I saw this on the news and it basically says come to this store and burn our CDs then bring them back as many times as you can. Without getting a dirty look from the person behind the register. I don't know if this is new but it sure is interesting. You only get 70% back.
Is it worth it?
Here's the link to his different store location in New Jersey.
TechStyles: Buy, Burn and Return.
Local Music Store Has New Policy For The Digital World.
Brett Larson
Reporting
(CBS) NEW YORK If you want a song now you point, click and download it. You'll get your song, but are you missing out on something? Independent music store owner Gary Scottie says yes.
“Back in the old days, at the hay day of the Beatles you would get a Beatles album, beautiful package, inside you have glossy pictures of the Beatles, foldout posters.”
“I feel like we are losing music as an art form that is collectible. I can see people are putting files on their computer and listening to it in portable format. But we are losing a collectible format that can be past down to generation to generation. I'm concerned.”
So his solution? A more liberal return policy: the idea is simple, you find a CD you like, you buy it (even if you think you like it). Take the CD home, maybe load it up on your iPod. If you want, you can take the CD back for store credit to maybe buy another CD and keep your music collection growing.
“If you want to bring it back we will give you 70% back in store credit. We can put it on a gift card so you can use it anytime you would like or you can use it now.”
His store already sells iPod accessories since many of his customers already have iPod's and although his return policy is a unique concept, customers are definitely interested.
“A lot of people are using it. People understand the policy; they don't really believe that we will give them their money back. So once they get used to it they get comfortable.”
But Gary also has a hidden motive in his liberal return policy, getting people exposed to the art form of music, something he doesn't think you can do downloading one song at a time.
“Downloading a song for $.99 is great if its a one hit wonder kind of thing but explore artist. This is an art form. We would like people to explore new music, hold their CD's and find new songs.” Gary told us.
And as for the future of music, it's not going anywhere any time soon, but what about the compact disc? Gary feels something new may come along to replace the CD, though it likely has a few good years left.
Thank you Brett Larson for the fine report now find this in NYC, for a one-to-one return.
Channel #18 on the box, #68 over the air
