View Full Version : HMV’s fade-out would be a sad day for all of us
The Telegraph's take on music distribution
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/8259960/HMVs-fade-out-would-be-a-sad-day-for-all-of-us.html
chris@panteg
15-01-2011, 10:12
I buy quite a bit of new vinyl from HMV online , but not so many CD's from the store here in Banbury , but i like go in and browse from time to time , picking up the odd album or DVD .
Would be sad if our store closed as its the very last music shop in this town , nearest one would then be Leamington spa ! .
Quite frankly I wouldn't be a bit sad if HMV closed. Having seen them ruthlessly push out small family-run record shops; businesses that stocked interesting and unusual items, were knowlegable in what they sold and knew their customers tastes in music, I'm glad HMV are getting their comeuppance.
These days the staff in HMV, whilst friendly, are pretty ignorant about everything, apart from the price and what the 'offer of the moment' is.
If HMV were to fold then the only downside for me would be the loss of Waterstones, the only bookshop left around here. Again HMV through their aquisition of Waterstones have pushed out the smaller bookshops. I'm especially indignant of their gobbling up of Ottakers; a small national chain, stocking interesting items and run by helpful and knowledgable staff - unlike Waterstones.
Both book and record retailers have been badly hit by on-line shopping. I now buy most of my music (and books) on-line from Amazon, who are cheaper (when postage is taken into account) than HMV's on-line shop!
Looks like the writing is on the wall for HMV.
Its the price they sell most newish discs at that is the main reason I buy most of mine from Tesco or if I can wait, Amazon. HMV and Virgin have always taken the piss regards price so whilst I would rather they stay I cant say I have helped them stay in business. Its all well and good rabbitting on about overheads but when your own online company is far cheaper what do they expect the GP to do.
Yep, I would have been more sympathetic if HMV hadn't closed the wonderful jazz/folk/clasical section in the Leeds branch a couple of years ago and replaced the glass enclosed enclave and knowledgeable staff with games and t-shirts.
"UK-wide sales figures from industry body the BPI make for depressing reading and show why HMV is currently in such a state. The number of albums sold in the UK last year fell by 7 per cent compared to 2009. The number of physical CDs (as opposed to digital albums) fell to 98.5 million from 112.5 million the year before. Sales of digital albums shot up by a third but this was nowhere near enough to make up the shortfall."
That is the big problem - most people just don't buy as much music as they once did - kids would rather watch TV or play computer games or surf than sit down and listen to music - and when they can access most of it for free why buy a CD? Our town centre now only has HMV for CDs, (I found out even W.H. Smiths don't stock CDs any more just before Christmas) - but I do buy online from HMV relatively often as their internet prices are so much lower than the shop! In the local store they have dramatically reduced the number of CDs they hold and now moved them upstairs in the back - the prime space now devoted to gaming, DVD/Blu-Ray and ipods. Sadly, its only old duffers like us that want to buy physical media these days, and a lot of us are moving on too! (I've made a vow to drastically reduce the number of CDs I buy (around 800 last year) and take advantage of my premium Spotify account and internet radio more, so afraid I won't be helping to save HMV in 2011 either!)
CD & Record sales will become an increasingly niche market IMHO
The vast majority of people are perfectly happy with their current mp3 downloads, it's only us old hi-fi buffs that are bothered about getting the original quality, add to that the fact that FLAC downloads will become available soon and one can see where the market is heading.
The industry apparently has a term for people like us, the '50 something male', musos around the age of 50 (sorry to you younger ones out there) who spend on average £50 a month, every other sale type is dwindling.
There are a few rays of light, more niche/private stores are opening, I'm lucky in that I can get to 'Head' in Leamington, or 'Rise' at Warwick uni, both of these were Fopp (which was sunk by Branston but that's another story, 'Rise' is under the former Fopp owners son's name). They carry less mainstream stuff and are able to undercut amazon for older less commercial stuff, but they still can't compete for new releases (especially when you can buy from Amazon Jersey tax free!).
The days of the high street chain are probably over...
