Shady record stores *ID them here* (PJ related)
HeavyHands
Posts: 2,130
We all know independent record stores are getting clobbered right now by on-line downloading and big-box retailers undercutting prices through volume discounts. Profits have been in a nose dive since at least 2001 and many have shut their doors forever since this time, much to the detriment of us all.
What is being reported in this thread (http://community.pearljam.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=117639), however, is downright stupid. The long and short of it is that some of the very same independent record store owners whom the PJ organization tried to include in a very innovative, cool, and generous promotion scheme are turning around and taking advantage of the hand that is trying to feed them. They chose to cheat the PJ organization (let alone any organization) and music fans out of an exciting experience specifically designed to drum up interest in their stores. What's worse is that it didn't cost them anything to participate. All they had to do was give away a 7" single. If you want to know the exact details, go to the thread inserted above and read the OP.
What can be done about it?
Glad you asked. While there are multiple things you as a music fan/consumer can do, I would advocate one or all of the following:
1. Write/e-mail the 10C and give them the specifics of what happened to you* when you went in for the promotional single. Express your discontent with the situation.
2. Post the name of the record store in this thread along with the address, phone number, and date that you found out that the store cheated PJ and music fans.
3. As much as I hate to say this (and I really really do hate to say it having worked in a great independent record store for several years), consider boycotting the store and telling others about your situation. No, we as music fans don't want to see any more stores go under. But allowing disreputable business people to continue their practices unabated doesn't solve anything. There has to be some kind of civil reaction to their action. If not, they'll do it again the first chance they get.
4. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce and seeing if you can't file a complaint against them for disreputable business practices.
They'll listen if enough people complain civilly because their sales will suffer when people find out they are dirt bags. The pocket book of a business owner is where they feel the most pain.
*This is important: If it didn't happen directly to you, please don't add any fuel to the fire. The above posting isn't designed to stir up a witch-hunt, but rather to generate actual information that the PJ organization can use as leverage in their future business dealings with disreputable record store owners/managers. It is also to give you an idea that there is, in fact, something that you can do. You're not helpless in this situation.
Cheers,
HeavyHands
What is being reported in this thread (http://community.pearljam.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=117639), however, is downright stupid. The long and short of it is that some of the very same independent record store owners whom the PJ organization tried to include in a very innovative, cool, and generous promotion scheme are turning around and taking advantage of the hand that is trying to feed them. They chose to cheat the PJ organization (let alone any organization) and music fans out of an exciting experience specifically designed to drum up interest in their stores. What's worse is that it didn't cost them anything to participate. All they had to do was give away a 7" single. If you want to know the exact details, go to the thread inserted above and read the OP.
What can be done about it?
Glad you asked. While there are multiple things you as a music fan/consumer can do, I would advocate one or all of the following:
1. Write/e-mail the 10C and give them the specifics of what happened to you* when you went in for the promotional single. Express your discontent with the situation.
2. Post the name of the record store in this thread along with the address, phone number, and date that you found out that the store cheated PJ and music fans.
3. As much as I hate to say this (and I really really do hate to say it having worked in a great independent record store for several years), consider boycotting the store and telling others about your situation. No, we as music fans don't want to see any more stores go under. But allowing disreputable business people to continue their practices unabated doesn't solve anything. There has to be some kind of civil reaction to their action. If not, they'll do it again the first chance they get.
4. Contact your local Chamber of Commerce and seeing if you can't file a complaint against them for disreputable business practices.
They'll listen if enough people complain civilly because their sales will suffer when people find out they are dirt bags. The pocket book of a business owner is where they feel the most pain.
*This is important: If it didn't happen directly to you, please don't add any fuel to the fire. The above posting isn't designed to stir up a witch-hunt, but rather to generate actual information that the PJ organization can use as leverage in their future business dealings with disreputable record store owners/managers. It is also to give you an idea that there is, in fact, something that you can do. You're not helpless in this situation.
Cheers,
HeavyHands
"A lot more people are capable of being big out there that just don't give themselves a chance." -Stone Gossard
0