I have two record stores in my town literally two doors down from each other. One is more new than used, the other one is more used than new. I bought RSD titles from both stores, because I want to see them both succeed and I want to see them both stay in business.
Hello Mike, As a consumer I have different places I shop online for different genres of music like your store for instance I know to order all my Jazz not only do you carry most titles but you are the best at packaging and shipping but I also know you have probably one of the biggest online customers so if you want an RSD title you better be online first thing 8am the next day when you start selling. I really enjoy how passionate you are about your customer whether in-store or online also how serious you are about what is mostly a hobby for us but a business for you I find you very professional and to watch you online for RSD you can see how you feel about the whole experience and that is why I will be a long time customer. I hope Angel found herself a Blue Velvet soundtrack.
I was so happy to be able to order a bunch of RSD titles from you online the next day at 8am - You and your staff were beyond helpful and courteous in filling the orders - and I know there were lots of them! Don’t change a thing, and ignore anyone who says you should change anything at all - Northern New Jersey loves you :)
Most record stores would of sat on those art peppers for weeks on end but because of your UA-cam marketing genius, you knew that it would be an online feeding frenzy on that following Sunday. Well done sir! You’ve created a brand that most stores dream of. They’re just jealous :)
That was fascinating, informative and highly watchable. It takes a lot of nerve or skill to order the right titles and amount. Fair play to you Mike for your honesty.
Got tired of waiting in line for RSD. Often times I've bought the RSD records in the secondary market later on. My time and mileage is worth something to me. Thanks for a great video on how to approach RSD, Mike. 👍👍👍
Appreciate this video. Always interesting to me how “behind the scenes” really is during RSD. I did think it was in poor taste all the crying and badmouthing going on the Hoffman Forums about your store and the quantities you had in certain titles. You run your shop pretty well as far as I (a regular online customer) can tell. The same approach holds true to the crying about flippers - those heard the loudest are angry they didn’t get what they wanted, all while not putting in the time/wait to get it. Become a student of the game, and you should make out well. Play by your own rules, and get your own result. Hope the store had a great RSD! We are thankful for the service your store & channel provide the vinyl community. 🙏🏻
Mike, it is incredibly refreshing to hear your perspectives on business, life, and music. I have a great respect for you and the work you do. I recently moved to Phoenix, so I will have to come in soon and buy Sharknado 4 to show my appreciation
I’m weird. I always stay far away on RSD. Too chaotic and too many people. But I’m glad stores participate in RSD so they can reach a wider audience and grow their customer base. And your flipper defense summed it up better than anyone I’ve heard. I’ve bought from flippers, I’ve flipped records myself, and the cycle continues.
Interesting video Mike. Thanks for all you and the staff of the In Groove do - it is really appreciated - especially on RSD! The long live stream was really fun to see too.
I have the exact same feeling on flippers as you. Especially with a lot of these limited releases of 250-500. As long as they are only buying 1-2 copies to flip, you can usually find the album on discogs for an affordable price if you really love it. The worst are flipper websites that buy up mass loads of titles and Jack up the price.
I worked as a buyer in the only megastore in Holland for 22 years and can remember the first years were part success, part disaster. I had to lobby hard with management to even participate. But at the end, it was always great to be a part of it. So many great stories in those 22 years, i still want to write a book. But i guess it has changed a lot.
Thanks Mike for the great insight on some of your business decisions made on RSD. I read a lot of those comments about you “hoarding” all the Art Peppers, just silly comments. I also like your take on flippers. Yeah I occasionally flip a record to offset my vinyl addiction somewhat. But I also have bought from flippers when I really wanted an album that I couldn’t get at retail prices
Hi I'm from the UK just outside of London-my record shop asks it customers to send in to them their wants for RSD and they will tailor their orders accordingly. From speaking to the Owners everyone gets what they want and they have hardly any leftover stock
Mike you do a great job and I absolutely love your store and live streams. I look to you for all the expertise on which records to buy weekly whether it would be from you or my own record store. I did get lucky and got most of the titles I wanted including Art Pepper. And those that I couldn't get and were more expensive on the secondary market I passed on. But otherwise, it was all good and I am thankful to be able to participate in the event.
My local store hands out a numbered list (I was #42) we mark the titles we want, they collect the lists and then when the doors open we go in and our "order" is bagged and ready to go. I scanned the list and I put down the Taylor Swift 7" figuring why not, nothing to lose if I don't get it. I was surprised when I got it and yes, I bought it to offset my other orders. I was able to sell it within 30 minutes, it helped ME and it helped the Taylor Swift fan who wanted it.
Fascinating video. The store I go to is fairly large in the area and typically gets at least one of everything. They know their clients and before their order goes in you can send them a list, which they must use to help calculate demand. I get online early and have pretty much always get what I want. Two days later I snagged their last Art Pepper, so apparently you didn’t have them all.
Mike just casually dropping a video showing how genuine he is. Thank you mike, and thank you for putting a great explanation as to why some people flip records. I do the exact same thing, buy an in-demand record on the spot for $20, sell it for $100, get me a nice AP release of Pet Sounds or Time Out using that profit. I cant just spend all my money in one spot and then stay broke, i need some kind of help with my addiction!
