Comments on: eMusic goes eUropean http://blog.hecker.org/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/ Mozilla, open source, and other random topics Sat, 20 Feb 2010 20:07:37 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Swindleeeee!!!!! » eMusic’s positioning: It’s just iTunes and us http://blog.hecker.org/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1060 Swindleeeee!!!!! » eMusic’s positioning: It’s just iTunes and us Wed, 20 Sep 2006 06:39:38 +0000 http://swindleeeee.wordpress.com/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1060 [...] Second, eMusic masterfully used the hype around the recent Apple announcements to advance its strategy of being Avis to Apple’s Hertz. Although eMusic launched its European service over a month ago, it waited to formally announce it until just before Apple Showtime event, at a time when the press was in a frenzy about Apple, iPods, iTunes, and digital music in general, but didn’t yet have any actual Apple-related news to report. eMusic managed to get substantial press coverage for its launch, with most stories picking up on the theme that eMusic’s offerings are compatible with iPods, and thus eMusic was a viable alternative–really the only viable alternative–to the iTunes Store for iPod users wanting a choice of digital music services. And since (as we all know) the iPod is the only digital music device worth mentioning, that means (according to the eMusic script) that eMusic is the only alternative to the iTunes Store, period. [...] [...] Second, eMusic masterfully used the hype around the recent Apple announcements to advance its strategy of being Avis to Apple’s Hertz. Although eMusic launched its European service over a month ago, it waited to formally announce it until just before Apple Showtime event, at a time when the press was in a frenzy about Apple, iPods, iTunes, and digital music in general, but didn’t yet have any actual Apple-related news to report. eMusic managed to get substantial press coverage for its launch, with most stories picking up on the theme that eMusic’s offerings are compatible with iPods, and thus eMusic was a viable alternative–really the only viable alternative–to the iTunes Store for iPod users wanting a choice of digital music services. And since (as we all know) the iPod is the only digital music device worth mentioning, that means (according to the eMusic script) that eMusic is the only alternative to the iTunes Store, period. [...]

]]> By: Swindleeeee!!!!! » eMusic Europe officially launches http://blog.hecker.org/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1059 Swindleeeee!!!!! » eMusic Europe officially launches Tue, 12 Sep 2006 11:44:10 +0000 http://swindleeeee.wordpress.com/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1059 [...] Well, it’s old news to us, but according to Reuters eMusic is officially launching its Europe service; it appears that eMusic is trying to take advantage of the hype around Apple’s announcements today to try to position itself as the dominant iTunes alternative in the minds of the mainstream media. [...] [...] Well, it’s old news to us, but according to Reuters eMusic is officially launching its Europe service; it appears that eMusic is trying to take advantage of the hype around Apple’s announcements today to try to position itself as the dominant iTunes alternative in the minds of the mainstream media. [...]

]]> By: Swindleeeee!!!!! » eMusic pricing, part 1: Goldilocks and the three plans http://blog.hecker.org/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1058 Swindleeeee!!!!! » eMusic pricing, part 1: Goldilocks and the three plans Sun, 27 Aug 2006 02:12:38 +0000 http://swindleeeee.wordpress.com/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1058 [...] Im my original post on eMusic Europe I noted that the prices for the Basic plan in Europe increased significantly more versus the US price than the corresponding prices for the Plus and Premium plans: the Basic plan price for eMusic Europe (excluding VAT) was 42% higher than the US price, while the Plus and Premium prices were 24% and 23% higher respectively. The price differential for eMusic UK was even higher: 46% higher for the eMusic UK Basic plan (excluding VAT) vs. 30% and 22% higher for Plus and Premium respectively. [...] [...] Im my original post on eMusic Europe I noted that the prices for the Basic plan in Europe increased significantly more versus the US price than the corresponding prices for the Plus and Premium plans: the Basic plan price for eMusic Europe (excluding VAT) was 42% higher than the US price, while the Plus and Premium prices were 24% and 23% higher respectively. The price differential for eMusic UK was even higher: 46% higher for the eMusic UK Basic plan (excluding VAT) vs. 30% and 22% higher for Plus and Premium respectively. [...]

]]> By: Sonic Walker » eMusic goes European and increases prices for European customers http://blog.hecker.org/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1057 Sonic Walker » eMusic goes European and increases prices for European customers Sat, 12 Aug 2006 19:51:43 +0000 http://swindleeeee.wordpress.com/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1057 [...] But there is more going on. Not only did they open eMusic Europe, they also increased prices for their European customers as Frank Hecker points out in his blog entry. (…) The European eMusic Basic price of €12.99 is thus equivalent to $16.68 per month compared to the US price of $9.99. Even if you remove the effect of VAT the European price is equivalent to $14.20, representing a price increase of over 42%. (…) [...] [...] But there is more going on. Not only did they open eMusic Europe, they also increased prices for their European customers as Frank Hecker points out in his blog entry. (…) The European eMusic Basic price of €12.99 is thus equivalent to $16.68 per month compared to the US price of $9.99. Even if you remove the effect of VAT the European price is equivalent to $14.20, representing a price increase of over 42%. (…) [...]

