New FTD - MAKING OF G.I. BLUES

[On Tape 1972]

Anybody with really low numbers like this, bought their copy directly from either Ernst, Pål or David. It's definitely something to show off and brag about, if that's the kind of thing you like to do.

[John]

The release date for me is when the postman knocks on the door with the pre-ordered goods.

Even though many others already had their sets delivered to them?

Keith

Well what is your interpretation of an actual FTD “release date”.

Most record companies announce a release date and that is when the record will be available to go into a shop and buy or find it available on a digital platform to download or stream or even order on line from Amazon who will generally get the item to the buyer if the day of release. Sunset Boulevard as a mainstream release had a release date of Friday 1st August 2025. It was available to buy from my local record shop on that day and it was available to stream on that day, and Amazon despatched my copy on the last day of July so that I had it on the 1st August.

FTD do not actually have proper release dates. They have anticipated shipping dates of something like “Week Commencing”. And then it is down to when the deliveries to the various dealers are made and then how quickly the dealer can get the item to the customer. There are three main dealers in the UK that I am aware of, and only one has managed to get their supply in before the other two. So even if someone ordered the release today from one of the other two, there is still no guarantee that they would have the item in stock or that the buyer would get the item in the next day or so.


And that’s why with so many variables kicking in, then for me, the release date is when I get hold of my copy.

So what happens if you order it a few weeks down the line, say in January, and you receive it say on the 25rh January. Would you say that 25th January was the release date?

[FanFrom'61]

The release date for me is when the postman knocks on the door with the pre-ordered goods.

Even though many others already had their sets delivered to them?

Keith

Well what is your interpretation of an actual FTD “release date”.

Most record companies announce a release date and that is when the record will be available to go into a shop and buy or find it available on a digital platform to download or stream or even order on line from Amazon who will generally get the item to the buyer if the day of release. Sunset Boulevard as a mainstream release had a release date of Friday 1st August 2025. It was available to buy from my local record shop on that day and it was available to stream on that day, and Amazon despatched my copy on the last day of July so that I had it on the 1st August.

FTD do not actually have proper release dates. They have anticipated shipping dates of something like “Week Commencing”. And then it is down to when the deliveries to the various dealers are made and then how quickly the dealer can get the item to the customer. There are three main dealers in the UK that I am aware of, and only one has managed to get their supply in before the other two. So even if someone ordered the release today from one of the other two, there is still no guarantee that they would have the item in stock or that the buyer would get the item in the next day or so.


And that’s why with so many variables kicking in, then for me, the release date is when I get hold of my copy.

So what happens if you order it a few weeks down the line, say in January, and you receive it say on the 25rh January. Would you say that 25th January was the release date?

Nothing actually happens and most would see my original comment as being somewhat light hearted and relevant to pre-orders only and not for placing an order a month or so further down the line. As I suggested, there is no official “release date” from FTD - just an anticipated shipping date which is not always adhered to and which also means that dealers in different parts of the world get their order at different times. This has been clearly shown by the UK Fan Club getting their order before any other dealer in the UK. That is why “for me” and in my mind, the release date for FTD releases based on pre-orders is when I get them. For you, it might be something different, so you can use whatever works for you.

[John]

The release date for me is when the postman knocks on the door with the pre-ordered goods.

Even though many others already had their sets delivered to them?

Keith

Well what is your interpretation of an actual FTD “release date”.

Most record companies announce a release date and that is when the record will be available to go into a shop and buy or find it available on a digital platform to download or stream or even order on line from Amazon who will generally get the item to the buyer if the day of release. Sunset Boulevard as a mainstream release had a release date of Friday 1st August 2025. It was available to buy from my local record shop on that day and it was available to stream on that day, and Amazon despatched my copy on the last day of July so that I had it on the 1st August.

FTD do not actually have proper release dates. They have anticipated shipping dates of something like “Week Commencing”. And then it is down to when the deliveries to the various dealers are made and then how quickly the dealer can get the item to the customer. There are three main dealers in the UK that I am aware of, and only one has managed to get their supply in before the other two. So even if someone ordered the release today from one of the other two, there is still no guarantee that they would have the item in stock or that the buyer would get the item in the next day or so.


And that’s why with so many variables kicking in, then for me, the release date is when I get hold of my copy.

So what happens if you order it a few weeks down the line, say in January, and you receive it say on the 25rh January. Would you say that 25th January was the release date?