Great video Mike! It is really interesting to get a better understanding of how things work from the retailers' side. I can understand why some of the small indie stores simply avoid RSD, with the financial risk and the sheer amount of work and logistics involved. Sorry to hear that your Albert Ayler box sets never arrived. Hope they eventually show up! I was fortunate that the store I went to had a few copies of this, and I was able to get one (I was also first in line), It is not for the faint of heart, but for me, it has been the release I have been playing and enjoying the most this year.
So interesting! After the fact on Monday I decided to try and find several additional titles (which you were sold out of). I was stunned to find them still in-stock at several retailers at regular price. On Monday!! Included the Grateful Dead box. The RSD site posts links to titles still available at certain stores, a feature I had no idea existed. Request: would love to hear your thoughts on the titles you bought and listened to.
As someone who's participated in every single RSD since the 1st one in 2008, this is all sound and accurate. It has become extremely difficult for stores and continually tough to gauge what will be a hit and a dud. With exceptions to the more obvious titles. Interestingly our store ordered 20 Ayler box sets and got all 20. We didn't expect that but were glad to get em cause as you said, we ordered heavy on a bunch of things. And flippers are a part of the marketplace like em or not. I think most people can relate when they find a $1 record at a garage sale and sell it for $100. Really no different with RSD flipping. Good video
21:25 -to the tune of can’t stop by RHCP- 🎵Can’t stop addicted to the bin dig/ Swift flipper says he’s gonna flip big/choose not a CD imitation/ analog sound will have no reservation Cant stop R-SD when it’s near you/ Saturday not the morning you can sleep through !
This was the first time I waited for a record (Art Pepper) on RSD. Cut a long story short I was 15 seconds too late in ordering then I got 'out of stock' come up..man I was pissed! It's crazy! Completely mad!
Cool to hear from you about this. Only sad thing is RSD has turned into a money grab. Let’s make a yellow vinyl of this, green, etc add a poster, first time on blah blah. Flippers score, only some fans get what they want. So many shops get the table scraps. I get they try to make it fair, but they fail miserably at it. The list is so massive that a huge percentage of the albums put out are garbage. I totally get the different strokes for different folks but we all know a lot is ignored by most. The collectors that buy weekly are not rewarded, the RSD or value hunters come out twice a year and win.
But, if the flipper didn't exist, the stock would still exist in the store for sale (at standard prices) 8am the next day! I'll buy an item that's naturally appreciated in value over the passage of time from a collector or store, but I won't feed the flippers trying to turn a buck. It's like the bad old days of speculative comic book collecting, pure poison.
I didnt go out to my local shop because both my kids had baseball/softball games early. I relied on the flipper. And I paid a premium for some titles, but I didnt have to get up at 4a.m. and drive 30 minutes to wait in line for 5 hours. My time/sleep/gas was worth the extra I paid for these title.
@@ernesttricarico6402 - he had hundreds and sold them all on his website the following day, at retail. I was one of the lucky ones to get one. Maybe think before you type in future.
On flippers... My first question would be, do you have a limit on how many pieces someone can buy at a time? Where it pains people is when that true Taylor Swift fan has come down to support their local store, waited in line, gets in and a title is sold out because 'someone just grabs one and throws it on their stack because they know they can sell it for $200'. Waiting in line is suppose to be about having something you really want and knowing you're going to be able to get one of those 3 copies you're store is getting. I've been going to RSD for years and been to them from the west coast to the east coast and even one in London. I've slept out and been to them the next day to see what's still there. It's always interesting to see how different shops run their day. I understand shops need to sell their inventory, but there should also be a balance making sure the collectors have a positive experience as well. I've seen limits as low as 2 items up to no limit. Personally I feel 4 or 5 is a pretty sweet spot where it let's people get all or a majority of their wishlist and saves some to spread out to everyone. It also makes flippers choose between do they really want to grab an album they like or the one they're going to make money off of. I've got nothing against someone making a buck to support their collection, props to them for putting in the work. Limits also don't stop someone from getting their first haul and then going back out and getting in line again (I've done that as well). There also will always be some responsibly on the buyer. If you are that Taylor Swift fan you have to know your album is going to sell out and it's on you to get out there and get your spot in line where you can get your pick. Great video, great insight, and thanks for putting on a RSD and bringing so much joy to so many people. Keep the vinyl alive. Cheers.
Mike is one of the leading authorities related to the retail record business. So, yes go easy on the flippers, he's right you would make more money at a minimum wage job if you worked the same amount of hours as a flipper. You also do not hear about all the records that go down in value.
Do you anticipate the Sire Era Ramones records will soon get individual reissues? That’s what I noticed happened with a lot of the DEVO records after their initial RSD box came out. Same with Bowies records after he died. Box sets were released then individual titles.
If your store is participating this coming RSD on Black Friday (Nov. 25th, 2022), I'm interested in what is going to be available. I haven't seen anything yet on the website (or videos). But, I'm aware of the titles that will be released.
