Why is VMP making this change?

Since 2013, Vinyl Me, Please has been dedicated to pressing essential albums and handcrafting their definitive editions. What began as one record per month grew to a catalog of more than 1,500 VMP Exclusives, and somehow, our work still feels like it’s just getting started.

Two realities have fueled the evolution of VMP since our beginning: first, there is an overwhelming number of albums that deserve to be memorialized, and second, our community is incredibly diverse and is constantly asking for more options and more flexibility.

We spent 2024 listening to feedback from our members and letting our data challenge our assumptions. In this process, a key theme emerged: the one-size-fits-all model of the current ROTM experience no longer serves you (our members) in the ways it used to. So, for the last few months, we’ve been busy building something better.

While we recognize this change may feel big and like a departure from what has made VMP special, our mission to memorialize essential albums and help you build a record collection your friends and family will fight over when you’re dead has only grown stronger. We’re ecstatic to be on this journey with you and can’t wait for what 2025 and beyond have in store for all of us.

What exactly is changing in the subscription model?

Beginning February 1, 2025, we are changing the ROTM experience. Here’s how things will work moving forward:

• ROTM-quality records (including remastering and Obi strips) will be release as store exclusives only.

  • We will no longer be releasing new ROTMs each month and instead, those that hold a traditional membership with VMP will receive a carefully curated selection from our inventory.

  • The first of these titles will drop 01/14/2025, and we'll release 2-3 a month moving forward. We have a killer lineup planned throughout the year.

• When the Swap window opens, you can choose which record(s) you want via Swaps

  • Swaps will include an expanded selection of titles, including would-be TBT titles and a wider array of exclusives and bundles.

  • We’ll continue to add new products to Swaps each month to ensure there is a diverse and exciting mix of inventory to choose from, and we’ll be releasing other improvements to the Swaps experience over the coming months.

• If you don’t select something via Swaps, we’ll pick something for you based on your purchase history, wishlist, and the genre(s) of your active Track(s).

  • We’ll be re-enabling the Rock and Country Tracks, and you can configure your Tracks to align with your tastes.

  • Over time, we’ll offer more ways to customize your profile to ensure your experience is focused on the artists and genres you’re most excited about.

Active members as of February 1st will get a 15% discount on future store purchases (compared to 10% for new members; this discount will only apply while your membership remains active).

We’re also introducing a new membership tier called the Crate ($119/yr). This membership option will offer free shipping, a 10% discount in the store, and access to exclusives, but it does not include a monthly record. We will share more details in the coming weeks.

What type of inventory will be available in the subscription if you’re not releasing new ROTMs, and how will you choose my records?

You’ll first be able to select your monthly record(s) via Swaps once the Swap window opens. In Swaps, you’ll see a wider array of titles, including past ROTMs, store exclusives, bundles, and more.

If, by the 1st of the month, you have not selected something via Swaps, we’ll choose something for you. Nearly everything from the VMP catalog will be eligible in this process (assuming we have it in stock; non-exclusive titles/variants will not be included in this process but will be available in Swaps).

Initially, we’ll use your purchase history, the genre(s) of your active Track(s), and your wishlist to guide this process. You can be assured you will get something you’ve not purchased previously and is a VMP Exclusive. This selection will be posted to your account by the 10th of the month.

Over time, we’ll offer more ways to customize your profile to ensure your experience is focused on the artists and genres you’re most excited about. This includes third-party integrations like Discogs and other features like a “do not want” list.

We know that some members have received albums in the past through things like our mystery bundles, and those albums aren’t registered in their purchase history. If you see a selection you do not want / already have, please let us know, and we will work with you to ensure you get something you’re excited about.

How do you recommend I configure my Tracks?

We will have five tracks: Essentials, Jazz/Blues/Funk/Soul, Rap, Country, and Rock. We recommend you configure your tracks based on your taste (and/or how many monthly records you would like to get).

For example, if you want to get one monthly record and ensure that it is a Rock record (whether or not you Swap), we suggest you set your primary subscription to Rock. That way, if you don’t select something via Swaps, we’ll send you a record that aligns with your taste.

As another example, if you want to get five records per month and you’re comfortable using Swaps, you can add all five tracks, and when the Swap window opens, you can select your five records.

Can I add other Tracks just to Swap?