Nothing actually happens and most would see my original comment as being somewhat light hearted and relevant to pre-orders only and not for placing an order a month or so further down the line. As I suggested, there is no official “release date” from FTD - just an anticipated shipping date which is not always adhered to and which also means that dealers in different parts of the world get their order at different times. This has been clearly shown by the UK Fan Club getting their order before any other dealer in the UK. That is why “for me” and in my mind, the release date for FTD releases based on pre-orders is when I get them. For you, it might be something different, so you can use whatever works for you.

I can't imagine your remarks are anything more than lighthearted, so include me in that "most".

I was interested in how yor mind works, now I know.

As for me, I don't give a toss what the release date is. What dfference does it make in the grand sceme of things?

[AfoolSuchAsI.]

Its now available by Elvis Corner !

[Bilbobaggins]

Its now available by Elvis Corner !

Not only in stock... but also sent out today

[The Swamp Fox]

Anybody with really low numbers like this, bought their copy directly from either Ernst, Pål or David. It's definitely something to show off and brag about, if that's the kind of thing you like to do.

Merely showing my copy. I’m not the bragging sort. Have an enjoyable rest of your week.

[JoeyCoco]

The release date for me is when the postman knocks on the door with the pre-ordered goods.

Even though many others already had their sets delivered to them?

Keith

Well what is your interpretation of an actual FTD “release date”.

Most record companies announce a release date and that is when the record will be available to go into a shop and buy or find it available on a digital platform to download or stream or even order on line from Amazon who will generally get the item to the buyer if the day of release. Sunset Boulevard as a mainstream release had a release date of Friday 1st August 2025. It was available to buy from my local record shop on that day and it was available to stream on that day, and Amazon despatched my copy on the last day of July so that I had it on the 1st August.

FTD do not actually have proper release dates. They have anticipated shipping dates of something like “Week Commencing”. And then it is down to when the deliveries to the various dealers are made and then how quickly the dealer can get the item to the customer. There are three main dealers in the UK that I am aware of, and only one has managed to get their supply in before the other two. So even if someone ordered the release today from one of the other two, there is still no guarantee that they would have the item in stock or that the buyer would get the item in the next day or so.


And that’s why with so many variables kicking in, then for me, the release date is when I get hold of my copy.

Comparing a mainstream release like Sunset Boulevard to an FTD release is… well, ambitious.

One is produced for a global distribution chain with corporate logistics, digital platforms, and Amazon trucks ready to launch the second the clock hits midnight. The other is FTD — a niche collector’s label operating on a much smaller scale, with “week commencing” windows that by definition allow room for shipping delays, customs, manufacturing hiccups, and dealer turnaround time.

That’s the whole point of announcing anticipated shipments rather than “official release dates.”

It isn’t incompetence — it’s simply how a boutique label survives when it doesn’t have Sony’s worldwide machinery behind it.

And let’s not pretend December doesn’t play a role here.

FTD releases big book/CD projects almost every December, right when shipping companies are drowning in Christmas volume. So yes, delays happen. Shocking, I know.

So while it’s very nice that Amazon gift-wrapped your mainstream release and catapulted it to your house on August 1st, expecting FTD to operate like a billion-dollar multinational is… optimistic.

[On Tape 1972]

Anybody with really low numbers like this, bought their copy directly from either Ernst, Pål or David. It's definitely something to show off and brag about, if that's the kind of thing you like to do.

Merely showing my copy. I’m not the bragging sort. Have an enjoyable rest of your week.

My comment probably came across as a little harsh. My apologies! Enjoy the box set, it's a real beauty!

[Mike C]

Anybody with really low numbers like this, bought their copy directly from either Ernst, Pål or David. It's definitely something to show off and brag about, if that's the kind of thing you like to do.

Merely showing my copy. I’m not the bragging sort. Have an enjoyable rest of your week.

How are you enjoying it so far? How does the audio sound? Looking forward to your thoughts, my friend.

[FanFrom'61]

The release date for me is when the postman knocks on the door with the pre-ordered goods.

Even though many others already had their sets delivered to them?

Keith

Well what is your interpretation of an actual FTD “release date”.

Most record companies announce a release date and that is when the record will be available to go into a shop and buy or find it available on a digital platform to download or stream or even order on line from Amazon who will generally get the item to the buyer if the day of release. Sunset Boulevard as a mainstream release had a release date of Friday 1st August 2025. It was available to buy from my local record shop on that day and it was available to stream on that day, and Amazon despatched my copy on the last day of July so that I had it on the 1st August.

