Oh, I don't mean the model is flawed, just that I simply can't see anybody even bothering to sign up for such a thing in CUSA's case...
#1: Dammy
#2: Ben
#3....
OK, you have a point.
That said, imagine you know nothing about C=USA's past antics and you receive this sales pitch:
"Hi, I'm the CEO of Commodore USA and I have a unique business plan for select people like you which is guaranteed to make you rich! Interested? You bet you are, and together we are going to make more money than you imagined. Do you know what was the biggest selling personal computer in the world? The Commodore 64! It sold millions all over the world and hardware and software is still being produced for it today. Well, we're back. We've already launched a brand new model called the C64x with our partners Disney and sold out in just a few months. Demand exceeded my wildest expectation so much that I had to put back plans to supply a major high street retail chain with hundreds of thousands of units! So, you must be asking yourself "How does this affect me?". Well, I've had a major rethink based on the success so far. Why should we give these computers to a major retailer who avoids taxes, pays their staff minimum wage and who has no enthusiasm for the product? Why don't I just harness the energy of a select few. A select and highly motivated bunch of people like yourselves who are willing to work hard and achieve the American Dream! Who here wants to be rich? Show me your hands, who wants to be rich? Yeah, we all do and together we're going to be. Rich and successful! You see, together as a team we can have a combined buying power as great as HP or Dell which lowers the purchasing cost of components. Using my extensive network of contacts and factories in China and my established transportation network we could buy $1000 state-of-the-art machines and sell them easily for $2000 or more! Yes, that's right, you can double your money instantly and then keep on doubling it! I produce the computers and have them shipped to the USA where they are configured for the customer. You gentlemen pay a small fee to become an elite Commodore authorised Dealer and then purchase a minimum stock from me each month or quarter in order to meet your demand. I ship the units directly to you. You sell them and you can make thousands of dollars each month! Imagine you invest $5,000 to buy 5 machines. You sell them for $10,000 and you have made a profit of $5000 for that month! Now imagine you reinvest all of that $10,000 and buy 10 machines the next month and sell them for $20,000, you've made $15,000 in just two months! Now do it again for the next month and then the next month... do you know how much you could make in 1 year? Do you? I'll tell you... over 20 MILLION DOLLARS! 20 MILLION! Not bad for a $5000 investment, eh? Imagine investing $10,000! Anyone here making $20,000,000 a year? No? Anyone here want to make $20,000,000 a year? Yeah, I thought so. OK, who is ready to sign up?"
Honestly though, if Barry had actually come across a a nice, honest, reliable guy with a solid business plan, good PR and a reasonable product line then I might have been interested in selling Commodore PCs. I used to have a computer/electronics sales business for a few years with physical shop in the center of town which I ran more as a hobby because my main line of work brings in a stead stream of cash.
I wouldn't touch this business venture however with a barge pole. Niche systems, overpriced, lacking a market, horrible PR and no support. I'd be better off sourcing my own parts and making my own line of hand-built machines.