Rippoff Britain...

Matt Timson · 22 January, 2004, 04:00:52 PM

God forbid we might be able to get a good deal in this country. This turned up in my inbox from CDWOW this morning:

"The UK Major record companies through their mouth piece the BPI* have unfortunately restricted the UK and Irish consumers right to enjoy the freedom of the World Wide Web.

As from this weekend, any CD ordered for delivery to the UK and Ireland will incur a surcharge as we are only able to deliver CDs manufactured within the EU (more expensive).

Delivery to the rest of the world will not be affected."

How irritating is that?!?

Grumpy Matt.

Mr C · 22 January, 2004, 04:15:08 PM

That is ridiculous, bad enough that we have to wait a while for films, music and games to be released over here, we now get charged more for them!

Sounds like a job for Liberal Stalin.

paulvonscott · 22 January, 2004, 04:44:17 PM

And the BPI want to have VAT on CD's cut as well so they can make more money. They are currently lobbying the EU with the backing of Jean Michelle Jarre to get their evil way.

It's pretty alarming how they can basically bully companies and governments into changing the way they run things.

The upshot of the CDWOW thing is that it will just encourage more piracy as people are obviously willing to buy CD's if they are less expensive, for some reason the BPI thinks that ought to mean the government drop the VAT as opposed to them selling them for less.

Marbles · 22 January, 2004, 04:48:25 PM

I always use cdwow.hk (the hong kong version of the site). U pay in HK $, but otherwise its exactly the same as cdwow.uk (free delivery etc)except its even cheaper!! (more like ?7.50 for a cd than ?8.99, most dvd's for ?11).
Anyway I'll be interested to see if the HK version's prices are amended after Saturday - I'm hoping this little known route wil stay withoutthe BPI surcharge.
Altho' tbh I download most of my music using Audiognome. Or i get order a CD from my local library, take it out, then copy it.

Matt Timson · 22 January, 2004, 05:01:51 PM

Yeah,I've been using the HK version since you pointed it out to me, Marb- let's hope they fall outside of the jurisdiction of the sodding EU...

WoD · 22 January, 2004, 05:03:02 PM

This really hissed me off when I heard about it. The only reason I don't rip CDs like I used to, or purchase pirate copies, is due to the likes of CD-WoW. I don't mind spending a couple of quid on a CD if I've only heard one or two songs by a band if the price is right. But, I wont take the risk at high-street prices. Better to do what Marbles says and 'borrow' them from the library.

I hope the HK site stays the same as it is.

Marbles: How much does the Credit Card company charge you for conversion? Or what typical exchange rates are you getting?

Marbles · 22 January, 2004, 06:32:31 PM

conversion rates are pretty close to usual tourist rates i think. certainly no rip-off xrate charges on using my CC (something i was concerned about too before my first use of the HK site). about HK$ 14.5 to the ?1 a few months ago as I recall.

El Spurioso · 22 January, 2004, 06:36:30 PM

Yeah, I got that note from CD-Wow too.... the HK thing is rather sneaky... Are these items still shipping from the UK, or do they come from HK (and therefore take longer)? In the past, when I've ordered through the UK site, delivery seems to take about 3 or 4 days. Is that also true of the HK one?

Matt Timson · 22 January, 2004, 06:57:34 PM

Not sure to be honest. It can't have taken much longer than normal or I'd have moaned about it by now! I think both companies import from HK anyway.

Marbles · 22 January, 2004, 07:26:59 PM

AFAIK the company/stock of cd's is physically one & the same thing, so I've not expereinced any delays in delivery (3-4 days normally). Just different websites for different regions.
As I say, dunno whether the HK version will escape the BPI ruling - have to wait for the w/e to find out (ruling comes into effect on Saturday I think).

test 4 echo · 22 January, 2004, 07:38:12 PM

those idiots in the BPI, last week they were complaining that piracy is killing the market, doing what they can to encourage sharing and copying by forcing the price up.

"single sales are falling because of filing swapping!"

bollox, they are falling cos a single can cost half the price of an album.

Matt Timson · 22 January, 2004, 07:41:50 PM

Exactly. I never buy singles these days. What's the point? You may as well buy the entire album off the net and so long as you like at least one other track, you're no worse off. If you like any others- bonus!

Oddboy · 22 January, 2004, 07:51:39 PM

Anyone got a link to the HK site? I'm failing to work it out myself.
www.cdwow.hk isn't working.

Matt Timson · 22 January, 2004, 08:12:13 PM

http://www4.cd-wow.com.hk/

Oddboy · 22 January, 2004, 08:17:39 PM

Ta.

I was never going to guess "www4."!