I'm with the majority on this one.
There seem to be two types of artists here. The Biggies (McCartney, Elton et al) with big record companies, and even bigger marketing budgets, who can afford to sell their stuff really cheaply as a loss leader. And some even give complete albums away with the Sunday newspapers!
But this is more about the artists at the other end of the food chain. People who (rightly or wrongly) think they've got something to offer musically, and subsidise the production manufacturing costs out of their own pockets, not even knowing if it will sell.
For these artists, I would willingly pay 10 to 15 pounds for a CD.
Having just released my first Solo CD ELOISE (www.the-attic-tapes.co.uk If someone could do a clicky I'd be grateful!) which I paid for myself, I'm happy to say that after 2 months it's in profit, not by much, but I've paid the production costs.
I sell from home or at gigs when I can get any!
It doesn't have a bar code, as there is little point in distribution or mainline shops. After everyone has taken their cut the money coming to me is minimal.
I will, and have left 5 or so with Festival record stall holders (most of whom I know and trust anyway) The deal is that they sell it for £12 I get £8 they get £4.
Which seems fair to me, after all they've got overheads too.
And if they sell them. They just ask for more. Everyone wins.
As for downloads, No thanks. Too many people taking their cut. You'd have to have a lot of people downloading a track to make more than a few pence. No point in that.
On my site (Still in it's infancy) there are 3 snippets of three tracks to see if anyone likes them.(but not the complete track) I think that is the best way for small artists to go. Not forgetting that it costs to set up a website too. More overheads.
As for media advertising. Far too expensive. One tiny ad in fRoots magazine would wipe out my tiny profit at a stroke, and result in probably no sales!
I have sent copies to Radio friends in Local radio here in the UK who've kindly played it, and have said nice things. Result. No sales!
Haven't even bothered with main stream radio. It would sit in the great pile of unopened mail of literally thousands of CDs they get every week. Having worked there I've seen it. Some peoples offices you can't even open the door to get in!
So, support the small artists that you enjoy at a gig, and buy the CD at the price at which it is offered. There are reasons for the price.
Let's face it 12 quid is only the cost of a curry after all and a CD lasts longer!