Jjeroen,
You're absolutely right, of course, however, the fact remains that there is little - actually NO - product of interest on the market to satiate the appetites of the likes of *us*.
As wonderful as it is that Queen still have the power to captivate new listeners every day with their unique brand of music, frankly, I couldn't give a fuck about those people and what is available for them to buy. They are, literally, spoilt for choice......
John Q Newbie hears WATC for the first time and thinks:
"Wow - that's amazing; the fusion of *that* voice to such a unique guitar sound and a really solid rythm section. Amazing harmonics on both vocals and instruments. Never heard anything like that before! I'm off to the shops to see if I can learn more about this amazing band called Queen!"
Off he goes. Walks in to HMV and heads strait to the Q section.........
".......N.....O.....P.....Q.......aha! Queen. Right, what have we here?"
"I have Greatest Hits albums for all sorts of bands at home and they generally give you a good overview. That song I heard on the radio is on this one. GH1. And look!!! A GH2 and a GH3 set. Wow what a lot of choice!"
"Hang on a minute though - here's 'Queen Rocks'. Maybe that'll give me more of the heavier side of the band's music?"
"Would you believe it! Queen - The Platinum Collection! This looks like all the GH albums in one package!"
"And here's 'Queen - The Singles Box Volume 1' - looks to be a nice package but there are 13 CDs with only a few tracks on each. I can get most of them on the GH albums or The Platinum Collection at a much better price and I only have to change the CD twice to hear all three!"
"And all these individual studio albums too! Maybe I'll just start at the beginning and work my way through their career chronologically from the beginning. Head's up - I've got a choice here of all sorts of versions - Mini-LP CDs, 1991 Re-Masters. I can even get them on vinyl again. And, here's an import box set called "The Crown Jewels which is ALL OF THEM."
"Hi."
"Hello - you look a bit confused"
"Well, yes I am actually - I'm a new Queen fan and have just decided to start really getting in to them because what I heard on the radio really excited me, you know!? My name's John Q Newbie."
"Yes - the same thing happened to me about thirty years ago. They really are amazing. By the way - my name is John Q Collector."
"Pleased to meet you John."
"Likewise. Well, my suggestion is that you go through the albums as they were released originally. That way, you almost get to hear them like everyone else did originally. The material on the first three albums is quite heavy and very raw. The mid-late 70's material is more heavily produced and much more theatrical. The material in the '80's is heavily targetted towards radio and singles airplay with the 90's material moving back towards the production ethics of the mid-late 70s era."
"How about the GH albums - there are 3 of those?"
"Well, they're OK - Queen were a great 'hits' band and I'm sure you've heard of Bohemian Rhapsody?"
"They recorded THAT!?"
"Yes"
"Is that on an album?"
"Yes - 'A Night At The Opera' which was their 4th."
"Well, in that case, I'll get their first 5 albums and move on from there then!"
"Great - you really won't be disappointed. And, as well as all that, there are some cracking DVD's of the videos for their singles and a couple of live ones from concerts they played in the 1980s!"
"Ha ha - give me a chance! I'll move on to thise later."
"Good idea - small steps!!"
"So, with all your knowledge, what are you in here for?"
"Well, with it being Christmas, I'm looking to see if there's anything available for someone to buy me for a present. I've been a fan and collector for 30 years and, looking at all of this, I seem to have at least one copy of each of the tracks on the studio albums, if not 5 or 10 copies across fifferent formats / versions."
"Wow! You're a real Queen devotee, aren't you?"
"Yes - it's cost me a few quid over the years, but it's been worth it."
"I'm sure. I bought The Who's '30 Years Of Maximum RnB' box set in 1993 - it's absolutely brilliant. Record Collector even called it the best box set ever released. If you haven't got the Queen version, why don't you suggest that as your present?"
"Well, I would do, but Queen's management company haven't ever released one. They've been talking about it since Freddie Mercury died in 1991 but nothing's ever come along."
"That's a shame, because they're such a big, famous band. Lots of other bands have sets like that available."
"I know - we've been trying to get it released for years, but they seem to want to keep releasing GH albums of the same old material."
"Well, that's great - especially for people like me."
"I know, but it leaves me in a bit of a dilemma every year when people ask me if there's anything I'd like."
"What about this Singles collection which was released last month?"