Flipping = hustling. Nothing wrong with it. Ive bought records to sell quickly to make abit of money to buy more records for my own collection... imposssible to justify to the Mrs otherwise! Im far from a serial flipper but i will buy low to sell high, just as millions do for stocks and shares. The reality is a staggering number of people buy records not to play them anyway and flippers only exist because people will overpay for a record which for a handful ive been obliged to do myself. Its time for a few plants to open up and start pressing and solve the problem completely. This will also allow the likes of Optimal for example to press records properly again for being less overworked
Yes, like it or not flipping has helped the vinyl revival. The more vinyl sales the better. The majors are watching and flippers help shape the bottom line.
I never thought of the supply/demand aspect to flipper driven prices. I always wonder why people will pay the inflated cost. But now I see that it's like you said, the supply goes way down on day one by all the fans who will "turn it to stone". Any fans leftover create the demand, and boom 2-3x or higher prices get paid. I always say, don't blame the flipper, blame the buyer, but FOMO is a powerful emotion.
about the flippers/scalpers: the people who make a product (like an album or a gaming console) do not care who buys it, but that they sell a lot of it^ if they sell 50 units to one guy who re-sells many of those for double the price they are okay with that. simple as that. the only way to hurt those scalpers is if you simply don't buy for some high prices they are demanding. I know that this sounds much easier as it is if you really want something, but that's how it is. supply and demand.
Wow, “guy comes in buys a bunch of jazz and then grabs the Taylor swift to offset the cost.” You just called me out Mike 🤣 and my wife and I came in at 6pm the night before.
Not RSD related, but wanted some opinion about Ornette’s The shape of jazz to me come ORG45 vs Speakers Corner reissue. Planning to buy this record for the 1st time. Thanks in advance!
My record friends are why and who cares? Cash grab. And when that conversation is over, they complain that Mantovani $3 at Goodwill and there's nothing good. I wanted Eric Carr and it sold out day after. I think one store ordered 250 diff copies/titles and had 30 left of who knows what.
great info. It almost makes you wonder if the purpose of RSD is to have independent record stores sell albums (only avail via them, and not amazon or walmart), be lucky enough that you get something you want, that then is gonna be worth 200 bucks , or- of course, the obvious choice would be to get consumers the records they want where they are not jumping through hoops to get and paying retail price). The guys that run RSD are part of the problem- maybe if they would see what the demand would be by giving enough time for your indy RS to setup a preorder with customers and the demand at that time would set the limit- record stores would sell a shit-load more of records and everyone would get what they want. It's just like the BS mobile fidelity puts us through, don't limit them....have them avail for preorder now to see what the demand is. If 30,000 people want the Eric Clapton Unplugged just keep repressing them for everyone (you may have to wait a bit- like just happened with the Foreigner and Weezer). I feel this way everyone gets what they want for a fair price and if the demand is not there you are not gonna get stuck with it, like you and the baby shark lp. For myself, I use RSD as a chance to look into titles that I have not come across or may not be familiar with ( I will check them out on you-tube and make my list) I had 33 titles I got this year; although, there was some jumping through hoops to get. Luckily, this year I did not have to pay double or triple the price for any titles the next day on eBay. But, I also live in New York City and we have a decent amount of record stores and I am also a regular customer of your store via mail, acoustic sounds, and MOFI for the more audiophile pressings.
The “threat” of flippers, perceived or otherwise, creates a sense of urgency for RSD that wouldn’t otherwise exist. It’s good for business. The sense of entitlement from the whiners is palpable. “I’m a serious collector. How dare you rain on my parade.”
Its not uncommon to be able to pick RSD titles up several months later at a good discount. The other thing I've noticed is that the Bill Evans and Mingus titles came out on CD at a much lower price. Since its more about the music than the format for me, I picked up all three of those for $84.00. My LRS was sold out of all of these before I got there. Ironically, I picked up the last Art Pepper they had around 2:30 pm.
It's funny the number of people who whine about a business working within the rules to their advantage, who'll then turn around and call someone else a socialist for advocating market place controls in other areas. I guess it comes down to whether people are sensitive to their own hypocrisy & over developed sense of self interest. For what it's worth I made calls & internet searches for days after RSD trying to fill missed RSD picks. Still didn't get them all. C'est la vie.
I know flippers who still have rsd vinyls they bought years ago, tough to move. Flipping is not the ideal way to make money. Technically all store owners are flippers! No difference if you think about it.
How about shitcanning this stupid limited pressing crap. Simple, PRESS MORE RECORDS and then we all get to listen. Example, UHQR Axis Bold @ 5000. The UHQR Are You Experienced (BTW still waiting for mine Mike) 20,000. Thanks Chad for doing the right thing.
That was a very informative video, I don't mind someone flipping 1 record to offset the cost of the other records they buy. My problem is the record store near me always charges more for the records on rsd then you or other stores do. Every single album is $5-7 more and a double is $10-12 more. Aren't there set prices for rsd releases?
Per Record Store day rules you’re not allowed to sell them for more than 20% over retail. I personally think it’s a bad look and don’t mark things up over retail.
