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BMG, Tower, Virgin, and Music Direct.
The responses to last week's poll triggered interest in this week's question from many readers.
My local dealer took all the nice gold CDs, which were in a separate section, and moved them into the artist-categorized regular offerings 'cause the shoplifters always attacked the premium collection. Now I can't find them, so I don't buy them. Does this make sense to anyone?
A combination, but mostly online simply because of prices: three for one here, 12 for one there. There are so many great deals online that it is very hard to pay $12.99 plus tax for one disc downtown nowadays. I can always find import lables, or Touch and Go, 4AD, etc. Even the rarest of discs you can find at a better price online.
I generally prefer to support local retailers, but the music stores here in New York City are much too expensive. I never pay more than $12.99 on the Web, and basic retail price in New York is $16.99---they have no chance of survival, in my opinion.
I live in Southern California and I buy most of my music from the stores listed on this page: (http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Club/1484/records.htm). Aron's in Hollywood, Rhino in West Los Angeles, and Rockaway in Silverlake are great for new and used vinyl.
I'm an analog die-hard, so most of my shopping is done where I can find second-hand records. I sometimes think of getting a CD player soon, so that I can get recordings from the library---a nice way to expose oneself to new music without having to make an investment in software that might well not be worth it.
95% of my purchases are from HMV or Sam's---both within a block of each other in downtown Toronto. The prices and selection are great, but not excellent. I order some CDs from specialty labels such as Mapleshade, or from Europe when a CD has not been released in North America.
First I check my local retailer, Plan9 Music, because they offer excellent service and selection and I want them to stay in business. However, I've been buying music for 30 years and often can not find what I want at retail. Since a special order would be required anyway I just order directly from the label.
I have converted to the convenience of the net. I've made payments a few times and am feeling cocky and secure. The overall price of a cd delivered is roughly the same as one purchased with sales tax. Lazy man's dream. And some e-stores let me return them, too!