Finally, A Good Online Music Store
I was shopping online today for a couple CDs that are only available by import in Canada.
The usual standbys are of course Amazon (now available in .ca flavour), but they reported a wait of 3–5 weeks for Joseph Arthur’s new album, Redemption Son. (Why Mr. Arthur hasn’t seen to have his third album released in Canada after the first two were is beyond me.) Ubiquitous retailer HMV offered to send it to me within 24 hours, but only for $24, while the other CD I want, Natural Society by Enon runs for $25. With taxes and shipping, suddenly I was looking at $60 for two albums. No wonder people pirate.
Anyone from Vancouver will tell you that regional retailer A&B Sound has very low prices on CDs, and, indeed, they offered both albums to me for a lot less, but only on “special order” with the cliché wait of “6–8 weeks”. Sigh.
Canadians can of course buy from American web sites who will ship “overseas,” but if Canadian Customs decides to open your package along the way then expect to be charged Canadian taxes and an additional handling fee — thus knocking out whatever savings you might have seen from a low American price.
Frustrated at this offering of equally unpalatable choices, I searched harder and finally came up with Mymusic.com, a Canadian-based online store that seems to offer low prices, decent shipping costs, and won’t even charge me provincial tax since I don’t live in Ontario.
For Canadians this site is a good deal if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary or you are too lazy to walk to the store. But for Americans — well, you’ve hit the jackpot. Canadian CD prices are generally lower relative to the exchange rate (in other words, we get a slight discount here for our pathetic currency), so if you bring your mighty American buck to Canada, even if it’s online, you shall be rewarded for your patronage.
Previously: iWant, iNeed
Subsequently: Will You Buy It With a Mouse, Will You Buy a Brand New House?
Comments
How can I ever thank you for finding this? This looks excellent, and I will definitely be trying them out. Too bad I just ordered something from amazon.ca that I couldn’t find at any local stores…
— Patrick | Jan. 10, 2003 — 6 PM
I was about to click “Order” on HMV.com myself, but something told me it just wasn’t quite right.
— Luke | Jan. 10, 2003 — 7 PM
Wow! Ive been looking to replace my Shadowy Men on A Shadowy Planet CD for years, and HMV had me believe it was out of print…online 13.99 at mymusic.com. Thanks!
But wait, there’s more! If you order now, Luke will send you the fabulous ab-buster…
— Brett | Jan. 11, 2003 — 1 PM