Hello, recently sent you a cd of a Lee Morgan type of recording and wonder if you received it? It was sent from London, it’s my band from 2001 . God bless you
Is it an RSD rule or maybe just the record store near me that allows for only one copy of each of the RSD releases? I know that I was able to buy two copies of what I wanted back on RSD Black Friday, even though I was told by the guy handing me the LPs I could only get one, and I didn't even worry when I bought four or five LPs this year and I just put the second copy further down in the stack (I did buy a few vinyls previously owned and not RSD related also). As the guy at the counter scanned them he just scanned the second one and kept on going. I've wondered about this the last two years and thought I'd ask? I do it so that I have an unopened backup copy and one to play. I don't want to go pay $200 for something that's in front of me for $25 later on after I've played it too much. Thanks for any info on that "rule"...
I'm lucky to have a few record stores that participate in RSD. I got all but one that I wanted. It seems that non of the stores in my area carried the Kittie - Spit album. What's up with that? Oh well. I guess being "RSD first" means the album will be available in the future, right?
Good points here. As far as RSD, I absolutely do not see a problem with buying a record or two to flip, so that you can offset the cost of all the records that you _do_ actually want. Plus, like you said, they are in a way providing a service to those who could not make it in person. Though it's rare, some flippers do sell some records for a fair price and aren't out to gouge everyone.
Hey Mike, something I always wondered about....in Phoenix w/the super hot summer weather, if there's a power outage or your AC breaks, will all those albums in the store warp from the extreme heat?
@@TheInGroove you getting in the new Beastie Boys Check Your Head box set? It's available for pre order on their website, wasn't sure if it was something that just they are offering
Record store day has lost it's meaning over the years. It's not about the STORE anymore, More about how much quantity of titles you can get and sell online the next day. Should be a window of at least two weeks before you could sell online.
Great video btw, one of the best. I used to be a big rare beer hunter and a lesson you learn quickly, learn the store, get to know the decision maker/owner. They’ll reward repeat customers, life feeds on life, feeds on …
Ok cool dude picked up the super rare thing so they could get the $200 and keep it out of the hands of the person that can’t afford it for $200. Your excuses is trash. I use to be a toy collector and have given up because the scalpers (as we call them) clear out stock before it even gets to the shelves. In toy collecting there are people that buy for others but they pass it on for cost + shipping and don’t jack the price. That’s cool, as soon as you start doing it for profit you are damaging the hobby and blocking out younger people with less money. Look into Hot Wheel collecting, that hobby is in shambles and Star Wars and GI Joe collecting is just about as bad. As records become more and more popular it’s going to happen here too if you just hand wave away the problem
@@TheInGroove smart move calling a costumer a whiner. I understand that it doesn’t matter to you as a retailer but I know very well what it is to be blocked out of being able to collect things I enjoy. So sorry I’m calling out the hand waving and apologetics. I’m fairly new to vinyl and am coming into it seeing the early signs of the activity the kills these kinds of communities. Using that Taylor Swift 7” as a continuing example consider the potential costumers that are discouraged from the hobby. These things don’t last unless you bring in the kids. So again, you are a store owner, it seems like it doesn’t matter who you sell to as long as you make the sale and I don’t expect you to do anything about it but maybe don’t excuse it away either.
Shops are doing all they can by not allowing pre-orders/keeping records back for people, operating first come first served and limiting it to 1 copy of each title per person. They can’t do any more than that. If someone buys something what they then choose to do with it is their choice ultimately.
I have two record stores in my town literally two doors down from each other. One is more new than used, the other one is more used than new. I bought RSD titles from both stores, because I want to see them both succeed and I want to see them both stay in business.
I ordered the Art Pepper through your website on Sunday . I successfully avoided dealing with flippers and hipsters. Home run !
Hello Mike, As a consumer I have different places I shop online for different genres of music like your store for instance I know to order all my Jazz not only do you carry most titles but you are the best at packaging and shipping but I also know you have probably one of the biggest online customers so if you want an RSD title you better be online first thing 8am the next day when you start selling. I really enjoy how passionate you are about your customer whether in-store or online also how serious you are about what is mostly a hobby for us but a business for you I find you very professional and to watch you online for RSD you can see how you feel about the whole experience and that is why I will be a long time customer. I hope Angel found herself a Blue Velvet soundtrack.
I was so happy to be able to order a bunch of RSD titles from you online the next day at 8am - You and your staff were beyond helpful and courteous in filling the orders - and I know there were lots of them! Don’t change a thing, and ignore anyone who says you should change anything at all - Northern New Jersey loves you :)
I've worked in distribution for years, Mike is spot on here.
Most record stores would of sat on those art peppers for weeks on end but because of your UA-cam marketing genius, you knew that it would be an online feeding frenzy on that following Sunday. Well done sir! You’ve created a brand that most stores dream of. They’re just jealous :)
Would love to see a live stream with The'in'Groove and Noble Records taking about records.
Colab when?
Hell ya!!!
Personally, I'm glad you order records in such big numbers. I was able to get one of the Bill Evans titles from you last Sunday morning. 🥰
That was fascinating, informative and highly watchable. It takes a lot of nerve or skill to order the right titles and amount. Fair play to you Mike for your honesty.
As a customer, I really love Record Store Day at The In Groove.
God bless you, Mike. Great job with Record Store Day. Your insights into the record business are invaluable.
