Vinyl Me Please (store, exclusives, swaps, etc)

THIS!

Its not even that tricky to understand. If they are saying that the shipping costs are too high then collate the records and send them out once a month in a single package rather than 3-4 in a month. Thats a huge saving right there.

Also, I remember back in the days we Intl were charged $8 on any new purchase and $5 per additional item. At these prices, it was acceptable. Now, I have the idea they included the shipping costs in the pricing and every subscriber (Intl or not) was paying to balance the shipping costs.
 
The new pricing would not be “Not Terrible” if they were offering an audiophile product. They have produced some albums that would qualify as audiophile but it’s a bit of a gamble. Many have pressing errors or have sloppy QC issues. Not to mention If I am gonna pay nearly $50 an album I want to be buying an album that I know I am gonna love. Nothing about their recent curation has told me that I am gonna get 12 albums that I truly love.

Great points. If you don’t think you’ll find 12 albums you want with the 36 annual ROTMs and various store drops, then it’s a clear no regardless of price. To the audiophile point, I guess that’s objective to a degree. VMP is audiophile enough for me to hear the difference between their AAA/ADA RKS or Balston cuts versus generic retail pressings. $31 for an exclusive VMP vs $25 Wal-Mart copy, I’m happy going with VMP version.
 
Great points. If you don’t think you’ll find 12 albums you want with the 36 annual ROTMs and various store drops, then it’s a clear no regardless of price. To the audiophile point, I guess that’s objective to a degree. VMP is audiophile enough for me to hear the difference between their AAA/ADA RKS or Balston cuts versus generic retail pressings. $31 for an exclusive VMP vs $25 Wal-Mart copy, I’m happy going with VMP version.

90% of their exclusives are variants as Wal-Mart's or other retailer's though so unless you really love a specific color, soundwise it will be the same.
 
90% of their exclusives are variants as Wal-Mart's or other retailer's though so unless you really love a specific color, soundwise it will be the same.
And it'll take longer to ship.

I regret the two times I bought one of their variants just because I had credit to burn. Had to wait months after release to get them. Annoying.
 
Great points. If you don’t think you’ll find 12 albums you want with the 36 annual ROTMs and various store drops, then it’s a clear no regardless of price. To the audiophile point, I guess that’s objective to a degree. VMP is audiophile enough for me to hear the difference between their AAA/ADA RKS or Balston cuts versus generic retail pressings. $31 for an exclusive VMP vs $25 Wal-Mart copy, I’m happy going with VMP version.
I agree that VMP can release definitive pressings, I own several and of albums that would normally not receive that sort of treatment. There are plenty of examples where the VMP pressings isn’t particularly superior to the other options available and even more examples where there CQ messed things up and their pressing contain actual flaws. There are also plenty of examples of VMP pressing audiophile editions of albums that seemingly no one is clamoring for. At this point in collecting, I would rather spend the $50 on things I know I love. Than gamble on VMP in hopes on saving a few bucks on at least a few things I likely won’t. If VMP puts out something that I must own, I will fork over the a little more for that specific title but that as much as I willing to invest at this point.

I signed up for Demon Day initially but with the understanding that if I didn’t care for a ROTM, I could swap out for Black Sabbath, Beck, Wilco, MMJ, etc.. and That Fiona Apple was coming the following month. I remember with Fiona I also got exclusive pressings of The National’s Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers and Nick Caves The Boatman’s Call. Both those exclusives were under $25. VMP just isn’t to that level quality or value anymore.
 
I agree that VMP can release definitive pressings, I own several and of albums that would normally not receive that sort of treatment. There are plenty of examples where the VMP pressings isn’t particularly superior to the other options available and even more examples where there CQ messed things up and their pressing contain actual flaws. There are also plenty of examples of VMP pressing audiophile editions of albums that seemingly no one is clamoring for. At this point in collecting, I would rather spend the $50 on things I know I love. Than gamble on VMP in hopes on saving a few bucks on at least a few things I likely won’t. If VMP puts out something that I must own, I will fork over the a little more for that specific title but that as much as I willing to invest at this point.

I signed up for Demon Day initially but with the understanding that if I didn’t care for a ROTM, I could swap out for Black Sabbath, Beck, Wilco, MMJ, etc.. and That Fiona Apple was coming the following month. I remember with Fiona I also got exclusive pressings of The National’s Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers and Nick Caves The Boatman’s Call. Both those exclusives were under $25. VMP just isn’t to that level quality or value anymore.
Totally agree, I entered at Black Sabbath - And although Nada Surf came next, but they introduced Swaps shortly after. Anyhow Nada got sold on but for me the next 12 months (maybe 18) were VMPs peak. I picked up all those Albums you mentioned too.
I did wonder if my now much larger collection does not need a curator anymore. But TBH im also sure id get those titles still, no so much the curation lately.
Personally If i was CEO , I would at the minimum remove Storf from Picking. I get that its harder for them to press some of the titles they would like, but still..... I think they are at a 90% miss ratio for me.
Also I dont think added tracks enhanced the expericence. One ROTM with some additional true exclusive pressings / occasional Anthology in store would be my sweet spot.
 
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