Why isn't it cheaper to buy software/music/movies online and download?

[Jeff7181]

It usually costs more... why? They don't have to give me the plastic disk, the cardboard box, the paper user manual, or pay to ship it to me. I would imagine paying for the bandwidth used to transfer the data to me would cost less than all those materials.

 

[Turkish]

Because record companies are stupid.

 

[thirtythree]

I don't know about buying software and movies online but isn't music cheaper?

 

[poopygood]

Originally posted by: Xiety
Because record companies are stupid.

^

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
It usually costs more... why? They don't have to give me the plastic disk, the cardboard box, the paper user manual, or pay to ship it to me. I would imagine paying for the bandwidth used to transfer the data to me would cost less than all those materials.

The manufacturing costs have very little to do with the retail price for movies, music or games. When you buy a DVD for example, you are basically just paying for a license to watch the movie and own it in your home. The cost of the DVD and the box is a very small percentage of the $20 you paid. Hope this makes sense.

 

[gunblade]

They are selling the content not the media.

So, it is the content that costs you.

 

[DWW]

Its simple really.
They make you -think- its going to be more convenient and possibly, you might extend to think it will be even cheaper but it won't. Why? Because its business thats why. You don't expect them to pass the savings down to you do you? That'd be too nice of them. They see "saving money" as making MORE money to them.

Take McDonalds for example. Their burgers have got smaller over time. The McChicken is maybe 70% now what it was when I was in high school. The big mac? Whats big about it? Some people might think "they cut the cost along with it"... nope.. try again

Just because quality is getting cheaper doesn't mean the price is

 

[dighn]

cuz the media cost makes very little difference. waht they are selling is ip

 

[Yossarian451]

Also think of the cost of maintaing the servers, etc. Just prolly near the same as production costs.

 

[spanky]

Originally posted by: DWW
The big mac? Whats big about it?

sounds like a complaint letter to mcdonald's

 

[z0mb13]

itunes rocks!! 99 cent for a song or like 10 buks for the whole album..

too bad their selection is kinda limited