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2020 Dubious Honors - The Worst of Preorders from Last Year

While it might not be the best idea to focus on topics that are an inherent beacon for negativity, it might be fun to nominate or "Worst Of" experiences for the year. What irked you the most about 2020 music preorders? Please stick to one topic, as I realize these could go into full blown rants.

Here are a few of my thoughts:

* Artists with all the time in the world to sign who just couldn't be bothered. Looking at you Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, etc.

* Big companies, poor customer service. UMG, Music Today, Live Nation, Warner - does anyone handle merch particulalrly well anymore?

* The United States Postal Service. I realize a pandemic wreaked havoc on an operation that was already barely acceptable, but there are decidedly other issues from within dismantling the USPS.

* Poor packaging, It's stunning sometimes to see how companies who handling these product lines exclusively still don't have the slightest clue (or care) about packing things with care.

Of course, more specific disappointments are welcome.

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Permalink Reply by Allginger on January 5, 2021 at 12:50pm

I’ve got a few earlier ones, not as bad as this but not JBJ style sig.

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Permalink Reply by damageinc777 on January 5, 2021 at 3:26pm

I just got the Tiffany 7" single in basically an envelope not a proper mailing box. So it was messed up but on top of that the seem was split because whoever handpacked it jammed it into the sleeve. On a side note another issue I have is when the record/cd/etc is dark and they use a black sharpie so it's hard to even see the autograph. I got a few this year like that. Silver, Copper, and Gold sharpies are super easy to find these days and maybe it's just me but it would make a whole lot more sense to use one of those.

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Permalink Reply by SigninginOH on January 5, 2021 at 10:17pm

Leslie Odom Jr was even worse on his Christmas signed CD. Couldn’t even really see it because black sharpie on black color basically

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Permalink Reply by Joe Botts on January 5, 2021 at 3:40pm

My Worst Preorder Autopens of 2020:

1. Mariah Carey (All I Want For Christmas CD)

2. Pretenders (Hate For Sale CD)

3. Justin Bieber (Yummy CD)

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Permalink Reply by mcnish on January 5, 2021 at 7:48pm

Still waiting on the Katy Perry 7" and Gaga cd, but the worst by far was Ozzy and them just flat out denying that they were autopened. That really made me sick to see them just lie and steal from lifelong fans. It's not like they need the $$.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Peel on January 6, 2021 at 5:43am

Ozzy unreal

But Bieber and ariana autos (even for charity was outrageous)

Ya gotta give massive thanks and a massive shout out to taylor swift for making 2 albums signing about a million copies of folklore (maybe an exaggeration) but thats one was to keep busy eh

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Permalink Reply by Cd swatch on January 6, 2021 at 2:31pm

Best for me was JOn Bon Jovi’s signature. That one was legit, had to shell out $50 to get from ebay cause I missed the pre-order.

Didn’t like Shawn Mendes’ drive by signature on Wonder (I think it was an “S”), but at least it shipped.

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Permalink Reply by damageinc777 on January 6, 2021 at 3:09pm

Yes I agree. Even though I am not a fan of T.S. I have to respect that she spent the lockdown working and keeping her fanbase happy. Anyone doing the auto pen at this point in time really shows what they think about theirs.

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Permalink Reply by kmansc on January 6, 2021 at 6:19pm

Sean Mendez' "S" signed CD was pretty bad, although I'll give him credit for actually signing them. He didn't charge a big premium for the signed CD and didn't use an autopen so I can't say this was dishonest or cheating. It's just a little disappointing.