I personally find it amusing that poster's always claim that CD's by "popular" artists cost this much when places such as Best Buy and Circuit City sell them for $11.99 to $12.99, and thats usually regular price. You will only pay $16.99 to $18.99 when you are at a music store, usually in a mall, that only sells CDs, posters, etc... These stores hate the "Electronic Superstores" who lower CD prices to the point that they are breaking even or losing money just so you come in and browse, and hope you walk out with that new DVD player and widescreen T.V. when all you came for was the new release CD.
His options are: pay $18.99 for the CD in a Manhattan store or take a commuter bus to a New Jersey/Long Island music superstore and pay $5-7 for the bus, $11.99 for the CD and waste two hours of their time in the bargain.