Vinyl Me Please Rap & Hip Hop

[NathanRicaud]

No, I don't know that VMP is better than those retailers when it comes to exclusives. Because VMP hasn't made a compelling case that they are in my mind. In fact, quite the opposite: any of those other four retailers will be more likely to deliver your product on time and also will most likely be cheaper. VMP still conducts business like they control the market and can do whatever they want and be untouchable but in an age where pretty much every release VMP gets an exclusive of has about 20 other variants from different retailers, I have no idea why anyone would willingly choose to go with VMP because they've proven they don't know what they're doing.

People used to joke about VMP devolving into Newbury Comics but honestly I find Newbury a lot more respectable at this point, they don't pretend to be anything other than a store by putting up the front of a "community." And I'll be completely honest, Urban Outfitters may be overpriced, but no worse than VMP with the recent price hike, and UO is more likely on average to actually press things I give a shit about and they actually have gotten some legitimate "exclusives" as of late, and not just random things like that Lindsay Lohan album but things like Kim Petras - Clarity.

Walmart and Target are not vinyl retailers first, it's clearly more of a side hustle, but them stepping into the ring presents trouble for VMP, because it's further proof vinyl is no longer as niche of a hobby as when VMP first started. VMP is only gaining more and more competition, and simultaneously making more and more of a case why they should be left behind.

I understand that you personally have enjoyed VMP as a service and curator and that's fine. But let's not pretend they are anything more than another Newbury at this point. And going by that metric, in terms of price and customer service, they are a lesser Newbury.

Yes, the other retailers are definitely more likely to deliver your product on time compared to VMP, 100%! I would definitely choose VMP over Urban Outfitters because Urban Outfitters Customer Service is terrible from my experience, and I like VMP's variants a lot in general and for me they are a good-looking company! VMP is like Lululemon, a bit more upper class/premium/higher quality overall, compared to Newbury Comics, which would be more like Nike (still good), UO, which would be like Topshop's sports clothes (average) and Target, which would be like Target clothing (average). VMP specialise in vinyl curation and exclusives and are easily the best looking vinyl company when it comes to exclusives, compared to the those other four! This is why many people still go for VMP!

I find VMP more respectable than Newbury Comics. Imagine if VMP exclusively pressed Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and NaS' Illmatic and Deltron 3030! All three would've easily of sold out by now! But Newbury Comics can't sell out of any of them! They've had NaS' Illmatic in store for ages and their variant of that album looks great! Just goes to show more people would rather the VMP exclusive over Newbury Comics! Also, Freddie Gibbs x The Alchemist's Alfredo was limited to 1500 copies and it sold out in under an hour. HHV has the same album as an exclusive for 1000 copies and can't even sell out within a week! VMP is gaining competition, but it still proves to be #1.

So I understand where you're coming from but I disagree with you, they are so much more than Newbury Comics! Their ROTM tracks are AMAZING! The Classics track is unique, with very high quality pressings at 180g, and their Essentials have been excellent. Their last Essentials ROTM - Buena Vista Social Club sounds spectacular and sold out! Spiritualized will be no different I am sure. Most people would easily prefer VMP over Newbury Comics. Oh yeah, that Bon Iver exclusive was released the same day as VMP's but they still have theirs in store though! VMP's one sold out ages ago!

Sonny Rollins Saxaphone Colossus was a VMP exclusive last year limited to 750 copies. Newbury did the same album as an exclusive last year at a cheaper price ($24.99), and their variant was more limited -500 copies - but they can't even sell out of their variant... I think that says a lot between the two! More people much prefer VMP over Newbury Comics.

Yes VMP are more expensive than Newbury Comics, but they are better looking, have a stronger reputation and are more respected, despite the customer service and price issues they have! VMP > Newbury Comics. Easy!

 

[Diaper Baby Escape Plan]

Yes, the other retailers are definitely more likely to deliver your product on time compared to VMP, 100%! I would definitely choose VMP over Urban Outfitters because Urban Outfitters Customer Service is terrible from my experience, and I like VMP's variants a lot in general and for me they are a good-looking company! VMP is like Lululemon, a bit more upper class/premium/higher quality overall, compared to Newbury Comics, which would be more like Nike (still good), UO, which would be like Topshop's sports clothes (average) and Target, which would be like Target clothing (average). VMP specialise in vinyl curation and exclusives and are easily the best looking vinyl company when it comes to exclusives, compared to the those other four! This is why many people still go for VMP!

