Why are British fans being charged £288 more than American Fans for the Super Deluxe Box Set. I spoke to Sean Lennon about this. #JohnLennon #thebeatles #universalmusicgroup #beatlesfan #mindgames
UK has VAT as 20% included in the £1,350, the USA adds the sale tax at purchase as it's depends on what state they're purchasing from. Someone on the Steve Hoffman forum showed a picture of their purchase and it showed $103.68 tax in addition to the $1,350 base cost.
good to hear Sean replied quickly and is looking into the potential price discrepancy. well done Tone in contacting him. hope he sends you a super deluxe box by way of saying 'thank you for alerting me to this'. even with 288 off, its outwith my budget.
Sean is a top man Jim and it is great that he is interacting with me . Yeah out of my budget too. As lovely as it would be to get this big box from Sean, my channel doesnt have enough subs for such an extravagant gift but you never know, maybe one day 😎
Yesterday, I very happily spent $1635 Canadian dollars on new water tank, the old one started leaking but served me well for 15 years. This price tag is an equivalent of Lennon Mind Games box if you want to purchase it from Canada
Great video Tone and fair play to Sean for his response. Being a pensioner I’m having to settle for the 2 x CD set but don’t begrudge anyone that can afford the Ultimate Super Deluxe Box Set. It looks like a quality piece of art. In the UK we are continually paying over the odds for most things. This was true even before Brexit, Covid etc. Without wanting to get too political these momentous events haven’t improved the situation though. There is a real possibility that vinyl is already being priced out of reach of all but die-hard fans of an artist whether Beatles or otherwise. One of my other hobbies is model railways where prices have gone through the roof. So much so that it’s becoming a hobby for the rich. I’m concerned that this is becoming the case for music collectors too.
Sean has been great and since posting this video he has again contacted me and said that some of the cost differential will be the US tax which is not included in the price listed on the website. Americans will pay this on top of that price. Yes totally agree re Brexit - it didnt seem to matter how much us remainers shouted nobody listened that this would happen . You only had to look at the numpties who were running the leave campaign to know it was a wrongun. At least you guys in Scotland didnt fall for the lies. And yes I also believe that vinyl is on the brink right now . Once we've accepted paying £30 for an album is ok - the collapse of its popularity cant be too far away
I know exactly what you mean. I have a work colleague, who to relax and unwind enjoys the peace and tranquility of fishing, but even that is becoming more and more expensive, from purchasing bait to the fishing license that he needs, that on top of the problems of the rivers and streams being polluted by our water companies seems all of this is endemic in every sphere of life and leisure....
Hi Tone , I would have liked it if the Lennon Estate made the 9Lp’s from the Super deluxe box set to be released separately as well as the box set , like the ultimate mix which is on 6 CDs which is the same I think as what’s on the 9LP’s , I think that would have been a fair choice than just issuing the 6 CDs
Tone, absolute travesty that they are charging nearly 300 pounds more in the UK. I doubt that it is a mistake, as it's been up at that price long enough for Universal to have adjusted the price.
Hi Beatle Tone, thanks for this video. In Euro's is also about 310 Euro difference between the price in Dollar and the one in Euro (1550). Have a great weekend. Cheers.
Good for you Tone. I'm only interested in the music, so the 6 CD version is all I need, but for those that want all the non-musical content in the SDE, it shouldn't have such cost differentials in different countries. As for the 6 CD/2BR set, I'm not happy at how much more expensive it is than the 4CD/2BR Imagine box. Two more CDs shouldn't cost $60 more. Inflation can't account for all of that, corporate greed though could. Kudos for Sean and his collaborators on the work they've done on John's music. The POB and Imagine boxes have been terrific value for money.
Yes there is a price hike with this one. Imagine was 6 years ago and I guess it's not unreasonable to expect the price to have increased in that time. Whether it is proportional to inflation is another question. I think covid has a lot to do with the price hike the knock on effect is still being felt. I agree that the previous sets have both been brilliant and great value for money. I have also ordered the 6 CD version - it was £129 here in the UK. POB in 2021 was £85. Hopefully when we get all that. great music we will forget about the money ;-)
Let's be real: the contract terms were negotiated from BOTH sides. The Lennon estate is a corporation. So is the Harrison. And Paul himself is pretty much a corporation in himself.
On a separate tack, the future potential of an interview with Sean is an excellent idea, even if he may currently feel that the timing is not right for him. Perhaps a follow up at some point may be worthwhile without being too pushy. I'm sure a lot of interesting questions could be compiled from regulars here. Did he elaborate further on the Some Time In New York City set that was cancelled or delayed. I think many of us would love to see this appear.
I didnt ask him about STINYC just purely about this issue but obviously this is a burning question that I would 100% ask if he were to come on the channel (along with other stuff about the legacy project). Not being pushy is key, having got his ear albeit briefly, I dont wanna mess up. He said he wants to concentrate on other things over the summer so Im gonna respectfully not bug him during this period and ask again in a few months
The Super Deluxe set is a little rich for my blood, but I preordered the Deluxe 6 CD/2 Blu-ray set as well as the 2 LP vinyl set for a reasonable $235 total for both sets from Amazon USA. Those sets are a great bang for the buck as the previous Imagine & Plastic Ono Band sets. Unlike the huge & slightly vulgar crate All Things Must Pass set with the gnomes, the Super Deluxe Mind Games is a beautiful luxury art piece. God bless Yoko & Sean for keeping the flame of John's legacy.