I hope they don't close the HMV in Wrexham, as I pop in there quite often for stuff. However regarding the article, this bit for me is largely responsible for the state we're in:
The “casual” music fan is today as likely to chuck a CD into their shopping trolley in Tesco as they are to visit HMV. The fabled “50 quid man”, meanwhile, buys his CDs online from Play.com or Amazon.
In a word, it's laziness!!
Folk these days won't move their arses from in front of the computer out into the real world, want everything laid out for them on a plate, and have a distinct lack of imagination! :rolleyes:
Yes, I buy CDs from Amazon and other on-line shops, when I know exactly what I want, *but* I much prefer to go into a record shop and physically browse through the stock, making spontaneous purchases I perhaps wouldn't normally have considered, by picking up CDs, reading the back of them, looking at the artwork, etc, and them making a purchase on that basis.
I can spend a good couple of hours sometimes doing that, and I've discovered some fantastic new music that way, which I wouldn't normally have found otherwise. I also almost exclusively buy vinyl from independent record shops, which thankfully there are still quite a few in my area.
You see, this is my point, bloody computers are dehumanising us to the point where we now act less as human beings and more as robots!
So I would urge as many people as possible to switch off their computers, get off their fat backsides, and return to how we used to buy things - by going into town centres and using the shops there, before shops become a thing of the past, and we become even more robotic and dehumanised than ever, with fatter arses than ever to match.........! :(
Marco.
Yes, I buy CDs from Amazon and other on-line shops, when I know exactly what I want, *but* I much prefer to go into a record shop and physically browse through the stock, making spontaneous purchases I perhaps wouldn't normally have considered, by picking up CDs, reading the back of them, looking at the artwork, etc, and them making a purchase on that basis.
I can spend a good couple of hours sometimes doing that, and I've discovered some fantastic new music that way, which I wouldn't normally have found otherwise. I also almost exclusively buy vinyl from independent record shops, which thankfully there are still quite a few in my area.
Absolutely agree, as I said earlier I use 'Rise' in Warwick, and the lads who work there pretty much know what I might like, and as it's a private shop they've told me that anything I don't like I can take back for an exchange.
I've not taken anything back yet...:)
Im lucky in that i have a Fopp 10 mins from here. They have a good vinyl selection but they dont take care of the stock , im sick of buying warped records from them that i only go there for dvds now.
Then theres sister ray in Berwick st, one of only 4 record shops left in the once famous road.
Then theres Rough Trade East , a mega store in trendy shoreditch. When i shop in there im usually the oldest customer.
Maybe thats the secret of a good record store. They are no longer cool places to hang out for the young. My first record shops were places you could see the cool faces of the town, all the different tribes hanging out on a saturday afternoon. HMV is just full of tourists looking for a bargain. If you were 15 again why the hell would you want to go there.
Im lucky in that i have a Fopp 10 mins from here. They have a good vinyl selection but they dont take care of the stock , im sick of buying warped records from them that i only go there for dvds now.
Then theres sister ray in Berwick st, one of only 4 record shops left in the once famous road.
Then theres Rough Trade East , a mega store in trendy shoreditch. When i shop in there im usually the oldest customer.
Maybe thats the secret of a good record store. They are no longer cool places to hang out for the young. My first record shops were places you could see the cool faces of the town, all the different tribes hanging out on a saturday afternoon. HMV is just full of tourists looking for a bargain. If you were 15 again why the hell would you want to go there.
Hi Colin
Londinium will always have specialist stuff, and around the major conurbations there'll always be some private shops, but it's out in the sticks where this will be felt most.
Maybe thats the secret of a good record store. They are no longer cool places to hang out for the young. My first record shops were places you could see the cool faces of the town, all the different tribes hanging out on a saturday afternoon. HMV is just full of tourists looking for a bargain. If you were 15 again why the hell would you want to go there.
Very good point Colin - HMV in Norwich was where we all met up around that age (to nick the "Frankie Say Relax" T-Shirts and Howard Jones singles :eyebrows:) before going to Woolies café to spend 3 hours drinking one cup of tea and throwing things off the balcony. Can't think why these stores changed or went bust! :lol:
I dont like shopping. Clothes, super markets shopping malls all depress me.
