Have an issue with pre-order/gold vinyl? READ THIS THREAD.

[Admin]

Hi everyone,

First off, I want to apologize for the lack of a consistent message about this since the issue came up and that I have been trying to make sure everyone is taken care regarding the problems with the pre-orders and the gold vinyl.

I spoke with a representative from Razor & Tie concerning the issues that many of you have expressed about what's been going on with your orders. As I've said, they are working on a solution to satisfy those that are affected. It may be a few days until the framework is in place, but know it's being taken seriously internally by both the band and the label. It was obviously unexpected and I think we all can understand that.

Here's where I need your help: If you have experienced issues with the fidelity of your record or your product was damaged, please PM me with the following: your order number, name and methods of contact (e-mail and phone) as well as the nature of the problem. I'll forward it on to my contact at the label and they'll deal with each issue on a case-by-case basis.

ADDITIONALLY: If you have the means to capture your record player's audio - please record a sample of audio with the problem and include a link to that in your PM. This will only help pinpoint the problem for those at Razor & Tie.

Thank you for being patient. I know how frustrating it has been through this and that it feels like it's taking a long time to figure this out. Let me know if you have any questions.

Stay positive!

UPDATE 6/10/14: As of now, all information has been handed over. Any additional issues, please contact MerchNow directly. Thanks!

[TKalltheTime]

Thanks so much for the info and updating us on this, now if only my order would finally get here...

[springer]

Apr 2, 2014 16:01:57 GMT -5 Admin said:

ADDITIONALLY: If you have the means to capture your record player's audio - please record a sample of audio with the problem and include a link to that in your PM. This will only help pinpoint the problem for those at Razor & Tie.

Mine's gone back, but I wouldn't have had the means to do that anyhow. The problem is fairly easily described, though - persistent, loud crackling throughout the whole album, both between tracks and during tracks. Sounds exactly like a dusty charity/goodwill store LP purchase, but unlike those, putting the discs through a cleaning machine had no positive effect whatsoever. Rules out dust or residue in the grooves.

[doctoracula]

Was it ever sorted out if this is just the uk/European version or the whole pressing? I'm not sure if there even was a separate pressing for different continents, but I know the topic came up in one of the other threads

[Admin]

Apr 3, 2014 9:19:33 GMT -5 doctoracula said:

Was it ever sorted out if this is just the uk/European version or the whole pressing? I'm not sure if there even was a separate pressing for different continents, but I know the topic came up in one of the other threads

Honestly, I don't know. If I find out, I'll let everyone know.

[mcstevepants]

Will do, thanks for the update, sir.

[Eric]

I'm 100% certain they are the same pressing, 1000 in total worldwide. The UK ones are made at Noiseland, Mineapolis, and have a sticker over the barcode.

Noiseland is who we should be writing to really.

[springer]

NOISEland!! Oh the irony!!!

[the sea]

Apr 3, 2014 14:07:00 GMT -5 springer said:

NOISEland!! Oh the irony!!!

It would only be ironic if the vinyls made no sound whatsoever...

[xcalvinx]

Apr 3, 2014 12:55:25 GMT -5 Eric said:

I'm 100% certain they are the same pressing, 1000 in total worldwide. The UK ones are made at Noiseland, Mineapolis, and have a sticker over the barcode.

Noiseland is who we should be writing to really.

I got my american order yesterday and there is noise. Mine also has 'Noiseland' etched in the matrix so it looks like it's all one press.

[doctoracula]

I'll have to check mine and see if its from noiseland. The LP itself sounds fine

[Northern Wish]

I get a crackle during track breaks and it is even noticeable during The Ambassador and a few other quiet parts. Sounds terrible really.

[stringer]

Apr 3, 2014 15:31:44 GMT -5 the sea said:

Apr 3, 2014 14:07:00 GMT -5 springer said:

NOISEland!! Oh the irony!!!

It would only be ironic if the vinyls made no sound whatsoever...

..You been watching Castle?

__

Cheers for this Brendan, I'll try and capture the audio before messaging you.

[pers0na]

Ugh, almost 50 euros for an album pre-order and still no decent vinyl copy in my possession yet. It is now 5 weeks after the release date. (I'd be extra pissed if I'd forked out for the box set at this point, so glad I didn't opt to go for that in the end).

Really unimpressed by how this has gone down and how slowly things seem to be moving (if at all).