Nice to hear Sean responded to your offer to come on your channel. I hope it comes to pass. I am the one who responded with " Imagine no possessions " comment but not to be taken seriously, but to add some humor to the $1350 price tag. I too am retired, and it's been part of my belief that whatever the price of anything might be, it's up to me to decide if it's worth the price to spend on whatever it is. I've been searching all these years for a genuine Butcher Cover album in good condition and have yet found one at the amount that I'm willing to pay.
No worries Charlie, you weren't alone and of course it is always up to us what we spend our money on. there are no right or wrong answers as far as that goes mate
If you live here in Australia all you do is watch the inevitable US (and now UK) unboxing videos as the ultimate deluxe MIND GAME, unless you’re as rich as Rupert Murdoch. Anyway, mustn’t grumble, I’ve ordered the regular deluxe from the UK for $287 Australian dollars because it ain’t available here.
Very cool that Sean answered you, and hopefully something positive will come out of it for fans in the UK. I wasn't surprised that it cost more over there -- that's pretty much SOP for UMG -- but that markup was egregious, and I do think it was a mistake. Still out of my price range any way you slice it, and I'm mainly just in it for the music. The one dumb thing that really bugs me about the big box is that has the LPs stacked horizontally, which is a recipe for warping. I guess if the interior of the box is truly cubic, the contents can be rearranged in a more vinyl-friendly way. Like I said, not my problem to worry about, but something to keep in mind for folks who pick this set up on discogs in the future.
Yes great that Sean engaged but sadly it doesnt look like it's a mistake. The difference seems to partly to do with US tax which is not included in the price on the website and the huge shipping cost . Because the box is being made locally in the UK shipping costs are small despite the weight of the box whereas to the US they are huge . I also wondered about the flat positioning of the vinyl but wondered whether 180g would be likely to warp due to its thickness. Not my problem either lol
A lot of work has gone into making the super deluxe edition. It looks beautiful. It's not cheap to do something like this. I'm glad it's coming out. The John Lennon archive releases are some of the best being delivered. It's sold out on the US Lennon site.
Tone, this video put you over the edge. Now I'm subscribed. It's really incredible how they think that people magically have more money in other regions. That's far from the truth. Someone needs to be accountable for these extreme price gougings. Even in US money. I really appreciate the art and work that they put into this. But come on folks! What the hell I'll leave you with the next best thing to a joke that I have today. I had to change insurance companies this year. For medical trips my last insurance company would only let me have one trip to the mortuary. Plus, they wouldn't even let me bring a friend!
Thanks very much for subscribing. Welcome to my channel and I hope you enjoy the content here. Well seems that UMG are responsible for setting the price. I think it's quite hard to put an accurate price on a set like this because so many of the artefacts have unknown value - like the artwork and who knows what an I-ching coin costs? I think they pull a figure out of the air and see if it flys . Nice gag :-)
Pleased for you Tone communicating with Sean.He obviously recognizes a genuine decent fan when converses with one.Respect going forward which doesn't encroach, or endanger your friendship.
The cube edition is an odd beast. Here is my take, plus and minus. It is in reality more of an art piece than a deluxe music set and I think perhaps it should have been a separate thing. It feels a little out of place here with Mind Games. The Lennon camp philosophy has been excellent so far with the deluxe editions. Plenty of musical content, a nice, thorough, accompanying book and a consistent size and format. We also got the coffee table books to expand the story. I do fully understand the 'art' element that was certainly part of the John and Yoko world, but this feels like it belongs with the Plastic Ono Band era rather than with Mind Games. The perspex box would have fitted more with the POB period. Clearly Sean and Yoko invested a lot of time and effort into the item and it does feel a little ungrateful to sit here being critical. There is a Yoko exhibition in London and it does feel like this cube item would have fitted in with that more comfortably as a piece of art, skipping the musical content. The price point also feels more akin to a piece of 'art' rather than as a music set. I did buy the All Things Must Pass uber set but that always felt to me like a one-off. I have not felt the need or desire to have the concept become the 'norm'. The McCartney ''suitcase' and the larger version of the McCartney Archive Edition felt unnecessary to me and I passed on them without any pangs of completism. This feels the same. It does look like a lot of effort went into its design rnd construction but as an extension of the Mind Games deluxe edition I was not enticed at all.
It's more about the "art" than about the music. The obvious feeling is that the music isn't the best so let's disguise that by throwing in a lot of extraneous clutter. And when will the dumb vinyl hype die?
