Comments on: Music Market Value – Lessons from Radiohead

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:19:07 +0000

Thanks for weighing in, guys, and nice to meet you too, Bill.

I suppose I realize that there are still people adverse to taking a download for free but I’m just trying to discern whether a price point of $10 for a download or $15 for a “real” CD is the right model anymore. Most “art” is scaled in value. Maybe music ought to be as well.

By: Bill

Bill — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 15:58:29 +0000

Though I think you’re right when you say people expect (or at least want) free, I’m not one of those people. I believe paying for music I enjoy is a good and fair thing to do. But unless I’m *really* desperate to get my hands on a cd, I won’t pay $15+ for it; I’ll wait until I can find one for less on eBay or something.

I realize when I buy a used cd, I’m not helping the musician(s). I much prefer to buy direct from the artist or through a distributor who’s working for/with the artist.

I might be weird, but sometimes I actually *like* buying music. Anyone who’s bought something at cdbaby.com will agree; there are ways to go beyond a mere transaction and make the process fun.

For me – if I can listen to samples and get a cd I think I’ll like for $10 – $12, shipping included, I’m happy. Would I be happier paying less? That depends. I’ll be honest, if my choices are say, $6 shipped for a used cd vs. $18 shipped for new? I’ll buy used, but I’d still rather go the other route.

If my choices are $6 used and $10 shipped for new, I’ll buy new. Probably I’m not typical; I’m just saying.

And in case you’re wondering, I found my way here via your Twitter page. On Twitter I’m bc aka Radioactive Jam; nice to “meet” you. :)

By: Voxboxenator

Voxboxenator — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:11:06 +0000

I’ll second the motion: $6-9 seems a good price for an album – if – IF – IF! – it has more than just a few songs I’m going to like. I guess that iTunes has me conditoned to think in terms of $1/song, give or take.

As to your album, I got in early and bought it from Aimee Street. Paid almost $6 for it, which seemed very reasonable (compared to the usual $10 or $15 most CDs cost these days). I think you got a little of that, but wish it would have benefited you more financially (Aimee St seems to have done well enough, though, eh?).