But even today when i walk into a record shop i feel my pulse rise thinking of what prizes might be hidden in the racks. I really hope i can still do that for another decade or two. Its part of my leisure and i would really miss it if it dissappeared.
Very good point Colin - HMV in Norwich was where we all met up around that age (to nick the "Frankie Say Relax" T-Shirts and Howard Jones singles :eyebrows:) before going to Woolies café to spend 3 hours drinking one cup of tea and throwing things off the balcony. Can't think why these stores changed or went bust! :lol:
Ha Ha. That brought a smile to my face. Good times.
This is how it used to be.
Find below a 30min black and white documentary of the making of records. Just consider the effort and expense that went into the whole process, and how it can be done now.
http://www.archive.org/details/SoundAndTheS
With acknowledgement to a knowledgeable member of another place.
In a word, it's laziness!!
Folk these days won't move their arses from in front of the computer out into the real world, want everything laid out for them on a plate, and have a distinct lack of imagination! :rolleyes:
Not for me, Marco. The reason I buy from Amazon is the huge breadth of stock items that are truly in stock and delivered quickly. HMV have brought on their demise by repeatedly shafting the music lover; they pushed all music to a corner of the store in favour of video; they introduced gaming hardware and other shite that do not form a core part of their business; they killed classical music dead; they got rid of vinyl and they employ staff where the term ignorance would be kind.
I still visit the HMV store when in town and I walk out mumbling the same mutterings because, frankly, their shops are a steaming pile of poo. I just hope they don't take Waterstones down with them because that would be sad.
we have a few HMV's around here, when i was Christmas shopping in Brighton i poped into the Churchill sqaure one and walked straight back out as the q was from one end of the shop to the other so nipped 5 mins around the corner to the other branch in Western Road looking no q's at all :scratch: i was after "Air Moon Safari" as i only had a crap copy, a guy came over an asked if i wanted any help then took me where it was and we also had a nice chat about music and simular artist with him giving me a few suggestions, you won't get that online for sure, its certainly a nice tactile experience phisically leafing through cds
I hope they don't close the HMV in Wrexham, as I pop in there quite often for stuff. However regarding the article, this bit for me is largely responsible for the state we're in:
In a word, it's laziness!!
Folk these days won't move their arses from in front of the computer out into the real world, want everything laid out for them on a plate, and have a distinct lack of imagination! :rolleyes:
Yes, I buy CDs from Amazon and other on-line shops, when I know exactly what I want, *but* I much prefer to go into a record shop and physically browse through the stock, making spontaneous purchases I perhaps wouldn't normally have considered, by picking up CDs, reading the back of them, looking at the artwork, etc, and them making a purchase on that basis.
I can spend a good couple of hours sometimes doing that, and I've discovered some fantastic new music that way, which I wouldn't normally have found otherwise. I also almost exclusively buy vinyl from independent record shops, which thankfully there are still quite a few in my area.
You see, this is my point, bloody computers are dehumanising us to the point where we now act less as human beings and more as robots!
So I would urge as many people as possible to switch off their computers, get off their fat backsides, and return to how we used to buy things - by going into town centres and using the shops there, before shops become a thing of the past, and we become even more robotic and dehumanised than ever, with fatter arses than ever to match.........! :(
Marco.
Oh Marco, I'm loving the irony of the owner of a very successful internet forum (that derives at least part of its income from online advertising) going native on us! ;)
Sorry, but in my opinion it has got nothing to do with laziness. Cerrainly not me, anyway.
I wouldn't argue that flipping through LPs or CDs in a proper record store isn't a fantastic experience, and I will be sad when the experience goes, but at the same time, if it wasn't for the internet I wouldn't have discovered literally hundreds of new bands that you just don't find in record shops - either because they are on small independent labels (or self released) or because they don't have record deals in this country - or they just don't get the shelf space - but to be honest, I'd much rather listen to an mp3 sample of the band involved before making the purchase than take a punt on something because it has got a pretty cover - but maybe that's just me! ;)
I'm being flippant, but I honestly think we are far far better off with the internet (how much new music have you been exposed to through this community, which just wouldn't exist without the technology of today?) and unfortunately for old values, it seems the majority agree.
