your good bad experiences with cd/vinyl suppliers
Posted by: ightenhill on 30 January 2008
Just though it may be interesting to swap or share some up to date experiences with your favourite suppliers.
On average Im ordering about 5 cds a week but the lack of a decent record shop in the vicinity means I rely on the internet.
Recently I have to say I have been getting more and more frustrated with CDWOW. Great prices to tempt you in but basically no delivery and no communication until you send of an email asking whats happening and you get a response from them saying they could not source your disc from any suppliers and will credit you. They do seem fine for pre release but thats about it.
I use EIL for some hard to get discs and have to say I have always been impressed by the speed of delivery. Placed on the internet in the afternoon and usually arriving through the door the following morning.
A quick shout to Fish records as well for a good site and a good service, never taking money for items that are out of stock and always keepng me in the loop about whats happening with orders.
Posted on: 30 January 2008 by Ghom
Boomkat for experimental and electronic music are pretty good. You usually get stuff two or three days later.
MDT for classical have an awesome selection.
There's always Amazon...
Posted on: 30 January 2008 by jcs_smith
e-bay works for me.
I've used Sister Ray and had problems. They sent me an e-mail saying that something I ordered was not available and they would send me a refund. So after I rodered it from a US site, can't remember which, they sent me the CDs that were supposed to be unavailable. Any offers for Pete Namlooks' - Namlook XX- music for urban meditation II
Posted on: 30 January 2008 by scottyhammer
i have never had problems with any of my prefered suppliers.
play.com
amazon. (although the us dept are slower as youd expect)
eil as you say are good but not cheap.
Posted on: 30 January 2008 by scottyhammer
musicstack
acoustic sounds
stamford audio are all very efficient for vinyl.
Posted on: 30 January 2008 by Geoff P
quote:
acoustic sounds
Don't you get hammered for duty Scotty? (no pun intended
)
Posted on: 30 January 2008 by 555
I find eBay is the best source for rarities, but I have been stung twice in perhaps 100 purchases by crooked sellers, so I'm always cautious on eBay, which takes lots time.
I think Amazon Marketplace is my favourite at the moment; often bargains to be had & same security as normal Amazon purchases so much safer than eBay.
I live far from the nearest record shop so Saint Internet is for me. I haven't had any problems with CDWOW before, but I've not bought from them for a few months so thanks for the update. I really like the price comparison websites, although the same rules of "buyer beware" apply. My favourites are
pricerunner.co.uk
kelkoo.co.uk
find-dvd.co.uk (also does CD!)
media-pricer.co.uk
Some of these sites have buyer feedback, so you can learn which companies to avoid.
Don't buy anything from cheap4cds - they have a terrible rep'!
Posted on: 31 January 2008 by scottyhammer
geoff,
i did once for the floyds box set oh by the way,which was rather expected as the parcel was quite large but that was only about £10 which made the purchase still £30 cheaper than here (uk)
regards, scotty
p.s. i like the pun!
Posted on: 31 January 2008 by Staedtler
I ordered a Faithless LP from Rough Trade to be told a week later it was not available. So I ordered another Faithless album and the same thing happened again a week later. I gave up ordering stuff in the end, it was afterall advertised on the website, but wasn't available......
HMV, however, have just delivered an album within the quoted timescale and kept me up to date with the order progress along the way.
Posted on: 12 February 2008 by 555
I've got another strong recommendation - fminor dot com.
They are wholesalers, but will deal direct with the public.
Here some info' from the horses mouth ...
We have, for over two decades now, been the leading Distributor/Importer for rarities, collectibles, limited editions and exciting re-issues, many of which are totally exclusive to us. We specialise in VINYL, but also carry an extremely comprehensive CD range as well. We cover all genres except Classical music and are especially good with Global and hard to find re-issues from the last five decades. Try us and find out what music industry insiders have known for 20 plus years. They are very friendly & helpful IME. Don't bother with the "set up an account online" option on the website (it doesn't work!). Use contacts to 'phone them & they'll talk you through things. I just had my 1st order with them & I am very happy! Also very good VFM
Posted on: 12 February 2008 by Nick Lees
I've recently started to use
Music Magpie. They sell second hand CDs very cheaply, postage included and deliver in a couple of days.
They test all of the CDs for playability, though the cases might be a bit dinged. So far I've bought 5 from them and have been delighted.
Downsides: There's a fairly limited stock, and the prices they pay for stuff are tiny. But hey...
Posted on: 12 February 2008 by 555
I've had a quick peak & it looks good - thanks Gary!
