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Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?! - Page 2

post #31 of 83
9/27/06 at 9:09pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by AnthonyC
I absolutely hate the concept of exclusives, and this is one of the worst.

Probably the worst recent example would be Paul McCartney's Chaos and Creation in the Backyard. If you bought the album at Target, Best Buy, or Circuit City, you would get an exclusive download. Not a big deal, except that each store has a different song. The BB and CC ones can be bought on import singles, but the Target one is the Japan-only bonus track that costs $50 at Amazon.

I got the BB one and I'm pretty pissed...what's worst is that I bought the deluxe version which should theoretically include all the songs, but it doesn't.

This is why file sharing is so damn popular. CD companies are, I think, shooting themselves squarely in the feet in the long run...
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post #32 of 83
9/28/06 at 5:59am
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by EricSchulz
Mike,
I agree...this was a "blind buy" for me...unanimously excellent reviews, paired with many of my favorite "contemporary" artists and a nice song selection made it a "must buy", but the Target tracks made it even better.

...but it IS a shame that the "average" consumer is missing out on the extra songs.

And, since my last post I've watched the bonus DVD featurette and it is pretty nicely done. I would like to have seen more (guess I'll have to tune in to that TV special in November). I wouldn't be surprised if a full-blown DVD release will also be forthcoming. Looks like they filmed most of the recording sessions.

Although a big fan of Sinatra's, I absolutely hated the execution of his Duets CDs. AFAIK, not a single one of those duets was recorded with the two artists in the room together...and it showed. These are very nicely done and produced. Am I thrilled with each track? No. I don't think anyone can be with this type of compilation. But there are enough terrific tracks to make it well worthwhile.
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post #33 of 83
10/10/06 at 7:21am
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon
When I saw Diana Krall has a new CD releasing 9-19, I knew I had to look and see if any of the major retailers was issuing an exclusive track...and lo & behold, Target has one!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon

Life would be easier if the entire practice just went away in the first place. I won't double dip again if I now find out I missed an "exclusive" track on a title. I won't give the artist/company the pleasure/$$$.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon
I don't doubt for one second that the extra cuts are worth it, Philip. But isn't is still aggravating-to-the-max that all those songs from T-Bone could've been on ALL those releases...leaving you with just one purchase to make.

That's how I feel about Diana Krall. When I found out that some of her previous albums had bonus tracks, I went nuts and jumped through hoops to secure those tracks. I've also double-dipped because of the dual-disc releases....AND because of DVD-A releases, too!

Different formats are one thing, though. But exclusive bonus tracks are another altogether. Bad news.

Quote:
Originally Posted by kamyiu
And they wonder why people download music...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tarkin The Ewok
I don't mind the retailer-exclusive practice too much if the bonus content is limited to one retailer. It's when different retailers have different exclusives that I start getting angry. For example, Rascal Flatts' Me and My Gang had different sets of live tracks on the Best Buy, Target, and Walmart versions. Personally, I only bought the one that had the best bonus songs, but I'm sure that there are collectors that bought three versions so they could have everything. That is gouging the fans, plain and simple, and I hate that.

Wow. Here I am...thinking I'm a smart, informed consumer...and that I am way ahead of the game knowing that when the new Diana Krall CD was released on 9-19 I should purchase it at Target because they were going to have a bonus track of "My Shining Hour". For the past three weeks, I have been enjoying that CD like it's nobody's business.

And then....I'm in Best Buy last night...killing time while wife and daughter are doing some mall shopping. I wander down their main aisle with a short wall of new CD releases. I see the Krall CD with stickers that scream "BEST BUY EXCLUSIVE!". Yup. Best Buy has it's own bonus track: "Something's Gotta Give."

I am now pissed!

What are my options?

1.) Buy Best Buy disc...making for a $30 (approx) CD purchase?
2.) Don't buy the BB disc...meaning I don't have the full Krall canon.


Either way, I am left

This just sucks SO much.

One thing I'm sure of, I WILL be sending off a dispatch to Verve letting them know my displeasure on this issue...for all the good it will do. I should probably find some way to send one to Krall.
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post #34 of 83
10/10/06 at 8:17am
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

The following has just left my e-mail box:

Quote:
To: Verve Records
CC: Diana Krall c/o Macklam/Feldman Mgt.
Diana Krall Fan Club
Date: 10 October 2006


Diana Krall is one of my favorite recording artists.

