Sell Your Music Online
TheOrchard.com

By Christopher Knab, FourFront Media & Music (more articles from this author) 2003-02-20

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What is The Orchard?

The Orchard is one of a kind! We are dedicated to giving independent record labels and artists access to the same distribution opportunities the Major Labels have enjoyed almost exclusively for years. The Orchard makes the music of independent artists available, side by side with Major Label albums. We are an entertainment company that has grown in just three years time into one of world’s largest suppliers of new music. Currently we account for about twenty percent of all product released in the United States each week. Through agreements with the nation's largest one stop distributors, we are the leading and most dominant provider of independent and global content to all of the major on-line stores including, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Borders.com, CDNow.com, etc, as well as traditional retail.

How does it work?

1. The Orchard charges a 30% distribution fee. As a distributor, we sell things wholesale so that retailers can mark them up. The 30% applies to the wholesale cost. If there is not a fixed wholesale cost, we charge 30% of the total amount of money received by us.

2.The Orchard charges a fee of $90 to join.

3.The Orchard accounts and pays quarterly. We accumulate the money paid to us each quarter and pay 90 days following the end of the quarter. As a distributor, we do not get paid the moment someone purchases your product so we can't pay until we receive the money. 4.The Orchard accepts product as consignment merchandise. WE DO NOT BUY PRODUCT.

How can I get the ball rolling?

Simply send a blank email to join@theorchard.com. You will automatically receive a copy of our application form and agreement. Print the form, fill it out, sign it and send it along with 30 copies of your release and the appropriate payment to our New York address:

Attn: New Product- The Orchard

133 5th Avenue, 4th Floor New York, NY 10003

What happens when you ship all of the initial shipment pf CDs that accompany my application?

Once your stock level has dipped below a certain level, you will receive a request for reorder. This message will note the artist, the title of the release, the amount that we'd like to reorder and a reorder number. It is important that you act promptly after receiving a reorder request and inform us if there is any unforeseen delay in getting the reorder to us. Too lengthy a delay may result in our distributors canceling an order. When sending this reorder shipment to us, please ensure that the reorder number is written clearly on the outside of the box.

When we reorder it does not necessarily mean that product has sold. It simply means that we are anticipating future demand. We do our best to manage this complicated process and it's a difficult juggling act. On one hand we don't want to hold too much product that isn't moving. On the other, we don't want to not fulfill orders because we didn't have enough.

Will I get confirmation that anything that I send to The Orchard has been received?

You will be sent a receipt via email of any product that we receive. It is an extremely good idea to make a note of the tracking number of your parcel before it is sent.

What if I decide to no longer use The Orchard for distribution?

Leaving The Orchard distribution system means modifying the Orchard Agreement. The process starts by faxing or mailing a signed letter, to the attention of Deletion Notices requesting a deletion. Please list the artist(s) and release(s) you wish to delete, as well as a valid shipping address for us to ship your product to (no P.O. Boxes). If The Orchard accepts the deletion request, the Orchard will fax back a letter ending the Term of the Agreement. This letter must be signed by both parties.

The deletion process creates costs for The Orchard that includes shipping charges and restocking fees. In addition, a considerable amount of time is required to notify retail accounts, manage the return of unsold product and prepare the final accounting. There is a $250 fee for filing a deletion notice.

During the deletion process your account will be frozen for at least 180 days or until there is a full quarter without returns. At the end of the deletion process, all product in inventory will be returned and a final accounting of the product will be rendered.

www.theorchard.com

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