Roots Archives Forum

I have noticed lately Ernie's stock is dwindling and a lot more used items up for sale now.I have seen low periods before when not much is added over a stretch of time.Now combined with the huge presence of used items i am worried.Any one elese?

Yeah, they're having a huge blowout sale too. I think it's just indicative of the problems affecting the entire music industry.

I just emailed Ernie asking if and when Papa Tullo - Straight to the Government was going to be released on cd. He said it was probably unlikely to happen. That sucks. Maybe due to financial reasons?

no need to worry...

this is my first posting, but i have been reading and learning from this website for a long time. i thought this would be an appropriate time to share my two cents.

just emailed ernie a couple of weeks ago about the used items and discounted prices, and he can speak for himself better than i, but everything is going great. we can count on his roots for a long time!

as for the discounted items... just a big inventory that people should be stoked on. as for the used items... some rare gems from collections he purchased in the past that he is willing to share. respect!

as for the problems affecting the industry, well... that's a topic we could spend hours discussing. unfortunately, i have seen its affect on the local bay area (california) stores like amoeba music and rasputins, but they still have a nice selection thanks to folks like ernie.

anyway, thanks to all you here spreading the knowledge. gunosantos and leggo, you have great radio shows online. roots and culture forIver.

peace
rastadoc

i've been noticing the same though the used lp's
are really worth $money but they are releasing new stuff i just hope they continue the business.

Az a shop owner, you gots to flow with the waves...Every shop owner in the Muzik industry has been affected by technology...Easier access to rare muzik, samples---more resources than just having a local shop to buy from. Its natural...Az i said in an earlier post, we couldn't just sell muzik in our shop and we couldn't just buy from EB's..Thats not a knock @ EB's, its just reality..Even though we order from EBs every week, we also order from most of the sources themselves....If our customers are being resourceful, then we have to be as just or more resourceful.
I am mos def not complaining about the discount prices---thats how ya build the stock...

If you are in the San Diego/LA area, check 1470 am on Sunday nights from 7-8pm...www.radiohispana1470.com....Underground Rootz going on 3 years strong....

Supreme Peace....

i would just like to comment on reubens statement,

although technology has made it more difficult for record store owners to stay afloat i just wanted you to know that there are still some of us who enjoy the hunt for the records not just ordering them online.
although i could order my records online i prefer not to, besided who doesnt love going in to the old dusty record shops and finding those hidden treasures.
call me old school but i would much rather go to my record shop vs online.

I order 99% of my music online, but lets not confuse the issue. I like to own the LP/CD. Tecnology in the online shop industry has not made it more difficult to stay afloat, it's made it easier. (we are not talking about download remember). Like any business you have to move with the times. Take Honest Jons's for instance, they offer a brilliant service and stock imo some of the best music ever recorded, have sensible postage rates and fast delivery. Ernie has missed some crucial releases recently, most notably the Kiddus-I set on Dubstore, which was available long before Ernie had it, (months). The problem now with the online record stores is everyone wants stuff very quickly and if they can get it somewhere else quicker, nine times out of ten they will. Maybe Ernie has too much stock; a bit like going into a resturant with a bit too much on the menu, some times focusing on less and concentrating on quality is the way forward, and always shines thru in the end. Its survival of the fittest, having said that I hope all is well at eb as I have sourced a lot of my tunes from him over the years and he provides a great service. Bless Up

Interesting thread!

No problems here at Ernie B's...we are going as strong as ever.

We have run regular blowout sales for years and years..the current one drawing so much attention because it had some awesome prices. We do these sales when we are running out of space and/or when we want to turn some stock into cash to finance to projects, etc.

Regarding the used items popping up on the website, we've been meaning to start typing them in and we finally got around to it. We have at least 200,000 items to type in (98% vinyl, 2% CD); one at a time so we'll be adding them to the website in batches for quite a while.

Nothing wrong with the reggae music business really, it's just not as easy as it was before.

Good to hear, will be keeping an eye for your used stock in particular..