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Rip, Burn, Return
from the let's-see-how-long-this-lasts dept
A record store in New Jersey, tired of losing sales to online download services and file-sharing, has started a "Rip, Burn, Return" policy, according to The Wall Street Journal. Customers can buy a CD, then return it within 10 days and get 70% the purchase price back as store credit. Three guesses -- and the first two don't count -- as to what the RIAA's response was: a warning about "copyright violations, illegal record rentals or "rentals in disguise.'" The record store could serve as a lesson to the RIAA and its members, which have failed to adapt their business model to change with the time. The shop's owners have started selling a lot more ancillary music merchandise, like licensed clothing and accessories and vintage records, and plans to start selling downloads online and in-store. Instead of reacting to any new development with legal threats, the entertainment industry might want to try to make friends and learn a thing or two from some of these people.
Reader Comments
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Not Bad, Not Good
Its a bold move for sure. I know that many stores are of opposite views on Digital Media returns. Perhaps they are afraid of the RIAA.
The only thing that concerns me is what will happen with the policy in the future. If the store succeeds it will possibly force the RIAA to change, but if they fail... Time will tell.
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why make friends?
Why would they try and make friends? They've learned that suing the crap out of people stifles them. This is one reason I hope that mom that fought the RIAA back wins.. big time.
I'm so sick of sue happy overlawyered America.
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Re: why make friends?
Amen.
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Rip, Burn, Return
There's a store that does that here in my town. I asked them how that's going for them and they said they started making more money.
So, I think this is a good move.
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Re: Rip, Burn, Return
yes i do think that is a good move
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No Subject Given
hey, i'd shop there. if i could get the data for 30% of the price of a normal cd, i'd do it. and that comes from a torrents/p2p is good attitude.
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Doesn't even have to do with ripping at all..
I would shop there for the simple reason that if a CD I bought was absolute crap, I can at least return it and reclaim my losses.
I'm happy to pay $15 for an album by a group I like when they really put a lot of work into the album.
I am NOT happy to pay $15 for a piece of crap I'd like to return the same day because the single was nothing like the rest of the album.
Sure, I could stand for 45-60 minutes at a listening booth and hear the whole album, but I have far better things to do (even if I have a day off I really don't feel like sitting there rubbing against other peoples' ear wax).
It is because of this inflexibility that I don't buy music anymore - I'm sick of geting skunked and so refuse to play the game.
If the CD I bought is crap, I'm definitely not going to rip it - I'll take it back.
If it's good, I'll keep it. Why rip it and lose the nice cover art and etched CD face? I think appearances count for many music fans.
I don't doubt there will be people who abuse that sort of policy, but I think in the long run the honest folk would understand and play within the rules they know need to be maintained. It's the same reason Open Source is doing so well - we're playing nice.
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Re: Doesn't even have to do with ripping at all..
"Sure, I could stand for 45-60 minutes at a listening booth and hear the whole album, but I have far better things to do (even if I have a day off I really don't feel like sitting there rubbing against other peoples' ear wax)."
What about online retailers like Amazon and BN have sound clips online for previewing the entire CD before you buy. Also if you only want one or two tracks, you can purchase them through Itunes, or the new Napster.
For brick and mortar outlets like FYE and independant resellers, this seems to work for them (as long as the record industry doesn't put a stop). Oh, speaking of FYE, I beleive they have (or had) an open return policy.
~Bits
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Re: Doesn't even have to do with ripping at all..
"What about online retailers like Amazon and BN have sound clips online for previewing the entire CD before you buy. Also if you only want one or two tracks, you can purchase them through Itunes, or the new Napster."
The clips I don't really care for - it works for pop and jazz, but most .. I don't know.. "meaningful" music really needs the whole song.
Good point on iTunes.
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We Sell Books, not CDs
There's a chain of used bookstores in Tucson, AZ where the staff tells used-CD buyers that they're welcome to bring the CD back for a full refund if they're not satisfied for any reason
Of course, almost every time I was there, their CDs were mostly crap no one else wanted.
MjM
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If the RIAA is smart...
They would encourage stores to do this. If a store's profits increase, so do the rest of the music industry's profit.
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Re: If the RIAA is smart...
well that sounds a far smarter idea then the my old local store - they just plain refuse to exchange any CDs for whatever reason ! Thats why its now my "old local" coz i took up downloading stuff once they put that stupid policy in place. At least i can delete the files of a crap album then and know i aint wasted too much money !
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No Subject Given
Gee, they could just check out the CD's for free from the local library.
But wait, kids these days don't go to libraries anyway, so I guess this store could make some money on this.
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Re: No Subject Given
I do the same! I have never bought any music and have never downloaded. Still I have a large collection :)
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http://ewr.crearforo.com/
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