I find VMP more respectable than Newbury Comics. Imagine if VMP exclusively pressed Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and NaS' Illmatic and Deltron 3030! All three would've easily of sold out by now! Just goes to show more people would rather the VMP exclusive over Newbury Comics! Also, Freddie Gibbs x The Alchemist's Alfredo was limited to 1500 copies and it sold out in under an hour. HHV has the same album as an exclusive for 1000 copies and can't even sell out within a week! VMP is gaining competition, but it still proves to be #1.

So I understand where you're coming from but I disagree with you, they are so much more than Newbury Comics! Their ROTM tracks are AMAZING! The Classics track is unique, with very high quality pressings at 180g, and their Essentials have been excellent. Their last Essentials ROTM - Buena Vista Social Club sounds spectacular and sold out! Spiritualized will be no different I am sure. Most people would easily prefer VMP over Newbury Comics. Oh yeah, that Bon Iver exclusive was released the same day as VMP's but they still have theirs in store though! VMP's one sold out ages ago!

Sonny Rollins Saxaphone Colossus was a VMP exclusive last year limited to 750 copies. Newbury did the same album at a cheaper price ($24.99), and their variant was more limited -500 copies - but they can't even sell out of their variant.

Yes VMP are more expensive than Newbury Comics, but they are better looking, have a stronger reputation and are more respected, despite the customer service and price issues they have! VMP > Newbury Comics. Easy!

Given the extreme problems Lululemon has had over the last few years with its quality, response toward customer body image, and leadership issues, it's fitting that you chose to compare VMP to them. If you were trying to make a flattering point about VMP, I would not have compared them to Lululemon. You could compare them to Victoria's Secret.....oh, wait, no, no....don't do that either

 

[NathanRicaud]

Given the extreme problems Lululemon has had over the last few years with its quality, response toward customer body image, and leadership issues, it's fitting that you chose to compare VMP to them. If you were trying to make a flattering point about VMP, I would not have compared them to Lululemon. You could compare them to Victoria's Secret.....oh, wait, no, no....don't do that either

They both have their issues - Lulelemon and VMP - but both stores are quite pricey, don't have storewide sales like UO, Newbury Comics, Target etc, and prove to still be very popular! VMP don't need to have sales and they'll still do much better than all those retailers! I remember Anderson Paak's Ventura being in the UO store for AGES! VMP did an exclusive of Venice, and it sold out in under 5 minutes!

Like whether people like it or not, VMP is premium and is more of a 'boutique' retailer compared to those other places. And in today's world, people love quality, good-looking products and reputable companies!

 

[wingclipper]

Yes, the other retailers are definitely more likely to deliver your product on time compared to VMP, 100%! I would definitely choose VMP over Urban Outfitters because Urban Outfitters Customer Service is terrible from my experience, and I like VMP's variants a lot in general and for me they are a good-looking company! VMP is like Lululemon, a bit more upper class/premium/higher quality overall, compared to Newbury Comics, which would be more like Nike (still good), UO, which would be like Topshop's sports clothes (average) and Target, which would be like Target clothing (average). VMP specialise in vinyl curation and exclusives and are easily the best looking vinyl company when it comes to exclusives, compared to the those other four! This is why many people still go for VMP!

I find VMP more respectable than Newbury Comics. Imagine if VMP exclusively pressed Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and NaS' Illmatic and Deltron 3030! All three would've easily of sold out by now! But Newbury Comics can't sell out of any of them! They've had NaS' Illmatic in store for ages and their variant of that album looks great! Just goes to show more people would rather the VMP exclusive over Newbury Comics! Also, Freddie Gibbs x The Alchemist's Alfredo was limited to 1500 copies and it sold out in under an hour. HHV has the same album as an exclusive for 1000 copies and can't even sell out within a week! VMP is gaining competition, but it still proves to be #1.

