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The Great Vinyl Debate

Vinyl record prices are out of control. Their quality is also lacking: Too many poor pressings and cheap packaging (paper sleeves and cheap card stock outer sleeves) don't justify the price. My question is why is this happening?

I refuse to buy re-issues when used originals can still be had cut from the original analog sources to those that love to search for them (I get that some folks don't care for hunting/waiting) and ultimatly find them.

The trouble I have is with the price of "new vinyl." It varies of course, but both indie and major label vinyl records are grossly over priced IMO. I have no qualms about supported an artist whatsoever, however the average price for LPs both single and double and box sets are outragous.

Labels, distributors et. al. appear to be taking advantage of an inflated/exaggerated supply and demand equilibrium more so these days than ever before. Why is this? Even tho I've been hearing and reading about the vinyl resurgance since 2007 and the plethora of other documents stating that it's on the rise - even that vinyl is killing the compact disc - only 3 people where I work have turntables (that includes me) but I'm the only one that actually listens to, and buys records. In my world, I don't see the resurgance at all. But I do see inflated record prices along the lines of $46 for double LPs and $35 dollars for single LPs! These aren't re-issue inflated prices either - these are new music prices. And most if not all don't include "free MP3 downloads" (who wants MP3's anyway?)

Perhaps the recording industry believes that if they have a customer base that will pay $2000 for one foot of power cord or $10K+ for turntables (sans tonearm and cartridge) - we won't balk at $30 150 gram records or multi-hundred dollar box sets.

I'm a music lover not a sucka. Hey music industry mad men I'm on to you - the revolution is now....
notec
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Back in the 1970s, MoFi reissues cost $14.99 for a single LP. What would that translate to in 2010 dollars? There were many who complained then about the cost. As they do about the cost of cars, hi fi gear and houses.

Interestingly, many MoFis from that era now sell for multiples of their original selling price. Even regular issues cost $4.99-$6.99. So really, your issues with the cost of LPs are unfounded. The cost has not kept pace with the increase in inflation.

As for quality issues, you clearly did not live through the dark years when recycled vinyl and schemes to cheap out LPs resulted in such technologies as RCAs Dynaflex. Records from the majors were much worse in the late 1970s and early 1980s. No question about it.

If you want perfection, get CDs, or music servers, or open reel tape, or 8-tracks, or Elcasette. Or just listen to the radio.
notec OP
407 posts
 
US inflation is a valid point. As is operational costs of manufacture (there are less plants making LPs these days - as well as people that know how to do it well (speaks to quality)). However, indie labels like DISCORD are selling LPs from their stable for $15 (up from $10 when they started) and have be profitable for 30 years. Proving that an agreeable pricing model is possible, so I don't agree that as you say "my issues with the cost of LPs are unfounded."

Greed is still my point with the majors (nothing new).

So MoFi's been rippin' off music lovers for 40 years. Nice.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
record pressings today are 'a fraction of a fraction' of what they were 30 or more years ago. its a boutique business, and will not get cheaper. with all its quirts and problems, it still is radically fun...and 20 to 30 bucks is far less than a night out.
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