Social media reacts to Rough Trade’s “ill-advised” vinyl selling scheme: “Genuinely insulting”

3 August, 2024

Rough Trade

Rough Trade’s new vinyl selling scheme has come under fire, with some taking to social media to express their disappointment.

As they detailed in a post on social media yesterday (August 2), the scheme would allow people to swap “pre-loved records for cash with FlipVinyl”, a company the iconic record shop describes on their website as the “fastest-growing second-hand vinyl buyers in Germany who have revolutionised the way to sell vinyl online”.

However, people have noted that they’re offering extremely low prices for rare records. “Have to agree with all the comments,” wrote one user on X/Twitter. “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…”

The significant backlash online led to a follow-up statement attempting to justify the prices.

“Please note! We appreciate this service won’t be suitable for everyone’s needs i.e. those seeking to maximise collectible items,” Rough Trade wrote on social media. “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.”

The reception has been scathing, with many sharing the low prices they were offered. “‘We pay far more than our competitors…'”, wrote one social media user. “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,” with another agreeing it was “genuinely insulting to do this during a cost-of-living crisis”. Check out more reactions below.

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

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