Customers can obtain product information from the company's printed catalog and can purchase products from the business partners or place direct orders by mail, telephone, or fax.
eMachines began to order PCs from its outsourced manufacturing facilities on the basis of what large retailers, such as Best Buy and Wal-Mart, said they could sell.
During the recession companies set prices low, hoping that once they had tempted customers through the door they would be persuaded to order more expensive items.
They say different regions call for different approaches - some that charge for downloads, some that stream music for a single subscription price and some that are supported by advertising.