According to another thread there will be nothing done about this, the only option is to return it to get a refund (which, if it turns out to be the only option, just plain sucks): www.theholdsteady.proboards.com/post/107680/thread

It would be really great if some official source would keep us updated themselves, let us know what steps were being taken to make this right.

Already missing the Vagrant days, when if something went wrong, jakevagrant would be on here, being super helpful. Back then I ended up with a surprise RSD pressing of HIW included in my package, by way of apology for delays!

With the whole push to connect with the fans and stuff it would be nice if there was some sense of urgency or semblance of caring about the 1,000 non-plussed fans by the label.

Sorry for the moan, but really Washington Square/Razor and Tie need to do something about this ASAP. Although they don't seem to respond to any fan questions on their Facebook page, which is hardly an encouraging sign: www.facebook.com/washingtonsquaremusic

I haven't really been able to listen to this album properly as for first listen I like to sit down and give the vinyl a ruddy good listening to.

Also when I lodged my complaint with TM Stores they immediately closed my complaint as resolved when absolutely nothing was done to help.

I'm sure it's a great album mind and I'm still super excited to hear it and hoping the tour comes to southern Sweden and all that, just frustrated and a little pissed by this.

________
Thanks again to Brendan for being the only person visibly doing something on behalf on the fans on this!

[Admin]

I understand you guys are upset. I've tried to get a hold of them. Still working on it on a daily basis. Thank you for being as patient as you have. I know this is not ideal for anyone.

Has anyone heard anything yet?

[robc]

I emailed Merch Now last week. They replied:

We have been made aware of this sound quality issue for this item. We are currently working out with the record label how they would like to handle this. More than likely we will be replacing them with the black variation, however we are currently waiting on confirmation of this. We are also waiting on the next shipment of the black variation, so are unable to replace these items at this time. We will contact you as soon as we have some resolution with the record label.

[bobfrombob]

As Brendan suggests, I will remain patient but replacing it with a black copy is a really poor solution (unless there is some kind of refund as well). I could have got a black copy way cheaper than the mailorder through MerchNow.

Any idea if the band or their people are aware of this?

[mrgoose13]

I am a little puzzled by this whole process.  Pearl Jam's Lightning Bolt had major pressing issues.  They managed to email me immediately once I contacted them and they sent a replacement copy within a week.  That copy was also a poor pressing too and they sent a third that actually passed.  The whole process took about 3.5 weeks.

I agree with everyone else, there is a huge miss on the part of the label and communication.  MerchNow keeps telling me to be patient, yet at the end of the day, I forked over cash for merchandise that is defective and today marks 3 weeks with no solution in sight.  I am grateful for the gold pressing and for Brandon pursuing the matter for us, but I am still sitting here without anything to play on my turntable.

Can someone from the label post an update and or an explanation - I would like to personally like to here from them.  It's a business decision - someone needs to make a simple decision.  Putin made a faster decision when he chose to invade Crimea.  The Tampa Bay Rays made a faster decision on deciding to have Matt Moore have season ending shoulder surgery.  Both of those probably come with a bigger price tag than replacing 1,000 vinyl albums.

My apologies if I sound like a douche, but it is a simple business decision.

[nelg]

In my mind there is little they can do now to make this right. I think the hold up comes from the fact that EVERY.SINGLE.PRESSING.FACTORY in the world is currently and has been working around the clock to get things ready for RSD. Read a few articles this year that stated that the scale (that is the number of unique releases and how many of each individual release are pressed) of RSD had to drastically be scaled of back from last year b/c last year was simply just too much.

We won't be getting a gold replacement, this I am almost sure of. In my mind, the only reasonable thing for MerchNow to do (I know it isn't directly their fault, but we ordered our vinyl from them, not the factory that pressed it) is to give us a full refund along with a version of the black vinyl. At least that would have been the thing to do several weeks ago. If MerchNow cared about its customers and good (questionable) name, they would go ahead and send all gold vinyl purchasers a copy of the black vinyl and then settle the issue with the record or pressing company at a later date to save face with current and future customers. I WILL NEVER ORDER A SINGLE THING FROM MERCHNOW EVER AGAIN and I sure as hell won't recommend them to anyone else.

It is also weird that the record label or the band hasn't made an official statement on the boards or through email (hell there are only 1000 of us) about the issue. Ignoring it as if you don't know the problem exists or that it might just go away shows a real lack of respect for those of us who really love the band and their products. In my opinion it is somewhat of a massive failure from all parties involved including the record label, MerchNow, the pressing factory and even the band.