I agree that this is mostly an art project but I guess the thinking is that those who want the art also want the music so thats why it's a bit of both. I have found answering the comments on this thread hard work tbh with too many people not listening to the facts and carrying on with their own agenda. I have deleted more comments on this thread than on any other video I have ever made. I will not have the Lennon Estate disrespected with lies when they have given us so much over the years. Im not deleting opinions, just misguided lies. The cube was inspired by the ATMP Uber box and this being the next Ultimate Mixes that has come out since then is the reason why we are getting it for Mind Games rather than POB or Imagine. Cheers Dave
@@beatleytonesbeatleschannel My "agenda" is to not be a sycophantic dupe of those who are reaping the profits by selling work they did not produce at maximum price -- then pretending that they haven't any negotiating power so have no control over the pricing of products that wouldn't exist if they didn't produce them. So you admit to deleting comments you disapprove because they are critical -- which your "agenda" views as "disrespectful". Wake up: none of these people are GODS.
Hi Tone, For a moment, I thought I had overstepped the mark with a comments, which was not my intention. I certainly do not wish to upset the Lennon estate or family. They have given us some wonderful items over the years and long may that continue. We do have choices and I do not feel I have been pressured with this item to obtain additional music. That is fine and I hope those who have ordered the Super Deluxe Edition do get a lot of pleasure out of it. It was not for me this time, partly because of the price, but more a logistical thing. I think that the 10" boxes are a compact and consistent format and I am very happy with that. In fact I played the Imagine set in full just a few days ago and it was an entertaining listen. Hopefully, the Mind Games set will be equally so.
I don't have the Harrison Uber release, but wasn't that a Universal release in Britain? Was the price the same as it was in the States? 🤔 John & Paul, the reason i bought a guitar in 64. 😉 ... good stuff Tone!
Thank you for the video which was excellent as usual and also thought provoking on several levels. I have several things to say but will do so in several comments rather than one long one as they are different topics really. So, firstly thanks for taking up the issues with Sean and obviously a big thank you to him for responding. Sounds like a good interaction and hopefully one that may blossom in the future. The cost difference does sound wrong and perhaps from a purely business perspective I can see how Universal may think that it does not matter. If it had been a dollar/pound conversion for a single CD no-one would be getting too hot under the collar, but with an item of this size it clearly does make a huge difference. Hopefully something may get resolved although I suspect it may be awkward now that people have already purchased it at the higher price. Refunds would be nice but I suspect a logistical nightmare. I will deal with some other points in another message as I do think that you have been very fair in some of your comments about the item as a an art piece. Would the reduction make a difference to me personally? In this case no, but I will detail more on that later. Your point though is well made and interesting. Thanks again for your efforts and level-headed approach.
Thanks very much Dave. Glad you enjoyed the video and yes it would be great to get Sean on the channel one day to talk about this whole project. I have noticed the exact thing you mention too. Quite often we see pound/for dollar prices but on small items it doesnt matter but for something like this , its really noticeable.Anyway it seems that the difference is something to do with the US tax whihc is not included in the website price whereas the Uk tax is. There is also a huge shipping cost to the US whereas in the Uk the cubes are being made locally so shipping is small.
TBH Simon I think this is going to sell out and the price will go up on the secondary market, so if you definitely want one I would take a deep breath and go for it . Glad you enjoyed the video
@@beatleytonesbeatleschannel thanks Tones if it was a Beatles record like Rubber Soul boxset I would of bought it ,I know what you're saying but I'll leave it this time ,keep going with the videos as it's good information and entertainment.
Hi Tone, great video. I really hope you have chance to talk to Sean. As far as pricing goes, I think it is not a mistake. I am always comparing my Canadian dollar to American and to Sterling. For some reason American prices are always the cheapest. I think taxes have something to do with it. On big item like this difference is so evident. I agree, it doesn’t look fair for the fans in UK. I splurged on McCartney singles box and this was my financial ceiling. Dixon and yourself are my favourite blokes on RU-vid. All the best.
Thanks very much Greg, glad you enjoyed the video and glad you enjoy my channel. Yes it would be great to ask Sean some questions about this whole legacy series. I agree stuff does always seem to be cheaper in the US but it's only when it's on a big item like this that it feels like a fuss should be made . Thanks for a great comment
The product design itself is absurd -- why not keep it consistent with the earlier three releases? Vinyl is a waste -- dross -- if one also includes CDs. The difference, for those who haven't thought it through, is that with vinyl one is hearing both the medium and the music; with CD one only hears the music.
