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.
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Not Bad, Not Good
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?
I'm so sick of sue happy overlawyered America.
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Re: why make friends?
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Rip, Burn, Return
So, I think this is a good move.
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Re: Rip, Burn, Return
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No Subject Given
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Doesn't even have to do with ripping at all..
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..
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..
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...
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Re: If the RIAA is smart...
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No Subject Given
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
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http://ewr.crearforo.com/
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Lawsuits Hoooo!
Can the MPAA now sue the RIAA for using the intellectual property theft of Transformers???
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