HMV Gift Vouchers - Take Two

A few days ago we made an offer to part redeem gift vouchers from the chainstore HMV which had gone into administration.

We wanted to help, and share in the general feeling of anger that companies such as Jessops and HMV could take money and then simply walk away from any obligation to deliver products or services. Well yesterday the administrator announced that they would now honour these vouchers (or IOUs). Without the public outcry this would not have happened.

Well, if you'd like your CDs ripped (rather than another heavy metal band T-shirt) our offer remains good.

HMV Gift Vouchers

Just seen on the main BBC TV news that the music and entertainment retail chain HMV will tomorrow call in the receivers. That's a very sad day not only for a large number of employees but also for one of the landmarks of the British retail scene. If HMV follow Comet they will immediately say that they will no longer honour any gift cards that haven't already been cashed. Coming so soon after Christmas that potentially means a large number of people whose friends have already spent money, won't be able to get anything for the cards.

I feel very sorry for people in this position. I wish there was some way I could ensure such people got value for their cards. So here's what MP3byMail can offer.

If you'd like to take advantage of our CD ripping service, and you have one or more physical gift cards along with proof of their value, we will credit 100% of the face value of the gift against 50% of the cost of our services. So if you have a £50 gift card and you incur a bill from us for £100 or more on CD ripping, we'll credit that card against our invoice so you only pay the balance of £50.

This may not be what you had in mind when you said thanks to Aunt Flossy or Uncle Fred on Christmas day, but at least it's one small step to help what will be a large number of very upset people.

2013's Winners?

OK, crystal ball time. Who will do well in 2013?

I have two tips from the viewpoint of a CD ripping service. First, more people will be investing in high quality home audio systems and the big winner will be Sonos. We've noticed CD ripping for Sonos owners hads been rising steadily but recent models at the UK critical £250 price point put Sonos in a strong position. The units are small, great quality, and most importantly easy to install - without wiring in ceiling mounted speakers. Sonos will take business from Bose and a host of iPod docking system builders.

Second, Brennan will thrive. They have an unusual approach, they sell a self containing music and CD ripping system. It would be cruel to call it a DIY system as that implies a make-do approach which this certainly isn't. Small, easy to use, good quality, a complete digital music package it is well thought out and well marketed. We expect CD ripping for Brennan owners will be an even bigger part of our offering for 2013.