@@jnagarya519 The CD deluxe set is consistent with the other releases - 100% consistent - The box is exactly the same size. The Cd box is the only thing you can compare as far as consistency goes
As you know I'm a french fan and the price in euros is 1550. The problem is, we're not talking about Lennon's music. We're not talking about Lennon's words. That's artwork, only. And artwork for rich people, only. The essential is elsewhere, "Mind Games" is an album that surely deserves a better mix. It will never be a masterpiece, but it can sounds better, for sure. This super super super deluxe box seems to be very important for Lennon's fans RU-vidrs, so much videos about that ! Hope I'll see as much contents for the "normal" deluxe box set. I've paid 89 euros for "Plastic Ono Band" box three years ago, it was a similar price for the "Imagine" box before. 130 euros for "Mind Games", now. I'm not sure it's a right price for it, really. What price for the next box, 180 euros for "Walls and bridges" ? I thought that the legacy of John Lennon was in his words and his music, this super super super deluxe box shows that times have changed. His legacy falls in the good pockets, first of all -Universal and the family. Nevertheless, thank you for your channel, one of my favorites when I want to know everything knew about the Fab 4 😉
Thank you Xavier, Im glad you enjoy my channel. I think we have to remember that its been 3 years since POB and reasonable too expect prices to have gone up in that time. Whether it is a proportional rise , Im not sure. The Super Deluxe is a big talking point right now but on this channel you will be seeing the unboxing of the normal Deluxe box set and the 2 Lp set as these are the items I have ordered and when I have absorbed the music I will be doing a full review of them so I wont skimping over over them . I'm not getting the Super Deluxe set. As for the mix, having heard the Mind Games EP I can guarantee that the new remix I'll have improved the sound of the Mind Games album so that this is everybody's go-to copy . cheers
@@beatleytonesbeatleschannel I agree with you, reasonable prices are over ! I'll buy the deluxe box set, even if it costs a lot of money for me. Rough mixes and evolution mixes are so fascinating to discover ! And before this box will be mine, I will see the unboxing on your channel. Cheers
Another great video Tone. I know we can't blame the artiste for the pricing of releases, but do you think, like me, that the record company's are testing the patience of fans and collectors with the overprinting of these box sets. I think they are pricing people out of the hobby and will backfire on them in the future. Even if this uber box set was reduced to meet USA equivalentwho can justify over a thousand pounds?? Might be just me😊
Definitely pushing the barrier(pun applogies ) trouble is there’s no way of pricing boxes like this as so many things here have an unknown value, so they stick a price tag on and see if it flys. Im still getting my head around £30 for an LP. The ceiling must be close now for most fans
Hi Tone, I really don't know what to think about this set .....ludicrous amount of money wether its US or UK. As long as all the music has been made available on the 6CD then I'm happy although even that set is considerably more than the Imagine and Plastic Ono Band sets. Would I like it yes ....thats the truth but only for the fact that the vinyl Included is 7LPs. Worrying trend being set with the Harrison Uber crate and the Lennon cube. For me its about playing these sets and not Just owning them to look at on the shelf. I have The McCartney Singles coffin(Couldn't think what to call it) and they get played ......had to check them as the quality control was very suspect. As a fan I think we need to be careful that our inbuilt loyalty doesn't get taken for granted. Pleased for those who plundered their cash........its probably a good Investment, but that not a good enough reason for me to purchase.
I agree Alan, above everything else- all the bells and whistles - it is the music that is paramount and so as far as what is being released we can get everything without having the cube as we could with the ATMP packages. It has been 3 years since POB was released so it's not unrealistic to expect the price to have gone up a bit for the 6 CD version but whether it is proportionate im not sure. For us who love the music we will be very happy with that deluxe package. Im calling the McCartney thing the Singles Crate. I got lucky, every one of my singles were perfect but I know many weren't as lucky.
Very cool of Sean to respond. Hopefully one day you can interview him. I would think he’d appreciate talking to people who obviously are fans of John’s (and Yoko’s) and who are knowledgeable unlike perhaps just some news person who is interviewing him. And who also are interested in a conversation rather than just trying to impress him with trivia or asking him what his dad was really like. And hopefully he’d be willing to clear up the Sometime In NYC box mystery and let us know it’s on its way at some point 😊
Feeling your pain mate. Sound of Vinyl, our local UMe distributor advised this week that they have a grand total of 5 of the super deluxe sets available for Australian fans at $2600 each, which is also £1350 or US $1740. It’s actually less than I paid for the McCartney singles box, but for me the value isn’t there in terms of music content which is most important to me. Nice of Sean to respond to you, let alone so authentically. Cheers mate.
Yes i was delighted to get a response from Sean -he’s a top man. Blimey 5 for Australia sounds like a bun fight. Agree its all about the music but nice to have for those who can
Hello Beatley Tone you have raised a very valid point about the variation in the pricing of such items its the greedy record company that set the prices for such products. Good luck with getting Sean on the channel. Best Regards Sean
It's a tax thong. In the UK tax is included (VAT rate is 20℅), in the US tax is added, which is generally less - in California it is 10.25℅ which would be added to the price. So on the US the price is still a bit less but that is because tax is less.
Great points Tone. As much as I love John, I just can't justify spending that amount of money. For the price they have asked, I could either buy two Mexican Fender Strats, a couple of Epiphone Casino's, or, perhaps more importantly, pay my months rent and buy food! Great news for those that have ordered it and it would be amazing to have in the collection, but realistically, once the buzz has worn off after the first week, and a person has gone through all the "bits" and has shown a few friends, how often is all this stuff going to be looked at or even thought about? Personally it's the big books that interest me most other than the album, those I do go back to fairly regularly which can be bought on their own in any case. I never like to appear as a "Negative Nancy" and I can see the love that has gone in to the super deluxe, but it's just too much money, so even if there wasn't limited run anyway, I'd be settling for a smaller set. Perhaps even just the 2CD with the book separately. Personally I don't often listen to outtakes more than once, yet unreleased demos and unreleased complete tracks I do go back to quite a lot. Can't wait to stream it all though in any case, whichever I do decide to buy. Thanks as always Tone!!
