Just replied to another user about a post made in another thread. After I wrote it, I realised it may be interesting to post on the boards. Enjoy...

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Howdy: you noted in a thread that a non-member cannot reap the benefits that a member can. That is very wrong.

For every one member, there is another member who goes to those concerts with them. Sees those aftershows with them. Sings on stage with them. Hears the 4 cds with them.

All the bonuses and "perks" that come with being a club member have costs that are split between that member and thier non-member friend. The opportunity to buy 2 concert tix, etc.

The difference is, at this point, are the 4 cds that come with the membership. The member pays $100 for it. The non-member is paying $50 for thiers. The member probably has an extra CD that they would just "give" (since the NPGMC directly told people to let a friend in on the extra copy).

What's $50? Chump change? Nope. That's inequality. It's not the $50. It's the fact that a member gets the same from the club than a non-member, but ends up paying more.

But if neither were members then neither would have the perks would they? Members are not forced to take up extra concert tickets for a friend, I choose to let my friends come and see P from the good seats. Which neither of us would have been able to sit in had I not been a member.

chump
change

ain't
heard
that
one
in
a
while

EnglishGent:

The point isn't that the Club offers "benefits." The point is that one does not have to be a member of the club to take advantage of those benefits.

I never said that the club does nothing.

The point still stands.

If you want to get even further down the corridor of debate, why should I be a member if I have a friend who is a member and allows me access to thier perks? All I pay is a measly $50. Most people pay $50 for a meal for one night of the year.

And for another angle: since members are allowed to share thier perks with one nonmember, and are being encouraged to offer thier music CDs with non-members, should I feel empowered to share the music from Year 1 with non-members?

More from notes:

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I'm glad that you feel happy in supporting Prince. I have always said that I am willing to help finance Prince in his pursuit of his dreams.

I just feel that the NPGMC is a very very poor business model for Prince to base his future on. I can help him by directly giving him money, but think of this: Prince has a very dedicated fanbase. These people buy every CD that he puts out. If Prince is already giving these people CDs, who is left to purchase his music? Prince makes music for everybody, member and non-member alike. The problem is that most people do not want to purchase Prince CDs anymore. So how can Prince get CDs to the public outlet when he cannot offer those guaranteed sales anymore? Who would take a chance on an artist like that?

The club HAS to evolve past its current incarnation. There are things that it can offer that make all sides happy. They are just not opening THIER mind to the possibilities.
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Dauphin said:

Well, duh!!!

If you're talking absolutes, one can always sneak into one of his shows for minimum cost. One can always have a 'friend' make copies of the official releases. One can always get around the system. That's true of all musicians, shows, albums, clubs.

In everyday life, there are those who get by without meaningful work, who go places they aren't otherwise entitled to, who obtain things otherwise not entitled to, who do things they are not entitled to do.

They are normally refered to as 'criminals'.
[This message was edited Sat Dec 7 23:29:56 PST 2002 by MKevon]

Dauphin said:

I agree with this statement to a certain extent. However, the statement that people aren't buying Prince cds anymore is false. Sure he doesn't have a huge fanbase anymore, but if u look in ur local record store, u will see that Prince is still selling. He may not be selling 500,000 copies the first week he drops, but people are still feeling his music. I go to several mom and pop cd stores in the Dallas area. They all tell me that Prince sell very well in their stores. According to one of the store owners, when The Rainbow Children came out last year, they ordered 50 copies and they sold all 50 within the first week of release. If u look at ur local Best Buys, Circuit City, Tower, etc. most Prince's shelf is constantly being restocked. So, I don't buy that at all.

Dauphin said:

Basically, you're lucky that you have a friend or friends that are into him enough to join the club since you obviously enjoy the "benefits" of their membership. I, on the other hand, don't know anyone who's as into him as I am. So if I don't plunk down the $ myself, I'm shut out.

It just depends on your situation - you happen to benefit from not being a member, so WHOO-HOO for you It ain't like that for everyone. Carry on...

Well, duh!!!

That's not what I'm talking about. I keep hearing people say that members get more than non-members. That's not true.

The whole point of thier latest commentary, however, is that: "yeah, members are being a bit screwed, but what is $50? It's not a lot."

So...thier little Chocolate commentary did nothing but confirm the fact that people who join the club are being screwed and that we should be grateful for the opportunity to be screwed.

The Truth is that there is no incentive to help Prince with his music club. Everything that is available can be had otherwise and in a LEGAL manner. I mean, yeah I could be a direct member agan next year, but hey, what's $50? One nights meal, etc. Prince shouldn't worry about that.

That said, there are many other ways that this company can work. Nobody wants to hear them though. Naysayers want everything released on a regular basis and are being selfish. The Flock are happy being fleeced. Those of us in the middle are stuck on a very barbed fence. Let those of us who are trying to DECONSTRUCT the fence help.

MKevon said:

Who said I'm not a member?

CalhounSq said: