Well, there is an argument that they had been underpriced. Now they are on a par with Chad, Mofi, RTI pressed stuff etc. - and I would say the stuff they put out is much more interesting, and they pay for licensing and new mastering, while Chad charges those prices for recycling old lacquers in many cases. And Chad owns the pressing plant.
However, having said that in their defence, I won't be carrying on with Classics pressed at GZ. I understand that VMP had no choice - to keep on a monthly schedule, RTI could not fulfill, and Chad has closed up QRP to outside orders while he pumps out his own older stuff ad infinitum.
I would expect VMP to go back to RTI eventually for Classics if possible, but until then, it pretty must has to be something amazing for me to buy it.
The economic environment is not good and the outlook worse. Inflation driven by Covid was inevitable, and the resulting breakdown of supply chains has made it worse. I am seeing in stores all type of manufacturers who have also indiscriminately taken advantage of this to make unwarranted price hikes. Gas is way up - and heading way, way more up. This has direct impact on vinyl. With the breadbasket of Ukraine being decimated by a Nazi, food is going up - way up. The unwillingness of the world to deal with Climate Change is impacting insurance costs, food costs, housing and being past the point of no return will imact supply as well. Covid has not gone away - that will have further impacts.
Costs will go up. In my situation, it simply makes me more attentive to what I buy, and why, and that means less records and better records. No place for inbetweeners.