Since when did paying rent and buying food become more important than buying new guitars James? :-) I think you're right about the initial joy wearing off quickly , we saw that with the Uber box too but it is a lovely package. I would have liked to see the vinyl be made available separately. Im normally with you on the out takes thing but I have listened to these mixes several times over the years - theres just something about these Ultimate mixes boxes that draw me back. I will be getting the Deluxe box and the 2 LP. The super is way out of my price range
Hi Tone, it's not just in the UK that there's a price discrepancy, here in Ireland it costs €1,570 (US$1,710 ) or £1,346. Mind you it doesn't really matter, at $1,350 or €1,570 it's still out of my reach. So I think that it will be the deluxe CD box set for me.
I noticed that too and wondered if a typo was made somewhere. When you said the cost in pounds on your announcement video the other day I was calculating the difference in my head to dollars and was going wow! Then I saw on the U.S. site is list at $1350. I thought that doesn’t calculate at all. That is beyond awesome that Sean responded to you on that! Completely understand he doesn’t want to deal with more “press” but that would be amazing if down the road he does. I always wonder if us Beatles nuts with RU-vid channels are getting noticed by any of them, and seems they are aware of us. Would be totally cool of him to appear on your channel.
Of course they are aware. And they calculate what product to produce in keeping with how much they figure they can get away with. The cynicism is a stench.
Hi Tone Over here in the Netherlands 🇳🇱, the price is 1550 Euro with the official Universal seller. That's 1335 GBP according to the valuation exchange. It's a great box set, but it's too much for me. I can not buy it despite my money growing tree in the garden.😂 Take care.
Nice work there Tone, that would be quite a coup to get an interview with Sean at some point in the future, he seems like a really nice, genuine Guy, a credit to his Parents. I know it's not exactly the same but I've pre ordered the 6CD ultimate mixes box set from HMV and that comes in at £129.99, but when they e-mailed me my confirmation and receipt it was broken down as the box cost £108 and then the dreaded VAT was put on that which was £21.99 which brought it to £129.99, so my question is for the Super Duper all whistles and bells uber box, what will his Majesty's Revenue be taking from the £1,350 if you should be in a position to buy it? Also what are Universal charging for it in the EU? Would it be cheaper to pop over there pick it up and bring it back, or would you have to pay a massive duty to bring it back. I recall many years ago attending a record fair in Munich and having to pay about £30 in duty to bring them back. (I did bring back quite a lot of records though, and bear in mind this was about 1987/88). If you do get to interview Sean I do have one question, and that is, is there any chance of Getting John & Yoko's 1971 Imagine movie shot at Tittenhurst and in New York released as a DVD/Blu-ray box set or as a stand alone DVD or Blu-ray? As like Let It Be it's been almost 40 years since I've seen it when it came out on VHS (remember those?) back in 1985. Looking forward to July 12th with great anticipation of all the unboxing vids, and to getting my mitts on my CD's. Beatley Tone, many thanks good sir for this video and for going above and beyond to bring us the latest Beatles/ Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Starr news. My letter shall be going into Sir Keir (once he has moved into No 10) to recommend you for a Knighthood good sir.....Let's hope you have brought to Universals attention via Sean Lennon a terrible error and saved those collectors some money.
Hi Terry Ive also goner for the 6CD version and it will be great and we will love it. The £1350 on the website for the Uk price includes VAT , the US price doesnt include tax and I think that is because tax is at different rates in different states. In the EU it's around E1550. It would be so great to get Sean on the channel and I will try and make that happen without bugging him too much so hold that question because I wont remember it . If he is to come on I will do a video asking for questions for Sean and pick the best ones and then all the questions will be in the same place and easy to track. Lets hope Sir Kier gets in because I dont think there's ever been a Sir Beatley before 😂😂
i do not buy these box sets but these prices are stratospheric and should not be allowed...i really find it disgusting - what the f---- is going on????
Yes the price is astronomic but I honestly wonder how much profit is in this . Packages like this must cost a fortune to produce so margins are small hence they only make 1100 of these things. However, I dont see why something like this 'shouldn't be allowed' David. Those who can afford this should be allowed to buy something special if they want to surely? And the rest of us can say no thanks but I just dont get the anger from those who dont even want it
Wow Tone, that's a big difference. So glad you were able to bring it to Sean's attention and Universal Music will get it changed. I did listen to the interview that Sean did about the box set and he really wants something special for the collector but unfortunately I am , like you, retired. Can't wait to see an unboxing for sure and am definitely happy for those who are able to get this. Fingers crossed one day Sean will be on your show! Take care.
Nice to see you back Sharon. Yes it would be great to get Sean on but I guess we'll have to wait and see. Well this is definitely something special , but yes, gonna have to let this one go
Tone, Arn't US prices advertised exclusive of sales tax and UK prices inclusive of VAT? I don't know what US sales tax is, but that could account most of the difference, as £270 is the vatable amount on the UK price. Also, for large corporates like BMG it is not unusual (as uncle Tom sang in the Welsh national anthem) to price in Dollar/Sterling equivalents on an international product and a bit is lost in the Fex - I suspect those two reasons will account for the price difference. A few years back this is why I bought the big Costello "Armed Forces" big colour vinyl box from the US site, because the VAT/Sales tax is stripped out for overseas purchases. That said it is an ouch! price and I'm glad I'm not a Lennon/Beatles fan. However, on he other hand I don't believe it is a money grab as it the big box is a swanky looking product and good on both parties and those that want to dip. Keep up the good work. Russell.
