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Mobile Gadget News :: Making Your Mobile Life Simpler _ Home Page News _ Handango Closes My Account and Reneges on Raffle Prize!

Posted by: abatis Oct 26 2006, 12:11 PM

MobileGadgetNews member and Windows Mobile Device software developer John Cody of Omnisoft notified MGN that Handango, probably the largest online mobile software store, has abruptly closed his account for no stated reason, thus making it impossible to honor a raffle prize that he won from them last year. MobileGadgetNews has not contacted Handango for comment on this disagreement, however, Handango is free to comment on our web site.

Update: Will Pinnell of Handango has responded. http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=13158&view=findpost&p=55954

Update 10/30/06: We have pinned this topic again since John has provided a new update on the thread, http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=13158&view=findpost&p=56010

John Cody stated:

QUOTE
I recently developed a new version for one of my products (Alerts!), and I wanted to use part of my ad allowance to promote it. But, when I tried to use/confirm my ad balance, a new management team at Handango wasn't aware of my ad allowance and suddenly put a whole bunch of restrictions on it, including that I had to use the entire balance within 5 months or loose it. As you will see, Handango admits that these restrictions are not documented anywhere, but I was still bound to them.

MGN supports Windows Mobile innovation and it is never pleasant to see a small developer like John feel like he is squeezed by a big reseller like Handango. To find out more about John Cody's treatment by Handango follow this link. Feel free to post your view on this subject here at MGN.
http://www.omnisoft.com/articles/handango/default.asp

Posted by: smeg36 Oct 26 2006, 03:55 PM

The actions of Handango in this instance is deplorable. I recommend everyone click on the link to the Omnisoft website and use the form at the bottom of the page (after reading the emails to see just how unwarranted Handango's actions were) to send an email stating your opinion. This is what I sent them:

QUOTE
Hello,

I have been a customer of Handango for years now, and have recommended them to friends and colleagues when they need to buy software. After reading through the dishonorable and downright unethical treatment of the developer of Omnisoft software, I will be halting my service to Handango, as well as recommend everyone I know, both online and in person, do the same. There are other places to purchase software. If the treatment of developers such as this continues, I think you will find more and more people begin using those other places, and Handango will find itself without a customer base. The Windows Mobile online community is a tight-knit group that sticks together. We like to take care of each other, whether is be developer, advances user, or someone new to the platform.

Posted by: Will Pinnell Oct 26 2006, 09:31 PM

My name is Will Pinnell and I am the Senior Director of Content at Handango. I visited Omnisoft's site myself yesterday and read the available thread between John and members of our team. I also spoke with him on the phone this afternoon.

I'd like to assure you that Handango does not discontinue partnerships without cause, nor did we come to this decision lightly. We treat all of our 16,000 global content providers with respect and professionalism. Without divulging specifics, our collective decision to not distribute Omnisoft's content was based on additional information not publicly shared.

As you might imagine, in working with thousands of companies, we occasionally have content providers unsatisfied with our level of service or the decisions we make. I do however, admire John Cody, his company, and his drive to make customers aware of his applications. Handango wishes him the best of luck with his business.

Posted by: smeg36 Oct 26 2006, 09:42 PM

It's great to at least see involvement in the community with posting in the forum instead of disregard for the concern raised. I suppose it is unfair to jump to the conclusion that Handango is at fault without hearing the reasoning for the discontinuation of John's partnership. If that reasoning isn't provided, at very least to the developer, suspicion is inevitably going to be raised. I'm not a software developer myself, so I may not fully understand the relationship presented, but would be curious to know what would constitute just cause to cancel a partnership, not only in this specific case but with all partnerships. I suppose the thing that bothered me most about this situation is the developer had his partnership canceled and doesn't even know the reason why.

Posted by: Slacker Oct 27 2006, 09:30 AM

First, my comments are exactly that... mine. They do not reflect the opinion of Mobile Gadget News or any of the Mobile Gadget News staff.

I read the entire post of email traffic and I am unable to accept the explaination that the Handango decision was based on some unknown or undisclosed information. The emails seem pretty clear as to how John tried to work with Handango in coming to an agreement. Handango in this case has said one thing and done another. Handango has seemingly punished Cody for their own lack of processes and documented agreements. In fact I submit that the email from the former Handango employee is a contract from Handango and they should do the HONORABLE thing and honor it. You don't keep customers by running off developers, and you don't stay on top without them either.

What should Handango do? Give John his account back, offer a public apology (because this whole event is now very public), and give him until the end of next year to use his ad balance that he was given by them in a contest.

In the future I submit that both Handango and the developers that choose to use their service remember a few points from this lesson:

1) Handango is out to make money. They are a business.
2) Get it in writing. If you can't get a formal contract do what John did, and that is to repeatedly email to make sure you understand the agreement made until you get a yes answer and save those emails.
3) This is for Handango specifically: honor your agreement. Just because you can terminate him does not mean you should. Its time to step up and do the right thing.

As I said at the onset of my post, this represents my opinion and only my opinion.

Posted by: abatis Oct 27 2006, 12:30 PM

Mr. Pinnell,

I respect Handango's right to carry or not carry a particular product based on the company's judgment and values. I think the underlying issue is that Mr. Cody received value in winning the ad allowance and he was unable to collect that full value. Perhaps he could sell back to Handango, trade or resell the remaining (or discounted) ad allowance volume to another developer and everyone could move on.

Posted by: aadadams Oct 27 2006, 03:59 PM

QUOTE (Will Pinnell @ Oct 26 2006, 04:31 PM) *
My name is Will Pinnell and I am the Senior Director of Content at Handango. I visited Omnisoft's site myself yesterday and read the available thread between John and members of our team. I also spoke with him on the phone this afternoon.

