Insurgentes Pricing/Postage
We’re well aware of how expensive the special editions of Insurgentes must appear and we’re genuinely sorry if people have taken offense.
However, what people must bear in mind is that the postage costs are excessive due to the extreme weight (1.6 kilos) of the package and the fact that we need to buy special protective packaging in order to send it out properly. As a company who has frequent dealings with the Post Office, we are sending this out as cheaply as we can. Obviously, this is something we all looked into seriously before the launch of Insurgentes.
As for the actual product price, the elaborate hardback booklet has specially commissioned photography/ artwork and is incredibly expensive to produce. SW has paid for this himself. The cost of manufacturing alone ensures that Steven won’t make a great profit on this even if all the copies sell out.
This was definitely a labour of love rather than a ticket to easy money.
It’s true that it was a shock when I saw the price, but my second thought was that this must be a good record to demand such a high price. And now you offer us other reasons too.
PS No, I won’t tell you what my first thought was because it’ll get censored.
I hope that Steven may eventually consider releasing a lower cost version with simpler packaging to enable his less wealthy fans to enjoy the music.
I can afford the price and expect it will be worth every penny, but I know there are many people with less money who would still like to own the album and would be prepared to forego the book and the elaborate packaging. If all else fails a FLAC download would suffice.
I was actually expecting the actual album to be even more. It’s the kind of packaging that places like borders or best buy would charge 120 dollars for. 50 or so seemed very reasonable.
However, the shipping was a bit surprising. But in light of your argument concerning the shipping it makes more sense. Shipping that heavy thing safetly over the Atlantic is not going to be an easy task, and I am confident that you guys are going to do it right. Thus, I have pre-ordered my copy and eagerly await it arrival. Thanks for putting it in perspective for us.