Re: Problems with Euro
Jeez, it's only a currency. It's not like they demand you wear Lederhosen or anything.
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International iTunes...
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In regards to all the
"I hope they only charge (insert amount of currency under US$1 here), otherwise buying a CD would be cheaper"
posts..
As was said numerous times on this and every forum that discusses the iTunes Music Stores, in the U.S., It's $.99 a song,
And US$9.99 for an album.
So most albums end up being significantly less money than their physical CD versions, and much less than buying each track individually
"I hope they only charge (insert amount of currency under US$1 here), otherwise buying a CD would be cheaper"
posts..
As was said numerous times on this and every forum that discusses the iTunes Music Stores, in the U.S., It's $.99 a song,
And US$9.99 for an album.
So most albums end up being significantly less money than their physical CD versions, and much less than buying each track individually
9.99 US an album
As another Canadian user mentioned: 9.99 US is NOT cheaper than most CD's in Canada, given the exchange rate.
The convenience of buying only one or two songs is still advantageous though.
As another Canadian user mentioned: 9.99 US is NOT cheaper than most CD's in Canada, given the exchange rate.
The convenience of buying only one or two songs is still advantageous though.
No, don't forget, an entire album is $9.99 US. It's majorly discounted. Don't add up the songs on an album and times them by $1.49 CDN or whatever they want to charge. I don't think that's even remotely realistic speculation.
I was thinking about this on the weekend, and $1.49 per song and $14.99 or so for the album would be a heckuva deal for most quality albums out there.
For example, I just picked up a top-30 CD the other day for $19.50-ish CDN. $13.99 would be a breath of fresh air.
when it comes to Canada
i can see prices being $1.50 a song CDN.
if its 99 CDN. well then that like 70 Cents US. and im guessing that the americans wont be to happy if canadians get cheaper music.
i can see prices being $1.50 a song CDN.
if its 99 CDN. well then that like 70 Cents US. and im guessing that the americans wont be to happy if canadians get cheaper music.
I would be happy if they would give us the same price as the American version. If you take $9.99/album and convert it to Canadian funds at the current rate the cost would be about $13 Cdn.
It is possible to find new releases for close to this now, but catalog albums are usually quite a bit more. If they could price it at this level, I think they would do quite well.
If its going to be $1.50 Canadian a song and $15.00 Canadian for a CD I would like to have that taxes. We pay a 15% tax up here so its not that great of a break in my opinion.
Mike
Mike
If there's too much "deal" given to us Canucks, everyone will hate us more than they do now.
And depending on if we're the next country to jump on board, they'll likely have to set a precedent with us.
What are the chances that the largest segment of the iTunes Music Store sales are going to be gouged (read: the US)? None. Because when you reverse the equation that's exactly what it'll look like.
As well, if you notice, the CDN dollar is at like a 10 year high or something (due directly to the failing US dollar)... but that's not going to last forever. The cost for songs will likely be fixed, not float... in which case they'll pick a number that gives them enough breathing room to still make their profits.
I think the record companies are going to want iTMS prices to proportionately reflect the normal CD prices in a given country, unless they want to overhaul their pricing structure in countries where prices for CDs translate to significantly more dinero than in the US.
I really don't know what domestic CD prices are like in other countries, but I think we can all (OK, "we" being those of us in the US) attest they have gone up considerably in the last decade in the US.
This may end up being the biggest challenge for this service, depending on how bad that diffferential is.
Can either
A: Someone who has a source for a list of such info provide a link
or
B: Residents of our beloved international communities relate how the prices of their CDs translate to USD?
I think that would help some of us get a good perspective on this.
I really don't know what domestic CD prices are like in other countries, but I think we can all (OK, "we" being those of us in the US) attest they have gone up considerably in the last decade in the US.
This may end up being the biggest challenge for this service, depending on how bad that diffferential is.
Can either
A: Someone who has a source for a list of such info provide a link
or
B: Residents of our beloved international communities relate how the prices of their CDs translate to USD?