I'd like to assure you that Handango does not discontinue partnerships without cause, nor did we come to this decision lightly. We treat all of our 16,000 global content providers with respect and professionalism. Without divulging specifics, our collective decision to not distribute Omnisoft's content was based on additional information not publicly shared.

As you might imagine, in working with thousands of companies, we occasionally have content providers unsatisfied with our level of service or the decisions we make. I do however, admire John Cody, his company, and his drive to make customers aware of his applications. Handango wishes him the best of luck with his business.


If this is your stance, I for one will not show patronage to your company any more, nor will I recommend it. Most of these titles are available elsewhere, and if not I will do without unless the author has another payment channel that is.

Posted by: c0w Oct 27 2006, 11:37 PM

I'm on the same page as slacker... what was promised should be honored. The fact that Noah is no longer with the company should not change anything.. and to cancel a partnership over that is just bad business (assuming its because of the award).

Posted by: gmerin Oct 28 2006, 02:08 AM

QUOTE (Will Pinnell @ Oct 26 2006, 05:31 PM) *
My name is Will Pinnell and I am the Senior Director of Content at Handango. I visited Omnisoft's site myself yesterday and read the available thread between John and members of our team. I also spoke with him on the phone this afternoon.

I'd like to assure you that Handango does not discontinue partnerships without cause, nor did we come to this decision lightly. We treat all of our 16,000 global content providers with respect and professionalism. Without divulging specifics, our collective decision to not distribute Omnisoft's content was based on additional information not publicly shared.

As you might imagine, in working with thousands of companies, we occasionally have content providers unsatisfied with our level of service or the decisions we make. I do however, admire John Cody, his company, and his drive to make customers aware of his applications. Handango wishes him the best of luck with his business.


This is not the business style of any vendor I would feel comfortable patronizing, and as my associates and customers trust my judgment, I am certain they share my reaction. From your statement, I seriously doubt that you or Handango really understand the meaning of the terms respect and professionalism for your behavior appears to be neither respectful nor professional, but merely crass and cheap. You no longer have my business; you have only my pity.

Posted by: GrYph0n Oct 28 2006, 03:03 AM

I personally agree with what Slacker said in his post above. He hit all the points, and I would consider that to be some solid advice. This has quickly become a very public topic on more than one Windows Mobile based web-site. I am not saying honor the contract because of the pressure of the press, but simply because it is the right thing to do and it is just good business.

Posted by: johncody Oct 30 2006, 07:18 PM

I just posted an update to this issue:

http://www.omnisoft.com/articles/handango/default.asp

I also created a Newsletter on this topic that you can subscribe to for email updates on this issue.

Posted by: runningtiger Oct 30 2006, 11:42 PM

I just keep shaking my head in disbelief as I read Handango's responses. I had problems with them that, just as a consumer, has kept me from buying any more software from them. Their treament of John Cody confirms what I thought I already knew...but felt alone in my belief...Handango is not a good company to patronize. And, so, I will not.

Posted by: Will Pinnell Oct 31 2006, 12:32 AM

In response to the recent posts seen on MGN around Handango and this issue, I wanted to provide an update.

As I stated earlier, I'd like to assure you that Handango does not discontinue partnerships without cause, nor did we come to this decision lightly. In my nearly seven years at Handango, I've served as an advocate for small developers and appreciate the passion shown in your posts.

As a standard business practice, Handango strives to ensure productive and successful relationships with all our content provider partners. In the case of Omnisoft, we stand by our decision to not distribute the company’s content at this time, and we have issued a payment to John Cody at Omnisoft in the amount of the remaining marketing credit.

Thank you for your continued passion about the smartphone content space. We look forward to continuously improving our communications with our valued customers and content provider community.

Will Pinnell
Senior Director of Content
Handango

Posted by: gmerin Oct 31 2006, 05:41 PM

QUOTE (Will Pinnell @ Oct 30 2006, 08:32 PM) *
In response to the recent posts seen on MGN around Handango and this issue, I wanted to provide an update.

As I stated earlier, I'd like to assure you that Handango does not discontinue partnerships without cause, nor did we come to this decision lightly. In my nearly seven years at Handango, I've served as an advocate for small developers and appreciate the passion shown in your posts.

As a standard business practice, Handango strives to ensure productive and successful relationships with all our content provider partners. In the case of Omnisoft, we stand by our decision to not distribute the company’s content at this time, and we have issued a payment to John Cody at Omnisoft in the amount of the remaining marketing credit.

Thank you for your continued passion about the smartphone content space. We look forward to continuously improving our communications with our valued customers and content provider community.

Will Pinnell
Senior Director of Content
Handango



Will,

From your form letter responses that you post on every board, it appears obvious that you have no understanding of the phrase "ethical businessman". Do you perhaps understand the phrase "B.S.!" as that seems to be everyone's response to your posts and to Handango's disreputable business practices?

Posted by: abatis Oct 31 2006, 06:09 PM

OK, this thread is closing and will only open if John Cody wants to post his view. Speaking only as the webmaster of MobileGadgetNews and I do not necessarily represent the views of my fellow Mods/Editors or Admins here are my thoughts.

I am pleased that websites like MGN can help resolve issues in the Windows Mobile Community in a civil manner without parties incurring legal costs. I believe that Handango is being reasonable in paying out the value of the prize to John. I also believe Handango has the right to do business with any one they want. Both Handango and John Cody should get back to their core activities and sell software and in the case of John, develop and sell software. MGN is extending one month of free banner ads to John Cody to help him with the transition.

Thank you all for you posts and enjoy your Windows Mobile device.

abatis

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