INDUSTRY BRIEFINGS.

The High Cost Of On Line Selling

Levi Strauss & Co. has ceased selling merchandise on its Levis and Dockers Web sites and instead will allow its goods to be sold online through sites operated by two retailers starting after Christmas. A Levis spokesman said, "What we learned during the past year we've operated the site is that the cost of running a truly world class e-commerce business is unaffordable. The company needs to focus its resources on higher priorities."

Forgetting A $2.5 Million Cello?

For cellist Yo-Yo Ma, it was a performance he would prefer not to repeat. The world's most famous living cellist left his $2.5 million, 266-year-old Venetian cello in the trunk of a New York City taxi Saturday afternoon. Ma, 44, put the cello in the trunk of the cab at 1 p.m. EDT for a ride from Manhattan's Upper West Side to his Midtown hotel. But when he arrived at his destination about 20 minutes later, he forgot to take the cello along with him. "1 made a stupid mistake and I just left without it," said the musician, who has owned the instrument for 10 years. Using a receipt the cab driver had given Ma, a search party of police officers, inspectors from the Taxi and Limousine Commission and officials from City Hall tracked down the cab and the driver in Queens, New York, three hours later. The driver did not know the musical treasure was still in the trunk.

Things That Are Worth It

In a list of "100 Things Worth Every Penny," Forbes magazine included a Fender American Standard Stratocaster and a Steinway grand piano. Other items to make the list included a Stihl chainsaw, Petrossian caviar, and Red Sox season tickets. "Sure, they may cost a bit more, but they bring simple joy to life. And, isn't that what the money is there for?" declared the article.

A Lucrative Party Season

In the feast or famine world of bands, prices typically double for New Year's Eve gigs. But this millennium year, triple is common in some areas, and some band leaders can demand whatever the market will bear. The American Federation of Musicians says that bookings are up over 50% from 1998. The Boston Musician's Association says that bands that usually get $2,000 to $4,000 a night are getting $3,500 to $5,000 this year.

Violin Sets Sales Record

An 18th Century Guarneri violin owned by the late Yehudi Menhuin was recently sold for a record price to an unidentified collector. The price of the violin was not revealed, by a representative from the Swiss dealer, Musik Hug said that it was "approximately $1.2 million above what had ever been paid for a violin before." Last year, Christie's in London sold a Stradivarius for a then record price of $1.58 million.

Yellow Pages Statistics

This out from the Yellow Pages Publishers Association. Last year 34.6 million consumers referenced the "Musical Instruments Dealers" listing in the Yellow Pages, making it the 82nd most-referenced heading out of 4,200 total listings. Retailers may disagree, but the Association claims that 46 percent of Yellow Pages references result in a purchase.