"Nice idea, but I don't want to have to change the CD 13 times to hear everything and, besides, I have all the tracks on there at least once."
"Oh. Well......er.........I'm not sure what to suggest....."
"Don't worry. It's the same every year, but I still come in here every so often just in case something comes along."
"Well, thanks for your help and, with all this to choose from, I'm completely spoilt for choice and I've only been a fan for a few days!"
Tumble weed...............
Thread
Posts in chronological order
You forgot the time in fan-dom where some people that already have all the songs in whatever form decide to start COLLECTING...
"Oh, wow, a box set! Apart from the ANATO anniversary cddvd, I only have jewel case cd's at home - THIS sure would look good on my shelve! It has the cool, old band-logo on it. And look at those sleeves - I never saw them, only on the internet. Heck - maybe it will be even worth some money in a couple of years! It does say it is a limited edition...! Maybe I will even leave it in the shrinckwrap then..."
"Oh, wow, a box set! Apart from the ANATO anniversary cddvd, I only have jewel case cd's at home - THIS sure would look good on my shelve! It has the cool, old band-logo on it. And look at those sleeves - I never saw them, only on the internet. Heck - maybe it will be even worth some money in a couple of years! It does say it is a limited edition...! Maybe I will even leave it in the shrinckwrap then..."
Again, many thanks for the support.
But after being brainwashed into believing "lovely to look at - lovely to hold", why am I not suprised that there has been [b]no[/b] reply from those this thread was addressed to?
After all, there have been archivist 'pages' devoted to the petty pedantism of colour and spelling - so why no contribution to the 'real' issues?
But after being brainwashed into believing "lovely to look at - lovely to hold", why am I not suprised that there has been [b]no[/b] reply from those this thread was addressed to?
After all, there have been archivist 'pages' devoted to the petty pedantism of colour and spelling - so why no contribution to the 'real' issues?
[QUOTE]
[b]Jjeroen wrote: [/b]
You forgot the time in fan-dom where some people that already have all the songs in whatever form decide to start COLLECTING...
"Oh, wow, a box set! Apart from the ANATO anniversary cddvd, I only have jewel case cd's at home - THIS sure would look good on my shelve! It has the cool, old band-logo on it. And look at those sleeves - I never saw them, only on the internet. Heck - maybe it will be even worth some money in a couple of years! It does say it is a limited edition...! Maybe I will even leave it in the shrinckwrap then..."
[/QUOTE]
Sorry Jjeroen, but with respect, I have to disagree.
First: There are [b]no[/b] safe investments - even the top 5 world banks have collapsed - wiping billions of dollars from shares - and leaving investors bankrupt.
When times are good - and there is a lot of money and financial stability - people will pay crazy prices - even for 2nd hand Queen merchandise.
When we hit recession and money is tight - we return to basics. Think back to the 1930's great depression, people would have sold their soul for a tin of beans - let alone keep hold of worthless trinkets. (After all, you can not eat a blue vinyl disc!). Generally, the market place is depreciating - not appreciating - so this means that over time your box set will become worth less - rather than worth more.
Second: Fashion too also changes. Queen are recognised mainly as a 1970/80's band. That means that they are 20 - 30 years out of date. If we flashback to 20 - 30 years before my birth, who today would pay vastly inflated prices for an Al johnson, or Bing Crosby acetate?
Indeed if the world's rarest Bing Crosby recording was suddenly discovered in a New York attic this morning - how much do you think it would be worth now? I accept that maybe in its hayday that the disc may have been worth a few thousand dollars - but now - I think you would be lucky to recieve a few hundred at best, simply because the world has moved on and no one is interested anymore. The same will be true of your Queen rarities in 30 - 40 years.
Finally, what has killed all 'music' collecting is the internet. Really, anyone in here can "roll their own" Queen collection - for free. The whole back catalogue of both released and unreleased tracks is in here. Who really can fault the mentality of "why pay £40 - when I can have the same product [b]free[/b]"? (Even the sleeves can be downloaded).
I am sorry if I appear to rant - I do not mean to - but from whatever angle I approach this box-set from (and being an investment is a valid proposition) - it just does not make sense to me - on any level.
It could be argued, that is why I am no millionaire, then again, unlike EMI, I am no bankrupt either!