So I understand where you're coming from but I disagree with you, they are so much more than Newbury Comics! Their ROTM tracks are AMAZING! The Classics track is unique, with very high quality pressings at 180g, and their Essentials have been excellent. Their last Essentials ROTM - Buena Vista Social Club sounds spectacular and sold out! Spiritualized will be no different I am sure. Most people would easily prefer VMP over Newbury Comics. Oh yeah, that Bon Iver exclusive was released the same day as VMP's but they still have theirs in store though! VMP's one sold out ages ago!

Sonny Rollins Saxaphone Colossus was a VMP exclusive last year limited to 750 copies. Newbury did the same album as an exclusive last year at a cheaper price ($24.99), and their variant was more limited -500 copies - but they can't even sell out of their variant... I think that says a lot between the two! More people much prefer VMP over Newbury Comics.

Yes VMP are more expensive than Newbury Comics, but they are better looking, have a stronger reputation and are more respected, despite the customer service and price issues they have! VMP > Newbury Comics. Easy!

This is one of the most troubling things I’ve ever read about record collecting in my life.

 

[Rowan]

Yes, the other retailers are definitely more likely to deliver your product on time compared to VMP, 100%! I would definitely choose VMP over Urban Outfitters because Urban Outfitters Customer Service is terrible from my experience, and I like VMP's variants a lot in general and for me they are a good-looking company! VMP is like Lululemon, a bit more upper class/premium/higher quality overall, compared to Newbury Comics, which would be more like Nike (still good), UO, which would be like Topshop's sports clothes (average) and Target, which would be like Target clothing (average). VMP specialise in vinyl curation and exclusives and are easily the best looking vinyl company when it comes to exclusives, compared to the those other four! This is why many people still go for VMP!

I find VMP more respectable than Newbury Comics. Imagine if VMP exclusively pressed Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and NaS' Illmatic and Deltron 3030! All three would've easily of sold out by now! But Newbury Comics can't sell out of any of them! They've had NaS' Illmatic in store for ages and their variant of that album looks great! Just goes to show more people would rather the VMP exclusive over Newbury Comics! Also, Freddie Gibbs x The Alchemist's Alfredo was limited to 1500 copies and it sold out in under an hour. HHV has the same album as an exclusive for 1000 copies and can't even sell out within a week! VMP is gaining competition, but it still proves to be #1.

So I understand where you're coming from but I disagree with you, they are so much more than Newbury Comics! Their ROTM tracks are AMAZING! The Classics track is unique, with very high quality pressings at 180g, and their Essentials have been excellent. Their last Essentials ROTM - Buena Vista Social Club sounds spectacular and sold out! Spiritualized will be no different I am sure. Most people would easily prefer VMP over Newbury Comics. Oh yeah, that Bon Iver exclusive was released the same day as VMP's but they still have theirs in store though! VMP's one sold out ages ago!

Sonny Rollins Saxaphone Colossus was a VMP exclusive last year limited to 750 copies. Newbury did the same album at a cheaper price ($24.99), and their variant was more limited -500 copies - but they can't even sell out of their variant.

Yes VMP are more expensive than Newbury Comics, but they are better looking, have a stronger reputation and are more respected, despite the customer service and price issues they have! VMP > Newbury Comics. Easy!

The reason for that isn't the quality of the variants though. Its the additional shipping and customs charges that come from shopping with Newbury. If I want a $20 album i need to pay 50% again tpo have it shipped and then I get smashed for £20 customs by the postman just to collect. As an international buyer Newbury, for something I can get from my local in a different colour, is prohibitively expensive. If VMP put the same level of charges on (which I'm not suggesting they should) then we could see how long their inventory lasts as no one from outside the US (with exception of yourself perhaps) would touch them. The value wouldn't be there or even close to being there.

My own buying habits have gone from being VMP giddy and buying big boxes of them every month to seeing what they are offering and on the very, very rare occasion I feel like diving in

1. Checking to see if it is available the artists own bandcamp at a not mental delivery rate
2. Seeing if the artist has an official store that doesn't have a wild shipping rate
3. Checking to see if one of my locals has stock and if, like Ambrose, the last exclusive i bought, they don't
4. Buy from VMP and sit around for a few months to wait with a stream in the interim.

Plus I've come to the conclusion I actually like black vinyl. Sure sometimes it's nice to mix it up but black vinyl. It's cool with me.