Posted on: 12 February 2008 by ightenhill
I have to admit Im begining to have slight doubts about fish records.. 3 records in a row and they just happened to have sold the last one the night before and are awaiting more stock....hmmmm
Posted on: 12 February 2008 by count.d
I found Diverse Vinyl a nasty supplier to deal with. Get a couple of duff pressings from them and their tune changes.
Never had a problem with anyone else in twenty years.
P.S. 555 you never replied to my Shahinian Hawk thread question, you're not still upset because I wouldn't tell you what to do with your mains are you?
Posted on: 12 February 2008 by pumpkinhead
I placed an order for three CD's from a site called Netsounds. I don't think they sell music themselves but they search for the CD you are looking for and provide a link to the seller. A bit like ebay I suppose.
They directed me to a dealer called SSM music.I placed the order and eventually one of the three CD's arrived but both the box and the disc were broken. The other two CD's never arrived. I contacted them and they apologised and gave me a full refund.
I've used Amazon a few times and the goods always arrive quickly and in one piece.
You can't beat going to a real shop though imo
Posted on: 12 February 2008 by Steeve
quote:
Originally posted by Jagster:
I ordered a Faithless LP from Rough Trade to be told a week later it was not available. So I ordered another Faithless album and the same thing happened again a week later. I gave up ordering stuff in the end, it was afterall advertised on the website, but wasn't available......
Hi Jagster
I've been ordering bits and pieces from Rough Trade for the best part of two decades and never had any problems.
I realise it's annoying when things are unavailable, but in fairness, Rough Trade do say that an item being on their website doesn't necessarily mean it's in stock ; a situation not helped recently with the fact that most of their stock is in the East shop but the mail order was in the West shop. This should change though as mail order is moving to East which should enable to them to give a more accurate idea of availability online. Bear in mind that they are still a fairly small concern and don't have the systems available to them that the likes of Amazon or HMV do. Also, they never charge you until an item is shipped.
Steeve
Posted on: 12 February 2008 by worm
quote:
Originally posted by 555:
I think Amazon Marketplace is my favourite at the moment; often bargains to be had & same security as normal Amazon purchases so much safer than eBay.
Don't buy anything from cheap4cds - they have a terrible rep'!
Agree with the Amazon Marketplace comment - buy new CDs from well established sellers and you can't really go wrong. I am buying 3 or 4 a week from that source.
However, I would add that I have bought a fair bit of stuff from cheap4CDs and never had any sort of a problem and would happily use them again - however, they seemed to have raised their prices a bit recently.
Cheers
worm
Posted on: 12 February 2008 by 555
I've never used cheap4CDs, because they have received some frightening FB.
I wonder if they've been sharked by a competitor?
Posted on: 14 February 2008 by Gerontius' Dream
In general I have had good experience with Amazon, and it is worth looking out for special offers, which are sometimes very cheap.
On one occasion they sent the wrong disc, and while they took it back cheerfully enough they were completely unable to supply the right one even though I gave them the number. Then when I tried ordering it through one of their "marketplace" suppliers, again the same wrong disc was sent. It seems that when there is an error in their system, it is beyond their ability to put it right. The moral is, if they get it wrong, return it, claim your money back and order elsewhere.
hmv.com are cheap and have a very good range, but if they are out of stock it can take weeks before you get your disc.
Posted on: 16 February 2008 by Richard S
Piccadilly Records, Manchester.
Excellent shop, excellent mail order service.
PiccadillyNo connection other than as a satisfied customer.
Posted on: 18 February 2008 by Milo Tweenie
For classical CDs, I like Presto Classical
Presto ClassicalI don't think they are the cheapest, but their site is amazingly informative; the best I've found, so I feel they've earned my support. Never had any problems that they haven't promptly sorted out.
Posted on: 19 February 2008 by MilesSmiles
elusivedisc
Since I relocated to Australia I buy most of my SACDs and XRCDs through them. Delivery from the US to Australia in 3 days, reasonable postage and no duty. On top their customer care is excellent.
Posted on: 04 March 2008 by Jack Barron
A few years ago I used to use CD Wow quite a lot. The last few times they have taken months and when I have got in touch with them they say that they haven't got the CD in stock but have ordered it. I would never ever use them again.
Caiman.Com are pretty good. Even with the shipping costs to the UK they are often cheaper than Amazon, HMV, Virgin etc.
Maybe I'll have to start using Picadilly Records in Manchester again.
Posted on: 05 March 2008 by Staedtler
Hi Steeve,
True, they are nice people to deal with and they don't charge you until they've shipped the goods, it's just disappointing that the items on the website aren't necessarily available, let alone in stock. Maybe a faster response would help there.
I'm not saying I'll never use them again, but being able to see what you can buy is generally a good idea. I'll visit them again at a later stage.
