programs that sync to the web, track sales data. That's how Shopify, for example, is able to produce all those reports and infographics - the data comes from their customer base. Any service you use - for pretty much any purposes - is utilizing data to report trends and for understanding their existing user base.

[eldon99]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

We do a pretty sizable business (like Rick I won't post publicly what that is), but we don't host directly with Miva, so we will be contacting Rick to find out what our fees are going to be to determine if we are going to stick around after 15+ years.

With this mega jump in price, I want to know what plans are in place to add omni-channel functionality and other such enterprise-level features.

[Rick Wilson]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

Selfhelp1,

I can assure you I'm not under any appreciable pressure and Miva is and was strong financially.

We believe our old pricing model is fundamentally flawed and we're trying in earnest to correct that and price to market.

I certainly occasionally get frustrated when someone I have a personal relationship with off forum takes shots at me or Miva on forum without giving me a chance to interact with them through private channels.

When I lose my cool, I'm the first to apologize.

As for where Miva is heading, our focus is merchants doing $100k to $10 million in annual online sales, this hasn't changed at all in recent times.

[selfhelp1]

Re: Update on Pricing from Miva, Inc.

1. We screwed up on "small merchants". Roughly speaking those doing sub $10 - $15k a year in online sales. We're working on a new plan for them and are making exceptions for them in the meantime.

I believe you screwed up even worse on small businesses who require relatively limited resources (few seats, less storage) which gross 100K+. MIVA has basically cut off the spigot on new entry and mid-level customers who will run away when they see what they are to be charged if they gross 100K+, 500K+, etc, And now MIVA is set to lose customers with this new pricing strategy. Meanwhile the new competitor enterprise options will very quickly become good enough to retain their move-up customers and thus basically cut off the spigot from business which would have otherwise outgrown them.

Rick, are you able to share with us where MIVA is headed in terms of positioning itself in the market? If MIVA goes under will we get more than 30 days notice? What do the TOS say?

Based on your response from an earlier post in the other thread... Rick you have posted more on the forums than anyone, you have a ton of experience on these boards, and you are the face of this company, you know not to respond like you did... you must be under a great deal of pressure. I wonder if the end game is much closer than any of us had thought? You have to deny of course regardless. So please take the opportunity to share the direction in which you think MIVA is headed and with what segment/s you hope to remain competitive. I'm concerned! This pricing seems suicidal and the 30 days notice is not reassuring moving forward.