A very strange iTunes question

[Duer 157099]

Since I typically do not like using uber-restrictive programs, I've never installed nor used iTunes. But I was considering it because there is some (free) content that seems to only be available from their site. So, I figured it's time to learn a little bit about it. During that process, I was searching on ebay for some stuff, and came upon auctions selling the iTunes gift cards. No big deal, right?

In almost all cases, the selling price was MORE than the face value of the card!!!!

Can anyone explain this to me? Clearly there is something mystical about iTunes that I am not appreciating. $15 cards sell for $20; $50 cards sell for $60. :wtf:

Thanks!

[Duer 157099]

1. While everyone's rushing to answer this, let me pose another

although this next one isn't nearly as mystifying.

Sites that advertise "free, legal, mp3 downloads" of music -- what makes that music "free" and legal?

I want to legally acquire some mp3s of some songs -- what is the best way to go about this? My default would be Amazon, at $1 per -- but is there a cheaper way? I want unrestricted mp3s, although if they are not, I can re-record them so they will be, but prefer not to.

Advice?

[Up2Late]

6. I wouldn't trust any "free and legal" BS site, they are probably neither...

...I asked a similar question here a few months ago about some sites that had Mp3s for $0.19 each (most are in Russia), and most people here said those sites are O.K. and should be safe to buy from (I never tried it though).

If you like "Indi" music, download the WinAmp player, it almost always comes with an offer from e-Music.com which gives you a month to download 50 Free Mp3s, but like I said, it's mostly "indi" artists and other odd stuff like that, but I did manage to find a 50 good Mp3 that I wanted, but it too a while.

I think ALL Mp3s are "unrestricted," it the nature of the beast, it's iTunes that have that weird "only play it on one computer" thing, but you can get around that by burning what you download in iTunes to a CD-R and then re-encoding it as an Mp3. It's kind a pain in the ass, but it's better than having to Steve Jobs control the music you already paid for.

[rhett o rick]

7. Free downloads, not sure how legal. See link below.

I believe there are more than one of these tutorials on youtube:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=I9hoEsaIFM0

I neither recommend or condone any and all illegal activity (will that stand up in court??)

good luck

[RoyGBiv]

2. WTF, indeed ...

I honestly do not know other than to fall back on the phrase, "There's a sucker born every minute," and they all seem to gravitate to eBay.

While not nearly as obvious, I've seen a lot of similar things on eBay over the years. I collect historical memorabilia -- paper (books, newspapers, etc.) mostly. I noticed years ago that several people had made a cottage industry out of buying a book you can get at any Borders, cutting out the photographs, framing them, and selling the product at huge profit. The materials for each of these things cost, at most, $5, and they'd sell for $50 or more regularly. I saw some go over $100. That's a helluva labor charge.

[Up2Late]

3. Maybe they are "collectible" or "Limited Edition" or something...

...that all I can think of, otherwise, it just people being stupid. NEVER buy a Gift card from an individual on-line, it's usually a scam and the card is either stolen or empty.

[FreeState]

4. Itunes Movies/Music for out of country users - thats why

Your iTunes account is tied to the country of your home address and Credit Card. You can only purchase from the iTunes store tied to your country of residence (this is for copyright issues as well as tax and pricing). You can not buy Movies or TV shows in many countries. If you buy a gift card you can use a fake address and say your in the US - thus bypassing that rule. Thats why people pay more - so they can buy from the US store - its actually cheaper for many people to pay more for the gift cards and use them than pay the mark up and tax s in other countries

[trotsky]

5. Fascinating... I had no idea.

Thanks for that explanation.