Hi Martin,
I totally agree with your sentiments regarding HMV - *but* at least they still (at the moment anyway) have a physical stock of CDs that you can browse through. I just much prefer to buy my music that way than using a computer and a mouse, which for me is just a totally bland and unnatural way of shopping.
My preferred way of buying music is still from independent stores. I can walk into Probe in Liverpool, for example, where the chaps know me, spend 40 mins or so picking up a slab of vinyl of various musical genres (most of which I don't know what to expect), and then go over to the till and ask them to let me hear, say, 30 or 40 albums (they have a T/T set up there), so I can decide what to buy, over a cup of coffee.
I then listen to them all, have a chat with the guys there (where they will often recommend something to me that they think I'll like), then leave with a pile of records. The shop has had a good sale and been rewarded for 'going the extra mile' with the customer, and I'm happy with the personal attention I've received. They also know I'll be back again soon!
Indeed, this process occurs about once every two months..... Del and I love our trips to Liverpool, where we also factor in a nice lunch in Chinatown, before she goes off shopping for clothes, and I go hunting for records.
*That*, for me makes the whole buying process a much more REWARDING, pleasant and HUMAN experience, than sitting at home alone on a computer, clicking a bloody mouse!! YMMV :cool:
Marco.
P.S Alex, I'll get to you later! ;)
Lunch beckons....
Just added Spotify to my SBtouch this morning so perhaps my days of buying cds are diminishing anyway, it will still be sad to see then go but as it has been said before people buy with pockets so price is also king as well as convienience
I then listen to them all, have a chat with the guys there (where they will often recommend something to me that they think I'll like), then leave with a pile of records. The shop has had a good sale and been rewarded for 'going the extra mile' with the customer, and I'm happy with the personal attention I've received. They also know I'll be back again soon!
Gosh, Marco, PLEASE point me to any shop within 30 miles of Basingstoke that will give me service like that? :)
chris@panteg
15-01-2011, 13:33
I suppose the irony is ' HMV have destroyed all the small independant's here in banbury and now Tesco ' Morrison's , are about to kill them off .
Spectral Morn
15-01-2011, 18:17
Quite frankly I wouldn't be a bit sad if HMV closed. Having seen them ruthlessly push out small family-run record shops; businesses that stocked interesting and unusual items, were knowlegable in what they sold and knew their customers tastes in music, I'm glad HMV are getting their comeuppance.
These days the staff in HMV, whilst friendly, are pretty ignorant about everything, apart from the price and what the 'offer of the moment' is.
If HMV were to fold then the only downside for me would be the loss of Waterstones, the only bookshop left around here. Again HMV through their aquisition of Waterstones have pushed out the smaller bookshops. I'm especially indignant of their gobbling up of Ottakers; a small national chain, stocking interesting items and run by helpful and knowledgable staff - unlike Waterstones.
Both book and record retailers have been badly hit by on-line shopping. I now buy most of my music (and books) on-line from Amazon, who are cheaper (when postage is taken into account) than HMV's on-line shop!
Looks like the writing is on the wall for HMV.
I could not have said it any better......well done Barry
Regards D S D L
Spectral Morn
15-01-2011, 18:22
Not for me, Marco. The reason I buy from Amazon is the huge breadth of stock items that are truly in stock and delivered quickly. HMV have brought on their demise by repeatedly shafting the music lover; they pushed all music to a corner of the store in favour of video; they introduced gaming hardware and other shite that do not form a core part of their business; they killed classical music dead; they got rid of vinyl and they employ staff where the term ignorance would be kind.
I still visit the HMV store when in town and I walk out mumbling the same mutterings because, frankly, their shops are a steaming pile of poo. I just hope they don't take Waterstones down with them because that would be sad.
Agreed 100%
Regards D S D L
Agreed 100%
+1 - however...
