Consumer Reports 10/7/98
Compiled by Lukas Kendall
Time to open this can of worms again! Here's the latest on where to
get your CDs, and where not to... see the articles
archive or our search
engine for earlier installments.
From: EnterAct@aol.com
My favorite mail-order business, by far, is Screen Archives Entertainment.
I swear that Craig Spaulding must be telepathic, sensing and shipping orders
before they arrive. The others I've dealt with have always been helpful
and courteous, but in SAE adds speed to the formula, and wins the mail-order
race.
I've also dealt with Music Boulevard, a company with comparable
selection and speed. However, SAE wins again, simply because it's a small
business, and it's always more satifying to deal with a smaller entrepreneur
than some faceless corporation. (In other words, Craig is one of "us",
and Music Boulevard is one of "them".)
I've only had a single dealing with Mr. Fontaine, and it involved
a non-cash transaction (a disc-for-disc trade), for which I was pleased.
Here's sort of a related question: when titles get deleted (and
most film score titles get deleted fairly quickly), where the heck to they
go? Back in the LP days, most stores had a "budget bin" in which
these unsorted gems resided. These days, the "budget bins" are
nowhere to be found. Are there any decent mail-order sources for "cut-out"
CDs?
From: Stargazer <stargazer@howler.sps.mot.com>
I may have been unjust but I included stores that are not Mail Order
Only because they do advertise on the net and they do encourage customers
to order from them through mail.
FaveS (in alphabetical order): CDCellar (www.cdcellar.com).
Compact Disc Connection (www.cdconnection.com).
Disques Cinemusique (disqcine@cedep.com).
Intrada (www.intrada.com). Screen
Archives (nippersae@aol.com)
The least faves:
CDNow (what a crappy website - cannot find my way anywhere on there
+ high prices). Creature Features (I'm sure that it's better when I walk
in, but I live in Texas). Footlight (uneven service + they never state
when a CD is cutout, always have to pry info out.) Super Collector (same
as above - they raid the customers, BTW. Pricewise...)
I would also like to add a few words to the discussion in progress
regarding Soundtrack Mail Order places.
I read the articles/letters concerning Clement Fontaine with a great
deal of interest, I have had many dealings with him the past year and Sean
Zikman's letter struck me as kind of odd. If there's one thing that I learned
in this life is that patience and slowness to speak pay exorbitant dividends
in the long run. Why? Because no one knows it all, and certainly no one
likes a know-it-all.
My experiences with Clement have been very pleasant. Sure, there
have been times when I would receive a response from him that was not only
curt but could be considered by some to be "offensive." Instead
of reacting in a manner of "self-defense" in such a case, I would
send him a polite and inquiring letter asking why he wrote me the way he
did. Lo and behold, after each of these initial exchanges (and there have
only been very few) I received an equally polite and apologetic letter
with a short explanation. And that's how one may develop a relationship
of any kind, especially when one never actually meets the other party in
person. Also take into account that the other party doesn't know you either,
so it takes time. I am almost 100% certain that anyone's initial contact
with Clement could only have been a good one. I would be extremely surprised
if it were otherwise. My first contact with him was absolutely great.
People who run their own business have many, many issues to deal
with. As someone who's walking in the same shoes I am certain that you
know this, Lukas. I have also jumped into that arena and have been trying
to stay above water for the past year myself. Clement faces the same problems
and more (the situation in Canada is a bit different) I am sure. One thing
I know without a doubt: his intention is to offer the best and fastest
service to his customers. Dealing with him for the past year, this has
become quite evident. He is only human like the rest of us.
I think that healthy competition helps people gain the proper perspective,
especially in the area of customer service. Even major corporations are
discovering the value of customer satisfaction. People sometimes don't
mind paying a little more, even, if they are treated right. Given a proper
chance, everyone is capable of displaying his/her good side.
From: Mark McCauley <mark.mccauley@medtronic.com>
I've been collecting Soundtrack CDs for several years now. I like
to support the specialty stores that really do a lot for Film Music lovers,
and fortunately they are also great to do business with. I would single
out as exceptional Screen Archives Entertainment and Intrada. Screen Archives
Entertainment has always provided great service. Orders are shipped quickly
and Craig Spaulding is knowledgeable and courteous. Intrada is also first
rate in every way.
