Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

Here is an annotated list of some more CD mail order businesses.

All Disc Music, Inc.
    These guys were more expensive than most when I got a catalog
    earlier this year.

        133 Wheeler Road
        Monroe, CT  06468

Berkshire Record Outlet Inc.
    They specialize in classical cut-outs.  The most recent catalog
    had a small number of CDs, some as low as $9.99.

        1-413-637-2415
        1-800-992-1200 for credit card orders (Mon-Sat, 11:30-5:30 EST)
        428 Pittsfield-Lenox Road
        Lenox, MA  01240

Capitol Record Shop
    They had the largest selection that I could find in February 1984,
    but I never ordered because they were the most expensive at that time.

        1-203-278-6530
        7 Capitol Avenue
        Hartford, CT  06106

Classical Diversions
    This address was sent around on usenet last September saying that
    they had Warner/Elektra/Atlantic CDs for $9.99.  I didn't request
    a catalog until recently, I will add more when it comes in.

    Old prices: WEA 9.99, Nonsuch 10.99, CBS 11.99, London/Philips 12.99
                Capitol 14.99
    S&H: $2.25/order plus $0.50/disc
        1-312-475-4011
        P.O. Box 1923
        Evanston, Illinois  60204

Compact Disc Centre
    I didn't order from these people, OZ won out the last time I
    felt like I had money to spend on CDs.  The last update mentioned
    a new complete catalog in May and I expect to order from it
    (unless something better comes along).  For backorders you can
    have them send items when they come in (faster, but you pay S&H
    more often), send everything they have after 30 days, or only
    ship what they have on hand and drop the rest of the order.

                each			order 10+
    Prices:	12.99 to 14.99		11.99 to 13.99
    S&H: $2/order, $1/backorder
        1-800-232-3687 (ordering) (1-800-CDCENTR)
        1-518-664-2550 (information)
        P.O. Box 616
        Clifton Falls, N.Y.  12065

Compact Disc Club
    I don't know what their prices are, but whenever you but two you
    can then by another at half price.  I wasn't interested in any
    of the ``free'' (you pay postage) discs you could get when you join.

        P.O. Box 91414
        Indianapolis, IN  46291-0001

Discount Music Centre
    I don't think I even requested a catalog from these guys.

        011-44-1-637-0129
        29 Rathbone Place
        London W1P 1AD, England

The Essentials Marketing
    The prices are expensive, but I kept the catalog because it lists
    some of the song titles from the albums.  They offered a 20%
    discount on the first order and 6 months of catalogs free (instead
    of the usual $2.00).  It still wasn't worth ordering.

    Classical prices: 13.99 to 18.99
    Jazz prices: 14.99 to 19.95
    Popular/Rock prices: 15.99 to 17.29 (old catalog)
    S&H: $2.95/order
    Phone orders:
        1-800-525-2514 (485-0054 in Oregon) (weekdays 7-18 Pacific Time)
    Mail orders or problems:
        1-503-485-0053 (weekdays 9-17 Pacific Time)
        P.O. Box 7724
        Eugene, OR  97401

Laury's Records
    The prices in the catalog were moderately higher than other sources.
    The catalog was so hard to read that I threw it out.

        1-312-296-0420
        9800 N. Milwaukee Avenue
        Des Plaines, Illinois  60016

OZ Records - Warehouse Outlet
    This is a well-run place.  When you request a catalog you get one
    in a simple binder, the updates they send can be added to the
    binder.  I ordered from them with no problems.  There is no
    additional S&H charge for backordered discs: they shipped them
    one or two at a time when they got them and included a list of
    outstanding discs with each shipment.

    Pop prices: 11.99 to 20.99, one at 9.99 (``Honeydrippers, Vol. 1'')
    Classical prices: 12.99 to 14.99
    S&H: $1/item, $7 maximum
        1-404-292-5451
        5246 Mountain Drive
        Stone Mountain, Georgia  30083

Super Sound Record Service
    I do not have a recent catalog from them, but in the middle of
    1984 they had the best prices I could find and I ordered from
    them with no problems.