FTD do not actually have proper release dates. They have anticipated shipping dates of something like “Week Commencing”. And then it is down to when the deliveries to the various dealers are made and then how quickly the dealer can get the item to the customer. There are three main dealers in the UK that I am aware of, and only one has managed to get their supply in before the other two. So even if someone ordered the release today from one of the other two, there is still no guarantee that they would have the item in stock or that the buyer would get the item in the next day or so.


And that’s why with so many variables kicking in, then for me, the release date is when I get hold of my copy.

Comparing a mainstream release like Sunset Boulevard to an FTD release is… well, ambitious.

One is produced for a global distribution chain with corporate logistics, digital platforms, and Amazon trucks ready to launch the second the clock hits midnight. The other is FTD — a niche collector’s label operating on a much smaller scale, with “week commencing” windows that by definition allow room for shipping delays, customs, manufacturing hiccups, and dealer turnaround time.

That’s the whole point of announcing anticipated shipments rather than “official release dates.”

It isn’t incompetence — it’s simply how a boutique label survives when it doesn’t have Sony’s worldwide machinery behind it.

And let’s not pretend December doesn’t play a role here.

FTD releases big book/CD projects almost every December, right when shipping companies are drowning in Christmas volume. So yes, delays happen. Shocking, I know.

So while it’s very nice that Amazon gift-wrapped your mainstream release and catapulted it to your house on August 1st, expecting FTD to operate like a billion-dollar multinational is… optimistic.

Your defence of FTD is admirable, with some valid points, however, either you appear to have misunderstood what I wrote or you just like coming out with lots of somewhat flippant comments.

Nowhere have I condemned FTD or suggested any incompetence on their part or even have I shown or suggested that they should work like Amazon in catapulting orders to here, there and everywhere on a set date. The analogy with the Sunset release, and I could have used any mainstream release and not even an Elvis release, was to re-enforce what a ‘release date’ is when compared to an anticipated shipping date which FTD use for their customers, ie the dealers.

I am fully aware of how FTD operate, and that their business is akin to a cottage industry that has logistic restrictions and even budget restraints and that they are unlikely to have the clout to get things rescheduled quickly when something goes wrong within the production timeline. All of those things are good enough reasons why they do not provide actual release dates.

But there are fans who do not appreciate or understand those things, or perhaps just do not even think about them. They continually ask for release dates because they get a little frustrated that having placed their pre-order and in some cases have already paid a month or two in advance, that when there is still no sign of the goods that they ordered actually arriving, it’s human nature for them to wonder what is going on and ask if there is a release date so they can try and figure out when they might actually receive their order. So perhaps updates from FTD themselves if there are unexpected delays would help appease concerns.

Regarding the month of December, I think everyone on here would understand that during that month and especially in the lead up to Christmas, that it can get pretty hectic out there with shipping and delivery problems and delays occurring, and whilst that may seem like a reasonable defence for FTD having to deal with those problems, that is not necessarily how fans see it because they hope that FTD will by now have factored those problems into their timelines/schedules and ensured that a big deluxe set like this G I Blues set and earmarked for a December release, should really arrive before Christmas and not some time in January.

There was a similar problem last year with the Making of King Creole, another December release which some dealers in Europe only started receiving stock of at the start of the third week of December whilst dealers further afield waited longer, leaving the dealers little hope of getting them out to fans for Christmas. Elvis collector fans like to get their new Elvis goodies in time for Christmas - they kind of see it as a present to themselves or perhaps if they are lucky, their partner has agreed to buy it for them for Christmas. And that would be a Christmas win-win.

[John]

Anybody with really low numbers like this, bought their copy directly from either Ernst, Pål or David. It's definitely something to show off and brag about, if that's the kind of thing you like to do.

Merely showing my copy. I’m not the bragging sort. Have an enjoyable rest of your week.

How are you enjoying it so far? How does the audio sound? Looking forward to your thoughts, my friend.

I suspect the sound will be the same as the FTD release we've already had. Could they make it any better?

[FanFrom'61]

Good news as more UK collector fans should be getting their copies in the next few days as Elvis Shop London have started dispatching copies but not sure about NDT yet. Fingers crossed for all those who would like this release for Christmas.

[JoeyCoco]

The release date for me is when the postman knocks on the door with the pre-ordered goods.

Even though many others already had their sets delivered to them?

Keith

Well what is your interpretation of an actual FTD “release date”.

