Are CD's from clubs like BMG inferior?

[speedoo]

I have a list of CD's I want to acquire and I'm considering getting them from one of these clubs cheap. Is there any reason, such as inferior quality that i should not?

[amerikat]

1. I have lots of cd's from BMG and they're just like any other cd.(nt)

[terrya]

2. I belong to BMG. The sound quality is fine, IMO.

Well, when you join clubs like BMG, you'll have a minimum purchase of cd's (don't remember how many) you'll have to make before you're a full, fledged member of the club. One thing to always keep in mind...shipping costs. At least $4 per cd. So, that's something to consider.

[speedoo]

5. Thanks. Re. shipping costs...

For the initial "free" batch, do they charge shipping for each CD or do they charge something more reasonable?

[terrya]

6. They charge shipping for each cd

For the initial free batch, as well. The shipping costs will be more than what you're paying for the cd's themselves.

[LynneSin]

11. But still cheaper than if you bought them individually

I just signed up again and my first 7 CDs were basically $29.00. All of the titles are still selling for $12-$17 in the store so that's still a major saving.

Then when I buy CDs I make sure I do a large quantity of them at a time when they have the "Buy 1 get one 50% off" deals

[LynneSin]

3. You know what BMG is good for - getting CDs you want but...

..don't think they're worth the $15.99 you'd pay for in the stores. Also, when I had some CDs stolen about 2 years ago (My car was broken into), I replaced the CDs by joining BMG TWICE. Some of the better stuff isn't offered in the entry level but only to members. So I got the little stuff cleared out and then replaced my premium stuff once I was a member and they had one of those 'Buy 1 get everything else 50% off'

I fulfilled my membership deal in about 6 months and cancelled. Then about once a year I'll join up again, get a bunch of cheap stuff, fulfill, quit, rinse repeat!

[Loonman]

4. Nope

Same company makes cds for BMG Club as for the record store or Amazon.

[Brewman_Jax]

7. Been a member for years

they work just fine.

[Metta]

8. That's an urban myth.

I've been in and out of BMG and Columbia on and off for years and their stuff is the real deal, unlike, say, Musical Heritage Society which gets some of their pressings from god knows where. I'm sure that if you don't open a cd, you can return it to them.

[leftofthedial]

9. they're the same CDs

the worst thing about them is the BMG label

[RebelOne]

10. Check out www.yourmusic.com.

All CDs are $5.99 and free shipping.

[fishwax]

13. I found that service recently

haven't tried it yet, but was thinking about it. It looked like a pretty cool deal. Have you used it?

[RebelOne]

16. Yes, it's excellent. And you can't beat the price with free shipping.

[Dukkha]

12. inferior in that it's all mainstream

I did the Columbia House route for years quitting and rejoining to get all the free CDs but I stopped since the selection is just not anything I like. It's a good way to quickly build up a library of bands you like if they're on there, but I've gotten all I can from them and now I just do the indie store route, plus I've rediscovered the joys of vinyl.

[grateful581]

14. I don't think so

I have ordered from BMG music service for a long time and haven't noticed a difference.
The disks do say in small writing that it was produced for BMG

[democracyindanger]

15. Here's a story

A long time ago, I joined Columbia House. I ordered Bob Marley's "Legend" album--first Marley album I ever bought, actually. Got it, listened to it, enjoyed it.

Years later, I couldn't find the CD. So I went and bought one from Tower. And the storebought CD's "No Woman No Cry" had an entire segment the Columbia House CD didn't have. The Columbia House version began fading out after the first few notes of the guitar solo, while the store version continued for another verse and chorus after it.

Take it for what you will, but I've been leery of mailorder CD deals ever since.

[Chemical Bill]

17. The clubs don't pay artist royalties on the free CDs.

They make enough money, but the bands are the ones that get the shaft. I know that has nothing to do with the quality....

Bill

[johnnie]

20. I was going to say that

The bands get screwed out of the royalties. It isn't bad for bands that are pretty well off, but if you buy things from some of the older artists they aren't getting paid.

When it comes to old blues, R&B, early rock, old folk and the like, I try to buy from either their official website or a fan site.

[texanwitch]

18. I use BMG, I like them.

They have a nice selection of music. I had to return a package of brokent CD's no problem.

[Kali]

19. Judging from the mailings my teens get,

the main problem is most of what they sell is extremely mainstream and a heavy emphasis on "best of" albums.

:puke:

I am sure any reputable company will refund or replace defective merchandise. Back in the day, with these record clubs (yes I am that old) the scam was returning selection cards on time or you would get stuck with crap you didn't want - rarely was it a pleasant intro to somehting new - not sure if they work that way anymore, I mostly listen to comunity radio and cd's I buy out of the country, or used - heh.