I can not believe how clueless most of the people on this site are. The high prices that retailers outside of the States both in store and online are charging for this release is because Prince has done a deal with Target and no one else. This product is only available to buy from Target in the US so the only way people like HMV/Amazon/Play etc can get the product is to buy it from Target via third party suppliers. When this is all done and everybody has made a cut (not as much as some of you think) the product will end up being in stores at the prices you see. By looks of things not much stock will make it out of the States (well not for release date anyway) so if you don't have an order with someone don't expect to see it soon. The only one to blame for this is Prince who seems to want to control who and where he sells his product. No deals have been done outside the US so don't start blaming the "rip off" retailers as they just go on the prices they are charged. Also the £12.99 HMV advertised online was a mistake so if anyone managed to order at that price well done as they will be losing money on those orders.

HUGGYBOY said:

I take your point but if you read the threads before this one, you can see that the retailers are hyping up the price there is no question about this ...you also will find information which shows that the price does not have to a RIP OFF to Prince Fans

Alot of your points are guess work as we have not had any press release from any major retailer or prince regarding the product outside the US....even Amazon statement did not go into any detail....most of the info has come from Prince fans/fams on the ground calling up suppliers or looking on the net....

This story is far from over from the 29th of March expect more news and price changes as their have been many since 1st March ...

I'm no economist, but isn't there such a thing as market prices?

The PE album was on sale for 23 euros in Belgium last summer.

I can accept that there are going to be difference in price across countries / retailers, but something selling for $12 in the US having a list price of over $60 in the UK is taking the piss.

I emailed HMV this morning :

There appears to be an incorrect price on your website for the new Prince release :

http://hmv.com/hmvweb/sim...Search.y=3

It quotes a list price of £42.99 - however, it retails for $12 (around £8.50) in the US. I appreciate there are differences in costs between the US and UK associated with distribution, the exchange rate etc, but I cannot believe a product listed at $12 in the US has a list price of over $60 in the UK - five times the cost, and still more than three times the cost after your apparent saving.

This was the reply :

You've asked us for an update on the item Prince:
Lotusflow3r (Lotusflower /Lotus Flower): 3cd

Having looked into this, the CD available on the website is an exclusive 3cd, which is the reason why the pricing is shown with a list price of £42.99, and we are selling for £29.99.

It may be that the single CD of Lotusflower is cheaper, due to this not being an exclusive 3cd offer.

So they're basically saying you get a 3CD for £30 instead of the single Lotusflow3r CD for $12.

I've emailed back to say that's not the case....

TwilghtKid or something like that posted this for Canadian Fams...thanks

Canadian release of Lotus Flower

I think this is new info, but if I've just missed it in another thread, apologies.

I wandered in to the HMV at Yonge and Bloor today and asked one of the dude's working to look up Lotus Flower for me. Here's what he came up with:

It's set for release on April 27, with a list price of $33.99 (the guy said it will likely be $19.99 when it actually goes on sale, though not to hold him to that. Most interestingly, I noticed peeking over his shoulder that the album was being distrbuted by Universal.

So there you go Canadian fans!

Hope it does got down to $19.99 as your just down the road from the US...

iain said:

Good Work....we await your update...

LondonStyle said:

Not unsurprisingly, all they've done is confirm the £29.99 price :

'Unfortunately, we can confirm that the price of Prince: Lotusflow3r: 3CD is currently £29.99 to pre-order on hmv online, and this is similar throughout many other UK outlets. It could be that the $12 version you have become aware of in the US is greatly discounted.'

Which really is a bit steep unfortunatley - although it does seem to be getting a good reception from ORGers.

Alot of your points are guess work as we have not had any press release from any major retailer or prince regarding the product outside the US....even Amazon statement did not go into any detail....most of the info has come from Prince fans/fams on the ground calling up suppliers or looking on the net....

None of my points are guess work. I have be speaking to suppliers direct in the States and every copy that arrives in the UK will come by my warehouse.

I have seen the 3 set on ebay from several sellers, most selling for around $23 plus shipping whcih works out at around £20-£22 in total for UK buyers.

