Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The Beatles Box Set a Bargain or Not?

The Beatles and Yo-Yo Ma, have quality enhanced box sets available this month in stereo and mono. Box sets are being directed to older age groups. This is partly because the younger population is downloading music. They are interested in getting individual songs. The older population is interested in these original box sets. According to Mr. Eisenberg “It preserves a time that we want to remember, that we want to remain in.” Record companies are now targeting the older population with something special, because they have the money and attention span.

The Beatles box set is going for around $200 and the Yo-Yo Ma around $800. Box sets of worldwide celebrities according to the article box sets are leaping into the market “like a rain of bowling balls.” There are many different things to consider with box sets. Listening to all the CD’s is not what having them is all about, it’s that the collector or fan owns it they are in complete control of it. They could be a great gift for someone, and the online charges are less expensive because you’re paying for it once.

What is expensive for one person is a bargain for another. Is this a bargain to you or would you never consider it? Should we re-examine box sets and their value. Will it be a waste to buy a box set because something new will replace it, or are they preserving something classic that will never fade out?

Check out the full article at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/weekinreview/27wakin.html?_r=1&ref=music

3 comments:

  1. I would never consider buying anything like this because of the price. I'm not a huge fan of the beatles but they do have some songs that I like. Like the articles says, " The younger population is more interested in downloading music. Id rather download a couple songs than buy an entire box set. If it were and artist or group that I really liked, I still wouldnt spend $200-$800 on a box set, no matter how classic it may be or how much I love it.

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  2. In my opinion I would never buy a box set from an artist for the price listed even if it was my all time favorite artist. The price is too high. I do believe that it is more targeted to the older population because the younger population more or less pirates every song they listen to. I can not say that I haven't pirate music because I have on a regular basis. I aslo think that it is more of a collectors item than anything else.

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  3. I couldn't afford to buy this and if it were in my price range, I might consider it. The Beatles box set is a bargain for some people, depending on how meaningful the product is to them.

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