 

[Diaper Baby Escape Plan]

They both have their issues - Lulelemon and VMP - but both stores are quite pricey, don't have storewide sales like UO, Newbury Comics, Target etc, and prove to still be very popular! VMP don't need to have sales and they'll still do much better than all those retailers! I remember Anderson Paak's Ventura being in the UO store for AGES! VMP did an exclusive of Venice, and it sold out in under 5 minutes!

Like whether people like it or not, VMP is premium and is more of a 'boutique' retailer compared to those other places. And in today's world, people love quality, good-looking products and reputable companies!

Nathan, I appreciate your ride or die attitude. You're presented with irrefutable facts about a company being trash (and I still buy from VMP, don't get me wrong - I am okay with that fact that they're trash; buying from a place that sells records isn't a moral decision for me and I save my outrage for other places); yet you still stick your neck out for them.

I feel like you'd be successful as a political spokesperson, a pharmaceutical rep, a fascist, etc

 

[NathanRicaud]

This is one of the most troubling things I’ve ever read about record collecting in my life.

What do you mean? You don't think I'm crazy do you?

 

[NathanRicaud]

Nathan, I appreciate your ride or die attitude. You're presented with irrefutable facts about a company being trash (and I still buy from VMP, don't get me wrong - I am okay with that fact that they're trash; buying from a place that sells records isn't a moral decision for me and I save my outrage for other places); yet you still stick your neck out for them.

I feel like you'd be successful as a political spokesperson, a pharmaceutical rep, a fascist, etc

hahaha yes, I'd be a great pharmaceutical rep for Pfizer! I would love to go up and talk to the whole company whilst I was working there (400 people when we had our big meetings every 3 months), and tell them about how some of us on Nightshift slept through our vial inspection rounds, where we were suppose to inspect vials to look for fibres and particulates in the bottles because these drugs were going to Cancer patients, but instead we slept. If we found a dodgy vial during QC'ing 4 vials every 2000 vials inspected, instead of reporting it, we would just chuck it in the reject area and pretended like it never happened because we didn't want to re-inspect the batch. It costs Pfizer too much money to respect a batch!

I would love to tell everyone what really happens with the packing and inspection department in Pfizer and how 'corrupted' it was, even though they act like they follow GMP so strictly.

PS - I am very left-wing/left when it comes to politics and I don't follow politics. But I did work in the pharmaceutical field for the biggest pharmaceutical company in the world, so there's some food for thought!

 

[Diaper Baby Escape Plan]

hahaha yes, I'd be a great pharmaceutical rep for Pfizer! I would love to go up and talk to the whole company whilst I was working there (400 people when we had our big meetings every 3 months), and tell them about how some of us on Nightshift slept through our vial inspection rounds, where we were suppose to inspect vials to look for fibres and particulates in the bottles because these drugs were going to Cancer patients, but instead we slept. If we found a dodgy vial during QC'ing 4 vials every 2000 vials inspected, instead of reporting it, we would just chuck it in the reject area and pretended like it never happened because we didn't want to re-inspect the batch. It costs Pfizer too much money to respect a batch!

I would love to tell everyone what really happens with the packing and inspection department in Pfizer and how 'corrupted' it was, even though they act like they follow GMP so strictly.

PS - I am very left-wing/left when it comes to politics and I don't follow politics. But I did work in the pharmaceutical field for the biggest pharmaceutical company in the world, so there's some food for thought!

Yes, I wasn't really making a statement about your political beliefs. I don't imagine you're goose stepping down the boulevard in your neatly pressed service uniform with a formation of kangaroos in tow (although, if you could teach kangaroos to goose step....)

 

[Jan]

Come on, give Nathan some pause, guys. The vmp price hike is a salary increase for nathan, so he´s gotta work a little harder defending them from now on.

 

[NathanRicaud]

Yes, I wasn't really making a statement about your political beliefs. I don't imagine you're goose stepping down the boulevard in your neatly pressed service uniform with a formation of kangaroos in tow (although, if you could teach kangaroos to goose step....)

I love Kangaroo's so much! They are the cutest! I love running in nature whilst seeing them do their own thing in the trees/bushes!

