Conference cookie::notes$archive:cd_v1

Sounds like a good deal! But I never heard of them. Can you give address
and/or phone such that I (we) could call/write for a catalog? (Or bring yours
to work some day so I can skim through it, to get a feeling of selections
...) Thanks!

Compact Disc Centre
P.O. Box 616
Clifton Park, NY 12065

Order number: 1-800-232-3687 (1-800-CDCENTR)
Info: 1-518-664-2550

The catalog says they have a New York state 800 number, but to call
800 directory assistance for it (800-555-1212).  Otherwise, call the
"Info" number above.

Postage charge is $2.50 for first shipment, $1 for subsequent shipments.
You can ask them to ship backordered discs as they come in, or hold 
backorders for up to 30 days.

					Steve

A couple of other items:

You get $1 off per disc if your order totals 10 or more discs.  The order
form asks you to list label and manufacturers number along with their
catalog number, but you only need their catalog number (title helps too)
to phone order.  You can ask them to look up discs by manufacturer number,
artist or title if you don't have the catalog number.

They accept MasterCard and Visa.

Prices are pretty good.  $11.99 and $12.99 for most popular discs, $13.99
for some imported classical discs (Telarc/DG, primarily). (This reflects
the 10+ discount.)
				Steve

I placed an even larger order with CDC and was not quite as impressed
with the service.  The first shipment took 5 days instead of 1 day to
reach me, most of the back-ordered discs did not come in with the 30
day period, and they included a disc I did not order with the back-
order.  Also, one of the discs in the initial shipment was not playable
and they have not shipped me the replacement yet.

Oh, and I almost forgot, they charged me $13.99 for a disc that was
listed as $11.99 in the catalog.  It has been over a month since I
wrote them and they have not responded yet so I don't know if this
was an error in the catalog or in billing.  The other problems I had
were minor annoyances, I consider this sort of thing more serious.

However, I did get lots of discs for a better price that I could
get in stores around here.
						B.J.

I sent for a CD Centre catalogue a few weeks ago, and have not heard
anything. And I know someone who phoned for a catalogue a week or so before
I sent for one, and he hasn't received anything, either. 

However, I just received a catalogue from a place out in Washington
(state), completely out of the blue.  (I'm wondering whether it's somehow
connected with my request to the CD Centre.)  The place is called The
Essentials Marketing, P.O. Box 3366, Lynwood, WA 98046.  The toll-free
number is 1-800-525-2514.  I got this catalogue the other day, so I haven't
had any experience with ordering from them.  It says that you may deduct
20% from the total purchase price of your order when you order 3 or more
CDs. And they have "Red Highlighted" discs (titles printed in red in the
catalogue) from whose prices you can deduct an extra $1.00 when you order 
3 or more discs. 

The listings seem fairly extensive.  Prices seem pretty much the same as
you might pay in a store somewhere -- $14.99, $15.99, $16.49, $17.59 are
the predominant figures.  I guess the selling point is the 20% off for 3 
or more discs. 

If anyone has any more information about this place (and its connection,
if any, with the CD Centre), I'd be interested to hear it.

							-- Nina

I just called the Essentials marketing toll free number to order a 
catalog.  They asked my how I found out about them and I mentioned all 
the free press they were receiving in this notes file.  I also asked 
if they were associated with the CD center and they said no.  The 
operator said they were a different mail order house.

Evidently, they are getting a new catalog out soon.  They claim to 
have 3000 titles (if my memory is correct).

Jim Pappas

See note 123.  I placed a large order with The Essentials earlier in the
year.  I was not terribly impressed with the service, but it seemed ok.
CDC was lightning fast by comparison, except that it is now over 30 days
and I don't have any of the backordered discs.  I called CDC yesterday
and they promised to send them right out.

If you subscribe to audio mags, esp. Digital Audio, or return bingo cards,
you get on lots of mailing lists.

My impression was that Essentials was generally high-priced.  CD prices
are starting to come down - a Boston chain of stores (Newbury Comix!) is
advertising $11.99 for single discs, $24.99 for doubles (I know that
doesn't make sense, but that's what they advertise!)  That's pretty cheap!

			Steve

Just got the remainder of my order from CDC (a few days after I prodded them).
9 additional discs, with 12 "unavailable" out of a total order of 35.  That's
about a 66% ship rate.  I wouldn't think this was so bad, but I know that
at least one of the "unavailable" discs is in all the stores!  Also, CDC
says a new catalog is coming out "real soon now".
					Steve

I got my catalog for CDC last week, and I liked there pricing scheme.
I plan on buying about twenty with a couple friends, and trying them out.
Lowest price for me so far is 13.49, and 13.98....


			/mike

I just got a new Essentials catalog that was much larger than their old one.
Lower prices, but no more 20% discount.  More competitive with CDC, but
I sure hope their delivery time has improved.
			Steve