We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Buying a phone app

Options
emperorstevee
emperorstevee Posts: 121 Forumite
Eighth Anniversary 10 Posts Name Dropper
edited 24 February 2018 at 9:07PM in Techie Stuff
Hello everyone!

I was browsing a website in which people can list businesses they wish to sell called businessesforsale.com. I was looking through the e commerce section for sites or apps that only required a small investment as I don't have too much money to invest. I found one seller that replied to me that is selling a phone game which would generate me ad revenue as either £0.50/click or £1/1000 views.

He told me that it would cost me £49 to buy the game from him and would also require a one off payment of $25 to sign up for a Google developer account aswell. I would also have to sign up with admob.

He then told me that if I wished to go ahead with his offer then I would have to pay 50% of his asking price and in return he would transfer the app ownership to my Google Developer Account. I would then have to send him my Admob banner codes and finally I'd pay the remaining 50% of the asking price and I'd be good to go

My worry is that there is already a very similar and slightly superior game also on the market, how would this affect my potential income? And secondly, does it seem legitimate?

Thank you

Comments

  • agrinnall
    agrinnall Posts: 23,344 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I think you'd be better in either the Boost your income or Small Biz boards as this isn't really a Techie question.
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,922 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 24 February 2018 at 9:57PM
    Get on youtube and see howto make your own game. It may not be as hard as you think with a lot of the stuff automated.

    Plenty of tutorials out there, if his game was that good he would be doing it himself. Whats to stop him creating a very very similar game next week which is better than yours?
    (edit, what about updates?)

    If your buying a business you need to do your homework. If your willing to gamble and lose £50 then carry on.
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • esuhl
    esuhl Posts: 9,409 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If this guy can write a game to generate money from ad revenue, why would he want to sell it... unless he's expecting that will earn him more money...?
  • Thanks everyone. The question of "why is he selling it if he feels it could make a lot of money?" did go through my head, but I'd think "maybe he just wants some quick money and doesn't want the hassle of marketing it". I'll definitely have a look at making my own games! And high 5 for your avatar, esuhl!
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,922 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Maybe you need some training on being a business?

    Its not as simple as buying the app and making money, mentioned above about updates and him creating another identical app and selling it nexk week. What is to stop him doing that?

    A proper contract will prevent him doing that, but its not something you just make up. It needs to be worded properly and cover as many eventualities as possible.

    What will he charge for future updates when the app stops working due to an OS upgrade or it doesnt work on a brand XYZ, model ABC phone.
    All this should be in your contract.

    Who retains copyright to the code? Who is responsible for getting copied apps removed or the app uploaded to dodgy sites, what happens if your app decides to show dodgy adverts?
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • Youtube and google are your friends. There are videos that would teach you how to do that and articles that will give you an idea of what and how to do it. I think the guy is just trying to make money.
  • Forgotmyname, if I knew all these things I wouldn't be asking. And owning a business in one area doesn't make one an expert in every form of business.
  • AndyPix
    AndyPix Posts: 4,847 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Think about it ...


    If its going to generate 50p a click, and he's selling it for £49 then it would pay for its'self in a mere 98 clicks !!


    Q : Why would he not just let it ride for such a small amount of money ??


    A : Because he doenst think it will get 98 clicks and would prefer to hit some mug for 50 rips
  • that
    that Posts: 1,532 Forumite
    edited 2 March 2018 at 10:23AM
    He should have given you a link to try the game too, would have earned him at least 50p extra :)

    there are loads of free apps out there, not on the Google Playstore and people forget they are there

    Blatant plagiarism....> "F-Droid is a software repository for Android system, similar to the Google Play store. The main repository, hosted by the project, contains only free software apps. Applications can be browsed and installed from the F-Droid website or client app without the need to register for an account."
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 244K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.