 

[Skalap]

Yes, the other retailers are definitely more likely to deliver your product on time compared to VMP, 100%! I would definitely choose VMP over Urban Outfitters because Urban Outfitters Customer Service is terrible from my experience, and I like VMP's variants a lot in general and for me they are a good-looking company! VMP is like Lululemon, a bit more upper class/premium/higher quality overall, compared to Newbury Comics, which would be more like Nike (still good), UO, which would be like Topshop's sports clothes (average) and Target, which would be like Target clothing (average). VMP specialise in vinyl curation and exclusives and are easily the best looking vinyl company when it comes to exclusives, compared to the those other four! This is why many people still go for VMP!

I find VMP more respectable than Newbury Comics. Imagine if VMP exclusively pressed Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and NaS' Illmatic and Deltron 3030! All three would've easily of sold out by now! But Newbury Comics can't sell out of any of them! They've had NaS' Illmatic in store for ages and their variant of that album looks great! Just goes to show more people would rather the VMP exclusive over Newbury Comics! Also, Freddie Gibbs x The Alchemist's Alfredo was limited to 1500 copies and it sold out in under an hour. HHV has the same album as an exclusive for 1000 copies and can't even sell out within a week! VMP is gaining competition, but it still proves to be #1.

So I understand where you're coming from but I disagree with you, they are so much more than Newbury Comics! Their ROTM tracks are AMAZING! The Classics track is unique, with very high quality pressings at 180g, and their Essentials have been excellent. Their last Essentials ROTM - Buena Vista Social Club sounds spectacular and sold out! Spiritualized will be no different I am sure. Most people would easily prefer VMP over Newbury Comics. Oh yeah, that Bon Iver exclusive was released the same day as VMP's but they still have theirs in store though! VMP's one sold out ages ago!

Sonny Rollins Saxaphone Colossus was a VMP exclusive last year limited to 750 copies. Newbury did the same album as an exclusive last year at a cheaper price ($24.99), and their variant was more limited -500 copies - but they can't even sell out of their variant... I think that says a lot between the two! More people much prefer VMP over Newbury Comics.

Yes VMP are more expensive than Newbury Comics, but they are better looking, have a stronger reputation and are more respected, despite the customer service and price issues they have! VMP > Newbury Comics. Easy!

Considering Vinceron buy half the stock, I think it's easy for VMP to sell out their exclusives compared to other retailers who, maybe, give a better look at who buy from them and prefer to sell their records to customers rather than to flippers.

 

[NathanRicaud]

Come on, give Nathan some pause, guys. The vmp price hike is a salary increase for nathan, so he´s gotta work a little harder defending them from now on.

Stop it Jan! hahahaha

Me and @gaporter are both just saying what we think of vinyl retailers! I'm not trying to defend VMP, I'm just giving my honest thoughts! ☺

The VMP price hike is a lot, but I'm sure VMP are going to pull a lot of special ROTM's, like they have been doing lately like Buena Vista Social Club, Spiritualized and The White Stripes! I'm so ready for OutKast's Stankonia later, and for other magnificent ROTM's! The price hike will be justified with a lot of their ROTM's in my opinion!

 

[Skalap]

Stop it Jan! hahahaha

Me and @gaporter are both just saying what we think of vinyl retailers! I'm not trying to defend VMP, I'm just giving my honest thoughts! ☺

The VMP price hike is a lot, but I'm sure VMP are going to pull a lot of special ROTM's, like they have been doing lately like Buena Vista Social Club, Spiritualized and The White Stripes! I'm so ready for OutKast's Stankonia later, and for other magnificent ROTM's! The price hike will be justified with a lot of their ROTM's in my opinion!

YOUR price hike, right? 35% on nothing is not that much

 

[NathanRicaud]

Considering Vinceron buy half the stock, I think it's easy for VMP to sell out their exclusives compared to other retailers who, maybe, give a better look at who buy from them and prefer to sell their records to customers rather than to flippers.

OMG, I can't wait with you Skalap! Trying to bring VMP down like that!

Vinceron does the same thing with UO, Target, Newbury Comics and other retailers too! They've already got Urban Outfitters The Weeknd After Hours exclusive for sale on their site! Vinceron does this flipping thing with different vinyl retailers!

 

[Skalap]

OMG, I can't wait with you Skalap! Trying to bring VMP down like that!

Vinceron does the same thing with UO, Target, Newbury Comics and other retailers too! They've already got Urban Outfitters The Weeknd After Hours exclusive for sale on their site! Vinceron does this flipping thing with different vinyl retailers!