[b]Jjeroen wrote: [/b]
You forgot the time in fan-dom where some people that already have all the songs in whatever form decide to start COLLECTING...
"Oh, wow, a box set! Apart from the ANATO anniversary cddvd, I only have jewel case cd's at home - THIS sure would look good on my shelve! It has the cool, old band-logo on it. And look at those sleeves - I never saw them, only on the internet. Heck - maybe it will be even worth some money in a couple of years! It does say it is a limited edition...! Maybe I will even leave it in the shrinckwrap then..."
[/QUOTE]
Sorry Jjeroen, but with respect, I have to disagree.
First: There are [b]no[/b] safe investments - even the top 5 world banks have collapsed - wiping billions of dollars from shares - and leaving investors bankrupt.
When times are good - and there is a lot of money and financial stability - people will pay crazy prices - even for 2nd hand Queen merchandise.
When we hit recession and money is tight - we return to basics. Think back to the 1930's great depression, people would have sold their soul for a tin of beans - let alone keep hold of worthless trinkets. (After all, you can not eat a blue vinyl disc!). Generally, the market place is depreciating - not appreciating - so this means that over time your box set will become worth less - rather than worth more.
Second: Fashion too also changes. Queen are recognised mainly as a 1970/80's band. That means that they are 20 - 30 years out of date. If we flashback to 20 - 30 years before my birth, who today would pay vastly inflated prices for an Al johnson, or Bing Crosby acetate?
Indeed if the world's rarest Bing Crosby recording was suddenly discovered in a New York attic this morning - how much do you think it would be worth now? I accept that maybe in its hayday that the disc may have been worth a few thousand dollars - but now - I think you would be lucky to recieve a few hundred at best, simply because the world has moved on and no one is interested anymore. The same will be true of your Queen rarities in 30 - 40 years.
Finally, what has killed all 'music' collecting is the internet. Really, anyone in here can "roll their own" Queen collection - for free. The whole back catalogue of both released and unreleased tracks is in here. Who really can fault the mentality of "why pay £40 - when I can have the same product [b]free[/b]"? (Even the sleeves can be downloaded).
I am sorry if I appear to rant - I do not mean to - but from whatever angle I approach this box-set from (and being an investment is a valid proposition) - it just does not make sense to me - on any level.
It could be argued, that is why I am no millionaire, then again, unlike EMI, I am no bankrupt either!
If the band and Jim Beach do not want to release anything from the vaults why don't they let someone else do it for them. Would it work though, a separate label handling all archive releases? Would Brian be able to let these tracks out of his mitts.
It just seems to me to be a complee fucking waste to have all these great tracks Face It Alone and numerous others i have yet to hear, rotting away in the vaults and then having that muppet Greg play us snippets of these songs at the conventions with his great voiceover work "Property Of Cash Cow Productions".
The mind boggles.
I bought the Bon Jovi 4CD Box set that came out a couple of years ago. Some set over 45 previously unreleased tracks and all of great quality.
Marc Bolan 4CD Set is out there with a load of 2 and 3 minute demoes. Great.
Queen again come to the fore with numerous Hits Albums and now this Singles Box rubbish.
I have said this on numerous occasions to Greg. WHY CAN'T THE BAND/JIM BEACH release a statemen or come here and give us THEIR REASONS FOR NOT RELEASING any demoes etc.
Enough said.
It just seems to me to be a complee fucking waste to have all these great tracks Face It Alone and numerous others i have yet to hear, rotting away in the vaults and then having that muppet Greg play us snippets of these songs at the conventions with his great voiceover work "Property Of Cash Cow Productions".
The mind boggles.
I bought the Bon Jovi 4CD Box set that came out a couple of years ago. Some set over 45 previously unreleased tracks and all of great quality.
Marc Bolan 4CD Set is out there with a load of 2 and 3 minute demoes. Great.
Queen again come to the fore with numerous Hits Albums and now this Singles Box rubbish.
I have said this on numerous occasions to Greg. WHY CAN'T THE BAND/JIM BEACH release a statemen or come here and give us THEIR REASONS FOR NOT RELEASING any demoes etc.
Enough said.
To be fair to Greg, John, he knows that the game's up.
He had no need to post - no one was pointing the finger at him for getting this wrong because we, rightly, knew the ampunt of work that had gone in to the original project which was then suppressed by the powers that be. All he needed to do was push this whole event into history and forget about it.