Got tired of waiting in line for RSD. Often times I've bought the RSD records in the secondary market later on. My time and mileage is worth something to me. Thanks for a great video on how to approach RSD, Mike. 👍👍👍
Mike is awesome! Though I dont always agree with him, I have a lot of respect for him. Keep doing you Mike.
Appreciate this video. Always interesting to me how “behind the scenes” really is during RSD. I did think it was in poor taste all the crying and badmouthing going on the Hoffman Forums about your store and the quantities you had in certain titles. You run your shop pretty well as far as I (a regular online customer) can tell. The same approach holds true to the crying about flippers - those heard the loudest are angry they didn’t get what they wanted, all while not putting in the time/wait to get it. Become a student of the game, and you should make out well. Play by your own rules, and get your own result. Hope the store had a great RSD! We are thankful for the service your store & channel provide the vinyl community. 🙏🏻
Mike, it is incredibly refreshing to hear your perspectives on business, life, and music. I have a great respect for you and the work you do. I recently moved to Phoenix, so I will have to come in soon and buy Sharknado 4 to show my appreciation
I’m weird. I always stay far away on RSD. Too chaotic and too many people. But I’m glad stores participate in RSD so they can reach a wider audience and grow their customer base.
And your flipper defense summed it up better than anyone I’ve heard. I’ve bought from flippers, I’ve flipped records myself, and the cycle continues.
Interesting video Mike. Thanks for all you and the staff of the In Groove do - it is really appreciated - especially on RSD! The long live stream was really fun to see too.
I have the exact same feeling on flippers as you. Especially with a lot of these limited releases of 250-500. As long as they are only buying 1-2 copies to flip, you can usually find the album on discogs for an affordable price if you really love it. The worst are flipper websites that buy up mass loads of titles and Jack up the price.
Well done video Mike.
I simply called you guys a few days prior to RSD to ask about a specific title and had a brief CONVERSATION. 👍
It's a great look behind the doors, appreciate you sharing it Mike!
I worked as a buyer in the only megastore in Holland for 22 years and can remember the first years were part success, part disaster. I had to lobby hard with management to even participate. But at the end, it was always great to be a part of it. So many great stories in those 22 years, i still want to write a book. But i guess it has changed a lot.
Thanks Mike for the great insight on some of your business decisions made on RSD. I read a lot of those comments about you “hoarding” all the Art Peppers, just silly comments. I also like your take on flippers. Yeah I occasionally flip a record to offset my vinyl addiction somewhat. But I also have bought from flippers when I really wanted an album that I couldn’t get at retail prices
Hi I'm from the UK just outside of London-my record shop asks it customers to send in to them their wants for RSD and they will tailor their orders accordingly. From speaking to the Owners everyone gets what they want and they have hardly any leftover stock
Mike you do a great job and I absolutely love your store and live streams. I look to you for all the expertise on which records to buy weekly whether it would be from you or my own record store. I did get lucky and got most of the titles I wanted including Art Pepper. And those that I couldn't get and were more expensive on the secondary market I passed on. But otherwise, it was all good and I am thankful to be able to participate in the event.
My local store hands out a numbered list (I was #42) we mark the titles we want, they collect the lists and then when the doors open we go in and our "order" is bagged and ready to go. I scanned the list and I put down the Taylor Swift 7" figuring why not, nothing to lose if I don't get it. I was surprised when I got it and yes, I bought it to offset my other orders. I was able to sell it within 30 minutes, it helped ME and it helped the Taylor Swift fan who wanted it.
This is an interesting perspective from a store owner. Thank you for sharing Mike!
Fascinating video. The store I go to is fairly large in the area and typically gets at least one of everything. They know their clients and before their order goes in you can send them a list, which they must use to help calculate demand. I get online early and have pretty much always get what I want. Two days later I snagged their last Art Pepper, so apparently you didn’t have them all.
Mike just casually dropping a video showing how genuine he is. Thank you mike, and thank you for putting a great explanation as to why some people flip records. I do the exact same thing, buy an in-demand record on the spot for $20, sell it for $100, get me a nice AP release of Pet Sounds or Time Out using that profit. I cant just spend all my money in one spot and then stay broke, i need some kind of help with my addiction!
Appreciate you doing this informative video
Great video Mike! It is really interesting to get a better understanding of how things work from the retailers' side. I can understand why some of the small indie stores simply avoid RSD, with the financial risk and the sheer amount of work and logistics involved.
Sorry to hear that your Albert Ayler box sets never arrived. Hope they eventually show up! I was fortunate that the store I went to had a few copies of this, and I was able to get one (I was also first in line), It is not for the faint of heart, but for me, it has been the release I have been playing and enjoying the most this year.
Very interesting video! Thanks for the info.😎👍🏻
So interesting! After the fact on Monday I decided to try and find several additional titles (which you were sold out of). I was stunned to find them still in-stock at several retailers at regular price. On Monday!! Included the Grateful Dead box. The RSD site posts links to titles still available at certain stores, a feature I had no idea existed. Request: would love to hear your thoughts on the titles you bought and listened to.
Thanks so much for all the information you provide! I NEED a few LPs and your the gentleman I’m buying from, when I can!