    S&H: $1/item, $5 maximum
        1-312-366-1300
        P.O. Box 7082
        Forest Park, Illinois  60130

						B.J.

I have used OZ , Compact Disc Centre and some small place in CT whose name
escapes me at the moment.  The thing I have found is that places with lower
disc prices tend to gouge more on shipping.  For example, OZ's prices are
not bad but they want $1 per disk to ship.  Service is good and they have
a pretty good stock (not to much back odered).  On the other hand Compact
Disc Centre charges a flat rate of $2 per order ($1 for any backorders).
CDC prices are a little higher than OZ.  The place in CT had the best prices
(they claim to compete with any competition on prices) but there stock was
poor (lots of back orders).  Shipping was $1.60 for first two disks then
.30 for each additional up to a max of $4.00.  So, depending on how many
disks you want to order, how long you want to wait for them you have a lot
of choices.  Most times with a sufficient order, the shipping prices are
less than the tax you would have to pay here in Mass so shipping becomes
a wash.  You cannot beat the convenience of shopping by catalog.  One thing
about CDC is that they have a lot more than what you find in the catalog
due to the constantly increasing set of titles.  Give them a call and ask
for something you don't see.   They are very helpful.

peter


  

I have used "The Essentials Marketing" and found their prices to be reasonable
for orders of 3 or more discs.  They give a 20% discount if you order 3 or
more and their shipping and handling is a flat $2.95 per order (no charge
for back orders).  It pays to bulk order with these people.  I tried calling
them last Friday, however, and I couldn't get through.  They just recently
moved, so they may be having problems, I will let you know if I get through
to place another order.

They also have some discs marked in red in the catalog, that you can take
a dollar off in addition to the 20% if you order 3 or more CD's.  Typical
prices are $14.99 to $16.49 before discount, so the discount makes it
worthwhile.

	   					-Dave

Re: .1

Re: Classical Diversions

The letter I sent to them requesting a catalog came back with
a post office sticker saying ``MOVED LEFT NO ADDRESS''.

Still looking for sources of CDs for under $10.00.
						B.J.

Polygram is planning to introduce a "Popular Price Collection" of CDs in the 
$7 or $8 range, but the selection, at least initially, will be quite limited.

Last year I ordered some Mobile Fidelity LPs from a place called The
Quality Connection, 18653 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356.  Their catalog
included CDs, though not a whole lot (this was over a year ago).  They
stopped sending me catalogs, so I wonder if they're still in business.
The prices weren't exceptionally good, but the catalog was complete and
covered many labels (Mobile Fidelity, Sheffield, Delos, Telarc, AG, etc.)
				Steve

Re: .3

I have managed to place another order, and all seems to be well with
Essentials.

						-Dave

	Another Mail Order Source:

	Compact Disc Company
	P.O. Box 903
	Cambridge, MA  02238

	I just received their catalog which lists over 2300 discs.
Their prices range from $10.99 to $15.99.


/Bob

    I have a catalog from Audio Club/1105 Webster Drive/Sandy, UT
    84070-3151.  They seem to deal only in trade-ins and prices $10 
    to $12.  Here's some of the propaganda from their cover letter:
    
 "                   MAKE US YOUR COMPACT DISC BROKER!
    Now you can trade compact disc music for only $2.95 to $4.95 per
    album.  For example, you could sell for $6.00 and buy for $8.95!
    You buy "Like-New" discs for $8.95 to $10.95, and we buy them from
    you for $6.00 to $8.00.
    
    No membership fee is necessary before buying from us, or selling
    to us!
    
    ...
    Do you need a catalog?  Two are available:
    
    1. A 17-page listing of over 800 best-selling titles.  Just send
    $.50 for postage, and request the "Catalog of New Compact Discs."...
    