However.
He then comes in and tries to justify the set, even though, as he knows from having done the original work, it's a pile of shit. Surely, if he stands behind his work, he'd defend it as opposed to voluntarily working on a set he knows will compromise him, his 'standards' and his work.
My take on it is that he was "asked" to come in here and stir the pot a bit in order to generate a bit of discussion and (perhaps) interest in the set in the run up to Christmas. And, as a result, a few extra sales from people not quite sure whether they want it or not.
He'll now do what he always does (a beast of type is this boy) and disappear from site until he either needs some information he should already have access to or has been asked ro spread sketchy details of a future official release which will be bastardised completely before it's release.
He had no need to post - no one was pointing the finger at him for getting this wrong because we, rightly, knew the ampunt of work that had gone in to the original project which was then suppressed by the powers that be. All he needed to do was push this whole event into history and forget about it.
However.
He then comes in and tries to justify the set, even though, as he knows from having done the original work, it's a pile of shit. Surely, if he stands behind his work, he'd defend it as opposed to voluntarily working on a set he knows will compromise him, his 'standards' and his work.
My take on it is that he was "asked" to come in here and stir the pot a bit in order to generate a bit of discussion and (perhaps) interest in the set in the run up to Christmas. And, as a result, a few extra sales from people not quite sure whether they want it or not.
He'll now do what he always does (a beast of type is this boy) and disappear from site until he either needs some information he should already have access to or has been asked ro spread sketchy details of a future official release which will be bastardised completely before it's release.
Benn, to be fair to you - I totally agree with you.
I have no argument with Greg, and I have no illusions about the restrictions he works under either.
That said, it would be nice of him - or some other 'represenatative' to come back and say "hands-up - we messed up on this one".
I also understand that Queen owe me nothing - and if they wish to move on without releasing any back catalougue demos - then that too is fine. I can respect that.
But at least retire with dignity.
Love him or hate him - at least Eric Cantana knew when to quit. As did John Deacon.
Perhaps it is time for QPL to die with respect - rather than this slow humiliating decay - which makes a mockery of both the Queen legacy and their fan base.
I have no argument with Greg, and I have no illusions about the restrictions he works under either.
That said, it would be nice of him - or some other 'represenatative' to come back and say "hands-up - we messed up on this one".
I also understand that Queen owe me nothing - and if they wish to move on without releasing any back catalougue demos - then that too is fine. I can respect that.
But at least retire with dignity.
Love him or hate him - at least Eric Cantana knew when to quit. As did John Deacon.
Perhaps it is time for QPL to die with respect - rather than this slow humiliating decay - which makes a mockery of both the Queen legacy and their fan base.
[QUOTE]Finally,
what has killed all 'music' collecting is the internet. Really, anyone
in here can "roll their own" Queen collection - for free. The whole
back catalogue of both released and unreleased tracks is in here. Who
really can fault the mentality of "why pay £40 - when I can have the
same product free"? (Even the sleeves can be downloaded).[/QUOTE]
I felt strange when I heard that the MJ/Freddie demos had leaked some years ago. I had been hearing about their existance since the 80s, and when I finally heard them I kinda thought "well what's left there as a rarity now?"
I have raised my bootleg collections by 5x in volume since the internet, without spending a dime (or a dozen!). You can find nearly everything. At the same time that this caused a "bankrupt effect" in these people that had the bootlegging selling as a daily job, it should call the attention of QPL or whomever is in charge of that stuff. Dylan released a few (a lot) of bootlegs I think when he or his label noticed the potential these recordings have in terms of sales. Beatles fans probably also had all these "rarities" already, but what EMI did? Polished them. Took care of them. And that costs money... which QPL is not decided to spend at all.
Greg will never respond to this more than he already did - he's an employee, and just does what his bosses tell him to. QPL? They're laughing at us.
what has killed all 'music' collecting is the internet. Really, anyone
in here can "roll their own" Queen collection - for free. The whole
back catalogue of both released and unreleased tracks is in here. Who
really can fault the mentality of "why pay £40 - when I can have the
same product free"? (Even the sleeves can be downloaded).[/QUOTE]
I felt strange when I heard that the MJ/Freddie demos had leaked some years ago. I had been hearing about their existance since the 80s, and when I finally heard them I kinda thought "well what's left there as a rarity now?"