Thanks Mike, appreciate the insight…
As someone who's participated in every single RSD since the 1st one in 2008, this is all sound and accurate. It has become extremely difficult for stores and continually tough to gauge what will be a hit and a dud. With exceptions to the more obvious titles. Interestingly our store ordered 20 Ayler box sets and got all 20. We didn't expect that but were glad to get em cause as you said, we ordered heavy on a bunch of things. And flippers are a part of the marketplace like em or not. I think most people can relate when they find a $1 record at a garage sale and sell it for $100. Really no different with RSD flipping. Good video
Thanks for the great video
Hi Mike, great video, would love if you did shipping down under to New Zealand and take advantage of your releases you have in general. take care
Great video
Thank you Michael
As a collector, I ended up actually befriending some flippers, that have become literally resources to me
Excellent insight into RSD !! Thank you
21:25 -to the tune of can’t stop by RHCP-
🎵Can’t stop addicted to the bin dig/ Swift flipper says he’s gonna flip big/choose not a CD imitation/ analog sound will have no reservation
Cant stop R-SD when it’s near you/
Saturday not the morning you can sleep through !
Fantastic video
Really interesting. I was under the impression that participating stores were REQUIRED to order all the RSD titles, but I guess that’s not true.
Knowledge Is Power.
This was the first time I waited for a record (Art Pepper) on RSD. Cut a long story short I was 15 seconds too late in ordering then I got 'out of stock' come up..man I was pissed! It's crazy! Completely mad!
Glad it went well man
Cool to hear from you about this. Only sad thing is RSD has turned into a money grab. Let’s make a yellow vinyl of this, green, etc add a poster, first time on blah blah. Flippers score, only some fans get what they want. So many shops get the table scraps. I get they try to make it fair, but they fail miserably at it. The list is so massive that a huge percentage of the albums put out are garbage. I totally get the different strokes for different folks but we all know a lot is ignored by most.
The collectors that buy weekly are not rewarded, the RSD or value hunters come out twice a year and win.
But, if the flipper didn't exist, the stock would still exist in the store for sale (at standard prices) 8am the next day! I'll buy an item that's naturally appreciated in value over the passage of time from a collector or store, but I won't feed the flippers trying to turn a buck. It's like the bad old days of speculative comic book collecting, pure poison.
a LOT of people don't have access to a local indie stores
I didnt go out to my local shop because both my kids had baseball/softball games early. I relied on the flipper. And I paid a premium for some titles, but I didnt have to get up at 4a.m. and drive 30 minutes to wait in line for 5 hours. My time/sleep/gas was worth the extra I paid for these title.
great video Mike and well said.
In many ways Mike is kinda of a flipper himself. I'm sure if you wait a bit some of his Peppers will show up
@@ernesttricarico6402 - he had hundreds and sold them all on his website the following day, at retail. I was one of the lucky ones to get one. Maybe think before you type in future.
On flippers... My first question would be, do you have a limit on how many pieces someone can buy at a time? Where it pains people is when that true Taylor Swift fan has come down to support their local store, waited in line, gets in and a title is sold out because 'someone just grabs one and throws it on their stack because they know they can sell it for $200'. Waiting in line is suppose to be about having something you really want and knowing you're going to be able to get one of those 3 copies you're store is getting. I've been going to RSD for years and been to them from the west coast to the east coast and even one in London. I've slept out and been to them the next day to see what's still there. It's always interesting to see how different shops run their day. I understand shops need to sell their inventory, but there should also be a balance making sure the collectors have a positive experience as well. I've seen limits as low as 2 items up to no limit. Personally I feel 4 or 5 is a pretty sweet spot where it let's people get all or a majority of their wishlist and saves some to spread out to everyone. It also makes flippers choose between do they really want to grab an album they like or the one they're going to make money off of. I've got nothing against someone making a buck to support their collection, props to them for putting in the work. Limits also don't stop someone from getting their first haul and then going back out and getting in line again (I've done that as well). There also will always be some responsibly on the buyer. If you are that Taylor Swift fan you have to know your album is going to sell out and it's on you to get out there and get your spot in line where you can get your pick. Great video, great insight, and thanks for putting on a RSD and bringing so much joy to so many people. Keep the vinyl alive. Cheers.
RSD Items are Limit 1*
Good video, really good insight and information. Thank you!
Mike is one of the leading authorities related to the retail record business. So, yes go easy on the flippers, he's right you would make more money at a minimum wage job if you worked the same amount of hours as a flipper. You also do not hear about all the records that go down in value.
Do you anticipate the Sire Era Ramones records will soon get individual reissues?
That’s what I noticed happened with a lot of the DEVO records after their initial RSD box came out. Same with Bowies records after he died. Box sets were released then individual titles.
If your store is participating this coming RSD on Black Friday (Nov. 25th, 2022), I'm interested in what is going to be available. I haven't seen anything yet on the website (or videos). But, I'm aware of the titles that will be released.
Everything will be live on the website the day after per RSD rules.
@@TheInGroove Thank you for the information.
I don’t flip, but if I did that Taylor Swift 7 inch if I buy it looks like a rare $200 Nirvana vinyl that I can get later for $15. Just my mindset.
Were the Bel Biv Devoe under-ordered or over ordered? How about the Mariah #1s?