Most record companies announce a release date and that is when the record will be available to go into a shop and buy or find it available on a digital platform to download or stream or even order on line from Amazon who will generally get the item to the buyer if the day of release. Sunset Boulevard as a mainstream release had a release date of Friday 1st August 2025. It was available to buy from my local record shop on that day and it was available to stream on that day, and Amazon despatched my copy on the last day of July so that I had it on the 1st August.

FTD do not actually have proper release dates. They have anticipated shipping dates of something like “Week Commencing”. And then it is down to when the deliveries to the various dealers are made and then how quickly the dealer can get the item to the customer. There are three main dealers in the UK that I am aware of, and only one has managed to get their supply in before the other two. So even if someone ordered the release today from one of the other two, there is still no guarantee that they would have the item in stock or that the buyer would get the item in the next day or so.


And that’s why with so many variables kicking in, then for me, the release date is when I get hold of my copy.

Comparing a mainstream release like Sunset Boulevard to an FTD release is… well, ambitious.

One is produced for a global distribution chain with corporate logistics, digital platforms, and Amazon trucks ready to launch the second the clock hits midnight. The other is FTD — a niche collector’s label operating on a much smaller scale, with “week commencing” windows that by definition allow room for shipping delays, customs, manufacturing hiccups, and dealer turnaround time.

That’s the whole point of announcing anticipated shipments rather than “official release dates.”

It isn’t incompetence — it’s simply how a boutique label survives when it doesn’t have Sony’s worldwide machinery behind it.

And let’s not pretend December doesn’t play a role here.

FTD releases big book/CD projects almost every December, right when shipping companies are drowning in Christmas volume. So yes, delays happen. Shocking, I know.

So while it’s very nice that Amazon gift-wrapped your mainstream release and catapulted it to your house on August 1st, expecting FTD to operate like a billion-dollar multinational is… optimistic.

Your defence of FTD is admirable, with some valid points, however, either you appear to have misunderstood what I wrote or you just like coming out with lots of somewhat flippant comments.

Nowhere have I condemned FTD or suggested any incompetence on their part or even have I shown or suggested that they should work like Amazon in catapulting orders to here, there and everywhere on a set date. The analogy with the Sunset release, and I could have used any mainstream release and not even an Elvis release, was to re-enforce what a ‘release date’ is when compared to an anticipated shipping date which FTD use for their customers, ie the dealers.

I am fully aware of how FTD operate, and that their business is akin to a cottage industry that has logistic restrictions and even budget restraints and that they are unlikely to have the clout to get things rescheduled quickly when something goes wrong within the production timeline. All of those things are good enough reasons why they do not provide actual release dates.

But there are fans who do not appreciate or understand those things, or perhaps just do not even think about them. They continually ask for release dates because they get a little frustrated that having placed their pre-order and in some cases have already paid a month or two in advance, that when there is still no sign of the goods that they ordered actually arriving, it’s human nature for them to wonder what is going on and ask if there is a release date so they can try and figure out when they might actually receive their order. So perhaps updates from FTD themselves if there are unexpected delays would help appease concerns.

Regarding the month of December, I think everyone on here would understand that during that month and especially in the lead up to Christmas, that it can get pretty hectic out there with shipping and delivery problems and delays occurring, and whilst that may seem like a reasonable defence for FTD having to deal with those problems, that is not necessarily how fans see it because they hope that FTD will by now have factored those problems into their timelines/schedules and ensured that a big deluxe set like this G I Blues set and earmarked for a December release, should really arrive before Christmas and not some time in January.

There was a similar problem last year with the Making of King Creole, another December release which some dealers in Europe only started receiving stock of at the start of the third week of December whilst dealers further afield waited longer, leaving the dealers little hope of getting them out to fans for Christmas. Elvis collector fans like to get their new Elvis goodies in time for Christmas - they kind of see it as a present to themselves or perhaps if they are lucky, their partner has agreed to buy it for them for Christmas. And that would be a Christmas win-win.

Thank you for the clarification, apparently the issue is not what you wrote, but my tragic inability to appreciate the deep subtlety of your analogy. I’ll try harder next time.

But let’s be honest:
You compared a global mainstream release with full corporate infrastructure, synchronized worldwide distribution, Amazon automation, and digital platforms…
to FTD, a boutique collector’s label that ships in batches to independent dealers.

And now you’re surprised someone pointed out that the comparison doesn’t hold?

My comments weren’t “flippant”; they were simply stating the obvious:
FTD does not — and cannot — operate like a major label.

You now say you already knew this, understood it, accepted it, and even fully sympathize with their logistical limitations. Wonderful!
Yet your entire post was built on contrasting FTD with a system they don’t — and never will — function within. Which is like comparing a food truck to a national restaurant chain and then acting shocked when someone points out the difference.

