Let’s not chastise Apple too harshly for introducing variable pricing for music to the iTunes Store. Why, a quick search on some of the other big online music stores reveals that they, too, charge one price for some songs, and a different price for others. Case in point: Amazon, Rhapsody and Beatport.
So Apple started variable pricing on Tuesday—big deal. Over at the Amazon music store you’ll also find songs at different price points.
Yup, that’s Britney Spears’ “Circus” available for $1.29, the same price that some songs go for on iTunes now.
And there’s Flo Rida’s new album R.O.O.T.S, each song available individually for $1.29 from Rhapsody.
Meanwhile, here’s a Melleefresh & Deadmau5 song on Beatport (they specialize in house music and related genres—my favorite for the record). It’s $2.50! Other Deadmau5 songs cost less: “I Remember” costs only $1.49.
So, really, it’s not like Apple is alone here vis-à-vis implementing a variable pricing scheme. Granted, the iTunes Store may much more popular than the other examples given here, but let’s not unfairly single out Apple.
Even though Amazon now has an adjusted price system, they are still in great shape to catch up with iTunes. Overall, their prices are simply better and that means everything in this economy. And on top of that, they do a great job with daily promotions and deals which people eat up! For example, I love their daily mp3 album deal which is a complete album download for usually around $2 or $3. That is an affordable way for me to build up my mp3 collection while not spending a fortune. You just need to be patient while you wait for an album you like. I use the following page and google gadget to track the deal so I never miss one:
http://www.frugalgadgets.com/amazon-mp3-daily-deal.php
Good to know that you favor house and dance and related genre.
But its about time more people know about Lala.com
I got the whole Deadmau5 album for $7.50
http://www.lala.com/album/360569445173577981
“I remember” cost only $.79
Hey Nick, I’m not sure if Lala will go to variable pricing but so far they are the best priced source out there.
who pays for music?
Oh, so basically what you’re saying is that everybody except Zune is going to these higher prices…
Good thing I chose the right side.
You should talk to IHateMyIphone, Mark. He seems to know where you can obtain music for free!
I hope tech crunch will start to follow and include masterbeat.com ina rticles like this at some point.
Even though Amazon have raised their prices too, I hope they beat iTunes like they’ve never been beat before!