    2. The Green Compact Disc Catalog. ... The price is $2.95 postpaid,
    or $1.95 if part of an order for discs."
  
    If you send a simple request, they will send their latest update
    bulletin which lists the new acquisitions and the full scam on the
    club.
    
    You can sell back your discs (either bought from them originally 
    or not) for cash or credit.
       If you sell:                     Audio Club pays you:
                                        Cash          Credit
    "Top Compact Disc(s)"                $7            $8
    One disc (any title)                 $6            $6
    Multi-disc sets (per disc)           $6            $6
                                                                      
    They will also give a discount for phone orders ($.50 to $3 depending
    on the order).
    o They will not purchase "promotional" discs.
    o You may sell up to 10 discs per month without written authorization.
      If you wish to sell more, you must send a complete (title, artist)
      list.
    o They do not accept defective discs or discs with papers missing.
    
    Audio Club also seems to have some sort of finder's service for
    collectable CDs.  The Feb. issue offered:
    
    SPECIAL OFFER: HELP US GET THESE OUT-OF-PRINT CDs AND WE'LL PAY
    YOU $25 PER DISC!  THE POP/ROCK GROUP "BOSTON" HAD TWO TITLES: "BOSTON"
    AND "DON'T LOOK BACK."  FOR EITHER OF THESE, WE'LL PAY $25.00 BY
    RETURN MAIL.
    
    I haven't placed any orders through them, but would be interested
    if anyone does.

    Why are CDs by the group "Boston" so expensive?    
    
    Glenn

    
    Some mail order companies listed in .0 and .1 seem to have gone
    out of business.  I tried calling Essentials Marketing using their
    toll-free number, but it has been disconnected.  Same with CD
    Establishment.  Have any of you dealt with EM or CDE lately ?
    
    I'd also like to know from experienced people out there about the
    existing mail order companies.  Please try to rate them on the basis
    of -
    
    	- prices
    	- promptness
    	- shipping & handling
    	- volume discounts, etc.
    
    I am relatively new (about 2 weeks) to the CD scene and would greatly
    appreciate your response.  While I'm partial to classical music,
    I also listen to a lot of jazz and very little pop/rock.
    
    I appreciate your input.
    
    .saro saravanan
    

    Glenn Davison kindly gave me a catalog from a place called Noteworthy
    Music, Inc., in Nashua, NH.  He hasn't ordered anything from them yet,
    so can't say how they are as far as service, having stuff in stock,
    etc., is concerned.

    The prices are great, ranging from about $7.65 to $19.73 or so for
    a double-disc set ($19.73 is the price they have for the "Fantasia"
    soundtrack).  They have a "fixed price" and a "sale price," but there's
    not necessarily significant difference between them (the "fixed" prices
    are good enough in themselves!)

    The inventory appears to lean heavily towards pop and jazz. Not a lot
    of selection in the classical department.  (They do, however, have most
    of the Mannheim Steamroller CDs at prices like $12.86!  Sigh...)

    The address and phone number are:

		Noteworthy Music, Inc.
		P.O. Box 6011
		17 Airport Rd.
		Nashua, NH 03063

		1-800-553-5370
		(in New Hampshire, (603)883-0082)

    Looks like a good deal...

							-- Nina

RE: .-1

I've recently ordered from Noteworthy.  They have 24
hour service so my discs arrived the next day.

You must order a minimum of 5 disks (don't have
to be the same title) and they ship them UPS
COD and you must pay the COD in CASH.  Noteworthy
won't take visa or anything like that.

Shipping and hand on 6 disks came to about $3.50

-- Rob

    re .12
    
    I called Noteworthy, after reading your note, to ask for a catalog.
    I received the catalog a day later and am pleased to see that they
    have a tremendous selection!!  As promised, the prices are great!!
    The only downfall is the C.O.D. problem.  I work all day, how can
    I get a C.O.D. delivery?
    
