I got an email a few weeks ago from Handango informing me that they were preparing to launch their Tablet PC marketplace which is something that has been announced before but apparently they're very close to launching it. They wanted me to list with them so that they have a nice catalog of apps for when the shop opens up in a few weeks. I'm sure they are actively going out and seeking the Tablet PC developers because I didn't initiate the conversation with them.
So anyway, I asked a very simple question and got a very prompt and simple answer (thank you, Emily) but the answer was astonishing. They want 40% commission for apps sold through their web site Handango.com, 40%-50% for “value added channels”, and 10%-20% for their commerce engine (basically you sell the app, use Handango as a shopping cart - much like PayPal does for alot less).
Why on earth would anyone willingly subject themselves to this? And who does Handango think they are? In the Tablet PC space, they have little relevance and they think they are going to build it by raping ISV's who are already not making enough money because the Tablet PC platform has yet to surge the way we all hope it will someday??
If you are a Tablet PC ISV considering selling your wares on Handango, I would very highly suggest you look at alternatives like Tablet PC Post which is *MUCH* more relevant, and maybe even the Microsoft Tablet PC Software Showcase which in its current form stinks, but will probably get better in time.
As for payment processing, you're a developer already so you can make PayPal work almost exactly like a credit card gateway with just a little bit of code. And unlike Handango, PayPal's rates are typically around 3%. And your customers no longer need to have PayPal accounts.
And I, for one, from now on will think twice about buying anything from Handango knowing just how much they are screwing the software companies.