I am going to LA on holiday early May so will pick it up then, managed to download before the naughty links disapeared so am enjoying it now but will still be buying the actual CD.

Noticed Lotusflow3r retail CD is missing 'The Morning After' but has 'Crimson and Clover'. MPLSound retail CD is missing 'Here'. Elixir retail CD is identical to download.

Global retail. Foot. Shot in. Own.

If he starts to moan about piracy...

HUGGYBOY said:

Really?

So help the orgers out with better prices then...or tell us..who selling it the cheapest in Euro zone or can we buy direct from your US suppliers...?

This ain't good.

LondonStyle said:

didn't find it on bestbuy's site or futureshop's site
here's what's listed on hmv.ca

Lotus Flow3r : 3CD by Prince
Price: CDN $39.99

Date of release: 28/04/2009
Format: CD
Catalogue number: 1498180
Supplier: SONIC UNYON


is NOT used to having a delayed release date
i'm glad there is one and all but do you really think we are going to wait, princey? bad move.

Play.com are no longer taking pre-orders for lotusflow3r.

They have also removed the price and release date information from their site.

tc012009 said:

HMV must have the exclusive in the UK now.

iain said:

There is no single Lotusflower CD its ONLY a 3 disc set so WFT is hmv on about. They need 2 reduce that bullshit price and get with it or no one is gonna buy the CD's.

There are quite a few copies on Ebay at the moment. The average price is $20 - $25.

Is anyone else going to give up on the possibility of the album being released in europe and just buy it straight from ebay?

^ I have been thinking about it! I just want the album in my hands

I've given in to temptation and ordered Lotusflow3r from Ebay.

Worked out at 23 Euro including postage to Ireland.

Thanks Carter84...this is for all the Fans in italy ..

I just found out that here in Italy for now you can find it only on an online retailer for 28.90 from the 31st of March!

http://www.ibs.it/disco/0...ound-.html

Sorry if this has been posted before,
but for all the Amsterdammers here, lotusflow3r is listed as available at the Concerto record store from the 7th of April for 22,99! concerto.nl - just fill in the search box the name of the album.
I will be there!

It costs £17 at CD Universe (incl. Postage)

Here's to hoping that we get a Jewel case.

Any updates regarding an official European release?

tc012009 said:

April 6th in the UK.

Update from JoyJoy....

#####
## CD Universe Order Notification ##
#####


Order Status Change - Item Discontinued
Hello *****

We are writing to let you know that the following items which you ordered on 03/25/09 have experienced a status change.

Lotus Flow3r/Mplsound/Elixer Prince

At the time you placed this order, the item was available from our vendors. Since then, our vendors have discontinued supplying this item.

You do not need to respond. We ask for your patience. We may be able to obtain this item as a special order. Additionally, it is very likely that other retailers are experiencing the same issues with this particular item.

If we do not receive your item by 05/15/09, it will be cancelled. There will be no charge to you unless this item ships.

What the F**K is going on ....really need someone from Prince's camp to give some feedback on this crazy...

LondonStyle said:

Unfortunately LondonStyle i was waiting 'till midnight to order immediately, but it turns out it was just a bullshit! That site doesn't have at all the cd in stores, so i guess the only sure way to get the 3cd without waiting for months it's buying it on ebay!
I really can't understand why Prince didn't think at all about this problem, he really does have fans all over the world!

Carter84 said:

I really don't buy the story that Prince looks after all his business deals now that he's 50 i think he has "advisers" "consultants" "friends" who act as the middle man so the details and the PR always ends up as an after though ...look at the website... this team is new they don't know what's going on and are learning on the job....hence the mistakes.....Nokia shows etc...

He needs an employee to speak to a hand full of fans around the global that info would help his business plans in the future for sure....but i don't think he that concerned becauses he's not really after the money but focused on large records sales in the US and Grammys which is his home market i guess
[Edited 3/31/09 6:39am]

NewsFlash.....Amazon.com has resellers listed which sell LotusFlow3r set...

Here's the link.....

http://www.amazon.com/gp/...dition=all

This price is only temporary according to the Target website. After a certain amount of time goes by, the CD set will be sold at other stores but at a much higher price.