Dont deal with Groovetech.com

[Andreas]

> For everyone in and around the music business (Distributors, Artists, Dj's
> , Press , Music lovers and Buyers)... please read this message carefully!!
> (and sorry if you get this twice!)
>
> An important message about Groovetech.com !
>
> For everyone who supports independant labels and artists...
> (the source where all good music comes from in the first place....no
matter
> wich sound or music style it is)
>
> We feel that we have to advice people not to deal with Groovetech if you
> don't want to help and destroy the independant music industry.
>
> In our opinion this is a company who steels money from small independant
> labels in order to build their own imperium (with our money!)
> Our advice : Don't cooperate with them in any way... you don't need them!
>
> Groove Tech owes us money for invoices wich should have been payed months
> and months ago!! We gave them more then reasonable opportunity to pay
> us... but they don't do anything in order to handle this in a good way!
> They are lying and just being arrogant and they ignore reminders, phone
> calls, emails etc. This is about amounts of money they can pay without big
> problems... but small independant companies are no high priority for them
> and they know that there is not much these small companies can do against
> this sort of thievery by a company the size of Groovetech.
>
> e believe there are enough other online retailers or radio stations where
> you can get what you need without harming others...
>
> note : We are not trying to damage anyone.. but we want people to know how
> Groovetech (the so called #1 online retailer) works.
>
> We can not accept the way they treat us. They are damaging us!!
> Its just a matter of principles and good manners!
>
> Offcourse we are no judge and we don't want to judge them... we just tell
> our experiences and give you an advice based on these experiences.
>
> Thanks for your attention and sorry if this is spam to you.
> next mail out will be about music again!
>
> peace
>
> Clone
> www.clone.nl

[pille'ocheoni]

right on

[emef]

i`ll certainly avoid them for now...post back here if they sort out what they owe you

[jane]

I'm here... and I can't let this go by...

We are aware that we have a portion of payment outstanding with Clone. We were unable to issue payment during the last few weeks, due to a cross-over in bank accounts, which [as we are a UK business account with PLC and AIM listing] took much longer than expected.

We have not lied to Clone, and we have every intention of paying them as soon as it is possible. Groovetech is dedicated, as always, to supporting and promoting small independent labels and is definitely not intent on causing any kind of 'damage' to small companies.

It is unfortunate that Clone have acted in this way, we will be in touch with them shortly regarding their recent actions.

Peace... jane x

[phil]

I dont think you should have posted this on your site Andreas.

[Andreas]

what do you mean on my site?

[pille'ocheoni]

well either way, i say suport your local record store. i work at a record store and i say we can order anything.........so i dont know...........i used to order from groovetech and they have alot of shit, and have always treated me nice. lots of stickers too..........but i understand both points of view. big buisness|small buisness

[phil]

Why did you post this document on Groovetech.com?

[Lady E]

phil - why shouldnt he post that here?

i received it by email from the label, and was going to ask jane about it. andreas has posted it here and jane has put their side of the story, which is a good thing, as everyone now knows.

the message board can be used perfectly legitimately in this way. in some cases companies ARE ripping people off and people should be warned about it.

in this case i can see both sides...its hard when you are a small label because late payments can ruin you, but companies like groovetech have been hit by music industry recession too. i know a few of the people there and they are certainly good people - jane being a prime example. its not easy. if they are having a hard time and are really busy phone calls and emails can get ignored. its frustrating all round.

[thetonewrecker]

I believe frustration is the reason Clone put together the email that has circulated around. It showed up on a message board in Minneapolis and got quite a response as well.

As a small label, you are dependent upon the money from your current pressing to be recouped from distributors so you can pay for the next releases. It is a delicate cycle because most small labels are run on a love and dedication to the music that many times does not have a big bankroll behind it.

Press up 1000 records here in the states and you're looking at around $1600-$2000 that you need to have up front for the release. Mastering plates, center stickers, black/white jacket, vinyl, shipping, etc.. The pressing plant isn't going to get your next release together unless you've got the money for them.

When you have releases that you want to get out, but can't because others are not coming through on what they owe the frustration sets in.

Also note, it can be legitimate reasons too that there isn't all the money coming back to the label. Most distributors CAN RETURN unsold product after a set amount of time. If you get 250 records back on your doorstep with no payment and less opportunities for selling them then, again frustration.

Joys of business?

[thetonewrecker]

ha Emma got the response up about both sides of the issue just before me... saves me posting more. :-)