Thought I'd just see what others experience is like when buying new vinyl.....
I've just returned to Amazon my replacement pair of Bowie Remasters (180gms). Amazon's speed of delivery and collection of returns is impressive but whilst the 1st lot were packed well - both in mailers placed in a bigger box - the 2nd lot had only one in a mailer and the other just rattled around in the bigger box, unprotected causing sleeve damage. But once more its either pressing quality or post pressing storage quality - the first and replacements (4 in all) all had dishes plus mild warps, one had off-centred spindle hole and one had very noisy grooves. Unacceptable for me. All perfectly fine for someone with a Crossley though I guess they won't be bothered with remasters !
Now, when I order a brand new LP there is never any warning from the retailer that I am contracting into accepting the risk of poor quality LP's. So, in my view I should get acceptable quality. I had the same issue some years ago so Ive been seeking out NM copies of what I fancy from places like Discogs and have had c.95% success i.e the sellers graded their stuff correctly and I've only returned a few of the 40+ i've brought so, on the whole I'm ok with that. Of course I won't pay silly money for 1st presses but new remasters do appeal at an OK cost. So, I had thought that for my birthday I'd treat myself to a few NEW ones - the 1st for say 3 years. And sadly I find that the quality issues are all still here alive and well.
Is it still the same for you or do you have better luck ?
regards richard