Why are import CDs so damned expensive?

[Don Flamenco]

I'd like to support this group by buying their CD, but amazon is charging $60 for the fucking thing:
http://www.amazon.com/Family-Genesis-Ymck/dp/B000YIRRWM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1225482948&sr=8-3

Itunes has it for $11.99, but 1) it should be $9.99, and 2) 128kbs sucks. 

why god why
 

[Tauntaun]

Well, because it's IMPORTED!  That's why, although $60 is kinda crazy.   

[jiji]

CDs are more expensive in Japan (like, $10 more), and you have importers charging ridiculous markup.

You can order the CD at retail price (about $25) from amazon.co.jp.  http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%83%9F%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E3%82%A7%E3%83%8D%E3%82%B7%E3%82%B9-YMCK/dp/B000YIRRWM/ref=sr_1_2/376-6397015-6350228?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1225483536&sr=8-2

[Don Flamenco]

^^I don't think they ship to the U.S.  I'll probably try Ebay, though that might not be direct support for the group...

Well, because it's IMPORTED!  That's why, although $60 is kinda crazy.   

yeah, $25-30 is expected, but this is ridiculous. 

[Mr. Gundam]

^^I don't think they ship to the U.S.  I'll probably try Ebay, though that might not be direct support for the group...

Amazon.co.jp won't ship games outside Japan, but I've successfully ordered music CDs from them in the past.

[jiji]

Amazon.co.jp does ship CDs, books, and DVDs to the US.  Not games, electronics, or toys, though. (Nor [some] porn  )

[Don Flamenco]

nice, I thought it was for everything.  I'm guessing Prime won't work...what are their shipping costs like? 

and come on, Japanese porn?  Maybe once they get rid of their ridiculous censorship laws.  

[Mr. Gundam]

Amazon.co.jp does ship CDs, books, and DVDs to the US.  Not games, electronics, or toys, though. (Nor [some] porn  )

It's a shame they won't ship games. They've started selling Amazon.co.jp exclusive limited edition versions of games. I really want this but would need someone in Japan to order if for me.

http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%83%90%E3%83%88%E3%83%AB-%E3%82%B5%E3%83%B3%E3%83%A9%E3%82%A4%E3%82%BA-~%E3%83%AA%E3%83%9F%E3%83%86%E3%83%83%E3%83%89-%E3%82%A8%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E3%82%B7%E3%83%A7%E3%83%B3~-Amazon-co-jp%E9%99%90%E5%AE%9A%E8%B2%A9%E5%A3%B2/dp/B0014PVELE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1225484098&sr=1-1

[Eric P]

this is why i tend to pirate stuff until i can purchase it at a reasonable price

though that's not true of everything.  i did buy the arctic monkeys first album three times imported along with the Dancefloor 10" all at import prices

[Don Flamenco]

this is why i tend to pirate stuff until i can purchase it at a reasonable price

though that's not true of everything.  i did buy the arctic monkeys first album three times imported along with the Dancefloor 10" all at import prices

agreed.  my whole outlook on music buying is so weird these days...I download, give it a listen and then decide whether I want to support the group. 

and damn, they have the lowbitfever comp on amazon.co.jp for only a 1000 yen!  That's like 1/50th of a penny!  jk, but I've been on the hunt for this disc for a few months.

[MrAngryFace]

supply and demand - the prices will never be reasonable when youre importing music from another country.

[Eric P]

unless you must have the CD, have you tried looking at interntional mp3 suppliers?

places like 7digital sell to the US and have 320 kbps drm free content.

also, the myspace music stuff is usually higher quality and is also drm free.  i've bought lots of stuff through myspace music

[Don Flamenco]

yeah, I want the disc and to get it from somewhere I'm sure is legit.  I'll keep those in mind for other stuff though.