    -Eric

	re .14

>>    The only downfall is the C.O.D. problem.  I work all day, how can
>>    I get a C.O.D. delivery?

	I just  got  something  via a COD, and it was shipped using the
	post office, not  UPS.    The  post  office  held the item till
	Saturday when I could  pick it up.  I was suprised to find that
	the C in COD could  stand for "Check"!  I only took Cash and it
	cost me 75 cents extra (as  opposed  to  if I took a check).  I
	asked why and the postal clerk said that they (the post office)
	would have to get a check written out  and  then mail that back
	to the sender.

	BTW, in the past when I had UPS COD  deliveries, I had to leave
	CASH  in an envelope outside my door.  I didn't  like  that  at
	all, but I never had a problem.

								JCE

    Well I called up on thursday for a catalog, and friday a catalog
    was left at the door.  I live in Nashua, and it looks like they
    hand delivered it!
    
    I know they don't have a store front, but has anyone ordered and
    asked if they could pick it up in person?

    
    I think you'll find that UPS will accept a check made out to the
    shipping company if that company Oks that arrangement. I've settled
    many UPS CODs that way.
    		Charlie
    

    	Anyone in LTN or LKG interested in forming a Co-op to order
    from Noteworthy? Purpose to reduce shipping charges per disk and
    get aroung the 5 disk per order limit. I'd rather not order 5 at
    once.
    	By the way, Noteworthy will accept only cash or MO, but CODs
    can be picked up at the UPS Customer Service Center in Chelmsford.
    That's reasonably convenient for me in Lowell.
    
    	Charlie
    

    <by the way Noteworthy will accept only cash or MO>
    
    Not true, they also accept charge cards.

Just to echo the last several:

Anyone who hasn't gotten the Summer 88 Noteworthy catalog should get one!

They do indeed now accept Visa and MasterCard.

Makes it MUCH easier to order.

happy CD buying

D

    What is the address to order the catalog?
    

    Re .21
    	See .12

    The address for the Noteworthy Catalog is:
    
     Noteworthy Music Inc.
     17 Airportl Road
     Nashua, New Hampshire 03063
    
     Phone: 883-0083
    
     Plastic is now accepted: VISA/MASTERCARD/AMERICAN EXPRESS
    
     Service is Excellent
     Prices are Great!
     Give 'em a call!
    
     Over 5,000 title IN stock!
    
     Happy Buying!
    

    The Phone number in .23 is wrong.  THe number is:
    
    		883-0082
    
    Jeff

    In the Noteworthy catalog, what does the occaissional word "skid"
    that appears just before the price column mean?

    Al

    re .25
    
    I've often wondered what they meant by the word 'skid' in the catalog.
    My guess is that maybe these titles have some kind of display or
    special packaging associated with them if you're ordering in some
    large quantity.

Re:
< Note 123.25 by GLASS::HULL "Is there life after Plan A?" >
                          -< deciphering the catalog >-


>    In the Noteworthy catalog, what does the occaissional word "skid"
>    that appears just before the price column mean?

I sent a letter to Noteworthy to get another of their catalogs (my 1st one
got tossed by accident).  In the letter I asked about paying for orders by
Money Order, and also what "skid" meant.  Here's their reply:

"	Thank you for your check.  If you would like to order, and use a
money order, that is okay.

	The easiest way to do it is, call in the order over the 800 line
and call us back at the end of the day for the amount.  This would allow
you to take full advantage of any sale prices on the merchandise and the
money order would be for the exact amount.

	There would be no time delay in processing or shipping your order
this way.  As soon as payment is received your order will ship the same
day.

	The word "skid" when listed in our catalog or flyers is for the
order pickers.  It alerts them to a hot stock section of the warehouse
where we keep large quantities of certain titles.  The items in this
section are out of their normal section in the warehouse and may otherwise
be mistaken for being out of stock if not so identified.

		Sincerely,

		Craig M. Adams			"




So the mystery of "skid" is solved...

	Al