:: GussetBLOG ::

:: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 ::

Fopp 'til you Drop

"Due to popular demand, and a lot of noise made by our very loyal customers, Fopp’s music, DVD and book stores have been kept alive. Or at least some of our great shops have. We expect these Fopp stores to re-open within weeks, once the staff are back in the shops, the stock is re-ordered and a few operational bits and pieces are sorted. The stores have been saved from closure by HMV, but will trade independently of them and we’re delighted to say that everything that has made Fopp’s identity and customer offer distinct over the last 25 years is being preserved. Fopp.com will also relaunch soon, where you’ll also be able to buy online - so watch this space. We’re looking forward to seeing you again"

Back to give the independents another bashing. Fopp returns, this time with HMV at the helm. Only a few stores (the Bristol ones have other tenants in the units already). I have to admit, although I have given Fopp a bit of a bashing, I have missed them. There’s just so much back-catalogue stuff I was used to thinking, ‘I can pick that up for a fiver anytime I like,’ but now either can’t find or Zavvi want 14 quid for. In the case of the jazz stuff I’ve been tracking down for my dad for Christmas, I found it on Amazon, took the artist, title, label and ASIN to Zavvi, and after about 10mins cueing they refused to acknowledge that the release even existed. On top of that, their computer screen was covered in stickers, of the type they label the CD dividers with, with all of the staff's user names and passwords on! So I ordered it from Amazon.

Zavvi didn't like my taking a picture on my phone, not that you can read anything, but passwords printed for the public to see is information crime number one. Second is sending unencrypted personal data, but you've heard enough about that recently.

zavvi
Originally uploaded by gusset.


There is definitely a gap in the market for a more professional record shop set up from someone who knows what their customers want, offer good service, employ knowledgeable staff, and aren’t just trying to rip you off.

I can dream can’t I?

Labels: Music, Shopping

:: Dan 12.12.07 [Arc] [1 comments] [links to this post] ::
...

Comments:

Agreed.

Was in the Nottingham Fopp a couple of weeks back and while the shop looked just the same and much of the stock was the same the price of the 4.99 stuff was now 5 and 6.99 and the 9.99 general releases we're inline with HMV prices of 15 quid and above which dosen't sit so true with the 'trade independantly' line...

# posted by  Chris : 13/12/07 9:03 AM

 

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