They don't need me to bring their company down, they are actually pretty good at that.

 

[gaporter]

I find VMP more respectable than Newbury Comics. Imagine if VMP exclusively pressed Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and NaS' Illmatic and Deltron 3030! All three would've easily of sold out by now! But Newbury Comics can't sell out of any of them! They've had NaS' Illmatic in store for ages and their variant of that album looks great! Just goes to show more people would rather the VMP exclusive over Newbury Comics! Also, Freddie Gibbs x The Alchemist's Alfredo was limited to 1500 copies and it sold out in under an hour. HHV has the same album as an exclusive for 1000 copies and can't even sell out within a week! VMP is gaining competition, but it still proves to be #1.

Just judging by this paragraph, it seems that what you find respectable about VMP compared to Newbury is that they... sell out of products more often? I think what you are looking at as respectable on VMP's part is what I hate about their marketing the most - the endless FOMO. Newbury sells out of their exclusives all the time, but at least from what I've seen they don't really make a show about how their pressings are super limited and "won't last long" (a phrase I have seen VMP tweet numerous times over the last couple months). Those three albums you listed aren't exclusive to Newbury, you can find plenty of copies elsewhere and Newbury is just another option, and I'm pretty sure Newbury is aware of that. VMP seems to have deluded themselves or are actively trying to delude their customers (whichever you think is worse) that their pressings will be the absolute best and that "zomg you'd better jump quick before sells out because we artificially limited this to sell out " when in reality, when it comes to exclusives, 95% VMP are just repressing what is already readily available in a different color with no pressing differences whatsoever.

I think the idea that VMP are in an elite class of vinyl retailers is a falsehood that they continue to try to perpetuate because that reputation is really all they have at this point. They've built themselves up as the better option to a Newbury or an Urban Outfitters and maybe that was true at one point, but it sure as hell isn't true anymore. VMP is not any better than most other retailers or record clubs out there but they've slid by the past few years by making people believe they are the better option in comparison with companies that aren't trying to be as ambitious as VMP claims to be and without doing anything to prove that and stoking FOMO to ensure they keep the last hanger-ons tied down to the sinking ship. Because hey, we know our last few ROTMs have been shitty picks, but we might actually do Section.80 next time, totally for real

It's all FOMO and it's also all bullshit. VMP enjoys a lack of transparency either companies of their stature could never get away with, and they've been alienating customers with underwhelming ROTMs, a tiring amount of FOMO and decisions thrust on their subscriber base with almost no notice (the price hike being the most recent one, but the price hike was much like the forum shutdown before it. "What would you do with more time" to give us more money?) I just don't have any respect for VMP, and it's really only their massive failures that makes me see as Newbury as desirable in comparison, which is the opposite of what they are desperately hoping people will think of them: that they are the best product just because of their name so that they don't actually have to do any of the work to prove that they are the best, they just need people to *believe* that they are.

 

[Jan]

YOUR price hike, right? 35% on nothing is not that much

means he now is getting 50$ worth of albums for free a month. He`s gotta earn that money hard on here

 

[NathanRicaud]

YOUR price hike, right? 35% on nothing is not that much

Ahhhhh Skalap! Wish I was in a cocktail bar with you, and grabbed your cocktail and splashed it in your face! I can't take all this VMP hate!

 

[Rowan]

Stop it Jan! hahahaha

Me and @gaporter are both just saying what we think of vinyl retailers! I'm not trying to defend VMP, I'm just giving my honest thoughts! ☺

The VMP price hike is a lot, but I'm sure VMP are going to pull a lot of special ROTM's, like they have been doing lately like Buena Vista Social Club, Spiritualized and The White Stripes! I'm so ready for OutKast's Stankonia later, and for other magnificent ROTM's! The price hike will be justified with a lot of their ROTM's in my opinion!

For the first month I posted here I genuinely thought you worked for them. Like one of those Instagram Enforcers or something if not actual staff. It didn't even occur to me that you may just be common and garden mental.

One of those occasions where the truth turns out to be fare more fun though. And as someone who followed Liverpool fanatically for years when they were utter dog shit so I feel your pain. Its hard when your favourite teams turns in to a massive bag of shite.