I recently purchased her CD "From This Moment On" at Target...aware that I was fortunate to be getting a CD containing the bonus track of "My Shining Hour". I considered myself a smart shopper that I was aware of the Target exclusive track and was rewarded with full access to the Krall canon of music.

Imagine my displeasure when browsing through my local Best Buy store last night and discovered that Best Buy has its own exclusive track on the Krall CD, "Something's Gotta Give".

I do NOT understand how this practice of awarding EXCLUSIVE tracks to retailers is in the best interests of the fans or artist.

I am now left angry that I have to:

1.) Buy the "same" CD twice to secure the two separate exclusive tracks of my favorite artist. Or,
2.) NOT buy the Best Buy disc and not have access to the entire Krall canon of music.

How does this situation work to my best advantage as a fan?

It leaves me angry with the record company who manufactured this situation and extremely disappointed with the artist that she is compromising her musical integrity to engage in a marketing practice that disappoints her fans and leaves part of her music catalog unavailable to those who support her music through the purchase of her CDs and DVDs.

Would you please explain to me how I should access the right to listen to Diana Krall's track of "Something's Gotta Give"?

Thank you.

Mike Frezon
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post #35 of 83
10/10/06 at 1:20pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Great email, Mike. I've said this in regards to DVD bonus discs; I've always disliked them but it's downright disrespectful for companies to allow different bonus content at different stores. And one of these days, it's going to backfire and people will just figure, eh, someone will put it up on YouTube, or I can go download the bonus track somewhere. (FWIW, I feel the same way regarding import CDs that contain extra tracks for certain markets; I realize that some in some countries imports tend to cost less and they want to add an incentive for their edition but it's still a bitch if you don't live there...but at least it's somewhat understandable).

Beck's new CD has different exclusive downloads at Best Buy and Target; I purchased the CD once and sorry, but I don't really see anything wrong with downloading the Target bonus track that I didn't get since there was no reason it couldn't have been included on the album itself or as a b-side on a single. I'd rather pay 99 cents at iTunes for a song than have to go through the trouble of deciding which "free" download I"d prefer.
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post #36 of 83
10/14/06 at 9:55am

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

More news on the retailer-exclusive front: Keith Urban's Love, Pain, and the whole crazy thing will have a bonus track if you preorder it from iTunes. Who wants to bet that it won't ever show up on an official physical version of the CD?
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post #37 of 83
10/18/06 at 8:21pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon
The following has just left my e-mail box:

And more than a week later...not a single response from any of the three organizations to whom it was sent. Not even an auomated reply or form letter.

I thought, at least, Diana would have sent me a card....
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post #38 of 83
10/20/06 at 1:21pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon
And then....I'm in Best Buy last night...killing time while wife and daughter are doing some mall shopping. I wander down their main aisle with a short wall of new CD releases. I see the Krall CD with stickers that scream "BEST BUY EXCLUSIVE!". Yup. Best Buy has it's own bonus track: "Something's Gotta Give."
Your life would be much more peaceful if you'd just stay away from Best Buy.
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post #39 of 83
10/20/06 at 7:10pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Malcolm R
Your life would be much more peaceful if you'd just stay away from Best Buy.

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post #40 of 83
10/24/06 at 11:28am

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

For iTunes fans, they've got a video exclusive for those who pre-order the new Tenacious D album (I guess it's more like the soundtrack to Pick of Destiny). You get to see the first half of the video for free, and it cracked me up. I gave in, guess I'm a sucker, oh well. As a rule though, I'm not a fan of different music exclusives either...
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post #41 of 83
10/28/06 at 1:49pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Similarly, the new Shawn Colvin cd had an exclusive track (U2's "in the name of love") at Borders. Unfortunately Border's has the worst prices and wanted $16.99 when I could get it at BestBuy or elsewhere for $12.99. I could see paying $1 more at Borders for the extra track, but not $4!
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post #42 of 83
10/28/06 at 2:42pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Phil: Would the Borders coupons we keep bumping over in Coupons and Bargains be any help?
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post #43 of 83
10/28/06 at 7:46pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

not sure since the coupons always seem to say they don't apply to sale prices and there will be a sale price like $16.99 regular list price $18.99, I think
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post #44 of 83
12/5/06 at 7:32am
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Wow! I received a response to my e-mail to Verve records complaining about the competing retailer exclusives with the Diana Krall CD. Check a few posts ago (October 10).

