Conference marvin::uk_music

    
    	Just the other day, well actually I few months back, I ran across
    	an LP by some locals folks marked at $25.00.  Seemed a bit high as
    	compared to the usuall $6.99-7.99 price.  Closer examination
    	revealed to me that it was an Australian import.  It's obviously
    	rare here in the states and easier to come by in Austrialia hence
    	the higher price.  What do you get other than probably being
    	the only one on your block to have one?  Nothing.  If it 
    	wasn't available domestically that's another story.
    
    	- Jim

    I can only speak for the U.S., but Japanese CDs run about $20-$30 here,
    that being about double a U.S. release. 
    
    I own several Japanese CDs, and I'm not disappointed in any of them. 
    I own them simply because they are unavailable elsewhere (case in point
    - the Faces' catalogue is available only in Japan, as are several other
    bands such as Hatfield and the North).
    
    Every one of the Japanese CDs I have has the lyrics (in both English
    and in Japanese, of course!). Sometimes, the lyrics are badly
    translated, with unintentionally hilarious results. If anything, this
    adds a certain charm to owning them.  
    
    The CDs seem to be made to very high standards (the packaging as well).
    That's not to say I haven't seen the same quality in UK, American, and
    German CDs - I have, but the Japanese CD quality seems consistent
    across the board.
    
    I'm willing to bet a big part of the reason the CDs are so high is
    because a middle person (an importer) is involved. Other reasons 
    are the exchange rate, and the base list prices coming out of Japan.      

    One suggestion put forward by my son is that they often have extra
    tracks, which would go some way towards justifying the extra.
    
    The actual cd which I saw here in the UK and which set me off here is
    called Showtime by Ry Cooder. I have this on lp and wondered about
    getting a cd version as well. However upon looking, I found it available
    as a Japanese import some 5 pounds (approx $8.50) higher than standard price
    cds.
    
    Unless someone comes up with a really good reason that I should get it
    - I don't think I'll bother :-)
    
    andy	

    I went to London the other day and found a Jap import CD which I have
    been waiting for for a long time. 
    
    16.99 pounds in HMV. I resisted.
    
    However, I found it in another little shop I know of, tucked away and
    got it for 13 pounds.
    
    I bought it.
    
    Someone is making a big profit here!!!! 
    
    Does the expression rip-off mean anything?
    
    If anyone wants to know where this little shop is, in London, let me
    know.
    
    andy

    Would you care to share the location with us all in this conference? 
    Or is it ultra secret...
    
    Mikef

    Yeh, and I bet the same thing in the US would be $13, we are getting
    ripped off here in Europe. I've found it's cheaper to mail-order CD's
    from the States. 
    
    Phil

    RE's
    
    Re-1 hear hear Phil,you bettcha we are being ripped off.
    A UK magazine called MBI(Music business International) has a complete
    feature in the SEPT issue on this issue,and the magazine agree's 
    that it sucks. They allready state that CD price tag's will fall next
    year and they even think that it will start during the X-mas season.
    Lets hope so,and you can do something about that as a consumer;
    "Stop buying them at these high rates"
    
    I know that when you hear a just released good product you would like
    to have but is only available at that high price,its tempting to go for
    it.Here in Holland though a mega store called "Megapool" imports them
    from the states,price tag there in dollars is now a mere $11,-average
    But you'll have to wait a few weeks longer to get your music for that
    price.I think its worth the wait.
    Another possibillity would be to order yours directly from the states
    totaling+air-mail postage to around $15,-
    
    The guys there who can help getting you anything you want are:
    
    Noteworthy music inc.
    PO box 6011
    17 Airport road,
    Nashua,NH 03063
    USA
    tel:[int]-1-800 553 5370
        [int]-1-603 883 0082 <---the Nashua adress above
    
    Jan.
     
    

    Ok - the shop in London with those low prices is located as follows....
    
    Go down Charing Cross Road on the right hand side, going south, beyond 
    Cambridge Circus and past the shops underneath where the building above 
    overhangs and is supported on brick pillars.
    
    Immediately after the shops, there is a narrow pedestrian street on
    your right. Just along on the left is Steve's Sounds. You will see
    boxes of records, videos and cds outside. 
    
    andy 

    Ahhhhh... Been there.  They often have review copies of brand new lps
    going cheap.
    
    Mikef