Flipping = hustling. Nothing wrong with it. Ive bought records to sell quickly to make abit of money to buy more records for my own collection... imposssible to justify to the Mrs otherwise!
Im far from a serial flipper but i will buy low to sell high, just as millions do for stocks and shares. The reality is a staggering number of people buy records not to play them anyway and flippers only exist because people will overpay for a record which for a handful ive been obliged to do myself. Its time for a few plants to open up and start pressing and solve the problem completely. This will also allow the likes of Optimal for example to press records properly again for being less overworked
Yes, like it or not flipping has helped the vinyl revival. The more vinyl sales the better. The majors are watching and flippers help shape the bottom line.
I never thought of the supply/demand aspect to flipper driven prices. I always wonder why people will pay the inflated cost. But now I see that it's like you said, the supply goes way down on day one by all the fans who will "turn it to stone". Any fans leftover create the demand, and boom 2-3x or higher prices get paid. I always say, don't blame the flipper, blame the buyer, but FOMO is a powerful emotion.
Do you still have that sharknado record?
Yes
about the flippers/scalpers: the people who make a product (like an album or a gaming console) do not care who buys it, but that they sell a lot of it^
if they sell 50 units to one guy who re-sells many of those for double the price they are okay with that.
simple as that.
the only way to hurt those scalpers is if you simply don't buy for some high prices they are demanding.
I know that this sounds much easier as it is if you really want something, but that's how it is.
supply and demand.
I've been praising flippers for years. Much to the disappointment of the high horse record people. Great vid.
You should write a book.
Wow, “guy comes in buys a bunch of jazz and then grabs the Taylor swift to offset the cost.” You just called me out Mike 🤣 and my wife and I came in at 6pm the night before.
LOL. Not by name.
Not RSD related, but wanted some opinion about Ornette’s The shape of jazz to me come ORG45 vs Speakers Corner reissue. Planning to buy this record for the 1st time. Thanks in advance!
My record friends are why and who cares? Cash grab. And when that conversation is over, they complain that Mantovani $3 at Goodwill and there's nothing good. I wanted Eric Carr and it sold out day after. I think one store ordered 250 diff copies/titles and had 30 left of who knows what.
Art Pepper has been seen as 'shit' muzak for decades. This recent mainstream Jazz revival is a curio.
great info. It almost makes you wonder if the purpose of RSD is to have independent record stores sell albums (only avail via them, and not amazon or walmart), be lucky enough that you get something you want, that then is gonna be worth 200 bucks , or- of course, the obvious choice would be to get consumers the records they want where they are not jumping through hoops to get and paying retail price). The guys that run RSD are part of the problem- maybe if they would see what the demand would be by giving enough time for your indy RS to setup a preorder with customers and the demand at that time would set the limit- record stores would sell a shit-load more of records and everyone would get what they want. It's just like the BS mobile fidelity puts us through, don't limit them....have them avail for preorder now to see what the demand is. If 30,000 people want the Eric Clapton Unplugged just keep repressing them for everyone (you may have to wait a bit- like just happened with the Foreigner and Weezer). I feel this way everyone gets what they want for a fair price and if the demand is not there you are not gonna get stuck with it, like you and the baby shark lp. For myself, I use RSD as a chance to look into titles that I have not come across or may not be familiar with ( I will check them out on you-tube and make my list) I had 33 titles I got this year; although, there was some jumping through hoops to get. Luckily, this year I did not have to pay double or triple the price for any titles the next day on eBay. But, I also live in New York City and we have a decent amount of record stores and I am also a regular customer of your store via mail, acoustic sounds, and MOFI for the more audiophile pressings.
07:42 who are the 3 major RSD distributors ?
The “threat” of flippers, perceived or otherwise, creates a sense of urgency for RSD that wouldn’t otherwise exist. It’s good for business. The sense of entitlement from the whiners is palpable. “I’m a serious collector. How dare you rain on my parade.”
Its not uncommon to be able to pick RSD titles up several months later at a good discount. The other thing I've noticed is that the Bill Evans and Mingus titles came out on CD at a much lower price. Since its more about the music than the format for me, I picked up all three of those for $84.00. My LRS was sold out of all of these before I got there. Ironically, I picked up the last Art Pepper they had around 2:30 pm.
It's funny the number of people who whine about a business working within the rules to their advantage, who'll then turn around and call someone else a socialist for advocating market place controls in other areas. I guess it comes down to whether people are sensitive to their own hypocrisy & over developed sense of self interest. For what it's worth I made calls & internet searches for days after RSD trying to fill missed RSD picks. Still didn't get them all. C'est la vie.
Why do they waste so much time pressing things no one wants? And then we wait months for the things we do want.
I know flippers who still have rsd vinyls they bought years ago, tough to move. Flipping is not the ideal way to make money. Technically all store owners are flippers! No difference if you think about it.
How about shitcanning this stupid limited pressing crap. Simple, PRESS MORE RECORDS and then we all get to listen. Example, UHQR Axis Bold @ 5000. The UHQR Are You Experienced (BTW still waiting for mine Mike) 20,000. Thanks Chad for doing the right thing.