I have raised my bootleg collections by 5x in volume since the internet, without spending a dime (or a dozen!). You can find nearly everything. At the same time that this caused a "bankrupt effect" in these people that had the bootlegging selling as a daily job, it should call the attention of QPL or whomever is in charge of that stuff. Dylan released a few (a lot) of bootlegs I think when he or his label noticed the potential these recordings have in terms of sales. Beatles fans probably also had all these "rarities" already, but what EMI did? Polished them. Took care of them. And that costs money... which QPL is not decided to spend at all.
Greg will never respond to this more than he already did - he's an employee, and just does what his bosses tell him to. QPL? They're laughing at us.
[b]John S Stuart wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]Jjeroen wrote: [/b]
You forgot the time in fan-dom where some people that already have all the songs in whatever form decide to start COLLECTING...
"Oh, wow, a box set! Apart from the ANATO anniversary cddvd, I only have jewel case cd's at home - THIS sure would look good on my shelve! It has the cool, old band-logo on it. And look at those sleeves - I never saw them, only on the internet. Heck - maybe it will be even worth some money in a couple of years! It does say it is a limited edition...! Maybe I will even leave it in the shrinckwrap then..."
[/QUOTE]
Sorry Jjeroen, but with respect, I have to disagree.
First: There are [b]no[/b] safe investments - even the top 5 world banks have collapsed - wiping billions of dollars from shares - and leaving investors bankrupt.
I am sorry if I appear to rant - I do not mean to - but from whatever angle I approach this box-set from (and being an investment is a valid proposition) - it just does not make sense to me - on any level.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/QUOTE]
John, of course I in my turn agree with you on this.
There indeed are NO safe investments in these kind of materials.
Especially Queen product that hits normal shops - 99,9% chance that it will never ever become a collectible at all. But do you remember how YOU thought about this kind of releases when you were 13?
I remember how *I* felt about these things when I was 13!
I was one of those people that DID buy these kind of things when I was 13!
The now 13 year old Queenfans that just started collecting do think like that as well.
(Yes, a lot of kids are up to their necks into the internet-freeware stuff and won't ever start collecting physical product. But there still is a group, still large enough to make releases like this a commercial succes.
(And on a sidenote I even dare to say I am GLAD that there still is a group of youngsters that sees the value of and has interest in physical product.)
Not entirely coincidentally, this IS the group of people that are actually least hit by whatever economical crisis...
[QUOTE]
[b]Jjeroen wrote: [/b]
You forgot the time in fan-dom where some people that already have all the songs in whatever form decide to start COLLECTING...
"Oh, wow, a box set! Apart from the ANATO anniversary cddvd, I only have jewel case cd's at home - THIS sure would look good on my shelve! It has the cool, old band-logo on it. And look at those sleeves - I never saw them, only on the internet. Heck - maybe it will be even worth some money in a couple of years! It does say it is a limited edition...! Maybe I will even leave it in the shrinckwrap then..."
[/QUOTE]
Sorry Jjeroen, but with respect, I have to disagree.
First: There are [b]no[/b] safe investments - even the top 5 world banks have collapsed - wiping billions of dollars from shares - and leaving investors bankrupt.
I am sorry if I appear to rant - I do not mean to - but from whatever angle I approach this box-set from (and being an investment is a valid proposition) - it just does not make sense to me - on any level.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[/QUOTE]
John, of course I in my turn agree with you on this.
There indeed are NO safe investments in these kind of materials.
Especially Queen product that hits normal shops - 99,9% chance that it will never ever become a collectible at all. But do you remember how YOU thought about this kind of releases when you were 13?
I remember how *I* felt about these things when I was 13!
I was one of those people that DID buy these kind of things when I was 13!
The now 13 year old Queenfans that just started collecting do think like that as well.
(Yes, a lot of kids are up to their necks into the internet-freeware stuff and won't ever start collecting physical product. But there still is a group, still large enough to make releases like this a commercial succes.
(And on a sidenote I even dare to say I am GLAD that there still is a group of youngsters that sees the value of and has interest in physical product.)
Not entirely coincidentally, this IS the group of people that are actually least hit by whatever economical crisis...
[QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Finally,
what has killed all 'music' collecting is the internet. Really, anyone
in here can "roll their own" Queen collection - for free. The whole
back catalogue of both released and unreleased tracks is in here. Who
really can fault the mentality of "why pay £40 - when I can have the
same product free"? (Even the sleeves can be downloaded).[/QUOTE] [/QUOTE]
Great, isn't it!
Collecting is the silliest thing ever. Stamps are for collecting. Cards are for collecting. Music is for listening! I was pretty damned happy when Face it Alone leaked, lemme tell you... after all those years of bitching, I finally got to hear it. I would've paid money for the privilege, but I've never been given the opportunity.
Collecting should be limited to physical media, ie. the original tapes or reels that the rare item came from. That way, shit hoarders can trade and have their trinkets, whilst listeners (the people who made the band so big in the first place) can hear the damned music.
And if QPL don't like it.... too freakin' bad. It's their fault for not pulling the finger out and making stuff available. Right now, I can pick up my Anthology 2 CD and hear Paul McCartney breaking a glass by accident.
If I want to hear Freddie muck up Bohemian Rhapsody and grunt "FUCK", what do I have to do? I have to dig up a VCD of that doco hosted by Richard E Grant. Isn't there something wrong with this picture?
I guess it's a moot discussion now with Queen. There can't really be that much left of interest... except of course for Two Worlds Apart. I hear Deacy redid his bass parts for that during the No One But You sessions.
[QUOTE]Finally,
what has killed all 'music' collecting is the internet. Really, anyone
in here can "roll their own" Queen collection - for free. The whole
back catalogue of both released and unreleased tracks is in here. Who
really can fault the mentality of "why pay £40 - when I can have the
same product free"? (Even the sleeves can be downloaded).[/QUOTE] [/QUOTE]
Great, isn't it!
Collecting is the silliest thing ever. Stamps are for collecting. Cards are for collecting. Music is for listening! I was pretty damned happy when Face it Alone leaked, lemme tell you... after all those years of bitching, I finally got to hear it. I would've paid money for the privilege, but I've never been given the opportunity.
Collecting should be limited to physical media, ie. the original tapes or reels that the rare item came from. That way, shit hoarders can trade and have their trinkets, whilst listeners (the people who made the band so big in the first place) can hear the damned music.
And if QPL don't like it.... too freakin' bad. It's their fault for not pulling the finger out and making stuff available. Right now, I can pick up my Anthology 2 CD and hear Paul McCartney breaking a glass by accident.
If I want to hear Freddie muck up Bohemian Rhapsody and grunt "FUCK", what do I have to do? I have to dig up a VCD of that doco hosted by Richard E Grant. Isn't there something wrong with this picture?
I guess it's a moot discussion now with Queen. There can't really be that much left of interest... except of course for Two Worlds Apart. I hear Deacy redid his bass parts for that during the No One But You sessions.
[QUOTE]
[b]Zebonka12 wrote: I was pretty damned happy when Face it Alone leaked, lemme tell you... after all those years of bitching, I finally got to hear it. [/b]
[/QUOTE]
[/QUOTE]
...half of it...
[b]Zebonka12 wrote: I was pretty damned happy when Face it Alone leaked, lemme tell you... after all those years of bitching, I finally got to hear it. [/b]
[/QUOTE]
[/QUOTE]
...half of it...
Jjeroen, Zebonka12, I am pretty much in agreement with both of you.
I am also divided in the 'Generalised' Vs. 'Secific' fan base target audience.
As previously stated, the 'generalised audience' would be far more interested in the price and convenience of a 'Greatest Hits' CD or package. So I do not see the singles box set aimed at this audience.
The 'Specific' or 'specialised' fan base has all these tracks already in various guises and packages. So I do not see how this set is aimed at this group either.
Ofcourse, we have heard how it may be aimed at a third audience - 'the on-spec casual let's buy uncle Bob a Xmas present group'. This in itself is a good idea when times are good. But during a credit crunch, with less money being bandied about - this third group are interested in bargains - bottom line, and here - another greatest hits CD or package would suffice.
Let me explain, I am [b]not[/b] anti box set per se, its just that this specific set seems to begger all logic, (even poor business sense) so that is why I as a customer will not be buying one. I just wonder how many more poor releases it takes to flop before QPL realise the huge marketing mistakes they are making?
