Buy This Used Compact Disc (A Dutch East India Sampler - 1993)

Dear Music Fan/Store Owner:

Long before I was involved with independent music distribution, I passed many a cool, long hour of a misspent youth scavenging through record stores looking for all sorts of musical gems. This was also long before certain folk in the music industry exercised what seemed to be extremely dodgy restraints upon stores that have helped them get where they are today.

Earlier this year four of the six major labels decided to cease giving any music retail store that carried used compact discs cooperative payments. These companies, which represent three-quarters of the entire industry, feel that stores that retail used CDs deter sales from new releases.

I suspect they felt this action would force the hand of store owners to do away with their used trade. Many of these stores cannot survive without
this business, while others feel that their customers like having a choice and will not grovel at the feet of corporate oppression.

This move by these four companies obviously has many retailers extremely vexed, as well it should you, the music buyer. The reason you should be pissed is that someone, somewhere is trying to dictate what you buy and how much you pay for it, while at the same time hurting the owner of your favorite shop.

We at Dutch East feel this policy blows darts. So, we decided to put out Buy This Used CD, which is a cross-section of music we are, and have been, involved with over the years.

We are offering over 70 minutes of music at a low list price with added W incentives for the store owners and fans who have supported what
we've done for over eleven years. Thanks for your time and we hope you dig the tuneage.

Effervescently yours,
Jack Sheehy, August, 1993

Poll Results

― Jersey Al (Albert R. Broccoli), Thursday, 30 July 2020 16:30 (four years ago) link