On Mon, 26 Sep 2005 02:47:49 GMT, "Matt Nemmers"
wrote:

However, this debt figure of $180,000 included
monies only up to April 2005, according to my source.
Mr. Russell, I am told, has not provided sales figures
for several months and, says the source,

Anyone wanna bet that Liarry's source is none other than 1900-rated but
self-proclaimed 2200+ ELO Mack Truck NM Sam Sloan? And speaking on behalf
of Eric Schiller, no doubt....

Parr's had some solid hits in the last year or so, e.g., the initial
fee for the architect at Crossville, actual estimated construction
cost of the building, etc. And many here were skeptical of the Chess
Cafe deal from the inception.

Prices at Chess Cafe are generally not competitive with those at
Amazon, especially when you factor in the latter's consortium of used
book dealers.

For example, at Chess Cafe, Benko's revision of Fine's BCE is $23.95
with the member discount. It's 16.47 at Amazon, with some used ones
in good condition at $8.95.

The highly regarded "Pal Benko: My Life, Games and Compositions" is
$42.95, again with members discount, at Chess Cafe, while at Amazon
it's $27.90.

Nimzovich's "Chess Praxis" -- Chess Cafe: $16.95. Amazon is $17.95
for this "21st Century Edition", but it has the older edition
available for two bucks.

Watson's "Chess Strategy in Action -- Chess Cafe: 23.95. Amazon
$16.47 with used copies for 14.49.

I didn't cherry pick these examples. I just looked up some recent
books as I thought of 'em. I realize that Chess Cafe probably has
titles not available at Amazon. I could not quickly find if Chess
Cafe has anything comparable to Amazon's free shipping with x dollar
orders.

Given that both operations are mail order, I would be surprised if
Chess Cafe weren't in some trouble.