What Happened to CD Clubs & Stores to Buy CDs?


I feel like I've lived under a rock for the past 2 years. I haven't bought much to add to my library in that time, and now I'm shocked.

There used to be BMG Music Club and Columbia Club. You could get most of the main Classical repertory from them, including box sets of symphonies, etc.

Now, it appears there is a BMG/Sony DVD Club that offers some CDs, but only a fraction of what was a few years ago.

For example, I couldn't find Bernstein's CBS or Solti's London Mahler cycles, except in the UK!

The site is pathetic. It is totally oriented around DVDs/movies, and searches will bring you to other websites, including Amazon.com.

What happened to all the releases of the huge and vast classical repertoire of budget, midprice, full price and sets that were so plentiful? Are they not even in print anymore?

Prices I found are higher than they were 5 years ago. I see basic 2 CD classical releases at prices like $39.95 for a DG Karajan Mahler 9th. Unbelievable.

I didn't even check the jazz repertoire to see what has happened there.

Would someone educate me in my naiveity?
saxo

Showing 1 response by synthfreek

I guess I'm lucky to livei in Austin. We still have a wealth of stores to choose from. World-famous Waterloo Records & Video, End Of An Ear(ex 33 1/3 guys), Cheapo, Backspin, Half-Price Book Store, Antone's, CD Warehouse...and I still buy tons of stuff online. Sometimes the used deals on Amazon are insane. Great prices! I totally admit to still driving down the street to Waterloo and Cheapo and htting the "recently arrived" cd's and vinyl.