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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that deezer is FLAGRANTLY overcharging us in the UK and we should complain/boycott?

35 replies

afussyphase · 14/05/2012 10:29

Deezer (deezer.com) is a relatively new online music service. I tried the free trial and liked it. I was going to sign up for a paid account until I googled it, and found out that it's £4.99/£9.99 in the UK (similar to others, I gather), but $4.99/$9.99 in Canada and the US (Canadian or US$), and a little less in Euros (3.99/8.99). This is blatantly overcharging us for the same exact service; we just pay 50-60% more (or whatever) depending on the exchange rates!
I suggest we write to them and complain (I've done so). You can too at support.deezer.com/. The cost of living here is bad enough with this kind of thing added in just because no one complains, so they can. If other services are doing the same (haven't checked up on spotify, the main competitor), we should complain there too, and boycott them too.

OP posts:

squeakytoy · 14/05/2012 10:30

who?

If you dont like it, dont buy it... nobody is forced to use them.

MoaningMinnieRisesAgain · 14/05/2012 10:30

I am going to boycott them, definitely.

I don't know how to download music anyway

LentillyFart · 14/05/2012 10:32

This may come as something of a shock to you but it is NOT obligatory to use these services! You could go out and buy the cds and compile your own playlists that way. Businesses tend not to operate as charities you know! Don't like? Don't use. HTH

CallMeAl · 14/05/2012 10:32

Things cost different amounts in different countries, its moronic to expect charges to be the same worldwide.

Boycott who you want but why should anyone else give a fuck?

Original poster

afussyphase · 14/05/2012 10:43

Yes, I know I don't have to buy their services, and I won't! But there are loads of people constantly moaning about costs of living. A lot of cost differences between here and, say, the US can be explained by different labour and property prices in different places. But this is different! They are just charging us more because they can. If we make it difficult for them to rip us off (as has obviously happened in Europe), we can ALL benefit, just like pushing for lower rates on anything else. And in fact, I do know how to download music, legally and illegally, and I would like not to do so illegally and also not to be blatantly ripped off just because of where I live. You don't care? Fine. Pay more, I guess.

OP posts:

ChaosTrulyReigns · 14/05/2012 10:44

I will boycott them as well to help you out.

Now, let's see what's on the wireless.

ChaosTrulyReigns · 14/05/2012 10:46

Um.

If I was worried, seriously worried about the cost of living, I wouldn't be paying ANY amount per month for music.

LentillyFart · 14/05/2012 10:47

The cost of downloading music doesn't - to me anyway - figure AT ALL in my calculations of the cost of living. It is so totally non-essential. Do you see that? So I couldn't care less if it costs $100, £100 or ?100. You stage your one woman protest if you wish but I think you'll find most people couldn't give a long low flying shiny shite!

Original poster

afussyphase · 14/05/2012 10:49

Well, yes, I confess that I can afford either £5 or £10 per month without breaking the bank - not too unusual even when lots of people are stretched. Can I not be generally aware of issues of cost of living, and also aware that even families who are stretched may wish to enjoy a little entertainment? And that online/tech services (from which, to lovefilm, to music, to broadband, mobile, etc etc etc) do chip away at people's budgets? I didn't start this thread suggesting that if I were going to pick a socially valuable cause and devote considerable time to it, that this would or should be the one. Obviously. But 30s for an email isn't so bad, is it? But maybe this is why companies, not just this one, get away with it!

OP posts:

CallMeAl · 14/05/2012 10:54

it's called capitalism, you might want to download a dictionary and look that up.

Original poster

afussyphase · 14/05/2012 10:56

Wow. Had no idea I'd get such an antagonistic response even in AIBU. Guess I am BU. But I also think this would get a different response elsewhere (Europe, US, Canada) and that's why something that costs the company the same to provide is charged at a higher rate here.

OP posts:

squeakytoy · 14/05/2012 10:57

let me explain this clearly to you...

You have a choice. You are not being "ripped off".

If you cant afford it, dont buy it.

Council tax, Television licences, and any other compulsory expense can be a rip off, but you have no choice really as there are no other options.

ChaosTrulyReigns · 14/05/2012 10:59

Don't you think though that there's some sort of natural barrier to commitment to this sort of thing?

If I wanted to pay a monthly sub to download music I'd have a look around and if they all offered the same, I'd go for the cheapest. So, they're probably off the list for many potential purchasers anyway.

No need to get all squiirly and irate and start bandying "boycott" and "rip off" around. The market forces of price elasticity of demand will achieve that naturally.

tethersend · 14/05/2012 11:01

Well, I for one am shocked and saddened.

My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

Original poster

afussyphase · 14/05/2012 11:03

Right, fair enough. I do in fact understand that I have a choice, indeed I have many choices: to buy or not to buy, to download or not to download, illegally or legally; to discuss with others (here or elsewhere) or not to discuss with others... And I did what you did, except for realising that it costs a lot less elsewhere and starting a thread. With only a couple of suppliers, and with a market this uncaring re competition (from other places), they have a monopoly. You're right of course: in some sense, what people are willing to pay defines whether it's a "rip-off", so maybe if consensus is that 'we don't care', then no amount of rate increases could ever be considered a 'rip-off'. Interesting that you all feel so strongly that deezer and others should not feel any resistance to this kind of policy from UK consumers.

OP posts:

Original poster

afussyphase · 14/05/2012 11:04

:) at tethersend, thank you for your kind feelings. it is indeed very difficult. DD1 has got 'one, two, three four five, once I caught a fish alive' stuck in my head and I cannot concentrate on my work!

OP posts:

CallMeAl · 14/05/2012 11:09

you seem confused in your reasoning. WE don't care because we won't use it whatever the cost, not because we'll pay whatever they like.

Tannhauser · 14/05/2012 11:10

yyou'd be better off talking about itunes- 99c in US, 99p here

GoPoldark · 14/05/2012 11:14

Just listen to the radio? or go to concerts at your local bandstand if available.

AngelDelightIsIndeedDelightful · 14/05/2012 11:19

Op - are you sure you're comparing like with like? American websites tend to display prices without any sales tax. So a direct comparison with here in the UK, where VAT is usually added to displayed prices, is an unfair comparison.

Compare net with net and then get on with your life!

AngelDelightIsIndeedDelightful · 14/05/2012 11:20

To Tannhauser - iTunes is 99c/69p.

tethersend · 14/05/2012 11:23

Have you thought about getting a kazoo?

TheUnMember · 14/05/2012 11:30

VAT rates differ. Company taxes differ. Cost of support staff differ.

YABU

maddening · 14/05/2012 12:15

you could ask the company the reason for the price difference?

AhCannitSeeMan · 14/05/2012 12:17

Broken Britain, that's what it is.

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