source file: m1605.txt Date: Mon, 7 Dec 1998 10:22:41 -0600 (CST) Subject: amazon carrying independent CDs From: William Sethares >Amazon.com, the popular online book and CD store, has added a very >interesting new feature. You can now enroll in a free service to have your >publication (book or CD) listed and for sale online. They take a cut of the >sales proceeds for the service. > >http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/partners/direct/direct-application.html I looked into this. One fact is that in order for Amazon to carry the CD, it must have a UPC code (so they can track their inventory). When I followed the UPC links, it looks like its easy to get a number, but it costs about $350 to become a "manufacturer" (six digits) and then you have access to five digits (10,000 different) individual product numbers. Since I am not currently planning to release 10,000 different CDs (in the near term) it made me wonder if maybe there would be a way to "go in on" a number with a few people, or to find someone who already has a UPC number and would be willing to share/sell/rent a number or two. Has anyone done this before? Bill Sethares