However, that doesn't take a bit away from Brendon and what he has done and is trying to do to get to the bottom of this. We all owe you beers. You should never buy another beer with your own money at a THS show ever again.

[dealwiththedealers]

Apr 15, 2014 17:28:17 GMT -5 nelg said:

It is also weird that the record label or the band hasn't made an official statement on the boards or through email (hell there are only 1000 of us) about the issue. Ignoring it as if you don't know the problem exists or that it might just go away shows a real lack of respect for those of us who really love the band and their products. In my opinion it is somewhat of a massive failure from all parties involved including the record label, MerchNow, the pressing factory and even the band.

Spot on. It would take ten minutes to post a statement on the band's website, or to email the people who purchased vinyl.

[TKalltheTime]

Apr 15, 2014 17:28:17 GMT -5 nelg said:

In my mind there is little they can do now to make this right. I think the hold up comes from the fact that EVERY.SINGLE.PRESSING.FACTORY in the world is currently and has been working around the clock to get things ready for RSD. Read a few articles this year that stated that the scale (that is the number of unique releases and how many of each individual release are pressed) of RSD had to drastically be scaled of back from last year b/c last year was simply just too much.

We won't be getting a gold replacement, this I am almost sure of. In my mind, the only reasonable thing for MerchNow to do (I know it isn't directly their fault, but we ordered our vinyl from them, not the factory that pressed it) is to give us a full refund along with a version of the black vinyl. At least that would have been the thing to do several weeks ago. If MerchNow cared about its customers and good (questionable) name, they would go ahead and send all gold vinyl purchasers a copy of the black vinyl and then settle the issue with the record or pressing company at a later date to save face with current and future customers. I WILL NEVER ORDER A SINGLE THING FROM MERCHNOW EVER AGAIN and I sure as hell won't recommend them to anyone else.

It is also weird that the record label or the band hasn't made an official statement on the boards or through email (hell there are only 1000 of us) about the issue. Ignoring it as if you don't know the problem exists or that it might just go away shows a real lack of respect for those of us who really love the band and their products. In my opinion it is somewhat of a massive failure from all parties involved including the record label, MerchNow, the pressing factory and even the band.

However, that doesn't take a bit away from Brendon and what he has done and is trying to do to get to the bottom of this. We all owe you beers. You should never buy another beer with your own money at a THS show ever again.

Truth and truth on both accounts.

MerchNow has been THE WORST to try to deal with, and then at the end of the day they want to inconvenience me for defective goods that I paid for instead of making it right, or at least responding to an email with in 3-4 days. Ughhh

[Camie]

Apr 15, 2014 17:28:17 GMT -5 nelg said:

However, that doesn't take a bit away from Brendon and what he has done and is trying to do to get to the bottom of this. We all owe you beers. You should never buy another beer with your own money at a THS show ever again.

Brendan doesn't drink.... I'll take the beers... we can all get Brendan juice boxes

(love you Brendan, and you have been awesome with this)

[bloodystereos]

I know our friend Heather(in the Kesha shirt) has yet to receive her hoodie/CD package. Not sure what avenues she has explored to track it down.

[jakevagrant]

Apr 12, 2014 6:02:14 GMT -5 pers0na said:

jakevagrant would be on here, being super helpful. Back then I ended up with a surprise RSD pressing of HIW included in my package, by way of apology for delays!

Thanks for the kind words. That debacle with the vinyl/preorders still bothers me.

I don't know anyone involved on the label or manufacturing side to help so I'm not trying to defend anyone in particular -- but I can say that these things can be very hard to track down. I've seen problems before (non THS related) where the lacquer for the vinyl is fine, test pressings sound great, but something goes wrong with one of the stampers during mass production (and there are multiple per album) so you end up with a random percentage with a small problem that couldn't otherwise be caught. It's extremely frustrating and at that point hard to blame any single person. It's also really rare.

Then again, I just had to replace a HIW copy because something went wrong with the hole in the middle of the vinyl. I guess it wasn't cut open enough? I didn't really follow the email but just wanted to help the guy out. How that happens to only 1 disc out of the whole run is frustrating when you need everyone to be happy the first time.

Anyways, I don't know if any of this is applicable here, it looks like a pretty small sample size to know, but just wanted to share a personal anecdote. It's likely pretty complex but I hope that everyone affected gets an acceptable resolution soon.

And I thought I was the only member of the Unified Scene that didn't drink.

[doctoracula]

I rarely drink. Maybe once a year.