I think that would help some of us get a good perspective on this.
UK CD
It's not unusual for a CD here in England to cost $26 (~£16). Most non-chart, non-sale CDs in HMV or Virgin will cost $24-$26 (~£16). If it's an import, add another $10-15 (anything up to about £28, though I once saw £32.99 for a japanese import). Chart CDs have dropped in the last couple of years from $21 (~£13) or so to $16-18 (~£10-£11), with the supermarkets battling and pushing down the prices. Without sales, though, that's as cheap as CDs get, really. Of course, in sales you find them all prices.
I know a lot of these prices aren't really relevant, but I thought I'd include them anyway.
I haven't bought many CDs recently, except in sales... they just cost too much. So if I'm wrong in any of these prices, I hope someone points it out. If you pay less for CDs though, I want to know where you're shopping!
I really can't see the big 5 letting Apple sell us songs for less than 99p a song. Unfortunately, a lot of people won't buy that. Bearing in mind though that singles seem to cost about $6.50 (~£4) nowadays, and people just might. I certainly wouldn't though. Not with Americans paying 99c. When I can, I always buy my Cds with an order from Amazon US... With a couple of CDs and a couple of books, even with the huge postage it ends up a saving...
It's not unusual for a CD here in England to cost $26 (~£16). Most non-chart, non-sale CDs in HMV or Virgin will cost $24-$26 (~£16). If it's an import, add another $10-15 (anything up to about £28, though I once saw £32.99 for a japanese import). Chart CDs have dropped in the last couple of years from $21 (~£13) or so to $16-18 (~£10-£11), with the supermarkets battling and pushing down the prices. Without sales, though, that's as cheap as CDs get, really. Of course, in sales you find them all prices.
I know a lot of these prices aren't really relevant, but I thought I'd include them anyway.
I haven't bought many CDs recently, except in sales... they just cost too much. So if I'm wrong in any of these prices, I hope someone points it out. If you pay less for CDs though, I want to know where you're shopping!
I really can't see the big 5 letting Apple sell us songs for less than 99p a song. Unfortunately, a lot of people won't buy that. Bearing in mind though that singles seem to cost about $6.50 (~£4) nowadays, and people just might. I certainly wouldn't though. Not with Americans paying 99c. When I can, I always buy my Cds with an order from Amazon US... With a couple of CDs and a couple of books, even with the huge postage it ends up a saving...
Bob why don't you get in your car and drive for about an hour to Richmond and check the prices at the Future Shop yourself? Remember the US$ is still, what? a 1.40 canadian? and CDs are generally under C$20. I have not been in a record store since returning from Japan, so I couldn't tell you exactly, but historically vinyl and CDs have been much cheaper in Vancouver, probably the cheapest in the western world. Brits visiting Vancouver go on CD shopping sprees when they see the prices. That is why canadians will be reluctant to pay US prices (adjusted to exchange rates). Brit and US prices are too high, hence the music stealing problem.
Japan, about 2500yen or C$30 for a CD, a huge rip-off. They can actually rent CDs, though.
Copying is not illegal in Canada, we have a tax on recordable media, it gets distributed to artists (copyright holders).
Japan, about 2500yen or C$30 for a CD, a huge rip-off. They can actually rent CDs, though.
Copying is not illegal in Canada, we have a tax on recordable media, it gets distributed to artists (copyright holders).
Prices here in Australia can be ridiculously high too. JB HiFi a retailer here usually has the best discount on top 20 CDs (anywhere from $22.00 - $30.00 for double CDs) (can someone else provide better figures?).
I can understand why its US only for the moment. For Steve to have gotten the companies to agree to what they have, must have been a monumental acheivement. To get through the legal ramifications for each country is going to be difficult. Exchange rates besides there is also the problem of localisation as mentioned before. Here in Oz the local producers dont want a reduction in prices for fear of killing the music scene here and supporting up coming bands...this is their rationale anyway...