I am also divided in the 'Generalised' Vs. 'Secific' fan base target audience.
As previously stated, the 'generalised audience' would be far more interested in the price and convenience of a 'Greatest Hits' CD or package. So I do not see the singles box set aimed at this audience.
The 'Specific' or 'specialised' fan base has all these tracks already in various guises and packages. So I do not see how this set is aimed at this group either.
Ofcourse, we have heard how it may be aimed at a third audience - 'the on-spec casual let's buy uncle Bob a Xmas present group'. This in itself is a good idea when times are good. But during a credit crunch, with less money being bandied about - this third group are interested in bargains - bottom line, and here - another greatest hits CD or package would suffice.
Let me explain, I am [b]not[/b] anti box set per se, its just that this specific set seems to begger all logic, (even poor business sense) so that is why I as a customer will not be buying one. I just wonder how many more poor releases it takes to flop before QPL realise the huge marketing mistakes they are making?
[QUOTE]
[b]Micrówave wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]DARREN1977 wrote: [/b]
Well done John. If we could only persuade other people here to do the same and not buy this shite and other similar releases we would be doing something worthwhile. But we are in the minority.
[/QUOTE]
So you're saying that if we DON'T buy this, QPL is going to release something we will buy?
That's interesting marketing. I don't think that's ever been tried before. Usually when a brand stops selling, after countless re-packaging and re-designs, they just stop even trying.
MAKE IT STOP.
JUST MAKE IT ALL STOP AND GIVE ME SILVER HANGMAN STATE OF SHOCK, studio version.
Ah, that feels much better. But I'm still probably gonna buy the box set. If anything, it will force me NOT to buy the Big Country Box Set which is better for us all.[/QUOTE]
A very good point. I'm not suggested that people buy the singles box to encourage QP to release the long-awaited, proper box set, but I'm not convinced if it [i]doesn't[/i] sell well that will have any effect on this decision either. In short, in the past Queen have done exactly what they wanted to do and have rarely, if ever, listened to their fans. I don't see that changing any time soon unfortunately.
[b]Micrówave wrote: [/b]
[QUOTE]
[b]DARREN1977 wrote: [/b]
Well done John. If we could only persuade other people here to do the same and not buy this shite and other similar releases we would be doing something worthwhile. But we are in the minority.
[/QUOTE]
So you're saying that if we DON'T buy this, QPL is going to release something we will buy?
That's interesting marketing. I don't think that's ever been tried before. Usually when a brand stops selling, after countless re-packaging and re-designs, they just stop even trying.
MAKE IT STOP.
JUST MAKE IT ALL STOP AND GIVE ME SILVER HANGMAN STATE OF SHOCK, studio version.
Ah, that feels much better. But I'm still probably gonna buy the box set. If anything, it will force me NOT to buy the Big Country Box Set which is better for us all.[/QUOTE]
A very good point. I'm not suggested that people buy the singles box to encourage QP to release the long-awaited, proper box set, but I'm not convinced if it [i]doesn't[/i] sell well that will have any effect on this decision either. In short, in the past Queen have done exactly what they wanted to do and have rarely, if ever, listened to their fans. I don't see that changing any time soon unfortunately.
They might even think according to their brilliant marketing strategies that if the "masses" (10,000 is a "mass" of people? Compared to?) didn't buy this or other releases, they won't bother to release something that will have a much smaller "mass" of possible buyers.
QPL are in the same situation as most record labels who don't get the profits they were used to make a few years back with new product. The CD market is going down bigtime. Since they hardly can make any profit on regular cd's, they won't make any profit on box sets at all. According to Gartner this Christmas will be the last Christmas for music cd's (see http://www.itpro.co.uk/609382/gartner-cds-are-dead-long-live-downloads). Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins decided to only release (download) singles in the future, since almost no-one is buying full play cd's. QPL don't know how to handle this trend. They don't even sell downloadable tracks from the Singles Box thrugh their own website, whereas you can buy all tracks from the Singles Box individually in 320kbs drm-free mp3-format from 7digital.com. Since QPL is all about profit they just have to forget about any box set in the shape of cd/dvd/book. Just offer the entire catalogue including all remixes/edits/demo's/video clips/whatever in high drm-free quality in the webshop and everyone's happy (well at least I would be). We have the tracks we want and QPL make more money than they can with any box set.