This response came from Aaron, whose e-mail address was slugged "Verve New Music Intern".

Quote:
Hi Mike,



Thank you for your email. I can understand your frustration in this situation. Unfortunately, it has more to do with the retail environment than it does with the record labels. Because only a few retailers are actually selling music these days, we as a label have to compete for space or advertisement. We do this by offering exclusives to different retailers. As an obvious fan, I can understand why this would be frustrating. Please send me your address and I’ll try to find a copy of the Best Buy version to send you (if we have a copy here). I can’t promise anything, but I want to try to help. I hope that other than the frustration of not having all the tracks, you’ve enjoyed her new album.



Best,

Aaron

Here is my response to Aaron:

Quote:
Aaron:

Thank you for your response.

While I understand the need for record companies to remain competitive in today's environment, I fail to see how anyone (labels, artists, fans) benefits from retailer exclusives. For fans, these exclusives make their shopping experience much more difficult. They have to wonder when they see a new CD by their favorite artist in a store if, maybe, another store might have some bonus content not universally available. Labels might, in turn, suffer if fans are leery about picking up the product. And, artists (and labels, too!) should likewise be concerned about alienating their fan base.

I'm not sure how record companies see retailer exclusives as helpful to your cause. While you might be competing for space or advertisements with other companies within the retail arena, you are also running the risk of turning away fans with competing retailer exclusives. As I stated in my original note, when faced with competing exclusives, fans are left with the dilemma of deciding between purchasing the product twice to get all available music OR simply missing out on content from their favorite artist.

While the industry may claim that it is the retail environment which has lead to the practice of retailer exclusives (as an enticement to draw fans to the product or get retailers to advertise the product in their flyers), I believe it is the product itself which attracts music fans and would entice the retailers to highlight a particular CD in their flyer. Gimmicks with the potential to backfire (by alienating fans) are not, in my mind, a sensible business practice...but are, instead, a kneejerk approach which could drive fans away by giving them a Hobson's choice.

(As I ponder this issue, I wonder what if Sears and Montgomery Wards had struck deals with Capitol Records in 1967 and Beatles fans who shopped at Sears had exclusive access to "A Day in the Life" on Sgt. Peppers while Wards shoppers had exclusive access to "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". What a difference that might have made for fans and the artists. Or, don't artists these days have the idea of a CD or album as a planned-out, self-contained work of art?)

Thanks for listening to one fan's concerns--although I know I am not alone in this frustration. I hope you will pass my comments along to management. Unfortunately, though, we see the same bonus exclusives becoming commonplace with DVD releases as well.

Thank you, as well, for your offer to try and hook me up with that extra Krall track. Here is my info:...
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post #45 of 83
3/25/07 at 5:11pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Anyone remember Elliott Yamin from last year's American Idol? He recently released his fantastic debut. Of course, the number of exclusive tracks only at specific retailers is about half of an album anyway (and considering that the actual album is just over 40 minutes, it all could've fit on a single disc):

1. Regular album (11 tracks)
2. Target version (Bonus disc with 2 exclusives)
3. Walmart version (Two exclusive downloads)
4. iTunes version (Two exclusive downloads)
5. Rhapsody version (One exclusive download)
6. Yahoo version (One exclusive download)

Tracking all of these down will be fun...
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post #46 of 83
3/25/07 at 8:25pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Un-freakin'-believable...

Elliott who?
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post #47 of 83
3/25/07 at 8:31pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

this practice is rearing it's ugly head again this week when Mika finally releases his worldwide hit album "Life In Cartoon Motion" in the US. Best Buy and Target are both promising 2 exclusive bonus tracks on their versions of the album. I saw the Best Buy tracks, dunno what Target's got. I'm not too impressed with the Best Buy ones (acoustic versions) so I may get it at Target instead. I've heard the album already and it's well worth the $7.99 it'll be on sale for
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post #48 of 83
3/25/07 at 8:39pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

This BS has GOT to stop.

I'm still burnt up that I don't have that version of Something's Gotta Give by Diana Krall on that BB-exclusive of From This Moment On.

"Verve New Music Intern" never did get back to me...
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post #49 of 83
3/25/07 at 8:46pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

I don't mind it much at all if ONE retailer has an extra track or two exclusively sold through them, as long as it's a nationwide chain that everyone has access to, ala Target, Best Buy, Wal-Mart or something. What I dislike is when two or three (or more) chains all offer their own version of it with an exclusive bonus track, leading ardent fans to buy multiple copies if they are the type that *must* own everything, much like what was done to McCartney fans awhile back when three different places offered different bonus tracks on copies of his album.