BTW Codemonkey:
We dont hate you mate, just a few idiots in the American government at the moment....
I can understand why its US only for the moment. For Steve to have gotten the companies to agree to what they have, must have been a monumental acheivement. To get through the legal ramifications for each country is going to be difficult. Exchange rates besides there is also the problem of localisation as mentioned before. Here in Oz the local producers dont want a reduction in prices for fear of killing the music scene here and supporting up coming bands...this is their rationale anyway...
BTW Codemonkey:
If there's too much "deal" given to us Canucks, everyone will hate us more than they do now.
We dont hate you mate, just a few idiots in the American government at the moment....
we already get a decent price, it is just that noone knows about it. shhhhh don't tell anyone else.
and hey Aussies, we have Canadian content rules, a certain percentage of radio time has to be Canadian content. Not onerous at all. That insufferable Adams guy doesn't like it, but he lives in London anyway.
and hey Aussies, we have Canadian content rules, a certain percentage of radio time has to be Canadian content. Not onerous at all. That insufferable Adams guy doesn't like it, but he lives in London anyway.
Canada has a special tax on recordable media? Man that's b*******. Some people buy CD-RWs for something other than copying music, such as myself. And recording artists did nothing to help me create my Photoshop files (well, maybe NIN helped a little bit), so I have no interest in supporting them while backing up my HD.
You guys have some weird laws up there. No wonder you're all so nutty
NE-WAYZ, if I lived close to Richmond VA I'd be a happy NASCAR fan. Other than that I don't know where else there is a Richmond...Canada? I'll be close to Canada in ten days or so, but not yet.
Also, copying CDs isn't really illegal here either, but distributing them is.
This whole pricing issue is sticky. I think we will all just have to hope for the best...
You guys have some weird laws up there. No wonder you're all so nutty
NE-WAYZ, if I lived close to Richmond VA I'd be a happy NASCAR fan. Other than that I don't know where else there is a Richmond...Canada? I'll be close to Canada in ten days or so, but not yet.
Also, copying CDs isn't really illegal here either, but distributing them is.
This whole pricing issue is sticky. I think we will all just have to hope for the best...
Re: Australian Spaghetti (?!), content & kiosks
I have to disagree. I can't speak for other countries, but as far as Australia goes, I think Apple _would_ make money without Australian-specific content. So much of the music sold here is created by international (esp US) artists, that I think the store could be profitable without Australian content.
It would be _more_ successful with Australian music, but I don't believe it would be crucial. I think the same would be true for many if not all other international markets in the west, and perhaps to a lesser degree even in the east.
I have to disagree. I can't speak for other countries, but as far as Australia goes, I think Apple _would_ make money without Australian-specific content. So much of the music sold here is created by international (esp US) artists, that I think the store could be profitable without Australian content.
It would be _more_ successful with Australian music, but I don't believe it would be crucial. I think the same would be true for many if not all other international markets in the west, and perhaps to a lesser degree even in the east.
Where is Visalia?
Visalia is in the god-forsaken Central San Jouaquin Valley, AKA the breadbasket of the world, in central Cali. Think south of Fresno, or in more recent dubious news (all we're known for around here) about two hours south of Modesto (see: Laci Peterson). We sport the worst air in the US, officially worse than Houston, and in Tulare county we either have or are within 45 minutes of (Fresno) the worst, at a state and often national level:
Teen pregnancy
Unsafe places to drive
Percentage of high school graduates going to college
Car theft rate
Murder rate
Drop-out rate
Occurances of many health issues, including thyroidism
Meth production
...And more!
We also lay claim to:
About 110+ days over 95°, generally with a few weeks over 100°, getting as high as 115° or so every year
Near-desert precipitation rates (and we're all about ag, oddly)
Huge high-low temp differentials with jelly-brain-thick fog in winter, causing those fifty-car pileups you may hear about (we call it Tule fog)
17.9% unemployment rate
A potentially fatal bug for newcomers known as Valley Fever
Air that causes allergies to people who have never suffered from allergies -- including myself
And I might mention it's flat as a pancake, ugly as sin, and full of ignorant people here. I'm just glad I wasn't born here, and I am so happy to be leaving after about 7-8 years (right after two in Hawaii, no less). You can probably see why now, especially considering how beautiful it is in Washington.
