source file: m1606.txt
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1998 18:43:25 -0600

Subject: Re: amazon carrying independent CDs

From: "John Loffink" <jloffink@pdq.net>

>From: William Sethares <sethares@eceserv0.ece.wisc.edu>
>
>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?
>


Many of the larger CD makers provide a UPC code as part of their package at
no extra charge.

John Loffink
jloffink@pdq.net
http://freeweb.pdq.net/jloffink