Your long explanation about fans wanting release dates, fans being frustrated, fans needing reassurance… is all perfectly reasonable.

But none of that changes the basic point:

Comparing a boutique collector’s label to Amazon Prime is not a useful benchmark for discussing FTD’s release structure.

And yes, we all understand December is chaotic.
You’ve now explained it again as if the problem is that none of us have ever sent or received a package in the month of December.

Trust me, we’ve noticed.
The bottom line remains simple:

FTD has anticipated shipping windows, not release dates.
Delays are normal for small-scale specialty labels.
Fans who want Amazon-level precision will always be disappointed.

If your personal definition of “release date” is “the day I physically receive the item,” that’s fine — but that’s a you definition, not an industry definition.

So no, I didn’t misunderstand you.

I simply didn’t buy the idea that Amazon logistics are a meaningful yardstick for a two-man boutique label shipping deluxe Elvis sets in December.

But by all means, let’s blame semantics and my supposed fondness for “flippant comments.”

It’s a much easier narrative than acknowledging the original comparison was flawed from the start.

[FanFrom'61]

The release date for me is when the postman knocks on the door with the pre-ordered goods.

Even though many others already had their sets delivered to them?

Keith

Well what is your interpretation of an actual FTD “release date”.

Most record companies announce a release date and that is when the record will be available to go into a shop and buy or find it available on a digital platform to download or stream or even order on line from Amazon who will generally get the item to the buyer if the day of release. Sunset Boulevard as a mainstream release had a release date of Friday 1st August 2025. It was available to buy from my local record shop on that day and it was available to stream on that day, and Amazon despatched my copy on the last day of July so that I had it on the 1st August.

FTD do not actually have proper release dates. They have anticipated shipping dates of something like “Week Commencing”. And then it is down to when the deliveries to the various dealers are made and then how quickly the dealer can get the item to the customer. There are three main dealers in the UK that I am aware of, and only one has managed to get their supply in before the other two. So even if someone ordered the release today from one of the other two, there is still no guarantee that they would have the item in stock or that the buyer would get the item in the next day or so.


And that’s why with so many variables kicking in, then for me, the release date is when I get hold of my copy.

Comparing a mainstream release like Sunset Boulevard to an FTD release is… well, ambitious.

One is produced for a global distribution chain with corporate logistics, digital platforms, and Amazon trucks ready to launch the second the clock hits midnight. The other is FTD — a niche collector’s label operating on a much smaller scale, with “week commencing” windows that by definition allow room for shipping delays, customs, manufacturing hiccups, and dealer turnaround time.

That’s the whole point of announcing anticipated shipments rather than “official release dates.”

It isn’t incompetence — it’s simply how a boutique label survives when it doesn’t have Sony’s worldwide machinery behind it.

And let’s not pretend December doesn’t play a role here.

FTD releases big book/CD projects almost every December, right when shipping companies are drowning in Christmas volume. So yes, delays happen. Shocking, I know.

So while it’s very nice that Amazon gift-wrapped your mainstream release and catapulted it to your house on August 1st, expecting FTD to operate like a billion-dollar multinational is… optimistic.

Your defence of FTD is admirable, with some valid points, however, either you appear to have misunderstood what I wrote or you just like coming out with lots of somewhat flippant comments.

Nowhere have I condemned FTD or suggested any incompetence on their part or even have I shown or suggested that they should work like Amazon in catapulting orders to here, there and everywhere on a set date. The analogy with the Sunset release, and I could have used any mainstream release and not even an Elvis release, was to re-enforce what a ‘release date’ is when compared to an anticipated shipping date which FTD use for their customers, ie the dealers.

I am fully aware of how FTD operate, and that their business is akin to a cottage industry that has logistic restrictions and even budget restraints and that they are unlikely to have the clout to get things rescheduled quickly when something goes wrong within the production timeline. All of those things are good enough reasons why they do not provide actual release dates.

But there are fans who do not appreciate or understand those things, or perhaps just do not even think about them. They continually ask for release dates because they get a little frustrated that having placed their pre-order and in some cases have already paid a month or two in advance, that when there is still no sign of the goods that they ordered actually arriving, it’s human nature for them to wonder what is going on and ask if there is a release date so they can try and figure out when they might actually receive their order. So perhaps updates from FTD themselves if there are unexpected delays would help appease concerns.

