Cjlcapp,
Anyone who thinks a 50-60% markup is "wrong" has obviously never spent any time in retail. Many things are marked up many times over, clothes for example. A markup of 50% only gives you a gross profit of 33% try living on that after expenses. Perhaps discounting is more of a standard practise, but these days it seems like everyone has this sense of entitlement when it comes to pricing. I make a point of buying my music from a local independent record store, prices may be a little higher but I know where the money's going. Try getting a part time job in an audio store and check out the economic realities first hand, it can be sobering.
Anyone who thinks a 50-60% markup is "wrong" has obviously never spent any time in retail. Many things are marked up many times over, clothes for example. A markup of 50% only gives you a gross profit of 33% try living on that after expenses. Perhaps discounting is more of a standard practise, but these days it seems like everyone has this sense of entitlement when it comes to pricing. I make a point of buying my music from a local independent record store, prices may be a little higher but I know where the money's going. Try getting a part time job in an audio store and check out the economic realities first hand, it can be sobering.