I still have a fair few Japanese import 7" singles that I bought from HMV in the mid 80's - try and find even one piece of vinyl in our local store now... However, whoever runs HMV is not stupid, or ignorant for ignoring customers who want to buy vinyl - the fact is they have responded to the market - there just ain't enough of us to support them stocking just music media these days, don't blame HMV, blame market forces - if I was running HMV I certainly wouldn't be thinking that the way to save the business would be to go back to the way it was in the 80's...
Reid Malenfant
15-01-2011, 19:35
However, whoever runs HMV is not stupid, or ignorant for ignoring customers who want to buy vinyl - the fact is they have responded to the market - there just ain't enough of us to support them stocking just music media these days, don't blame HMV, blame market forces - if I was running HMV I certainly wouldn't be thinking that the way to save the business would be to go back to the way it was in the 80's...
Market forces are also driven by what is available Alex. It cuts both ways at the end of the day. Yes the buying public may want certain things so they cater for that, but it can also work the other way round where the shop creates the market & the customer buys whatever they like from an admittedly depleted stock & stuff em :(
I remember there used to be at least 4 independant record shops here in Pottyborough along with Wollies & WHS etc etc... Now there are just 2 HMV stores as far as i know.
It's all just like that damn bus company that i can't remember the name of :scratch: As soon as anything gets big enough they drop the prices compared to everyone else locally to force out the small guy & once they have gone they have a captive market it's :finger: to the customer :(
Hi Alex,
Oh Marco, I'm loving the irony of the owner of a very successful internet forum (that derives at least part of its income from online advertising) going native on us! ;)
Lol... I take your point, but honestly, apart from posting on AoS, sending and receiving emails, (sometimes) ordering CDs, and doing the odd bit of paperwork for my business, my computer is used for bugger all else. When shopping for stuff, I prefer to do it in the real world for a multitude of reasons, most of all is so that I'm in control, and not a bloody computer :)
Sorry, but in my opinion it has got nothing to do with laziness. Cerrainly not me, anyway.
I wasn't referring to you, or anyone else here, as you are not representative of the habits of the general public. But there is no doubt that people these days have become seriously lazy, as a result of computers and modern technology doing everything for them - and it is hurting shops in city centres in terms of their trade.
People need to shift their butts more, as it is no wonder there is such widespread obesity, so perhaps a wee walk to the shops, and breathing in some fresh air for a change, is in order for your average Joe?
Furthermore, when I shop, I would rather support small independent businesses (obviously I don't include HMV in this) *AND*, crucially, interact with other human beings during the process. As such, I will more often than not buy my meat from a butcher, my bread from a baker, and my fish from a fishmonger, etc, than use a bloody supermarket.
This also applies when buying music, which is why I love Probe.
Apart from the experience generally being more pleasant (I value personal service very highly), the quality of produce on offer in small independent stores is also generally of a much higher standard.
This may be an old-fashioned way of living, but IMO, it a better and healthier one - and if more of us supported smaller (local) businesses like that, I'm quite certain that the world would be a better place. I will always rally against whatever I consider dehumanises our society.
Going back to music buying, if you read the way I do things when going to Liverpool with Del in a previous post, don't you think that's a far nicer way to buy music than sitting at home using a computer?
And if your answer is that there isn't any record shops like Probe left in your area, then perhaps you should ask yourself why.... Maybe if less people bought music on-line from huge organisations such as Amazon, the independent records shops might still be there?
For some reason, they seemed to have survived more in the north of the country, than down south, and I think there could be a reason for that....
I wouldn't argue that flipping through LPs or CDs in a proper record store isn't a fantastic experience, and I will be sad when the experience goes, but at the same time, if it wasn't for the internet I wouldn't have discovered literally hundreds of new bands that you just don't find in record shops - either because they are on small independent labels (or self released) or because they don't have record deals in this country - or they just don't get the shelf space...
I get where you're coming from, and I too have discovered some fab new music that way, but there is plenty of obscure music on small record labels for sale in good independent record shops (much of it on vinyl, too), although perhaps not in your area.
