I'm new here so I apologise if something like this exists (I did look but couldn't find anything)
Does anyone know of a place that lists upcoming or new releases of scores on CD in the UK, whether it be special editions of older film scores or standard releases for new films? I often get excited hearing about new releases only to discover it'd cost twice the price of the album to have it shipped here so I'd love to able to find somewhere that has a comprehensive list for UK availability. The best option I've found seems to be Amazon I'm hoping there's something better.
Unfortunately I don't believe the U.K. has a 'critical mass' of potential purchasers for any retailer to feel that it's commercially workable to have an outlet specifically for soundtracks here. What that has left us with is the cost of postage for overseas (mainly the U.S.), as you've discovered.
For what it's worth, I try to buy in batches from SAE, say five or six albums at a time. That way at least the postage and other fixed size charges are spread across multiple albums. It does however mean having to plan carefully, and make sure there's enough cash in the bank to do such batches, which I know is certainly not possible for everyone.
Back in the past I used to buy via SAE until they charged a huge premium for UK orders. I know some accept the risk of packages going missing and not having any comeback. The way I look at it is if SAE warn you up-front that its your risk if you don't have insurance, what is to stop someone there saying that they sent the package, even if they hadn't. Anyway, I moved to using MovieMusic until the current situation when they have to charge an extra 20% VAT on everything, so I'm now buying very carefully, except for Varese titles that are sold here in the UK. I still use MovieMusic to be aware of new releases, but try to use Amazon UK where I can.
To be fair to SAE opting for the guaranteed shipping fee, I wouldn't be surprised if they were getting 'burnt' by a few unscrupulous buyers either demanding money back for non-delivery, or trying it on to get a second package, so decided to make sure they weren't continually liable. I can say, while touching wood, that in 20 years of purchases from them not one has gone missing. Been very late, yes, but not missing. The shortest time from getting the shipping email to receipt was about 8 days, and the longest was something like 7 weeks. Most times it takes 2 to 3 weeks for a package to get to me.
Yeah, of all my MovieMusic orders only 1 "went missing" and was reimbursed; but a month or so later it turned up and I returned my refund. That was 1 out of about 100 orders, but the thought of paying $75 insurance x 100 for more or less nothing chills my spine.
Thanks for the replies. I figured it was a long shot. I try not to look at places like SAE that much, because I'll just get annoyed by what isn't easily available over here!
I do use Amazon to see what might be upcoming but it isn't always the best. If I filter for CD soundtracks to pre-order the 30th anniversary Silence of the Lambs doesn't appear, but it's there when I search for it specifically. When they're open, I tend to use HMV for brand new soundtracks, and they sometimes surprise me with a few I didn't know existed, but there's a great many they don't stock.
