Comments on: Radiohead’s “In Rainbows”: the ultimate price discrimination http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/ Because brands, marketing and other flaws of mankind are sometimes hard to digest. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:58:49 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Freeconomics « Final Burp http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-724 Freeconomics « Final Burp Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:13:46 +0000 http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-724 [...] some of the examples provided only succeeded because they were attractive, new experiments (Prince, Radiohead) or if they can evolve into sustainable business [...] [...] some of the examples provided only succeeded because they were attractive, new experiments (Prince, Radiohead) or if they can evolve into sustainable business [...]

]]> By: EsseA http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-574 EsseA Sat, 24 Nov 2007 18:17:37 +0000 http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-574 Simo, by regular purchase I didn't intend that you'ld have to regularly buy THE same record, because that'ld make you a dumb ass. I'm saying that you would regularly buy legal version of some records you like, to make up (ethically) for the many you'll keep downloading for free. In a way, legally buying only your favorite records means making you feel less of a thief, and also stating the difference between what you consider really good pieces of work (that deserve money) and the rest of the noise that you download just to get more infos on the artist, or because you never know (the stupid chick you've been flirting with might actually like Britney...) Simo,

by regular purchase I didn’t intend that you’ld have to regularly buy THE same record, because that’ld make you a dumb ass.
I’m saying that you would regularly buy legal version of some records you like, to make up (ethically) for the many you’ll keep downloading for free.
In a way, legally buying only your favorite records means making you feel less of a thief, and also stating the difference between what you consider really good pieces of work (that deserve money) and the rest of the noise that you download just to get more infos on the artist, or because you never know (the stupid chick you’ve been flirting with might actually like Britney…)

]]> By: Simone http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-573 Simone Thu, 22 Nov 2007 14:38:16 +0000 http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-573 This is agency thinking my friend: i.e. you didn't do the math. If I substitute a once-in-a-while purchase to a regular purchase, either your cost structure changes dramatically or... well, you're bound to go out of business. This is agency thinking my friend: i.e. you didn’t do the math. If I substitute a once-in-a-while purchase to a regular purchase, either your cost structure changes dramatically or… well, you’re bound to go out of business.

]]> By: EsseA http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-568 EsseA Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:07:14 +0000 http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-568 I'ld say that the service was the same (same download, same speed), but the emotional value of the product/service was extremely different. But I very much agree that no.3 is a first-time-only benefit (not sure about no.4, I'ld say you would regularly need to buy a record, to make up for all the thousands songs you'll keep downloading: after all, christian catholics agree that earthly redemption needs to be received on a regular basis) I’ld say that the service was the same (same download, same speed), but the emotional value of the product/service was extremely different.
But I very much agree that no.3 is a first-time-only benefit (not sure about no.4, I’ld say you would regularly need to buy a record, to make up for all the thousands songs you’ll keep downloading: after all, christian catholics agree that earthly redemption needs to be received on a regular basis)

]]> By: Simone http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-567 Simone Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:55:04 +0000 http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-567 Oh and BTW the service here WAS different for people who payed differently. Because (the music industry is a great example for this simple truth) what you buy is not the music, it's: a) the pleasant feeling to support your favourite artist b) the idea that you're changing the industry with a little amount of money c) the right to say I was among the ones who bought it while drinking with some friends d) the feeling that you're NOT a theft despite your 2000+ dowloaded tracks on iTunes (it's not an expensive album, it's an almost free redemption) e) ... what else? And if you look at those points you can see why I doubt this system can be sustainable: 3 of 4 are a first-time-only benefits Oh and BTW the service here WAS different for people who payed differently.
Because (the music industry is a great example for this simple truth) what you buy is not the music, it’s:

a) the pleasant feeling to support your favourite artist
b) the idea that you’re changing the industry with a little amount of money
c) the right to say I was among the ones who bought it while drinking with some friends
d) the feeling that you’re NOT a theft despite your 2000+ dowloaded tracks on iTunes (it’s not an expensive album, it’s an almost free redemption)
e) … what else?

And if you look at those points you can see why I doubt this system can be sustainable: 3 of 4 are a first-time-only benefits

]]> By: Simone http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-566 Simone Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:45:00 +0000 http://finalburp.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/radioheads-in-rainbows-the-ultimate-price-discrimination/#comment-566 I think this experiment is saying pretty much nothing to date. For sure it's not a failure for it's just not fair to compare with CD sales (68% not paying, uh? And how many people downloaded for free their previous album?). The big questions are: 1) was this much-hyped experiment boosted by people that WANTED it to work to inspire other bands to join the game? 2) Could this work for less famous bands? (I doubt it) Check this post of Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert) on the subject http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB119388143439778613-lMyQjAxMDE3OTAzMTgwODExWj.html I think this experiment is saying pretty much nothing to date. For sure it’s not a failure for it’s just not fair to compare with CD sales (68% not paying, uh? And how many people downloaded for free their previous album?).
The big questions are:

1) was this much-hyped experiment boosted by people that WANTED it to work to inspire other bands to join the game?

2) Could this work for less famous bands? (I doubt it)

Check this post of Scott Adams (creator of Dilbert) on the subject http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB119388143439778613-lMyQjAxMDE3OTAzMTgwODExWj.html

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