Two of my favourite such record shops are in Glasgow: one is called Monorail, see here: http://www.monocafebar.com/index.php?pid=84
It's a record shop, come bar, come restaurant, where you can buy unusual, non-commercial music on vinyl and on CD, then retire to the comfy seats in the bar for a few beers and/or for a nice meal. There is also info on local gigs, where some great live music is played by young up and coming bands.
How much nicer an experience is that when buying music, than sitting on yer big botty in front of a bloody computer? ;)
Another one is Volcanic Tongue Records:
http://www.volcanictongue.com/catalogue.
This is a tiny little shop up a back alley in the centre of Glasgow, but it's a vertiable haven for all sorts of mad shit like Japanese Prog, and music released on the smallest of record labels.
There are quite a few places like this in Glasgow (and also in Manchester), and Snapper and I spend a whole day going round them all when I'm up visiting my parents. We make a day out of it, and finish things off with a nice curry!
Personally, I'd rather spend my money that way when buying music, than using the Internet as a somewhat 'soulless' way of shopping.
but to be honest, I'd much rather listen to an mp3 sample of the band involved before making the purchase than take a punt on something because it has got a pretty cover - but maybe that's just me!
Lol - that's not really how I buy things. I may select unusual albums because of the cover and/or the description of the music on the label, but usually only buy it after hearing the music, which I'm normally able to do in the shops I mentioned, as most have a T/T connected to a small system in the shop, and the owner is usually only too willing to help.
That's my type of 'Spotify'!! :eyebrows:
I'm being flippant, but I honestly think we are far far better off with the internet (how much new music have you been exposed to through this community, which just wouldn't exist without the technology of today?) and unfortunately for old values, it seems the majority agree.
Well, we're all different, Alex. Don't get me wrong, used sensibly, not obsessively, the Internet is a great thing, for all sorts of purposes, but as far as buying music is concerned, when I can I will always go out and support the local independents.
Of course, many of them also trade on-line, but for me, you can't beat the experience of physically flicking through a pile of records and acting on impulse, whilst chatting to someone who is equally as passionate about vinyl as you are, and who has the knowledge to assist you there and then, and also where I can quite often haggle with the price on a multiple purchase, as I generally always buy things with cash!
No, each to his or her own, but give me the more 'human' experience everytime of being out in the real world, rather than being stuck in front of a computer :cool:
Marco.
In Bangor, despite - or because of - there being a thriving local independant record shop, the excellent Cob Records, about a year ago HMV opened up a store.
Sensitively, they took premises about fifty yards away from Cob.
Due to customer loyalty and superior service, Cob, although hit by this, are still open.
I'd be delighted if the HMV Bangor branch went tits up, leaving the field clear to a shop staffed by knowlegeable music enthusasts - and musicians - who are...whats that word which seems to have gone out of fashion in retail...ah yes, helpful. Remember when there used to be shop assist-ants, instead of know-nothing bored twats at the till, who might just interrupt their conversation long enough to deign to take your money.
"Last Shop Standing - Whatever Happened to Record Shops" is a recommended read to anyone who wants to know about this business, then and now. Very entertaining, informative and some great anecdotes. The stuff about payola in the 70's and 80's, for instance. Oh and Cob is in it, and so is my Aunties.
Nial
I mourn the loss of Tower Records in Piccadilly Circus, when I used to live in London. Their classical floor had the most incredibly diverse and obscure range of LPs I ever had the pleasure of sifting through. You could discuss almost any release with the staff and they knew what you were talking about and would recommend alternatives, too.
The most bizarre record shop I ever visited was the Melodiya store in Moscow. You couldn't browse at all, you had to ask the staff at the counter and, of course, they couldn't understand English. So I wrote down 'Shostakovich' in cyrillic and they proceeded to bring dozens of records to the counter. Fantastic, and dirt cheap. I brought as many LPs back as I could manage. I still have them all, covers in cyrillic, dodgy pressings but fantastically obscure recordings.
Cheers for the extensive reply Marco, I don't think we're too far apart, really - you are obviously a lot luckier in your part of the world with record shops than we are.
