Egghead Software was selling the same program in Manhattan that week for $599.98.

That "try before you buy" attitude is encouraged at Egghead Software, said Megan McKenzie, a spokeswoman.

Egghead Software reported a $2 million quarterly loss and said its chairman and chief executive had resigned.

It is being sold at 4,700 retail stores in the United States and Canada, ranging from Egghead Software to Sears.

Stores like Egghead Software have entire shelves of products for toddlers.

Ronald P. Erickson was named chairman of Egghead Software, the nation's largest computer software retailer.

Egghead Software was founded by Victor Alhadeff in 1984 as a computer software retail company.

In the last two months, Egghead Software and Babbage's Inc., two software retailers, have made successful public offerings.

Egghead Software of Seattle, the leader, doubled its earnings in the last year.

Peter Janssen, former vice president of merchandising of Egghead Software, advises software companies "to use the package as your ad."