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

[NewsFedora]

The VMP Ancestors pressing is one of the worst I’ve seen in the past year or so. I think I went through 4 copies and couldn’t even cobble together one good set. Warps, off-centre, repetitive clicks. You name it.

I must have gotten lucky with my copy then. Not at all warped and I noticed little (if any) surface noise. I also have a standard black of their first album and that one has numerous clicks and pops on it, so I found the VMP pressing of the follow-up to be quite superior.

 

[dhodo]

I save the pages of Exclusives I buy in case VMP pulls some shenanigans (usually with how the vinyl looks). Here's the pressing info from Shabaka:

View attachment 93827

Of course missing the info that Side A,C,D were cut by Kevin Bartley (at Capitol?) And side B cut by Margaret Luther at Welcome to 1979. In case anyone cares.

 

[oldschoolkirby]

My only experience with Furnace is the VMP Erroll Garner record which is a nice pressing. I thought I heard at the time they were the US devision of Pallas or something? I might be making that up.

I recall reading that as well, actually. I want to say they've pressed some Neil Young stuff?

 

[Selaws]

To be fair, whilst no one has ever complained at this, that’s solely because they don’t correctly declare the customs value on the packages so you don’t pay the VAT/customs charges that should be due on them

Oh completely and it's something that has been brought up here a few times, but at the end of the day it's still cheaper.

 

[Tys1]

Oh completely and it's something that has been brought up here a few times, but at the end of the day it's still cheaper.

So like... if they get caught.... who busts them and how much are those fees?

 

[Selaws]

The Chet Baker's arrived today. Just been giving them a clean and the marbling effect is pretty cool. Lots of variation in the colours. Hoping it sounds as good as it looks.

 

[Selaws]

So like... if they get caught.... who busts them and how much are those fees?

I might be wrong but I think they have tried (big try!) to justify it in the past by saying the subscription is the fee and that the actual value of their store items is low. Completely ridiculous but perhaps that seems to fly.

There was a time a few years ago where there were rumours of them removing free international shipping and adding custom fees. I believe some people here in the UK even got charged customs for a while. In that case, I think I'm correct in saying VMP paid the fees when people sent emails to them. I remember stating I would cancel if I got hit with a fee but it never happened.

 

[Joe Mac]

I might be wrong but I think they have tried (big try!) to justify it in the past by saying the subscription is the fee and that the actual value of their store items is low. Completely ridiculous but perhaps that seems to fly.

There was a time a few years ago where there were rumours of them removing free international shipping and adding custom fees. I believe some people here in the UK even got charged customs for a while. In that case, I think I'm correct in saying VMP paid the fees when people sent emails to them. I remember stating I would cancel if I got hit with a fee but it never happened.

Nah! They have two options. Either register for VAT and charge in advance with shipping. Amazon US so that and it works really well for stuff that is silly priced or not available here and that they have in stock.

VMP are not a big enough business for that kind of outlay. I don’t blame them for not doing that. The subscription also wouldn’t fly with customs, if they opened it and enquired they’d divide the subscription price by 3, 6 or 12 and charge you VAT on that. They used to underdeclare at $1 a record. That was absolutely wrong but none of us cared to be fair. I have no idea what potential sanctions would be. I suppose it’s a form of fraud but I don’t know seriously that is monitered, policed or enforced.

Now they don’t declare at all and I think that before covid they’re small packages and slipped through and now postal services are just so swamped that customs is the last thing on their mind. I’ve had no customs charges at all on postal stuff in the last year.

 

[jfitzy]

Gotta say I appreciate VMP helping me cut back on how much I spend with them by overpricing every exclusive that I’m interested in! Just means more money spent at my local.

 

[mgp]

Is anyone else getting the hot new Lexus - VMP collab? I'm curious how random it actually is.

 

[folsom_lives]

Is anyone else getting the hot new Lexus - VMP collab? I'm curious how random it actually is.

View attachment 93844

I got a notification as well.

 

[djdavedk]

Gotta say I appreciate VMP helping me cut back on how much I spend with them by overpricing every exclusive that I’m interested in! Just means more money spent at my local.

FOMO fading away in the sunset.

Meanwhile, Peter Murphy colored vinyl reissues are $17.24 and $20.99 for single and double LPs.

 

[Selaws]

Is anyone else getting the hot new Lexus - VMP collab? I'm curious how random it actually is.

View attachment 93844

Just came on here to say the same.

 

[Selaws]

Nah! They have two options. Either register for VAT and charge in advance with shipping. Amazon US so that and it works really well for stuff that is silly priced or not available here and that they have in stock.

VMP are not a big enough business for that kind of outlay. I don’t blame them for not doing that. The subscription also wouldn’t fly with customs, if they opened it and enquired they’d divide the subscription price by 3, 6 or 12 and charge you VAT on that. They used to underdeclare at $1 a record. That was absolutely wrong but none of us cared to be fair. I have no idea what potential sanctions would be. I suppose it’s a form of fraud but I don’t know seriously that is monitered, policed or enforced.

Now they don’t declare at all and I think that before covid they’re small packages and slipped through and now postal services are just so swamped that customs is the last thing on their mind. I’ve had no customs charges at all on postal stuff in the last year.

Yeah completely agree with you, just saying how I think they have tried justifying it before. Stupid for sure but that's down to them.

 

[NewsFedora]

Is anyone else getting the hot new Lexus - VMP collab? I'm curious how random it actually is.

View attachment 93844

Nope. Guess I was in the wrong bucket.

 

[NathanRicaud]

Nope. Guess I was in the wrong bucket.

Awwwww dammit! I know you would’ve loved to have received that 7” inch, as those two producers are very much up your alley!

Like Kaytranada and Madlib seem to be very much the kinda music you’d love spinning too!

 

[NewsFedora]

Indeed they both are! But I had set my expectations low from the get-go so I’ll live.

 

[NathanRicaud]

Indeed they both are! But I had set my expectations low from the get-go so I’ll live.

Awww that’s the spirit! When I get my copy, I’ll spin it and I’ll be thinking of you!

 

[mitchplease]

Ah man, I resubbed just for the chance to get the 7" and didn't receive an email (been an off and on member since 2017)

Hopefully I'll be able to snag one on the aftermarket that isn't too expensive

 

[NathanRicaud]

Indeed they both are! But I had set my expectations low from the get-go so I’ll live.

Actually you know what! I’m going to ask Customer Service if they can give my 7” inch to you because I’ll only spin it once and I’m not much of a 7” inch guy! I don’t have any 7” inch discs on their own in my collection; only ones that are inside a 12” inch jacket because they are a bonus disc (Trout Mask Replica, TLC, Fugees etc)!

I prefer 10” inches and 12” inches more as they last longer and look better on the turntable!

I’ll let you know what they say! I’ll tell Customer Service that someone from the Needles&Grooves forum really wants a copy and because I’m not a fan of 7” inches, that I’d like to give my copy to them! And I’ll let them know that you’re an active, current member too!