Spectral Morn
16-01-2011, 00:52
+1 - however...
I still have a fair few Japanese import 7" singles that I bought from HMV in the mid 80's - try and find even one piece of vinyl in our local store now... However, whoever runs HMV is not stupid, or ignorant for ignoring customers who want to buy vinyl - the fact is they have responded to the market - there just ain't enough of us to support them stocking just music media these days, don't blame HMV, blame market forces - if I was running HMV I certainly wouldn't be thinking that the way to save the business would be to go back to the way it was in the 80's...
Problem is they have in one single move alienated me. I used to buy a fair bit in HMV now I don't in fact in the last few months I have bought nothing there. I find it so depressing walking in and remembering how it used to be.
A few months back one of the members here Zygote told me about a new shop opening up called head in Belfast and I went to it a bit sceptical but it is full of music on both CD and vinyl :) Less DVDs there compared to elsewhere. In many ways it reminds me of the way Fopp was before HMV saved it and then started messing with it.
Back in September last while in Scotland I did an article for AIHFA about record shops in Scotland and they all felt that HMVs changes were benefiting them as those customers who felt ignored moved back to them for a more personal service and more interesting and varied stock.
So many shops have gone in the last few years. I miss them all but HMVs changes to me are crazy does anyone buy technology from them ? Especially when there is a Dixons or Currys near by usually, or Games from them when Game is usually near buy. HMV are not cheap :scratch:
Regards D S D L
Hi Martin,
I totally agree with your sentiments regarding HMV - *but* at least they still (at the moment anyway) have a physical stock of CDs that you can browse through. I just much prefer to buy my music that way than using a computer and a mouse, which for me is just a totally bland and unnatural way of shopping.
My preferred way of buying music is still from independent stores. I can walk into Probe in Liverpool, for example, where the chaps know me, spend 40 mins or so picking up a slab of vinyl of various musical genres (most of which I don't know what to expect), and then go over to the till and ask them to let me hear, say, 30 or 40 albums (they have a T/T set up there), so I can decide what to buy, over a cup of coffee.
I then listen to them all, have a chat with the guys there (where they will often recommend something to me that they think I'll like), then leave with a pile of records. The shop has had a good sale and been rewarded for 'going the extra mile' with the customer, and I'm happy with the personal attention I've received. They also know I'll be back again soon!
Indeed, this process occurs about once every two months..... Del and I love our trips to Liverpool, where we also factor in a nice lunch in Chinatown, before she goes off shopping for clothes, and I go hunting for records.
*That*, for me makes the whole buying process a much more REWARDING, pleasant and HUMAN experience, than sitting at home alone on a computer, clicking a bloody mouse!! YMMV :cool:
Marco.
P.S Alex, I'll get to you later! ;)
Lunch beckons....
You just described my ideal shopping experience I remember every weekend I would serach to find those undiscovered gems, but as HMV changed thier focus it has become pointless to even try I still love going into a ols record shop and seeing what I come out with Its better still when you can have a decent chat about music too
Hi John,
Thankfully, that's a standard experience for me when buying vinyl, and will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future :)
Shops like Probe, Monorail and Volcanic Tongue will survive quite simply because they provide a knowledgeable and personal service which caters for (although admittedly we remain in the minority) the thousands of people like us who love music, and who love playing it on vinyl.
How many other shops like Probe would succeed, I wonder, in other parts of country if enthusiasts like us put down our mice, switched off our computers, and supported them rather than the likes of Amazon?
I suspect more than folk might think!
Do you have any idea why down south, out with of London, the independent record shop scene appears to have all but died in the areas, for example, where Martin and Alex live, yet still seem to exist (and indeed thrive) in the likes of Glasgow, Manchester and Liverpool?
I have a few ideas on the matter which I'll share later.
Or am I off the mark here? If so, prove me wrong, and let's hear from the 'southerners' amongst us who still have access to superb independent record shops like Probe :cool:
Marco.
