30 March 2009

Dear iTunes Variable Pricing,

You are inevitable:
The world's largest music store, Apple's iTunes, plans to boost the price of many hit singles and selected classic tracks to $1.29 on April 7, breaking the psychological barrier of 99 cents in what could be the first big test of how much consumers are willing to pay to download individual songs.

Although the date for higher prices has not been publicly announced, Apple has been notifying record labels it will go into effect on that date, industry executives said.
~ LA Times
Just letting you know, iTunes Variable Pricing, that while you're raising prices Amazon is lowering their prices. Just sayin'

Oh, and Amazon also gives away FREE indie music samplers online.

Sure, maybe you do stuff like that too iTunes, but I'm just reminding you that you're not the end-all, be-all.



Regards,
Everyone

7 April '09 - Update: Well, it happened today!

Rihanna's song "Disturbia" will set you back $1.29, Carrie Underwood's hit "Home Sweet Home" is taking $1.29 out of your pocket. "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz, "Gotta Be Somebody" by Nickelback and "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey are all going to cost you over a buck. But you can still get "Womanizer" by Britney Spears and "I Love College" by Asher Roth for $0.99.

Mixed feelings there.


Now, some songs were supposed to be as cheap as $0.69. Where are those tunes? Well, you can get "I Ran (So Far Away)" by Flock of Seagulls for $0.69. A whole bunch of classic R&B/Motown tunes for $0.69. Also, "Rain King" by the Counting Crows, "The Perfect Drug" by Nine Inch Nails and a live version of Cheap Trick's "I Want You To Want Me" is only two quarters, a dime, a nickel and four pennies.

Amazon.com seems to have very similar pricing. We'll see how they react.



2 comments:

  1. But it's so easy to download from iTunes. Boo, iTunes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. there are tons of other sites for music. most are a bit more work to find the best recording but, most offer their music for 50.00 up front, for a lifetime of free downloads.

    ReplyDelete