Footlight records is also good, but their catalog does not always
reflect what they have in stock. I've had better luck with Screen Archives
Entertainment in that regard. I've also had very good service from FSM
and the Silver Age Classics. Thanks! Overseas I've had good luck with CAM.
As far as superstores, CD Now and CD Universe have both provided
good service. Tower is good and reliable. I do miss Rose Records in Chicago.
That was a great place to buy soundtracks.
From: Ed Godziszewski <edgodzi@figarosensor.com>
Intrada in general is the best source for soundtracks, and I would
also give an honorable mention to STAR. Super Collector also has good customer
service, and they will even pull out a CD and play it for you over the
phone if you are wondering whether a certain piece of music is on a CD
(at least they did it for me). However, no one source really covers every
title, so I would suggest checking with many sources.
As to the person who expressed dissatisfaction with Sumiya Records
of Japan, you should be advised that Sumiya no longer handles orders outside
of Japan. This is a real shame, since Sumiya is the soundtrack store without
peer--I had ordered from them for many years and they had a great reputation
for international sales. But a while ago they changed their policy. However,
whenever I visit Tokyo, I never miss the chance to drop in their store
and browse their incredible selection of soundtracks. They have reems of
unusual titles from the US, Europe, and elsewhere. About the only thing
they are somewhat lacking in is Japanese release CDs!
From: "Remy G. Voyron" <dewey@enter.net>
Something happened today that I find relevant to the ungoing debate
on soundtrack mail order businesses. I received today my latest order from
Intrada and was surprised to see that a third CD had been added. It was
the CD of "Saving Private Ryan" that I had Intrada shipped to
a wrong address a few months ago and that never showed up anywhere. The
mistake was solely mine and this could have been a complete loss for me.
I had been corresponding with Intrada on that subject and told them that
I would re-order that title soon. The replacement copy was sent at no cost
and with a nice "post it" note telling me to enjoy the CD. Now
that's customer service! This is the kind of attention to details that
makes me come back to Intrada and recommend their expertise and services.
The Paul Magwood Files
From: EnterAct@aol.com
I was recently at a Trek convention here in the Twin Cities (yeah,
yeah, yeah...I admit it!), and I believe your Mr. Magwood was in attendence.
My eyes nearly fell out of their sockets at the prices this guy charged.
For example:
THE LORD OF THE RINGS (which is still in print) on Intrada--$75
THE POSIEDON ADVENTURE bootleg--$95
THE BURBS (He gave me the "British pressing" story on
this one, and offered to sell it to me for fifty bucks, because I looked
at it longingly. I still didn't buy it.)--$60
THE BLACK CAULDRON--$75
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE (on Varese, but I think the cover was a
color copy; it was poorly shrinkwrapped, so I couldn't tell whether or
not it was a CD- r)--$65
He also had a selection of grossly-overpriced movie posters as well,
and he actually seemed to be doing brisk business. In fact, the "LotR"
disc was bought while I was looking at another display; I pitied the poor
fool who bought it. I wish I was there to warn him off.
From: Greg Espinoza, Riotengine@aol.com
Paul Magwood? Is this a guy who runs a booth with the sign "out
of print soundtracks, selling CD soundtracks, LPs, videos, and LDs? The
guy has short, grey hair, salt and pepper beard, and wears a white shirt?
I only ever dealt with the guy once, purchasing a Roy Budd LP from
him for $35. I probably got off light. As I became aware of other outlets
to get soundtracks, I realized what a thief he was. I always stopped by
this guy's booth at cons just to see how much he's trying to scam people
for. I saw soundtrack CDs and LDs you can still purchase at Tower, marked
up to $85. and $90. I picked up a Gerard Schurmann CD for $10. at Amoeba
in SF, he was selling his for $40.
A competitor of this guy's, at a nearby booth at Comic-Con one year,
complained to me that this joker would buy stuff from their booth and take
it back to his to mark up the price.
The guy can sell his stuff for whatever he wants, I'm not gonna
buy it. But has anybody confronted this guy about his business practices?
As I walked the aisles at Comic-Con this year, I made sure to point him
out to my friends.
I've ordered from Intrada, Footlight, and SuperCollector, getting
prompt service, and generally reasonable prices. I've had no problems,
and don't hesitate to recommend them.
Send your consumer report!
MailBag@filmscoremonthly.com
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