]]> By: CCRGMac http://blog.hecker.org/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1056 CCRGMac Fri, 11 Aug 2006 16:07:35 +0000 http://swindleeeee.wordpress.com/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1056 Hey! As far as I can see I'm the first member to get a name check here (though I'm sure MrCat will come up as I surf around). Nice work, Farnk. Thanks. Hey! As far as I can see I’m the first member to get a name check here (though I’m sure MrCat will come up as I surf around). Nice work, Farnk. Thanks.

]]> By: Frank Hecker http://blog.hecker.org/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1055 Frank Hecker Fri, 11 Aug 2006 10:35:20 +0000 http://swindleeeee.wordpress.com/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1055 Regarding contining at the current subscription prices, I'm relying on statements made in the message board thread to which I linked, in particular the one where Mmarsupilami quoted an email sent to him from eMusic: "As a charter eMusic Europe subscriber you’ll continue to get the same low price you received when you joined our US-based service, which is a significant savings over the standard European membership price. The only difference you'll notice is the inclusion of VAT, which we're required to collect now that we’ve launched our service locally in Europe. Because we value your membership, eMusic will continue to honor this special pricing as long as you keep your subscription active and in good standing." Regarding contining at the current subscription prices, I’m relying on statements made in the message board thread to which I linked, in particular the one where Mmarsupilami quoted an email sent to him from eMusic:

“As a charter eMusic Europe subscriber you’ll continue to get the same low price you received when you joined our US-based service, which is a significant savings over the standard European membership price. The only difference you’ll notice is the inclusion of VAT, which we’re required to collect now that we’ve launched our service locally in Europe. Because we value your membership, eMusic will continue to honor this special pricing as long as you keep your subscription active and in good standing.”

]]> By: musicmoggy http://blog.hecker.org/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1054 musicmoggy Fri, 11 Aug 2006 07:59:21 +0000 http://swindleeeee.wordpress.com/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1054 Music is allowing current European subscribers to continue indefinitely at the current US price” - where is this information from? Can we validate this statement. They've already hiked the booster pack price to us. Admitedly those of us on annual pricing get the benefit of our remaining annual subscription. Music is allowing current European subscribers to continue indefinitely at the current US price” – where is this information from?

Can we validate this statement. They’ve already hiked the booster pack price to us. Admitedly those of us on annual pricing get the benefit of our remaining annual subscription.

]]> By: arne http://blog.hecker.org/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1053 arne Fri, 11 Aug 2006 07:25:32 +0000 http://swindleeeee.wordpress.com/2006/08/11/emusic-goes-european/#comment-1053 "eMusic is allowing current European subscribers to continue indefinitely at the current US price" - where is this information from? I'm seeing the "eMusic Europe" logo when I log in and I also see the increased prices for booster packs (6.99, 12.99 and 19.99€, btw) and such, but I did not get any information whatsoever from eMusic. Damn their information policy (or lack thereof). It should also be worth noting that there is a difference between "eMusic UK" and "eMusic Europe" - some music now available in the UK (e.g. Domino Records) is not available in Europe (yet?). Furthermore, I would like to know why eMusic Europe is run from the UK (17.5% VAT) then and not from, say, Luxemburg (15% VAT - Swindleeeee!!!!! indeed). Actually, the obligation to charge VAT to customers inside the EU might be one of the reasons for eMusic making this step. In the forum, someone from Switzerland (in Europe but not inside the EU) reported still being shown the "old" ($) prices. “eMusic is allowing current European subscribers to continue indefinitely at the current US price” – where is this information from? I’m seeing the “eMusic Europe” logo when I log in and I also see the increased prices for booster packs (6.99, 12.99 and 19.99€, btw) and such, but I did not get any information whatsoever from eMusic. Damn their information policy (or lack thereof).

It should also be worth noting that there is a difference between “eMusic UK” and “eMusic Europe” – some music now available in the UK (e.g. Domino Records) is not available in Europe (yet?). Furthermore, I would like to know why eMusic Europe is run from the UK (17.5% VAT) then and not from, say, Luxemburg (15% VAT – Swindleeeee!!!!! indeed). Actually, the obligation to charge VAT to customers inside the EU might be one of the reasons for eMusic making this step. In the forum, someone from Switzerland (in Europe but not inside the EU) reported still being shown the “old” ($) prices.

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