Deseree Stukes ([email protected])
Fri, 6 Nov 1998 08:30:29 -0500
dollar bills, dollar bills, ya'll
That statement by me meant that I believe the decision to allow
retailers to order more of the limited edition was driven by the
almighty dollar. That statement did not indicate that I thought U2
shouldn't make all the money that they should on their recordings. In
fact, I feel just the opposite, I think U2 should be gadzillionaires if
they so wish. I never thought of the GH as selling out and look forward
eagerly to getting my copy. I just simply realize that the GH and the
no longer limited edition are driven by money and business. I never
said that was a bad thing.
Also, no where in Joel's post did he imply that he was disgusted that
the limited edition should be for a select group of people. Re-read his
post. He pointed out the fact that Polygram, in an official press
release (which he gave a link to), said the following:
"The two-disk set is being made available to retailers on a _one time
only_, limited edition basis..." (my emphasis from the press release)
His post pointed out "they [Polygram] have conducted business in a
fraudulent manner with false press statements and creating a false sense
of urgency."
And i think he's right on the money. We have laws in this country that
prevent fraudulent advertising (i.e., the laws against bait and switch).
Everyone's reporting how this CD is "flying" off the shelves. Would
they be flying off the shelves, if we had not been told that retailers
were only getting 1 chance at ordering?
Collectors rely on such information to determine whether they want
something in their collection, whether there is an urgent need to get it
(at a regular price) or be stuck buying it at an inflated price later,
etc. I consider myself to be a serious collector and a completist. I
guess there are folks out there that consider we think we are elite.
Maybe I am. I've been called worse. And I'm sure it won't be the last
time. Maybe folks think that the die-hard collectors are these
super-rich individuals. Can't speak for the other collectors, but I
work 9-5 like most folks and live paycheck to paycheck. I just choose
to spent a lot of disposable income on my daughter, U2 and books.
However, I want to give you another picture of collectors that many of
you may not be aware of. Of the collectors I personally know (and I
know plenty from semi-serious to the completist), not one of them would
begrudge any one owning a copy of the limited edition Greatest Hits. In
fact, they readily share information on where to purchase this item for
the best price. And we give a collective cringe to see folks suckered
on e-bay for items labeled RARE that we know aren't. Many collectors
will dig into their collections and giveaway items, donate items. But
you don't hear about this on the mailing lists because they don't do it
out of a need to let it be known how generous they are. There are
collectors who have provided promos and singles, at cost in quantities
(both publicly and privately). When I first started collecting, I had
questions and when I asked they were answered without impatience or
sneering because I asked a "stupid" question. If I don't know the
answer to a question, I usually can refer them to someone with much more
knowledge than me.
Sure, I'm just as cutthroat as the next collector for acquiring certain
items and have acquired a formidable rep on e-bay ;-) Sometimes I win,
and sometimes I lose. But more often than not, I know the person who I
lost to and know the item will go to the home of a fan.
But a lot of collectors are upset about this change of heart by
Polygram. And they have a right to be. Sure, everyone who wants one
should own their own original U2-3 but that was a limited hand-numbered
edition that collectors spend hundreds of dollars on. Would it then be
right for Island to have had a stash of 1 million copies of U2-3
(numbered) that they now put out on the market for $29.99 because
everyone who wants one should have one? It comes down to the integrity
of statements made by the record company that U2 has a contract with
that collectors rely on.
des
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.0b2 on Fri Nov 06 1998 - 05:33:27 PST