JonnyH
Well-Known Member
I thought your guv said no gatherings til at least September?
Portland / Oregon
- Thread starter hatfieldpdx
- Start date
I thought your guv said no gatherings til at least September?
hatfieldpdx
Well-Known Member
No chance, sadly
bdm105
Well-Known Member
I think they might have? Idk I'm over the bridge in WA
I'm pretty sure the word is no gatherings of more than 24 people until September at the very earliest. Which doesn't mean they are allowed in September, but not before then for sure.
Dead C
Well-Known Member
I just had a really terrible experience with Music Millenium and am wondering if I'm alone in that.
I ordered a "new" album and when it showed up, it was bent up with corner dings and even a seam split. The mailer was still in immaculate condition, which means that they knowingly boxed it up like that. On top of that, they noticed that the system under-quoted me for shipping with the invoice they sent me, so they went ahead and charged my card for more without ever contacting me about it to provide a heads up, or receive my authorization. They just adjusted the shipping fee on the physical invoice in my package with a pen and sent me the receipt for the adjusted amount.
It was only a dollar more, but that seemed like a pretty bold (not to mention, illegal) move. I reached out to them explaining that I wasn't really cool with this and pointing out that they could have just emailed me if they noticed their last copy was bent to hell, or that the shipping was off. I said I wanted an immediate refund. Here's how they responded.
The LP you ordered has been in the store out in the bin since 6/26/18
Is the record itself damaged or are you just concerned about shelf wear of
the sleeve?
Our website has a few flaws and the major one for us in shipping is
allowing the customer to choose the shipping method. I have no control
over it at all.
You chose the incorrect shipping method on your own, CD/DVD, when you
purchased your LP. The shipping department will not allow me to
undercharge so I have to make adjustments (in pen) on your paper
printout.
I will issue a refund, keep the record.
- Allen
So... this is why I couldn't get an email ahead of time?
Also, this is what "shelfwear" looks like to them. If that bend looks small, it actually reaches up to the vinyl inside
I ordered a "new" album and when it showed up, it was bent up with corner dings and even a seam split. The mailer was still in immaculate condition, which means that they knowingly boxed it up like that. On top of that, they noticed that the system under-quoted me for shipping with the invoice they sent me, so they went ahead and charged my card for more without ever contacting me about it to provide a heads up, or receive my authorization. They just adjusted the shipping fee on the physical invoice in my package with a pen and sent me the receipt for the adjusted amount.
It was only a dollar more, but that seemed like a pretty bold (not to mention, illegal) move. I reached out to them explaining that I wasn't really cool with this and pointing out that they could have just emailed me if they noticed their last copy was bent to hell, or that the shipping was off. I said I wanted an immediate refund. Here's how they responded.
The LP you ordered has been in the store out in the bin since 6/26/18
Is the record itself damaged or are you just concerned about shelf wear of
the sleeve?
Our website has a few flaws and the major one for us in shipping is
allowing the customer to choose the shipping method. I have no control
over it at all.
You chose the incorrect shipping method on your own, CD/DVD, when you
purchased your LP. The shipping department will not allow me to
undercharge so I have to make adjustments (in pen) on your paper
printout.
I will issue a refund, keep the record.
- Allen
So... this is why I couldn't get an email ahead of time?
Also, this is what "shelfwear" looks like to them. If that bend looks small, it actually reaches up to the vinyl inside
Matt M
Santa Extraordinaire
I've been a little edgy with them too. Had a couple things that didn't go quite the way I felt they should, and a ton of their stuff is at least $5 more than anywhere else. I love supporting Terry, but some of the things aren't quite as well run as I would have hoped lately.
Dead C
Well-Known Member
I've been in there before and they were nice enough, but I think it's a pretty bold response to blame the customer for you knowingly choosing to send them a damaged product and adding unauthorized charges to their card.
Matt M
Santa Extraordinaire
I totally agree. Their website is awful. And getting it set up so it works is on them. And not just throwing a beat up record in a box and calling it new. I've not purchased multiple things there because the jacket was all bent up.
This is where it is hard the VMP vs local argument for me. I've had as many issues with them as I have with VMP, if not more. Quite a few warps, not getting what I asked for at curbside pickup and having to take it back, the fact they are so expensive with certain items.
This is where it is hard the VMP vs local argument for me. I've had as many issues with them as I have with VMP, if not more. Quite a few warps, not getting what I asked for at curbside pickup and having to take it back, the fact they are so expensive with certain items.