This also happens with music DVD's, remember the KISS-ology release, although I actually sold my soul and bought the Wal-Mart copy (I almost never shop there) because the bonus DVD they had to offer was a superior product than what Best Buy and Circuit City were selling, the bonus disc was twice the length of the others.
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post #50 of 83
3/26/07 at 12:02pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Jay B!
I was in Chicago this past weekend and was lucky enough to attend a "CD release party" for Mika's new album. I scored a 3-song CD sampler and a CD with four mixes of "Relax". You might want to check out www.dotmusic.com (it's a UK Yahoo music site) for the "live" version of "Grace Kelly", which is just Mika and his piano. I can't WAIT to get this tomorrow!

http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/index.html
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post #51 of 83
3/26/07 at 12:44pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

I'm not impressed at all with this tactic. I really really do hope they shoot themselves in the foot as Mike F had said, I absolutley refuse to buy a CD 3 times of one of my favorite artists for 1 or 2 different exclusive tracks on each one. It was one thing buying a "Greatest Hits" compilation with a couple extra tracks (especially if you had the discography) but this is just plain greed.

I can see this is going to become quite a common practice.
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post #52 of 83
3/26/07 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

This has been an interesting discussion.

And many have brought up the obvious comparison with retailer-specific bonus material for DVDs as we have been discussing the same with CDs. But I think there is a difference.

To me, it seems as if the exclusive music tracks really should be a part of the whole. That is, if Diana Krall recorded 12 tracks during her sessions for release on a CD but puts out ten tracks on the general release, 10+1 for the Target version and 10+1 for the Best Buy version...I feel like I'm being cheated out of part of the actual product...the whole CD. I've already used the example: what if the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's...but released the track "A Day in the Life" as an exclusive bonus track to Montgomery Wards? It's a ludicrous thought.

Re the DVDs bonus materials: While I would definitely like to have all the available bonus materials that are out there so that I don't miss anything...at least it is not part of the movie itself (a single chapter, let's say) that is being offered to a certain retailer.

CDs are supposed to stand as a single work of art....just like a film with all it's chapters. Not having a particular track is just as offensive as removing a chapter from a movie. (Maybe David Lynch has a real method to his madness of no chapters on his releases! )
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post #53 of 83
3/26/07 at 2:30pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Frezon
This has been an interesting discussion.

And many have brought up the obvious comparison with retailer-specific bonus material for DVDs as we have been discussing the same with CDs. But I think there is a difference.

To me, it seems as if the exclusive music tracks really should be a part of the whole. That is, if Diana Krall recorded 12 tracks during her sessions for release on a CD but puts out ten tracks on the general release, 10+1 for the Target version and 10+1 for the Best Buy version...I feel like I'm being cheated out of part of the actual product...the whole CD. I've already used the example: what if the Beatles released Sgt. Pepper's...but released the track "A Day in the Life" as an exclusive bonus track to Montgomery Wards? It's a ludicrous thought.

Re the DVDs bonus materials: While I would definitely like to have all the available bonus materials that are out there so that I don't miss anything...at least it is not part of the movie itself (a single chapter, let's say) that is being offered to a certain retailer.

CDs are supposed to stand as a single work of art....just like a film with all it's chapters. Not having a particular track is just as offensive as removing a chapter from a movie. (Maybe David Lynch has a real method to his madness of no chapters on his releases! )

well, usually the bonus tracks are usually tracks not intended for the original album, usually songs that are b-sides (like what Best Buy is offering on copies of The Killers' Sams Town, the two extra tracks are UK b-sides) or alternate/acoustic versions of songs. I recently picked up Mellencamp's Freedom's Road (a really good album that is unfairly overlooked because of the annoying "Our Country") with a bonus disc of four acoustic versions at Best Buy.

I don't think it's fair to compare albums like Sgt. Pepper and Dark Side Of The Moon being messed with when I don't think A Day In The Life or Eclipse would've been "exclusive tracks". If this practice was around in the 60's, we likely would've gotten Penny Lane or Strawberry Fields Forever as an exclusive bonus track instead of A Day In The Life, which was an essential part of the album
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post #54 of 83
3/26/07 at 2:41pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Jay: I see your point about the addition of B-sides to the US release of former UK material. That would truly be "bonus" material.

But Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever aren't essential pieces of Sgt. Pepper's? Heresy, my man!

The Krall example I keep using are tracks which were recorded during the same session as the CD material...but simply doled out with exclusivity attached. If this were the 60s, I think they would have been included (if space on the LP allowed) with the others...unless she thought they were sub-par. But if sub-par, why release them at all?
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post #55 of 83
3/26/07 at 8:00pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

I just read that Beyonce Knowles is about to reissue her most recent album with 12 bonus tracks.

I think I dislike this practice which is very commonplace in modern r&b music is even worse, sell three million copies and then rerelease the album with a bunch of new tracks to lure the fans to part with another $15 to rebuy songs they already have. Mariah Carey and Usher did this several years ago too. Why not just release these new songs onto an EP or something?
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post #56 of 83
5/19/07 at 8:45pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

looks like all hell breaks loose with this practice next week with the release of the new Maroon 5 album, either you can go to Target and get an exclusive bonus DVD, or Best Buy with a bonus cd with 2 exclusive tracks, or Circuit City where you get a free download. I am going to get mine at Best Buy because I doubt I'd watch the DVD more than once, and I prefer physically owning my music than downloading.
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post #57 of 83
5/21/07 at 9:16pm

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

To be honest, I think these retailer exclusive tracks encourage piracy. I want to be able to buy an album once by an artist. I'll buy it if it's a double disc. I'll even buy singles with b-sides. I'll even buy a CD/DVD combo on seperate discs, but it drives me insane when there is an itunes exclusive track and a best buy exclusive track and a borders exclusive track. You know many people are buying the album once and searching the internet for the exclusive content.
What's going to make them stop at the exclusives and not just take the whole album?
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post #58 of 83
5/22/07 at 12:10am

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Berggren
To be honest, I think these retailer exclusive tracks encourage piracy. I want to be able to buy an album once by an artist. I'll buy it if it's a double disc. I'll even buy singles with b-sides. I'll even buy a CD/DVD combo on seperate discs, but it drives me insane when there is an itunes exclusive track and a best buy exclusive track and a borders exclusive track. You know many people are buying the album once and searching the internet for the exclusive content.
What's going to make them stop at the exclusives and not just take the whole album?
I agree with that, why not just release a limited edition version with a bonus disc with all six or whatever "exclusive bonus tracks" together?
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post #59 of 83
5/22/07 at 6:53am
Thread Starter 

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

It's a practice that certainly seems to have more downside than upside. Since the point of the practice is to raise awareness of a release by giving a retailer an exclusive (and thereby hoping they promote the crap out of it in their own advertising) record labels can't make the case that they think most people who buy the release won't learn about the conflicting exclusives. The point of the exclusives is to draw attention to the release!

As I wrestle with the illogic and frustration of the practice, I keep going back to the only explanation I have at my disposal...a few lines of an e-mail from an intern at Verve:

Quote:
I can understand your frustration in this situation. Unfortunately, it has more to do with the retail environment than it does with the record labels. Because only a few retailers are actually selling music these days, we as a label have to compete for space or advertisement. We do this by offering exclusives to different retailers.

The utter delusion of that second sentence is astonishing. Maybe the young mind of an intern sees a certain logic to that thought.

HERE'S an article I found from the American Independent Business Alliance on the practice (originally from the NY Times). As I've been pissed off as a fan, this approaches the frustration from the point-of-view of the smaller retailer who can't compete with the big operations.

HERE'S the original NY Times version.

==================

HERE is a more recent article on the practice from the USA Today via the "Almighty Institute of Music Retail".

This quote from a small retailer fully represents my feeling on this as a fan:

Quote:
"I find the Wal-Mart/Garth Brooks deal to be less objectionable than having an extra track to a Bruce Springsteen album," says Mike Dreese, co-owner of the 27-store Newbury Comics chain in New England. Brooks "is a clean deal. If you want that, go to Wal-Mart. With the other, we're in the position of selling an inferior product. It has a corrosive effect."

I feel it has a corrosive effect on the fan of the artist as well.
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post #60 of 83
5/22/07 at 8:28am

Re: Double dipping on CDs due to retailer-specific exclusive tracks?!

You can add the new Maroon 5 disc to this list. It seems that each retailer has different bonus tracks. I personally went with Best Buy's...the CD was only $10 and has 2 bonus tracks.
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