That's a weird policy. I don't know how many shops out there work like that, but over at Vital Vinyl we don't operate like that at all. Even before I took over the ordering they were often ordering a decent amount of records from smaller labels. The only time we restock records is when they're quite big (ie DK8), or when they sell really well for some reason. Sometimes the ordering doesn't work out in our favor but we don't send it back to the distributor, we get stuck with the stock.

I missed a week of ordering and the owner did it instead, he ordered the new Leo Laker on Tresor (like 12 copies) and I think we have sold one. It's just one of those times you have to bite the bullet and move on. I think if you're at a record shop using those policies you really need better people to do your ordering. I think what is even worse for smaller record labels is the fact that distributors do such a shitty job. I try to order a lot of stuff from smaller or emerging labels but it never comes through on the sheets.

Speaking of which, I've started a special at the shop. Just a quick plug...Anyone who heads over to www.vitalvinyl.com and orders some stuff, if you put in "Abiotic" without the quotes in the promotional code box I'll see to it that you get a 15% discount. This is good through the end of May. (end plug ;) )