Sorry for the off-topic rant, but I had to share my pain.
uhhhh....go iTMS Internationale!
Visalia is in the god-forsaken Central San Jouaquin Valley, AKA the breadbasket of the world, in central Cali. Think south of Fresno, or in more recent dubious news (all we're known for around here) about two hours south of Modesto (see: Laci Peterson). We sport the worst air in the US, officially worse than Houston, and in Tulare county we either have or are within 45 minutes of (Fresno) the worst, at a state and often national level:
Teen pregnancy
Unsafe places to drive
Percentage of high school graduates going to college
Car theft rate
Murder rate
Drop-out rate
Occurances of many health issues, including thyroidism
Meth production
...And more!
We also lay claim to:
About 110+ days over 95°, generally with a few weeks over 100°, getting as high as 115° or so every year
Near-desert precipitation rates (and we're all about ag, oddly)
Huge high-low temp differentials with jelly-brain-thick fog in winter, causing those fifty-car pileups you may hear about (we call it Tule fog)
17.9% unemployment rate
A potentially fatal bug for newcomers known as Valley Fever
Air that causes allergies to people who have never suffered from allergies -- including myself
And I might mention it's flat as a pancake, ugly as sin, and full of ignorant people here. I'm just glad I wasn't born here, and I am so happy to be leaving after about 7-8 years (right after two in Hawaii, no less). You can probably see why now, especially considering how beautiful it is in Washington.
Sorry for the off-topic rant, but I had to share my pain.
uhhhh....go iTMS Internationale!
Canadian iTMS.
That's good news. I'm sure that it will get some extra cash for Apple. And if they make a few adjustments, they might even sell me a few tunes. But until they do, I'll keep buying CDs. I just don't think the benefits outweigh the inconveniences, yet...
That's good news. I'm sure that it will get some extra cash for Apple. And if they make a few adjustments, they might even sell me a few tunes. But until they do, I'll keep buying CDs. I just don't think the benefits outweigh the inconveniences, yet...
ITMS may be a success in Canada and Australia for another reason than cost.
Much of the population is very far away from city centers and their only real method of music purchases are by mail order. (now online)
Australia 2 person per sq km
Canada 3 person per sq km
US 29 person per sq km
additional:
I live in vancouver. The current price that is available on itunes is too high for me to consider it. We have some of the lowest prices in the world.
$10-$20 canadian each (top sellers around $15-20) pay any more and you are getting hosed.
thats is $7.40- $14.80 us per cd. And you cd the physical CD, full quality audio and foldout art work. They would have to beat that price for me to personally consider it. Currently I buy, burn and archive for convienance.
I may consider it for $9.99 Canadian but DEFINATELY not $9.99 us (13.50 ca).
As for availability. We have great record stores in Vancouver. (for those that don't know Vancouver is one of the music recording centers of the world.)
Much of the population is very far away from city centers and their only real method of music purchases are by mail order. (now online)
Australia 2 person per sq km
Canada 3 person per sq km
US 29 person per sq km
additional:
I live in vancouver. The current price that is available on itunes is too high for me to consider it. We have some of the lowest prices in the world.
$10-$20 canadian each (top sellers around $15-20) pay any more and you are getting hosed.
thats is $7.40- $14.80 us per cd. And you cd the physical CD, full quality audio and foldout art work. They would have to beat that price for me to personally consider it. Currently I buy, burn and archive for convienance.
I may consider it for $9.99 Canadian but DEFINATELY not $9.99 us (13.50 ca).
As for availability. We have great record stores in Vancouver. (for those that don't know Vancouver is one of the music recording centers of the world.)