Rip-off Alert at Musicdirect

[JohnnyK]

The latest Musicdirect has the following prices for DCC and MoFi CD's:

DCC--Elvis Presley 24 Karat Hits:---$69.99
DCC--Cream Wheels of Fire---$59.99
DCC--Joni Mitchell Court and Spark--$59.99
MoFi--Moody Blues Days of Future Pasy---$79.99
MoFi--The Who Tommy--$99.99
MoFi--Steely Dan Aja--$99.99
MoFi--Santana Abraxas--$129.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a rip-off! At those prices I need to call my insurance company and get a special rider for my gold CD's.

[Patrick M]

RedTrumpet is selling a sealed DCC Wheels of Fire for $120.

http://www.redtrumpet.com/software/item.php3?item=15071&sid=1161628624

[Douglas]

I'd love to trade for a CD-r of Joni Mitchell's Blue. That's another one that seems to go for tons of money. Also Tull's DCC Aqualung.

[Kevin Sypolt]

Hey Johnny,

re: "DCC--Elvis Presley 24 Karat Hits:---$69.99"
I just checked the out the Music Direct website, and that is the price for the LP... They don't have anymore DCC Golds of 24K hits. If it was a DCC Gold CD, it would be going for close to $100.00! That's a testament to just how good Steve's work is. I myself would not sell my opened version, period. Then, I wouldn't have that glorious sound. It's simple supply and demand at work. The price is set at what the market will bear. If I didn't buy a copy a year ago, then I too would also be scrambling to obtain a copy. I recently obtained all three of the Nat "King" Cole DCC Golds, and I won't repeat the obscene price that I had to pay for them. To me though, it was worth it. I am a satisfied consumer. I often times see stuff selling for higher on eBay, than what Music Direct sells their stuff everyday... No, I don't work for Music Direct, but I have bought a lot of stuff from them over the years, and have been treated just fine. I have actually been considering taking out a rider for my CDs, as their value is growing everyday...

-Kevin

[lukpac]

Originally posted by Patrick M
RedTrumpet is selling a sealed DCC Wheels of Fire for $120.

http://www.redtrumpet.com/software/item.php3?item=15071&sid=1161628624
Wow. I got that, oh, about six months or so from Music Direct for $45 or something...

[Beagle]

I love this. Especially when you find the better sounding original LP's for a buck each!

[freeflyt]

...and I need to factor these prices into my total net worth statement.

Steve

[feinstein]

Is the LP of Elvis's 24 Karat Hits somehow inferior to the CD version? I have both, and my gold CD is unopened (maybe I should put it on E-bay??!!). I have enjoyed the 2 LP set very much, but am I missing something by not hearing the CD version?

Fred

[Jeff H.]

Those prices are ridiculous!!! I'd try to search for those discs either used or if you look around you'll still find some of those titles in stores. In the last month I've found the following DCC titles either at Tower, eBay, or at a couple other stores I go to, and haven't paid more than thirty dollars(except Dylan which was $35) for any of them.

"Blue" & "Court & Spark" Joni Mitchell
"24 Karat Hits" Elvis Presley
"All The Greatest Hits" Roy Orbison
"Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975" The Eagles
"Goin Out Of My Head" Wes Montgomery
"Highway 61 Revisited" Bob Dylan
"Everly's Best" Everly Brothers

Those titles are getting tough to find but if you're persistant you should be able to track them down. There's still a couple I'm still looking for and am trying not to pay an arm and a leg to those just trying to cash in.

[Todd Fredericks]

Here's a thought about some of these incredibly high prices some of these shops charge. I wonder how much stock they move and how frequently. Like the extremely bloated prices of the Classic Records 45rpm stuff. They all list some of those titles for nearly $200. I understand they are an incredibly limited pressing (500 I think) but good God! It almost like holding music hostage for a ransom. Where do they get there prices from? They have a right to sell anything for any amount but it doesn't seem to work honestly with the supply/demand model. Maybe I'll charge $400 for my belt buckle, it may not sell but it's my right...

Todd

[Kevin Sypolt]

Ah yes, but you are missing the point. They ARE selling! Stores will not put these large selling prices on their merchandise if they weren't selling them... They would be out of business quickly. In this current model, the supply is fixed (dwindling), but the demand still remains strong for the more popular titles. With the laws of supply and demand, the price can't help but go up as long as there is demand.

The reason the Gold CD is selling more than the LP is not because it sounds better, it is simply because there is more demand for it. In Rocklin, (close to Sacramento) CA, the gold CDs have all but dried up. The web, or eBay, is the only place that I have found to purchase gold CDs. Sure, I could shop around every nook and cranny to find that one and only title, but my time is too valuable to me (between wife, family and job). Therefore, I am more than willing to pay a premium to get what I want. Those who want to take their time searching out every Mom and Pop store may eventually find the titles they want, but then again, maybe they won't. If I saw an Elvis, 24K Gold CD at normal prices, I would snatch it up quick. You can always sell it on eBay for a tidy profit.

Well, gotta run, the postman just delivered another mess o' CDs! It's listening time! :)

[Todd Fredericks]

Kevin,

I understand your point but sometimes it just seems a little suspicious. I don't think that the extremely high priced LP's/CD's are the meat n' potatoes of these stores. I think they just put out the bait and wait until someone snaps it up. It just seems like they are setting the "price". I'm guilty of sometimes using those established prices almost as a benchmark when I'm shopping for deals on ebay (maybe a lot of other people do too). I guess that's just business... As you can tell, I'm not very good at business.

Todd

[Kevin Sypolt]

Hi Todd,

I think some stores are guilty of this, yes. But at the same time, if I REALLY want something, and the price seems resonable to me, then I will go for it in a second. Some people like to go on lots of vacations. I would rather take fewer vacations and spend a little bit (!) more to buy music. It's all relative. :)

Best Regards,
Kevin