Regarding the month of December, I think everyone on here would understand that during that month and especially in the lead up to Christmas, that it can get pretty hectic out there with shipping and delivery problems and delays occurring, and whilst that may seem like a reasonable defence for FTD having to deal with those problems, that is not necessarily how fans see it because they hope that FTD will by now have factored those problems into their timelines/schedules and ensured that a big deluxe set like this G I Blues set and earmarked for a December release, should really arrive before Christmas and not some time in January.

There was a similar problem last year with the Making of King Creole, another December release which some dealers in Europe only started receiving stock of at the start of the third week of December whilst dealers further afield waited longer, leaving the dealers little hope of getting them out to fans for Christmas. Elvis collector fans like to get their new Elvis goodies in time for Christmas - they kind of see it as a present to themselves or perhaps if they are lucky, their partner has agreed to buy it for them for Christmas. And that would be a Christmas win-win.

Thank you for the clarification, apparently the issue is not what you wrote, but my tragic inability to appreciate the deep subtlety of your analogy. I’ll try harder next time.

But let’s be honest:
You compared a global mainstream release with full corporate infrastructure, synchronized worldwide distribution, Amazon automation, and digital platforms…
to FTD, a boutique collector’s label that ships in batches to independent dealers.

And now you’re surprised someone pointed out that the comparison doesn’t hold?

My comments weren’t “flippant”; they were simply stating the obvious:
FTD does not — and cannot — operate like a major label.

You now say you already knew this, understood it, accepted it, and even fully sympathize with their logistical limitations. Wonderful!
Yet your entire post was built on contrasting FTD with a system they don’t — and never will — function within. Which is like comparing a food truck to a national restaurant chain and then acting shocked when someone points out the difference.

Your long explanation about fans wanting release dates, fans being frustrated, fans needing reassurance… is all perfectly reasonable.

But none of that changes the basic point:

Comparing a boutique collector’s label to Amazon Prime is not a useful benchmark for discussing FTD’s release structure.

And yes, we all understand December is chaotic.
You’ve now explained it again as if the problem is that none of us have ever sent or received a package in the month of December.

Trust me, we’ve noticed.
The bottom line remains simple:

FTD has anticipated shipping windows, not release dates.
Delays are normal for small-scale specialty labels.
Fans who want Amazon-level precision will always be disappointed.

If your personal definition of “release date” is “the day I physically receive the item,” that’s fine — but that’s a you definition, not an industry definition.

So no, I didn’t misunderstand you.

I simply didn’t buy the idea that Amazon logistics are a meaningful yardstick for a two-man boutique label shipping deluxe Elvis sets in December.

But by all means, let’s blame semantics and my supposed fondness for “flippant comments.”

It’s a much easier narrative than acknowledging the original comparison was flawed from the start.

You’re still not getting it. I made no ‘direct comparison’ between a mainstream release and an FTD release. I clearly stated in a factual way that most record companies give firm release dates whilst FTD do not give release dates at all - just anticipated shipping dates, so there was no yardstick to measure or compare, and nothing flawed, so end of.

And as FTD do not make or have an official release date, then as I wrote, the release date for ‘me’ is when I receive the pre-ordered goods…nothing more, nothing less. And that does not mean that others have to accept my personal feelings or thoughts on that matter, but conversely, some may. Your comment about it not being an industry standard is completely irrelevant.

It really is that simple….but not in your case if you want to make a “mountain out of a molehill” kind of argument.

[JoeyCoco]

The release date for me is when the postman knocks on the door with the pre-ordered goods.

Even though many others already had their sets delivered to them?

Keith

Well what is your interpretation of an actual FTD “release date”.

Most record companies announce a release date and that is when the record will be available to go into a shop and buy or find it available on a digital platform to download or stream or even order on line from Amazon who will generally get the item to the buyer if the day of release. Sunset Boulevard as a mainstream release had a release date of Friday 1st August 2025. It was available to buy from my local record shop on that day and it was available to stream on that day, and Amazon despatched my copy on the last day of July so that I had it on the 1st August.

FTD do not actually have proper release dates. They have anticipated shipping dates of something like “Week Commencing”. And then it is down to when the deliveries to the various dealers are made and then how quickly the dealer can get the item to the customer. There are three main dealers in the UK that I am aware of, and only one has managed to get their supply in before the other two. So even if someone ordered the release today from one of the other two, there is still no guarantee that they would have the item in stock or that the buyer would get the item in the next day or so.


And that’s why with so many variables kicking in, then for me, the release date is when I get hold of my copy.