Thanks Russ. Yes the tax in/out is part of the difference - it seems that no mistake has been made. Regardless of that , this is still out of my range but I wanted to ask the question just in case it made a difference for others who were on the brink.
Hi Tone I will be getting the deluxe cd box for my birthday and maybe the double vinyl later. My sons always buy them for me between them for birthdays and Xmas. My birthday falls in mid August so nicely timed for the July release. If I were a rich man, then no question I would get the cube. For those with the money it would probably be cheaper to buy one from America and get it shipped over
I'm no expert, but does the listed US price include the service tax? When I was in America, I had to be mindful that the price labels never include the tax. I think, in 1999, it was 10%...don't quote me on that, it was 25 years and a lot of beers ago! 😅😅😅😅😅 So, if it's a case of the US listed in price without tax and the UK price including VAT, that could explain the price difference. Just a thought...
I can't imagine it's a mistake, Tone. Surely the marketing team had this all worked out well before announcing the release. I'll never be able to afford the super deluxe box set, but I have no issue with it existing and for what ever price they think they can get for it. I will probably be happy with the two record set. More interesting to me is your correspondence with Sean! Super cool! Maybe one day we'll see you interviewing him.
Hello Tone, hope you are doing well. I bit the bullet and bought the McCartney singles crate, but I will choose one of the cheaper options for the Mind Games release. Sometimes you see RU-vidrs who do an unboxing and say, "I'd like to thank the Lennon estate and Yoko Ono for sending me this item to review." How do you get on that list? :)
Hi Seamus, the guys who get sent freebees from the estates are usually those who have many thousands of subscribers . I am nowhere near that yet sadly but I dont think they will be sending out free cubes as there are only 1100 and they dont need promoting as they sell themselves . But I expect people like Joe , Andrew, Larry and Mazzy will get sent the deluxe set
I think that my comment answering your question did not make it through. Your point regarding cost differences is interesting and the fact that you have questioned Sean regarding this appreciated. It does sound like he is sympathetic but the control is out of his hands. My guess is that in view of the limited number available in different territories no-one can be bothered doing the calculations for currencies and they have just used the dollar number. Is that right? Of course not. But I somehow do not think that Universal will be bothered.to change now, particularly as it would potentially involve refunds if it is considered a mistake. Would it make a difference to me? No, but I understand your point. I would suggest that if you have enough disposable income to pay £1000 for a record set then you probably have £1350. Is it fair? Of course not. I did buy the All Things Must Pass.set, but I really considered that a one-off luxury. I don't think these kind of special sets should be the norm and the McCartney suitcase, extra large Archive Edition set etc. have basically stopped me buying these sets or considering them even. It has gone too far. I think these items have fallen out of the music arena and have strayed into a sort of 'art' arena and I think they should be separate and not connected. And I do realise the choice is still ours. We do not have to buy. There are cheaper options to obtain the music and I will take those. However there still seems to be lotteries of pricing on these depending on where you live. What is Amazon UK doing? That price differential for the deluxe edition 6 CD set is nonsense.
Since posting this Sean has confirmed that US tax accounts for some of the differential (around $103) which US fans have to pay on top of 1350 - the Uk price is inclusive. The rest is probably shipping so looks like the prices are on par. I personally think there is a package missing here which involves all the vinyl sold separately - that would pacify a lot of people who aren't bothered about the bits and bobs but want the vinyl . If this was the case, and the deluxe pack could just be the books and and the other artififacts - a bit like you are suggesting - an art package that could be put out much cheaper to satisfy those who want the art and not trouble those who dont. As for Amazon, we never know what they are are charging until the last minute do we Dave. Great post mate
Thanks for reply and info. I guess that tax is tax and it is difficult to argue with that. I do think that generally we do seem to be unlucky with pricing, but I suppose we are not alone. The Australians always seem to do badly as well. Well done though for going the extra mile to challenge a potential issue. Maybe an American subscriber can explain US tax and how it has impacted them. We get VAT but generally it is added before we buy, perhaps the US equivalent is different. The US and UK pricing does seem suspiciously similar though! These extra special super duper enormous versions are always problematic. The vinyl issue does seem unfair, but I suspect you will be able to get something at some point. Seems a bit cynical if it appears only after the big set has sold out! I suspect that this art edition is at least partly inspired by the Yoko exhibition in London. I think that I would have preferred a standalone art item if that is the case. As you say, I hope those who do take the plunge enjoy the experience. I do not regret the Harrison set. It has some really nice packaging and unique items. The book is excellent and features wooden inserts from a Friar Park tree that was felled and of course we get gnomes! The only gripe with the set is that those who purchased the standard set missed out on some printed matter that I would consider essential, rather than nice to have. Oh, the problems of being a Beatle collector. If you try to tell the man next door about the conflicts, they just don't believe you! Have a good day.
