Record Store Day organisers have responded to Paul Weller‘s decision to boycott of the event in future after copies of his limited run 7″ “Brand New Toy” were being sold on Ebay for vastly inflated prices.
A statement on the Record Store Day website says organisers are “disappointed” that touts are exploiting the event, which aims to support independent record shops. It also states that as only 500 copies of the single were available, “some re-selling was expected”.
“We share Paul Weller’s frustration at evidence that ‘Brand New Toy‘ has been offered for sale on eBay, and we are disappointed that despite our best efforts to drive out the touts, once again some people are seeking to exploit the goodwill of artists and labels by selling RSD exclusives at vastly-inflated prices on eBay,” the post reads.
“At just 500 copies Paul Weller’s ‘Brand New Toy’ was one of the most limited editions available on RSD and so some re-selling was expected. However, thanks to the measures we have taken on re-sales, overall the number of complaints about unauthorised sales this year is well down on previous years, though we continue to monitor eBay on an hour-by-hour basis. We clearly cannot control the activities of members of the public, but the Record Store Day Code of Conduct makes it clear that any store found to be complicit in unauthorised sales on eBay faces being banned from future events.
Record Store Day would not exist without the support and commitment of artists and labels and we take our responsibility to them very seriously.”
Yesterday, Paul Weller said that he won’t be taking part in Record Store Day in the future.
Writing on his official website, Weller attacked the “touts” selling the limited edition Record Store Day releases and stated that the online sale of records “goes against the whole philosophy” behind the annual event.
“I agree with all of you who have sent messages expressing your anger and disappointment at the exploitation of these “limited editions” by touts,” Weller writes. “Apart from making the record, the rest has very little to do with me but I am disheartened by the whole thing and unfortunately I won’t be taking part in Record Store Day again.”
He continued: “It’s such a shame because as you know I am a big supporter of independent record stores but the greedy touts making a fast buck off genuine fans is disgusting and goes against the whole philosophy of RSD. It only takes a few to spoil a wonderful concept for everyone else. Shame on those touts.”