Comparing a mainstream release like Sunset Boulevard to an FTD release is… well, ambitious.

One is produced for a global distribution chain with corporate logistics, digital platforms, and Amazon trucks ready to launch the second the clock hits midnight. The other is FTD — a niche collector’s label operating on a much smaller scale, with “week commencing” windows that by definition allow room for shipping delays, customs, manufacturing hiccups, and dealer turnaround time.

That’s the whole point of announcing anticipated shipments rather than “official release dates.”

It isn’t incompetence — it’s simply how a boutique label survives when it doesn’t have Sony’s worldwide machinery behind it.

And let’s not pretend December doesn’t play a role here.

FTD releases big book/CD projects almost every December, right when shipping companies are drowning in Christmas volume. So yes, delays happen. Shocking, I know.

So while it’s very nice that Amazon gift-wrapped your mainstream release and catapulted it to your house on August 1st, expecting FTD to operate like a billion-dollar multinational is… optimistic.

Your defence of FTD is admirable, with some valid points, however, either you appear to have misunderstood what I wrote or you just like coming out with lots of somewhat flippant comments.

Nowhere have I condemned FTD or suggested any incompetence on their part or even have I shown or suggested that they should work like Amazon in catapulting orders to here, there and everywhere on a set date. The analogy with the Sunset release, and I could have used any mainstream release and not even an Elvis release, was to re-enforce what a ‘release date’ is when compared to an anticipated shipping date which FTD use for their customers, ie the dealers.

I am fully aware of how FTD operate, and that their business is akin to a cottage industry that has logistic restrictions and even budget restraints and that they are unlikely to have the clout to get things rescheduled quickly when something goes wrong within the production timeline. All of those things are good enough reasons why they do not provide actual release dates.

But there are fans who do not appreciate or understand those things, or perhaps just do not even think about them. They continually ask for release dates because they get a little frustrated that having placed their pre-order and in some cases have already paid a month or two in advance, that when there is still no sign of the goods that they ordered actually arriving, it’s human nature for them to wonder what is going on and ask if there is a release date so they can try and figure out when they might actually receive their order. So perhaps updates from FTD themselves if there are unexpected delays would help appease concerns.

Regarding the month of December, I think everyone on here would understand that during that month and especially in the lead up to Christmas, that it can get pretty hectic out there with shipping and delivery problems and delays occurring, and whilst that may seem like a reasonable defence for FTD having to deal with those problems, that is not necessarily how fans see it because they hope that FTD will by now have factored those problems into their timelines/schedules and ensured that a big deluxe set like this G I Blues set and earmarked for a December release, should really arrive before Christmas and not some time in January.

There was a similar problem last year with the Making of King Creole, another December release which some dealers in Europe only started receiving stock of at the start of the third week of December whilst dealers further afield waited longer, leaving the dealers little hope of getting them out to fans for Christmas. Elvis collector fans like to get their new Elvis goodies in time for Christmas - they kind of see it as a present to themselves or perhaps if they are lucky, their partner has agreed to buy it for them for Christmas. And that would be a Christmas win-win.

Thank you for the clarification, apparently the issue is not what you wrote, but my tragic inability to appreciate the deep subtlety of your analogy. I’ll try harder next time.

But let’s be honest:
You compared a global mainstream release with full corporate infrastructure, synchronized worldwide distribution, Amazon automation, and digital platforms…
to FTD, a boutique collector’s label that ships in batches to independent dealers.

And now you’re surprised someone pointed out that the comparison doesn’t hold?

My comments weren’t “flippant”; they were simply stating the obvious:
FTD does not — and cannot — operate like a major label.

You now say you already knew this, understood it, accepted it, and even fully sympathize with their logistical limitations. Wonderful!
Yet your entire post was built on contrasting FTD with a system they don’t — and never will — function within. Which is like comparing a food truck to a national restaurant chain and then acting shocked when someone points out the difference.

Your long explanation about fans wanting release dates, fans being frustrated, fans needing reassurance… is all perfectly reasonable.

But none of that changes the basic point:

Comparing a boutique collector’s label to Amazon Prime is not a useful benchmark for discussing FTD’s release structure.

And yes, we all understand December is chaotic.
You’ve now explained it again as if the problem is that none of us have ever sent or received a package in the month of December.

Trust me, we’ve noticed.
The bottom line remains simple:

FTD has anticipated shipping windows, not release dates.
Delays are normal for small-scale specialty labels.
Fans who want Amazon-level precision will always be disappointed.

