Record Store Day 2024?

Not my cup of tea. It’s not a celebration of vinyl or music. It’s record labels trying to fleece buyers. It’s probably 50/50 (perhaps a generous estimate) that the pressings sound any good. Usually it’s a trumped-up exploitation of the idea of “exclusivity” even though they often get released a few month later anyway…so much for “RSD Exclusive”…it’s really a racket. Poorly-mastered cast-offs (live shows, a 45 that includes some cover of some song, a cover you could find digitally for a fraction of the price, etc.), or just reissues with really nothing special about them at all. Some cute little box set of 45s, nothing one couldn’t get at a fraction of the price in a digital format without the hassle of standing in line for a long time, only to pass the gauntlet of Black Friday-esque, manic, elbow-wielding shoppers taking the last copy of one of the 2 or 3 overpriced things you were somewhat interested in.

I’ve never met a record store owner who likes it. I’ve only heard commentary that expressed resentment. They said no matter what you order, you’re always stuck with whatever they ship you, so you can’t tell customers who want certain RSD releases that you’ll have it, because you won’t know until you open the box when the order comes in a few days before RSD.  
Lots of customers come expecting to get a certain RSD release and get nasty when they don’t have it. If a record store just decides to pass on Record Store Day because they just want to skip the hassle and stress and not get stuck with a bunch of over-priced stock they can’t sell, people show up and get really poopy when you tell them, “sorry, we didn’t participate in Record Store Day this year”; now the store owner is dealing with the bad blood being spread in the community by the one customer who never really goes to the store anyway but just showed up that one day because it was Record Store Day telling everyone what a “bad store” they have.

Didn’t make it to a proper record store.

But, the chain store in the local mall got a bunch of titles, and I found a copy of Everybody Digs Bill Evans.

Was surprised to find it there. Plus, they had  20% discount if you spent more than 100.

So, naturally, I picked up so other records - not from their other RSD titles however.

I think the pricing and artificially created scarcity of RSD are obscene. 

I haven’t been to every RSD but I’ve been to several. Been to large stores that go all out and a small store that participates grudgingly. One year, at the small store, I was there to get an obscure record I was sure no one would want. There were 9 of us in line before the store opened. The couple that was first in line had a good-sized box with them. When the store opened, they ran in, to the table that had all the releases and basically raked every single one into the box. I was shocked that they got out of there in one piece.

Every criticism I hear of this event is valid. I think the best way to handle it would be this:  when the list is released, allow customers to order one of each, pay for it, and then select a participating store to have it sent to. Pickup has to be on RSD. This solves the problem of having to show up real early, wait in line, and wondering if you’ll even get what you want. The stores won’t be stuck with unwanted, unsellable stock, and customers will still show up on RSD to pick up their orders (which is the main purpose, to get people into the stores) and at different times of the day (most stores, it’s pretty much over two hours after opening).

Thoughts, comments, suggestions…..

yeah, the limited quantities is like door to door salesman telling you, "if my manager approves": .... nasty, insulting treatment of customers.