Marco I love to be able to do that. I sometimes still go to Sisters Ray and will do Notting Hill Record and tape exchange every now and then I used to be able to go out everyweekend and buy vinyl or CD but to be quite honest I just rarely find anything I am interested in these days
Anytime I am in a different part of the country I look for record shops to see if I can find anything interesting
Not for me, Marco. The reason I buy from Amazon is the huge breadth of stock items that are truly in stock and delivered quickly. HMV have brought on their demise by repeatedly shafting the music lover; they pushed all music to a corner of the store in favour of video; they introduced gaming hardware and other shite that do not form a core part of their business; they killed classical music dead; they got rid of vinyl and they employ staff where the term ignorance would be kind.
I still visit the HMV store when in town and I walk out mumbling the same mutterings because, frankly, their shops are a steaming pile of poo. I just hope they don't take Waterstones down with them because that would be sad.
Have to agree with you there. The City of Stirling has an HMV in the Thistle Shopping centre which has a sound system so bad that its annoying. Call me strange but there is no excuse for such earbleeding crap in a so called dedicated music store. Mind you its not anymore is it.
I recently rediscovered the fact that I liked Johnny Lang so went in to find some back catalogue disks. I went to the blues section that used to be there only to find it had been replaced with Wii guff. I used to love browsing a music shop whilst the other half was in Next & M&S but now there is little point. They failed to get a handle on Blueray either pricing the disks so much higher than online retailers that you would need to be daft to buy from the shop. HMV has turned into an old stock shifter these days with the 2 for £10 offers etc.:steam:
Hi Paul,
Are there any independent records shops that you know of around Stirling or central Scotland? :)
Marco.
I for one would fully support any record store that opened in the Basingstoke/Reading area. I do like to browse and chat about music and miss that aspect of online ordering.
tannoy man
16-01-2011, 14:15
In Cardiff a lot of people dont use the city center because of ridiculous NCP PARKING CHARGES.
Hi Paul,
In Cardiff a lot of people dont use the city center because of ridiculous NCP PARKING CHARGES.
Get a bus or a train then, or cycle instead! ;)
Marco.
Haselsh1
16-01-2011, 16:08
Quite frankly I wouldn't be a bit sad if HMV closed. Having seen them ruthlessly push out small family-run record shops; businesses that stocked interesting and unusual items, were knowlegable in what they sold and knew their customers tastes in music, I'm glad HMV are getting their comeuppance.
These days the staff in HMV, whilst friendly, are pretty ignorant about everything, apart from the price and what the 'offer of the moment' is.
If HMV were to fold then the only downside for me would be the loss of Waterstones, the only bookshop left around here. Again HMV through their aquisition of Waterstones have pushed out the smaller bookshops. I'm especially indignant of their gobbling up of Ottakers; a small national chain, stocking interesting items and run by helpful and knowledgable staff - unlike Waterstones.
Both book and record retailers have been badly hit by on-line shopping. I now buy most of my music (and books) on-line from Amazon, who are cheaper (when postage is taken into account) than HMV's on-line shop!
Looks like the writing is on the wall for HMV.
I agree with all of this very strongly. Well said Barry.
Rare Bird
16-01-2011, 16:47
Getting a bit long in the tooth this topic innit!
There must be some independent record shops round your way, Andre - or at least somewhere in Yarkshire? :)
Marco.
Rare Bird
16-01-2011, 16:53
There must be some independent record shops round your way, Andre - or at least somewhere in Yarkshire? :)
Marco.
Not that i know of Marco, one in Sheffield but boy does he know how to Charge.
Yup - that's the problem with some of them. However, the best ones are up for a haggle - and boy do I give them that; it's part of the enjoyment of shopping that way! :eyebrows:
That's another advantage of buying music from independent shops where the owner is usually there - you can get some nice discounts for cash, especially when buying in bulk ;)
You can't do that on-line!!
Marco.
Rare Bird
16-01-2011, 17:16
Your talking anything around £80-a few hundred quid for the albums i used buy so no haggling gonna make any real difference to me, you can see now why vinyl is an absolute no no.
Yesh, that's 'cos you only buy music for Sex Gods!! :eyebrows:
Marco.
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