What I am concerned about is that I don't trust the AC reviews of marinas, for example. Each Marina you pull up says if you don't like this one go to this sponsoring marina. Some of his sponsoring marinas I know to be the very definition of crappy. While other non sponsoring ones are very nice.
Follow the money dudes.
In total Europe has 5 times the number of boats as the US, so I just used that number for this size too.
Wow, that really surprises me. The populations are about equal, so I would expect about equal boating populations. We have more inland territory, but our populations is heavily concentrated near the coasts, so I wouldn't expect that to make a big difference.
Based on the number of users discussed, 250K , that would put the acquisition at around $1.25M.
Sorry but I can't see it being sold that low. I know I wouldn't sell at that number. Unless there's a Pandora in a box that was about to be let out.
I'm not buying into 1.5 million users worldwide at all. That would be 100% market penetration.
1.5 million wouldn't be far off the site visitors per year, not unique visitors, but total.
I don't know what 250k could represent. I'm sure some statistical number but not active users.
Might be hits (or clicks?) are maybe counted multiple times as separate "users?" We have AC integrated into MaxSea Time Zero on two computers, on two tablets each using two different nav apps, and on two phones, each also using those same two different nav apps. Different IPs would show up for our various AC-related activity.
OTOH, all of those are tied to the same AC account...
Another thought is that "users" isn't necessarily limited to AC posters.
-Chris
Would not be surprised if one of the key reasons for buying AC is to obtain the forward thinking ideas (often called trade secrets) of Jeffrey and Karen.
My guess is it was to get their vegan dog food recipes.
No, the population of Europe is more than 2.3 times that of the US.
I see it depends on how far east and north you count.
Shades of Garmin and Jeff negotiating how many AC "users" there are so goodwill value can be established. Nebulous is a defined term in the closing documents I'd guess.
It came at great cost to him in terms of the investment of he and his wife and their time in it.
I'm sure they were given details including member lists, activity counts, installations. How many are then actually using it actively is a guess at best. However, Garmin did their due diligence and decided in their mind what it was worth and didn't decide based on the numbers being publicly tossed around.
I'm sure it had two categories of value. The first was it's actual value as it's currently operated as a business. The second was it's future value to Garmin.
I applaud Jeffrey for avoiding one mistake many entrepreneurs make. He didn't stay forever married to having it as his and his alone. In building a business you're often consumed with it every hour of every day. You make some money but you don't have time for yourself. Ultimately, unless it's sizable enough to hire others to run it for you and still make a profit, you need to sell. It allows you to truly get repaid for all your time and effort, both financially and in earning time to enjoy. If you just can't let go or over value it or for whatever reason remain consumed by it, the pleasure disappears and it becomes a job, a burden.
I'll say too, that whatever Jeffrey got out of it, he deserved. He'd developed something no one else has. It was unique and a good product. It was all the effort of him and his wife. He's like the singer who hits it big and everyone talks about how much they're making without any idea of all the lousy clubs they played, all the dumps of motels they stayed in, all they years of hard work and little return that led up to it. While his behavior here repulsed me, his accomplishment impressed me. It came at great cost to him in terms of the investment of he and his wife and their time in it. He had a better idea and made it work. That merits whatever Garmin paid him.
If you have ever met Karen you will see how true it is what you say. One first class lady.
I'll say too, that whatever Jeffrey got out of it, he deserved. He'd developed something no one else has. It was unique and a good product. It was all the effort of him and his wife. He's like the singer who hits it big and everyone talks about how much they're making without any idea of all the lousy clubs they played, all the dumps of motels they stayed in, all they years of hard work and little return that led up to it. While his behavior here repulsed me, his accomplishment impressed me. It came at great cost to him in terms of the investment of he and his wife and their time in it. He had a better idea and made it work. That merits whatever Garmin paid him.
I would assume it's subscribers, not just posters, but still the numbers just don't work. Often numbers like this are tossed around rather loosely, coming from some source, but not representing what they are used to say.
Time for a new open platform. Anyone want to help build one? (And without Bing maps or adobe flash)
I can't imagine too many anglers will be anxious to honestly and openly share their latest fishing hole information with other anglers. Most I know who have AIS turn it off when fishing.
Sounds like a plan for anglers by non-anglers.
BandB and all
Jeff sent out a report on the sale of AC to all his subscribers. Nothing much to learn for his letter. Promises more of the same with improvements and never any charge. Time will tell.
I can't imagine too many anglers will be anxious to honestly and openly share their latest fishing hole information with other anglers. Most I know who have AIS turn it off when fishing.
Sounds like a plan for anglers by non-anglers.
Your anglers sound like the fishermen I grew up around. So, we just observed and learned.