Hey,I'm trying to build up my collection of Prince stuff. I want to get Sheila E "The Glamorous Life" and "Ice Cream Castle" by the Time.

Looking on around there is a site called All Your Music in the States. The prices are really cheap, are they perhaps too cheap (4 pounds sterling)(second half). Has anyone bought from this company before?

Usually I am have no problem with buying originals on the internet, new or second hand. I am wary though, there is a guy in Canada who always has a copy of Jill Jones to buy for $10.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Smillan said:

Usually nowadays the chances for being ripped off are as good on the net as in every usual store. There are a lot of officially looking bootlegs out there, especially some of the rarer CD pressings get bootlegged a lot (e. g. the Mazarati albums, Gold Nigga, The Family album, and stuff like that.., and yes, I'd count the Jill Jones album into that category). It's hard to tell if you don't know the originals very good, even if you're holding those boots in your hands, so the risk is even higher with these if you can't look at them apart from a pic.
But there is a lot of original stuff out there for fair money, too. No way of giving too general advices, i guess.

If you go the eBay route, read the feedback and beware of folks that sell multiple copies of rare CDs.

If it's a rare Prince or related item, chances are that there are fake pressings of those. Counterfeiters follow the money.

Eil, Madhouse Music and Gemm are going to be good sources for legit stuff, but at premium prices.

If you have any questions about a CD being real, do some research and/or come here and start a thread.

squirrelgrease said:

It's not that difficult to buy from the counterfeiters and pressure them to give you a full refund. Done that with some Madhouse conterfits. If you need backups!!! bawhawhawawwawsw

squirrelgrease said:

Ebay or even buying used copies on Amazon are not a bad way. Takes more work but at least you are not paying a premium.

Best way to build up collection. Be a fan back in the 80's and buy everything direct! Build a time machine..

There's just no way around the prices on authentic items, unless you have hand-picked it from a local second hand store that didn't know any better.

Cinnie said:

True. That's been my experience. Even the used stores usually check OOP item on their computers and price them accordingly. Even so, I've found some good deals on stuff in the used bins.