Rough Trade suspend much-criticised vinyl selling scheme: “We’re very sorry”

3 August, 2024

Rough Trade have suspended their much-criticised new scheme for selling vinyl, saying they are “very sorry for this mistake”.

The enterprise was announced yesterday (August 2), intended to allow people to swap “pre-loved records for cash with FlipVinyl”, a company described as the “fastest-growing second-hand vinyl buyers in Germany”.

Almost immediately, the scheme came in for criticism from music fans online, with people noticing several instances of very low prices being offered for high-value records.

“Have to agree with all the comments,” wrote one X user. “Someone got offered £9 for the #DavidBowie ‘Five Years’ vinyl box set which is worth about £1000!!? 😲 Surely Rough Trade will bin this ill-advised scheme…”

Now, Rough Trade UK have withdrawn the service to “give us time to reassess” the situation.

Writing in a post on social media on Saturday (August 3), Lawrence Montgomery, managing director of Rough Trade UK, wrote: “It’s clear based on feedback from a number of customers that we made wrong assumptions and that people viewed this service as inappropriate and saw us as profiteering.”

“This was not our intention, however we understand and appreciate these criticisms and take full responsibility. As a result, we are going to suspend the service to give us time to reassess.”

“We’re very sorry for this mistake,” he concluded.

Criticism had been widespread, with one social media user writing: “I cannot believe you have partnered with this company. It’s a genuine shame to see the once fiercely proud and independent Rough Trade bow to the greed of opportunistic capitalism.”

Another wrote: “Who dreamt up this scheme? You’re offering next to nowt, with no transparency about how the records are being sold on. Putting the word Flip in the title shows exactly what you’re at. I don’t think I’ll be buying from Rough Trade anymore.”

Rough Trade had previously issued a statement in an attempt to address the critique, saying: “Please note! We appreciate this service won’t be suitable for everyone’s needs i.e. those seeking to maximise collectible items.”

“However for anyone looking to trade casually for a quick turn-around i.e. to make space, then this could well be a great solution.”

Back in January, Rough Trade announced  it would be opening a new store in Liverpool, marking the sixth branch in the UK, following stores in Bristol, Nottingham and three shops in London.

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