@@davehealey2397 no they really wouldn't lol. I think the US tax gets added after sale when buying online because there are different rates for different states
If Paul is as influenced by Dhani as Sean has been I fear that we may end up being charged £1,350 for a London Town/Back to the Egg monster box in the shape of an egg. Not sure my wallet can manage that however much I want an LT archive edition
Sorry Tone, thought I'd done a comment on this video, well what can I say, I think I agree with everything you have said, the price is down to the record company, however I would love this, however it's about a month's wages for me and even if I could afford I think Sue would kill me,Lol, think I'm just going for the double album, and maybe the CD box set, take my friend, cheers, Dave 😊
With you on price difference, its just unfair. As for the Box, yeah its nice but not for me…its a bit too toppy on the money for me, as was the Harrison Uber, but the main reason is there is nothing in there I want particularly…glad it exists though and the market will decide if it sells or not. I have no fear of missing out, just happy these thing exist..I dont have to have them. Nobody seems to be pointing out that the other three formats are actually good value, too much focus on the expensive one.
Maybe it is paying customs and delivery from the USA. Lol. Where is this box being made? I just checked to see how much it would cost to buy it from USA and it costs $1889.40 with shipping and taxes included in that price. Anyway If they dropped the price to the super duper box I still wouldn’t buy it.
So Sean Ono Lennon is denying that the Lennon estate has the power to negotiate. Or to publish the set independently. It's a rip-off. Marketing over reason.
Exactly that. The Lennon estate work for UMG not the other way round. They have a contract just like any other employee. UMG set the price- they have the marketing team - that's their job. The Estate is the artist - they create the music/product, the label does the rest. How to you release something independently when you are under contract with a label? Are you suggesting they should go it alone and be sued?
I have gone for the 8 disc cd/Blu-ray deluxe set. I shopped around for this box set and found on Zavvi. I bought the ATMO Uber box set but overall decided that in this case the deluxe box set is the one to go for. Tjhis will sit together with Gimme some truth, plastic Ono band and imagine box sets. Another great episode
Imagine and John Lennon Plastic Ono Band are great albums and one can argue that if any of John's albums deserved a special Uber type box they were the albums to choose.Giving Mind games album, an ordinary album, by John's high standards such a presentation is a very strange decision .I bought ATMP wooden crate as that is a brilliant album which should be celebrated but Mind Games is not as John himself conceeded in 1980 interviews very good
Fair enough. I agree that Mind Games is not on the level of any of those albums but the cube was inspired by the uber crate and this being the first Ultimate Mix to come out after ATMP is the reason it is happening for this album David
I'm still in two minds over this release. I went full steam and pre ordered the $167 version but then cancelled. I'm not sure if I do buy it whether it's 'I must have just to have' moment. Then I question if I'm interested in anything Lennon passed 1971? I have the L.P.s but nothing beats his pre 71 mood. I'm stumped on this one. Maybe I'm getting a bit jaded with these box sets getting more elaborate to the point where the L.P. seems to be the supporting cast. I joked with a friend that Ringo's Sentimental Journey will probably be released in a crystal cut dimpled pint glass. Send help! 🙃
I guess it depends on how much you like the Mind Games album. personally I think it's really under rated with some great stuff on it. One thing Ive noticed about these ultimate collection boxes is they give us a better appreciation of the album This is certainly the case with the Imagine and POB boxes If you dont want the whole big set maybe just go for the 2 cd version whihc has the album remixed and a selection of outtakes and is obviously much cheaper. hope the helps Alistair
@@beatleytonesbeatleschannel thank you, you've helped make up my mind. I'll let you know what I choose. Appreciate your time responding and enjoy your show. Keep up the good work.
@@beatleytonesbeatleschannel Both were before tax. But, they came to their senses this morning, and dropped the price to $248 CAN. Still $20 too much. But, that's more like it.
£288 is just a hundred pounds short of my weeks wage , so you know my answer to your question 😉 Just the 2cd for me . I get the whole "nice to have " items, but it's really all about the music for me . With the box sets, we are really getting cutting room floor music . Now and Then is the prime example. I don't like it , I didn't buy the how many different versions there were . We are really being exploted for many years now . And I know the old adage . You don't have to buy it . But it really has got out of hand . I'd be interested how people are getting on with the very large crate sat in the corner of their music room. As for the box sets I just sit and wait for Amazon to start giving them away . I got Let It Be box set for £48 . Don't get drawn into the social media "be the first to post it on your feed" nonsense people !
I think it's about giving people choice, something to collect rather than exploitation and like you say, we are perfectly at liberty to say no. However I take your point. As Ive said in the video, Im not getting this big box so I wont be racing to show it . Im getting the Deluxe box and 2 LP so will show those
@beatleytonesbeatleschannel I wasn't saying you were a must show it first guy, my friend 🙂. I think some people are basically pressured to buy them and not even think about what they are getting for their money . On a lighter note 😃 I think the Plastic Ono Band Box is brilliant. Well worth the money ( I didn't pay the full price to be fare ) I'm an original Wings fan , a long-time collecter , so it's a pleasure to watch your videos . Keep them coming !
