Earlier this yr Vinyl Me, Please, the once-popular subscription LP service, got here beneath fireplace for “ghosting” subscribers whereas charging them for orders that had been by no means fulfilled. That information broke a couple of yr after the corporate’s board of administrators fired CEO Cameron Schaefer, CFO Adam Block, and CSO Wealthy Kylberg, after which filed a lawsuit alleging that these former staff had funneled VMP cash into a brand new urgent plant of their very own. Stereogum contributor Zach Schonfeld talked to some ex-employees and prospects about the entire fiasco, and people conversations point out that Vinyl Me, Please had been a bit shady for a very long time. In June, VMP was saved from liquidation and purchased by one other LP subscription service known as VNYL Inc., with that firm’s founder Nick Alt named as VMP’s new CEO. At present, Alt has shared an replace with prospects. Or one thing like that.
A consumer within the Vinyl Me, Please subreddit posted the textual content from a mass e mail the corporate despatched out as we speak. It provides a imprecise define of what’s been happening at VMP because the backlash and says that, though they’re nonetheless in a “transition interval,” the subscription service will return this September. That’s in just a few weeks! Within the meantime, they’re nonetheless engaged on dealing with these unfulfilled orders, however they’re prioritizing orders from accounts which might be nonetheless lively. Prospects who had been proactive sufficient to properly cancel their subscriptions within the wake of these unfulfilled orders now must file claims. Appears actually, actually shitty. Right here’s the complete e mail from Alt:
Expensive Listener,
You’re exceptionally affected person and we’re grateful. I’m writing to let you realize modifications are coming subsequent month. In September, The Greatest Rattling Document Membership retums.
The quantity of progress up to now is substantial, however transparently, WE STILL DON’T HAVE ALL THE F*CKING KEYS
We’ve but to be transferred sure belongings that had been acquired.
As time goes on, this turns into much less of a going concern for 2 causes 1.) Clearly, the outdated method of doing issues didn’t work.
2.) We’re resourceful A.F
Right here’s our progress:
JUNE
Acquired VMP.
Initiated switch of all stock, enterprise accounts, and information warehouse.
Hosted a 90 minute “Ask Us Something” (shoutout to the 2K+ attendees) Launched ourselves, defined the place we’re planning to go, answered as many questions as we may. Additionally #lettomcook
Dropped the ball on posting our personal recap, but in addition due to Redditor u/SteveEazy for posting important recap information.
JULY
Invested in transferring and ingesting 8 of 15 semi-trailers of vinyl. Ingested and mapped a whole bunch of spreadsheets of historic buyer information.
Emily’s MacBook perished alongside the best way.
AUGUST
Leased further werehouse house.
Formally accomplished stock switch of all 15 semi-trailers on Aug 15
This comes out to 10 METRIC TONS OF VINYL.
STILL IN PROGRESS
Finalizing particulars for unfulfilled orders. Solidifying claims course of for non-members.
We stated on the June “Ask Us Something”, ACTIVE VMP MEMBERS will probably be our first precedence. Any excellent membership orders will probably be prioritized and dealt with with out exception.
Former members together with a la carte prospects will probably be directed to file claims for unfulfilled orders.
I understand there are a lot extra inquiries to be answered right here, and the main points will probably be finalized by early September.
Lastly, the previous web site, www.vinylmeplease.com, is now offline.
The transition interval is nearing its finish and your wait is sort of over,
Yours actually,
Nick Alt CEO