That was a very informative video, I don't mind someone flipping 1 record to offset the cost of the other records they buy. My problem is the record store near me always charges more for the records on rsd then you or other stores do. Every single album is $5-7 more and a double is $10-12 more. Aren't there set prices for rsd releases?
Per Record Store day rules you’re not allowed to sell them for more than 20% over retail. I personally think it’s a bad look and don’t mark things up over retail.
@@TheInGroove I agree, thanks for the reply
Hello, recently sent you a cd of a Lee Morgan type of recording and wonder if you received it? It was sent from London, it’s my band from 2001 . God bless you
Is it an RSD rule or maybe just the record store near me that allows for only one copy of each of the RSD releases? I know that I was able to buy two copies of what I wanted back on RSD Black Friday, even though I was told by the guy handing me the LPs I could only get one, and I didn't even worry when I bought four or five LPs this year and I just put the second copy further down in the stack (I did buy a few vinyls previously owned and not RSD related also). As the guy at the counter scanned them he just scanned the second one and kept on going. I've wondered about this the last two years and thought I'd ask? I do it so that I have an unopened backup copy and one to play. I don't want to go pay $200 for something that's in front of me for $25 later on after I've played it too much. Thanks for any info on that "rule"...
I'm lucky to have a few record stores that participate in RSD. I got all but one that I wanted. It seems that non of the stores in my area carried the Kittie - Spit album. What's up with that? Oh well. I guess being "RSD first" means the album will be available in the future, right?
Right. If they feel the demand is high enough.
Good points here. As far as RSD, I absolutely do not see a problem with buying a record or two to flip, so that you can offset the cost of all the records that you _do_ actually want. Plus, like you said, they are in a way providing a service to those who could not make it in person. Though it's rare, some flippers do sell some records for a fair price and aren't out to gouge everyone.
Great video! Out of curiosity, what was the RSD Tool boxset you referred to?
Sorry. I meant to say Type O Negative
@@TheInGroove alright, cool. I was thinking, 'What the hell did I miss?' Do you think they'll ever reissue Ænima on vinyl?
Hey Mike, something I always wondered about....in Phoenix w/the super hot summer weather, if there's a power outage or your AC breaks, will all those albums in the store warp from the extreme heat?
👌👌
I don’t blame the flippers… it’s the manufactured scarcity
I love the premise. I hate the flippers and what it has become. It’s ruined it for me!
Hey Mike, when is the next live stream?
Tomorrow.
@@TheInGroove you getting in the new Beastie Boys Check Your Head box set? It's available for pre order on their website, wasn't sure if it was something that just they are offering
Nothing really says 'RSD ambassador who cares about the industry' more than not manufacturing enough stock to cover fans needs, right?
The flipper hate is hilarious. Get in line if you don’t want to pay extra. Such entitlement.
Do you still have Art Pepper, Albert Ayler and Sara Bareilles?
No.
A really interesting vid and RSD Flippers are just shameful people
Isnt the markup very low on RSD records ?
Yes. Very very low.
Record store day has lost it's meaning over the years.
It's not about the STORE anymore,
More about how much quantity of titles you can get and sell online the next day.
Should be a window of at least two weeks before you could sell online.
More Grateful Dead More Better
Great video btw, one of the best. I used to be a big rare beer hunter and a lesson you learn quickly, learn the store, get to know the decision maker/owner. They’ll reward repeat customers, life feeds on life, feeds on …
Any Hip Hop left?
"Like me they're degenerates and they gotta have their vinyl".
U have no clue what heavy traffic on rsd can be... your live stream says it all... put a cherry on it
flippers are are a joke and make prices go up
Ok cool dude picked up the super rare thing so they could get the $200 and keep it out of the hands of the person that can’t afford it for $200. Your excuses is trash. I use to be a toy collector and have given up because the scalpers (as we call them) clear out stock before it even gets to the shelves.
In toy collecting there are people that buy for others but they pass it on for cost + shipping and don’t jack the price. That’s cool, as soon as you start doing it for profit you are damaging the hobby and blocking out younger people with less money. Look into Hot Wheel collecting, that hobby is in shambles and Star Wars and GI Joe collecting is just about as bad. As records become more and more popular it’s going to happen here too if you just hand wave away the problem
You can 🍷 all you want and nothing will change. You can’t stop someone from buying something with their money based on what their intentions might be.
@@TheInGroove smart move calling a costumer a whiner. I understand that it doesn’t matter to you as a retailer but I know very well what it is to be blocked out of being able to collect things I enjoy. So sorry I’m calling out the hand waving and apologetics. I’m fairly new to vinyl and am coming into it seeing the early signs of the activity the kills these kinds of communities. Using that Taylor Swift 7” as a continuing example consider the potential costumers that are discouraged from the hobby. These things don’t last unless you bring in the kids. So again, you are a store owner, it seems like it doesn’t matter who you sell to as long as you make the sale and I don’t expect you to do anything about it but maybe don’t excuse it away either.
Shops are doing all they can by not allowing pre-orders/keeping records back for people, operating first come first served and limiting it to 1 copy of each title per person. They can’t do any more than that. If someone buys something what they then choose to do with it is their choice ultimately.