If your personal definition of “release date” is “the day I physically receive the item,” that’s fine — but that’s a you definition, not an industry definition.

So no, I didn’t misunderstand you.

I simply didn’t buy the idea that Amazon logistics are a meaningful yardstick for a two-man boutique label shipping deluxe Elvis sets in December.

But by all means, let’s blame semantics and my supposed fondness for “flippant comments.”

It’s a much easier narrative than acknowledging the original comparison was flawed from the start.

You’re still not getting it. I made no ‘direct comparison’ between a mainstream release and an FTD release. I clearly stated in a factual way that most record companies give firm release dates whilst FTD do not give release dates at all - just anticipated shipping dates, so there was no yardstick to measure or compare, and nothing flawed, so end of.

And as FTD do not make or have an official release date, then as I wrote, the release date for ‘me’ is when I receive the pre-ordered goods…nothing more, nothing less. And that does not mean that others have to accept my personal feelings or thoughts on that matter, but conversely, some may. Your comment about it not being an industry standard is completely irrelevant.

It really is that simple….but not in your case if you want to make a “mountain out of a molehill” kind of argument.

So now the problem isn’t that you invoked mainstream release norms as a point of reference — it’s that everyone else is hallucinating a comparison that magically appeared out of thin air.

Fascinating.

You say there was no yardstick, no comparison, nothing flawed — yet your entire argument hinges on how “most record companies” behave versus how FTD behaves.
But sure, that’s not a comparison. That’s just… parallel reality storytelling.

And then we arrive at the masterstroke:

“The release date for ‘me’ is when I receive the goods.”

Great. Wonderful. Not confusing at all.
You’re free to define “release date” as the moment your doorbell rings, your cat blinks, or Mercury enters retrograde — but once you do that, pretending the term still carries any shared meaning is just intellectual sleight of hand.

Pointing out that this is not an industry definition isn’t “irrelevant”; it’s precisely the point you keep stepping around while insisting everyone else is “not getting it.”

What’s actually happening here is very simple:

You framed an argument using industry-wide expectations, then retreated into “personal definitions” the moment someone challenged the usefulness of that framing.

And now you’re declaring victory by saying:
“There was never a comparison, so nothing can be criticized.”

That’s not clarity, that’s narrowing the goalposts until only one person fits between them.

As for the “mountain out of a molehill” remark:
The irony is impressive, considering this entire exchange exists because you’re unwilling to accept that your original analogy — sorry, non-comparison comparison — wasn’t particularly well thought out.

So let’s be absolutely clear, since repetition seems necessary:

I understood you perfectly.
I simply disagreed.
And disagreement is not misunderstanding, no matter how convenient that narrative may be.

This will be my last comment on it as well, because at this point the issue isn’t complexity, nuance, or semantics.

It’s short-sightedness, paired with the curious belief that declaring “end of” somehow makes an argument immune to criticism.

Spoiler: it doesn’t.

[John]

Good news as more UK collector fans should be getting their copies in the next few days as Elvis Shop London have started dispatching copies but not sure about NDT yet. Fingers crossed for all those who would like this release for Christmas.

and....mine has arrived. The packaging amounts to a mountain of cardboard. It took me about 20 minutes to open it.

[FanFrom'61]

Good news as more UK collector fans should be getting their copies in the next few days as Elvis Shop London have started dispatching copies but not sure about NDT yet. Fingers crossed for all those who would like this release for Christmas.

and....mine has arrived. The packaging amounts to a mountain of cardboard. It took me about 20 minutes to open it.

I guess after having dumped all that packaging, that you will certainly be able to relax whilst working your way through the book marvelling at its contents and listening to the music. I’m still trying to find a gap to get it onto a shelf, so a few more records will have to get relegated to the dedicated cases in the loft. But I’m looking forward to getting this release.

[colonel snow]

“The release date for ‘me’ is when I receive the goods.”

How about buying a record later on which is still a few years on the market. What's your "release date" now?


colonel snow

[FanFrom'61]

“The release date for ‘me’ is when I receive the goods.”

How about buying a record later on which is still a few years on the market. What's your "release date" now?


colonel snow

Someone has already asked this. I am talking about pre-ordered items that have an imminent shipping date but where there is no obvious release date and dealers may receive their stock at different times dependant on their location, and not something that I may buy in two years time that was released four years ago. I could have said that the release date for me is the date my dealer informs me the pre-order has been sent, but sometimes, that info is not sent. It was only meant as a lighthearted comment that just works for me. But what would be the release date for you of say the new Good Times vinyl album.