@@johnc.8409 Thanks very much John. I agree the POB box was brilliant. Great to hear from an original Wings fans and there will of course be plenty of Wings stuff coming up on the channel soon . Im glad you enjoy the channel
Thanks very much Paul. Glad you liked the video. Not his best work but i still think it has some good moments on it. I think the remix will improve it further
Beatley My Friend, I agree with you on pricing the cube everyone should pay the same price , that price difference is not fair, or right, you contacted Sean, fantastic he is very helpful, you My Friend are Cool and Sincere, I hope that he does the interview with you, Sean is doing a fabulous job for Johns Legacy, I Know John is So Proud of his sons, I Miss John, these cubes are a awesome piece, the pricing is off, if they reduce the price I’m retired also Friend, money is not like it used to be, but it would be great to purchase it, but as it is I will purchase the 6CD/Blu-ray Box Set for my master collection of johns genius recordings Beatley My Friend Takecare, Besafe, Steve
Much as people like to blame Brexit for everything the euro price is 1570 so it's in line with the UK price, so I presume it's due to the massive box only being manufactured in - and distributed from - the US ?
@@beatleytonesbeatleschannel Ah right, that's even more bizarre then ! Luckily it's not something I'll need to worry about, both in terms of cost and space though! Thanks for the enjoyable vid as ever
Hi Tone. I think there will be additional US taxes to add on, but surely not £288 worth! Even if the UK price matched the US, this is way too rich for my blood as was the ATMP Uber box so I'll be sticking with the 10"deluxe CD version only although, I think that's a bit on the pricey side too. It's not as expensive as the forthcoming Bowie box set mind, and I've been hanging fire on pre-ordering that to see if the price falls but it hasn't budged since it' was announced and I suspect the Lennon won't either.
I haven't followed the British vs. US prices on merchandise like this, but when I was in England in 2004, I went thinking: okay, the pound is worth almost twice what the dollar was worth so if a gallon of milk is about $4 in the US, it will be about 2 pounds in England. WRONG! Stuff was the same number of pounds as it was dollars so everything was twice the price compared to what it would be in the US with few exceptions.
Hi Tone, Thought I’d let you know that I opted for the regular deluxe box set, and I’ll be very happy with that. To be honest the super deluxe box set didn’t interest me that much even if I could have afforded to buy it. The music content is really more important to me than the trinkets that come along with it, although they are nice to have, but the book, poster and post cards with the standard deluxe set is enough for me. Anyway if someone has the money and that what makes them happy then good for them! Personally I would have really been interested in a super deluxe set if it focused on the music and included every demo, outtake, fart, burp and whistle ever recorded on the sessions. But that’s what interests me, and that’s why I have been buying bootlegs for years. People shouldn’t be critical of someone else for their interests. I saw you with Joe Mayo the other day and I am looking forward to him or Andy Nicholes doing an un-boxing review. It was cool to see you messaging with Sean Lennon. Hey if he can’t make it on your channel you could always invite me 😁 Anyway mate just to let you know I've ordered a great load music over the last few weeks. Along with Mind Games set, I’m waiting on Dave Bowie Rock ‘n’ Roll Star, Paul McCartney One Hand Clapping and The Yardbirds Live at the BBC Revisited. I’ve also got tickets for the Stones in July, so this is going to be one rockin’ summer! I feel like its 1973 and I’m 12 years old again 😁
Hi Bob, yes I also ordered the deluxe box and it will be great. Musical content is paramount. Will put you on the guest list bob but you have to know whether were ever gonna get STINYC 😂 I also cant wait to see the unboxing of the cube - those are gonna be long videos . Im also looking at Rock n Roll Star - ive been reading the review in this months Mojo - this I will pull the trigger on that having saved 1350 on the cube , Im quids in !!!
I disagree. Because anybody who buys one is buying it because they want it. Nobody who buys it is going to feel foolish about it because they want to own it.
@jimwalton2014 if they felt they were being ripped off they wouldny buy it. Youre not putting yourself in the mind set of the purchaser just in your own. If the box is worth double the price in 6 months , who’s the fool?
Don't Americans have to pay sales tax on top which would bump the price up Tony? And no to your question just over a grand for the top boxset is still too much!
Hi Tone The price difference is par for the course on lots of things. Golf clubs for instance . RIP off britain. Sorry cream can’t be bothered speaking. Hope he isn’t going out to buy lunch . That could be awkward. My unhappiness is that the artist feels the need to include unrelated stuff in a box that puts it out the price range of old geezers like me. And you. Us vinyl collectors would happily shell out £200 odd quid for the 6 pieces of vinyl. But it’s got to be 1350 quid for a map and a flag. I don’t even have a pole
I can't see them sending out commentary ultra box set to anyone. Because they only made 1100 but if they do I really hope you get one. If I had $1400.00 I would buy it in heartbeat. 😊
No i dont think they will be sending out freebies of this Frank. My channel doesnt have enough subs to get freebees anyway but some will probably get the deluxe set gifted. Yeah same here , if only ….
Now that Sean knows who you are and how sincere you are, he just might now put you on his gift list. You deserve it just as much as anyone. Very interesting video!
