I'm not for Brexit because it makes me the pound in our pockets worth a lot less. But what are the chances of a Customs deal with the US now? (I couldn't find another relevant thread if this has been discussed before)
I'm not for Brexit because it makes me the pound in our pockets worth a lot less. But what are the chances of a Customs deal with the US now? (I couldn't find another relevant thread if this has been discussed before)
I wonder if there's a way to do a subscription based shipping rate, sort of like how Amazon Prime gets you reduced/free shipping. Other online retailers like eBay and Overstock.com offer free shipping on a lot of products. Seems like there must be a way to do this, even at a small scale.
I know the USPS can't do that (it's so badly managed I wouldn't trust it anyway). Laws in the US prevent any shipping company from sending first class mail. It's a government monopoly for the USPS. However, many packages can be sent using other shipping companies. CDs don't have to be sent via first class mail.
But, perhaps another shipping service can offer something like that. Or, maybe one of the specialty retailers can offer that to customers if they agree to purchase a minimum amount per month/year?
Maybe there's a way for specialty shops to get negotiated rates with someone like UPS, FedEx, etc., if they guarantee a certain amount of shipping per year?
These shipping costs are hellish indeed and it makes the struggle for buying cds even harder now but its also important for us soundtrack fans to support the labels as its their liveliehood. If we all say, nope thats too expensive then we're going to have to live with the fact that there might not continue to be SAE or INTRADA or LALALAND or the others. I don't know how much international sales count for the labels but I'd imagine it would have an impact if they totally ceased. Im guessing the labels aren't exactly bringing in Amazon sized profits so it might be a case of 'suck it up' if we still want there to be specialist soundtrack cd releases. Just saying.
... I don't know how much international sales count for the labels ...
I'd be very interested in seeing information like this, like a breakdown of sales by country or region for one or all of our largest beloved labels. Would prove enlightening, if it exists and were able to be shared.
The best way to deal with it would be to wait until you`re able to order enough discs to have the maximum in any given shipping category. That way, at least, you`re maximizing the number of titles you get for the shipping cost. Ordering 7 discs and paying $22 (or $16 for Canada) to have them shipped is obviously better than paying the same amount to have only 2 discs shipped.
In most countries, doing that could push the value of the box past a import-tax threshold which would add twenty percent to your order.
If we all say, nope thats too expensive then we're going to have to live with the fact that there might not continue to be SAE or INTRADA or LALALAND or the others.
That's all well and good, but where do the buyers find the extra money from? There has to come a point where it's crazy to pay the total price inc. shipping. I've already reached that point.
To think that five years ago, international customers only paid $8 a disc in shipping, and the pound was nice and healthy against the dollar. How times change!
That's how you put an end to physical formats, not by having black-clad cops arriving at your house and burning your books/movies/records, but by rising postage and packing.
That's how you put an end to physical formats, not by having black-clad cops arriving at your house and burning your books/movies/records, but by rising postage and packing.
Yes, but let's be realistic. The price of postage has risen *because* of the abatement of shipping of physical media; either it be cd's, dvd's or letters. Not the other way around.
... I don't know how much international sales count for the labels ...
I'd be very interested in seeing information like this, like a breakdown of sales by country or region for one or all of our largest beloved labels. Would prove enlightening, if it exists and were able to be shared.
I've wondered about this before myself. The only thing I can remember is MV saying that the vast majority of his customers are in the US, which would suggest international buyers are relatively small in number.
I've wondered about this before myself. The only thing I can remember is MV saying that the vast majority of his customers are in the US, which would suggest international buyers are relatively small in number.
Not necessarly because for collectors outside of the US it was/is surely easier to buy CDs from 'local' retail shops. I have completely stopped buying second-hand stuff from amazon.us because of the shipping rates.
... I don't know how much international sales count for the labels ...
I'd be very interested in seeing information like this, like a breakdown of sales by country or region for one or all of our largest beloved labels. Would prove enlightening, if it exists and were able to be shared.
I've wondered about this before myself. The only thing I can remember is MV saying that the vast majority of his customers are in the US, which would suggest international buyers are relatively small in number.
I am sure this maybe correct however I imagine LLL, Intrada SAE and the other retailers would still like to keep their customers, even if they are from the UK or other parts of Europe.
I am hopeful here in the UK, the pound will pick up over the coming weeks which will make the recent pinch to the pockets less of an issue.
... I don't know how much international sales count for the labels ...
I'd be very interested in seeing information like this, like a breakdown of sales by country or region for one or all of our largest beloved labels. Would prove enlightening, if it exists and were able to be shared.
I've wondered about this before myself. The only thing I can remember is MV saying that the vast majority of his customers are in the US, which would suggest international buyers are relatively small in number.
I am sure this maybe correct however I imagine LLL, Intrada SAE and the other retailers would still like to keep their customers, even if they are from the UK or other parts of Europe.
I am hopeful here in the UK, the pound will pick up over the coming weeks which will make the recent pinch to the pockets less of an issue.