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New LP Returns

I have recently begun buying a lot of new LP's, new pressings that is. In general they have been great, but in a couple of instances I have had problems that I never encountered "Back in the day". I got a version of Tres Hombres with a dimple in the vinyl. I took it back immeadiatly, and the guy was great, ordered me a now one, which sounds great by the way, but told me that they manufacturer does now warranty the records and he will have to eat it?

Is that right?

At another shop, which I frequent and really try to give them a lot of business, I got a 180 version of Zenyota Mondata recently, and it had a scratch in the groove from the first playing. No cleaning could get the scratch out, he of course took it back and gave me store credit, but did say it looked like a "needle burn" scratch (not from my needle!!) but he also said he would have to eat that cost.

I find that a bad business practice if the record companies are doing that. I am at a quandry as to what to do with my favorite record store because when I brought in the Police album for return I picked up a new 180g version of the Joshua Tree and it is the worst pressing of an album I have ever gotten. Marks all over it across the grooves. The 4th side has a loud rythemic rasp from the mark in it. No amount of cleaning has helped.

Should I bring this back? I feel weird doing that, but I don't think I should eat the album, I won't play that side again. They all look bad, that is the only side that plays poorly. What should I do? Can I go to the record company? I really like the relationship that I have struck up with this guy, he has ordered me some great stuff, and will call me if he gets something used in that he knows I will want. Great guy, I don't want to stick him with these records, so what's the solution??
macdadtexas
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
"Back in the old days" LP producers never took back returns either. The thing was dealers and distributors could usually shuffle the defectives into the 'overstock' and process them out. (Record companies used to make huge quantities of 'pop' records they knew would not sell..)
Now, the records are pressed in small (comparatively) batches.. and no-one has any wiggle room.
The dealers ARE 'eating' the cost of returns 100% now.
Makes you wonder why anyone would bother selling LPs.
grimace
624 posts
 
I bought a pretty expensive 180g Blue Note recently that looked like it had been dropped at the factory. Scratches on both sides and at least one skip. Acoustic Sounds took it back and replaced it with no problems at all. That sucks that they have to eat that because it was clearly something that happened at the factory. It was sealed like that when I got it.
photodusty
79 posts
 
I noticed the last 3 albums I purchased were warped and 1 {Lucinda Williams} was warped and looks like it had been dropped and finger prints on it! Brand new!

My Coldplay Parachutes was so bad I ate the $20 I spent on it and took it to my record store for credit.

Is there a way we can start an email thread on our dislikes of the record companies? How could we get it to the right people?

db
casey33
260 posts
 
Mac The biggest problem,I see for you,at some point won't the dealer decide you are too anal?From a business standpoint he may lose more than he gains.At that point you lose the most valuable part of this equation,the fact that he calls you with "something used that he knows I will want".It's used,it's open it's a known quantity and probably cheaper to boot.My suggestion is to keep him informed,and see what he thinks.
theo's avatar
theo
2,331 posts
 
I have heard that some dealers will actually refuse to do business with you if you are returning too many. I guess
we as consumers need to send the record companies a message. BUt it could backfire and we lose the records altogether. But economic boycott is a strong message for anyone expecially now. I have really slowed down on buying records because it is ridiculous to spend 30 bucks plus shipping and hear the ticks and pops right out of the sleeve. I am all for a strong letter to the record comapnies if we can get organized. I would think that the Music Direct and Acoustic Sounds of the world would be behind it as well. Keep us posted.
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