Retail Music Stores Gone

uhurit, let's see:

Barnes & Noble cardmembers receive about twelve 15% off discount coupons by email each year + 10% off card discount = 25% total discount or $4 savings per typical $17 CD x 12 months = $48 savings

$48 savings - $25 gift card cost = $23 savings = 11% off first 12 CD's purchased.

Assuming at least 12 CDs purchased per year, the gift card effectly costs nothing and the average discount on all CDs purchased during the year is 10-11% off. Not too bad, when added to the fact that listening prior to purchase eliminates wasteful buying & there are also discounts on books for those who still read....

I also use their headphones to kill time while my wife is cruising the mall, & to qualify CDs for purchase later on from cheaper sources. It's only fair to factor these benefits into the cost of goods at B&N.

Net net, while I don't care much for chain store operations, I'd like to help keep this record department viable.

Where is the Stereophile poll? I have always heard about the mythical audiophile with the $50k system and 12 CDs, but I have never actually met one.

Sdatch, I'll bite on this one: I knew a fellow with $100K+ in Krell FPB monos, Wadia separates, Dunlavy SCV speakers, and 100" Stewart screen in a custom-built concrete bunker, who listened only to Roger Water's "Amused to Death" and Yes's "Fragile."

Right!
I never download as I believe the quality is simply " not there"

Addendum!
support your local CD shops, especially the Indie ones!!!