JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum CD Baby Versus the Orchard?

We produced my wife's CD (Lisa Theriot's "A Turning of Seasons") in 2001 with Oasis. At the time their Tools of Promotion included membership in The Orchard for distribution. It was shortly thereafter that it became apparent there was a problem with the Orchard. They weren't paying the artists, they were slow, and it was generally agreed on the forums that people should just stay away from them. Well we just stuck it out and eventually they were bought out by a group of folks who turned it around. They are actually awesome now.

Anyway, I just released a new CD myself with Oasis, who has switched to CDBaby instead of the Orchard. I noticed that the digital stores that CDBaby has delivered my music to are all different from the ones that Orchard uses but for iTunes.

So my questions is basically this. Does anyone here use both companies?

Thanks.

Ken Theriot

Sorry, but I've only ever used CD Baby. But I am thinking of posting up our CDs on other places as well...if its within our budget. I figure that the more places you sell your music at, the better chance you may have of exposure...especially if the places sale in differing places within the same markets.

CD Baby all the way. I've got history with the Orchard which is not pleasant and was fairly well documented.

In my opinion this is like comparing a worn out used Yugo with a bad service record (The Orchard) to a brand new ultra reliable Mercedes Benz (CD Baby). It's not even close.

Brian

I have only used CD Baby, and I am thrilled with their outstanding customer service, digital distribution, user friendly site, etc. They rock!

Emily

Heard some horror stories about The Orchard

only praise for CD Baby

Thanks for the input everyone! I really think the Orchard turned a huge corner about 4 years ago. They pay regularly, and have Lisa's songs available at 82 digital stores, including iTunes. They also partnered with Snocap to sell songs directly from MySpace. I think they may deserve a second look for 2008.

But all that said, I am with CDBaby for my new CD, so I'm glad you all have such great things to say about them!

Thanks again.

Ken

If they really wanted a clean start, they shouldn't have taken on the name of one of the most egregious scams ever to act as predators on the entire indie community. If Enron came back and said they'd changed their ways would you do business with them? I wouldn't.

Yeah, I don't know why they didn't dump the name. They're a completely different company now, more like IODA than CD Baby.

I personally know someone who works there, and also someone who's gotten some very good placements for their music through the "new" Orchard. Unfortunately, their deal terms aren't very transparent.

FWIW I think there are some big drawbacks to using CD Baby for digital distribution as well, but it's a trade-off in convenience.

Scott,
Ok... interesting.
Can you give specific examples of some big drawbacks?

Thanks,
Michael

Michael,

Actually, no. Sorry. As much as I'm tempted to vent here, my issues with CD Baby's digital distribution are my own.

Ok, no worries Scott!
Hopefully the problem you've had with them was just a one-time issue and it could be resolved by now. If not, you probably need to work it out with them or get recourse if you feel you didn't get what you paid for, or if you they "wronged" you in any way.

Too bad we can't discuss it here publicly to get some friendly input and impartial feedback.
It would be a good education for other CD Baby members as well.

Best regards,
Michael