Yes, absolutely! The beauty of this model is that it allows you to receive up to five records per month, which can be chosen by you or for you.

What if I don’t like/want what you pick for me?

We want to ensure members get something they’re excited about each month. If you don’t Swap and don’t like your selection, please email us, and we will do our best to find you something special.

Can I swap my selection after the Swap window closes?

Depending on the calendar, we’ll only be able to offer late Swaps up until a few days after the first of the month. If you want to make a change to your upcoming order, please email us, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Will you still be releasing new records, and will members still get access to new releases?

Yes! New releases will continue to debut in the Store, and members will enjoy 48-hour exclusive access before non-members. We will also continue to release ROTM-quality records (including remastering and Obi strips) as store exclusives.

Will new releases ever be in Swaps (or be available through the subscription)?

Yes, new releases will make their way into Swaps as they do now (approximately 1 month after they start shipping). We are expanding the Swap catalog to include a wider array of titles. We plan to release some new titles as Swap exclusives (before they are available to purchase in the store) in the coming months.

Will I still be able to Swap for credit?

Yes, you’ll still be able to Swap for credit. This credit can be applied toward any future store purchase.

Can you tell me more about the Crate?

The Crate membership will offer benefits like free shipping, member discounts in the store, and access to the member-exclusive release windows. It will not include a monthly record, Swaps, or the monthly Zine. We will be launching the Crate in early February. Here is a breakdown of the Crate membership:

$119/year (paid annually) and includes:

• 10% store discount (vs. 15% for members that keep their ROTM membership)
• Access to pre-orders in the 48-hour member-exclusive window
• Free bundled shipping (1 shipment/month)
• US-Only

If you are interested in converting your membership to the Crate, please email us, and we will be happy to assist you.

What are my options if I don’t want to continue my membership after these changes?

While we hope you will continue to be a member, we understand these changes may not make sense for everyone.

For members who wish to continue to shop the store (and want perks like free shipping, member discounts, and early access), we can convert your membership to the Crate beginning in February. We will calculate the value of your remaining months, subtract the cost of the Crate, and issue store credits for the balance (if applicable; if the value of the remaining months in your subscription is not enough to cover the cost of the Crate, you’ll be charged the difference upon activation and you’ll have access to the crate for the next 12 months). Please email info@vinylmeplease.com so we can help you with this process.

If you wish to cancel your membership, we are making a temporary exception to our mid-term cancellation policy. Starting Jan 27 (when the Swap window opens), if you wish to cancel your membership and get a pro-rated refund (either for store credit or back to your original payment method), please email info@vinylmeplease.com, and we’ll help you. Mid-term cancellation requests made after Feb 15 will not be eligible for this exception.

Note: If you cancel your membership, you will no longer be able to enjoy the benefits of free shipping and member discounts. If you convert to the Crate, your store discount will continue to be 10% (vs 15%), and you will not get the monthly zine moving forward.

Is VMP going away from human-centered curation? Are you succumbing to algorithms?

No, we’re not abandoning human-centered curation. Much of our time is spent scouring the catalogs of our label partners to find unique titles that deserve to be in the modern record collection. These discoveries will still be released in the store and have the same high-quality packaging you’ve come to know and expect from VMP.

What is the status of pre-orders and the production backlog?

We are committed to fulfilling all outstanding pre-orders. We have made much progress in unclogging our production backlog, and we expect more titles to begin shipping over the next few months.

However, we recognize delays are still happening, and several titles have been delayed several times (and have been on pre-order for extended periods of time). We’re working with our label partners to get firm timelines for each project and will update our production calendar with the latest updates as we have them.

We know you have been patient, and we understand the frustration these delays may cause. We are continuing to do everything possible to get these products in your hands as quickly as possible.

Will this impact shipping timelines?

No, you shouldn’t see any changes in shipping timelines with this shift.

 

Pricing

Will the subscription price change?

No, we are not currently planning any changes to the pricing. Our pricing is intentionally set to ensure we can maintain our high-quality standards with each release. As a reminder, members get:

• First access to new releases and exclusives
• 15% member discount (vs. 10% for new members)
• Monthly Zine and Sticker
• Free bundled shipping
• Exclusive perks and discounts

Will you be re-enabling international memberships?

Unfortunately, we do not plan to reinstate international memberships anytime soon. We will let you know if this changes.

 

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