Dead C
Well-Known Member
I mean, just email me. Let me know that it turns out that the item is the last copy, but pretty banged up. Give me the option to decide if I want to go ahead with the order. When you're selling outersleeves and charging more for certain pressings, don't front like you aren't supporting a collectors market or that people don't care if their sleeves look like they've been run over or not.
As for overcharging my card, that's illegal as fuck. In the same email, they could have just told me that the system got it wrong, while offering me the option to either cancel, cancel and reorder it correctly, or to authorize the additional charge.
This is the same system utilized by Waterloo, The Record Exchange, and Easy Street. I've ordered from all of them. If there's an issue, they can just email you about it and have. These clowns chose not to and, when I reached out, didn't even have enough respect to lie to me with excuses about the pandemic throwing them off or not noticing the damage. No apology. It's like I reponded to them.
Here's what your email tells me as a customer:
1. If I order something from you, I should expect it to arrive in any manner of condition, because this isn't an isolated incident or a mistake that was overlooked in packing it. I get what I get.
2. Once you have my card, I can be charged anything without prior notification.
Not only does that instill zero confidence in me as a customer, these are pretty terrible business practices to now stand behind.
GentleSenator
Active Member
yikes, that's awful. i never even bother with their website thanks to their vinyl guy routinely telling customers "it's always wrong". whatever that means.
it's unfortunate that they won't take ecommerce more seriously, especially now. that's why they haven't gotten any of my $$$ during the shutdown. i spend my money online at the shops in your state instead.
Dead C
Well-Known Member
Yeah. The reason I ordered what I did was because they were the ones who had it. Beyond ecommerce, I've literally been in their shop before, so they lose physical customers this way, too.
@Rip_City commented on my status by saying they weren't even a top 5 Portland shop for them. I love Mississippi and I've had good experiences at Beacon Sound. I've been to a number of shops out there. I'm wondering which ones are everyone's favorites.
JonnyH
Well-Known Member
Jackpot!
Dead C
Well-Known Member
I need that RSD Wipers reissue, when it comes out
Rip_City
Well-Known Member
For my tastes:
1) Musique Plastique
2) Mississippi Records
3) 2nd Ave. Records
4) Crossroads Records
5) Beacon Sound
Honorable mention: Jackpot Records
Dead C
Well-Known Member
I've been to 2nd Ave, but just didn't have the time I wanted to really go through it. I didn't remember the name, so thanks.
GentleSenator
Active Member
when it comes to most "local" and best prices, 2nd avenue wins every time. it's so small and so crowded that it can turn folks off, but this shop is the epitome of family-run small business. they always have new releases and they almost always have the limited/indie versions. they very clearly get the largest shipments of RSD items too. i've waited in line for 1.5 hours well past opening and still found basically everything on my list. and they do take credit cards, so that's a plus
Matt M
Santa Extraordinaire
I agree that 2nd ave is exactly that. They are so reasonable on their prices. And they're actually opening up today, limited hours.when it comes to most "local" and best prices, 2nd avenue wins every time. it's so small and so crowded that it can turn folks off, but this shop is the epitome of family-run small business. they always have new releases and they almost always have the limited/indie versions. they very clearly get the largest shipments of RSD items too. i've waited in line for 1.5 hours well past opening and still found basically everything on my list. and they do take credit cards, so that's a plus
Jackpot is the other I hit too. Crossroads is great for a dig session, which I could use now.
hatfieldpdx
Well-Known Member
2nd Avenue is my go-to. Their prices can't be beat, and I've had good luck finding gems that are long gone at other shops. Gotta love the dial-up credit card system, the handwritten receipts, and the subtle yet sincere service they all provide. They have been carrying all of the Blue Note re-issues (80th/Tone Poet) at prices well below Music Millennium's. All of that said, I hope they come out the other side of this, as I don't think they have any e-commerce or curbside options going at the moment. (EDIT: just saw @Matt M post that they are opening today, great news).
I haven't really understood the Music Millennium hype for quite some time. Shopped there a lot in the 90's, discovered some great music and really loved the staff working there at the time. At some point along the way, they lost me and I just haven't had a great experience the various times I have given them another chance. And given the variable experience, really hard to pay the premium pricing they charge.
Jackpot! is a great shop...that said, I hardly ever get over there...and by the time I do, never seem to find anything that I haven't already tracked down elsewhere. Oh well.
Mississippi Records is a gem, more or less my 1a to 2nd Ave.
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Matt M
Santa Extraordinaire
Yeah, I need to get down there this week and grab a couple things to help out. Probably a couple of those Blue Notes.