I have two copies of a particular CD. They are identical, except one has a "For Promotional Use Only" stamp on the front cover of the booklet. In all other respects they are both in mint condition (no notches or punches, no stamps on the disc, etc.) Which would you prefer to keep, and why?

[Note to Jimbo: I already know your answer is "both." ]

i like having promo's, i don't know why for sure, but it probably goes back to hearing at one time that the promo's were the first discs pressed.

i don't know if it was true then or if it is true now.

renny

If the warning is stamped or printed on the booklet, I prefer a promo. I did back in the days of vinyl too--just a personal preference, I don't think it enhances the collector's value (although promo white-label LPs are usually an exception). But it the promo warning is a sticker on the booklet or inlay card, I'm less thrilled.

But really, both. (Don't wanna disappoint Ven!)

Personally, I don't care. Being in the business, I have noticed that in the days of vinyl most collectors preferred promos. Today, it appears to be the opposite; although ebay has created a difficult situation in that they or the labels will potentially end any cd listed marked as a promo. My solution is to expand the meaning of the generic term "cutout".

But even without that, my perception is that most hard core cd collector's prefer non promo markings unless an item is promo only. Advance promos especially tend to lose all their value the moment the real release hits the street.

I think the appeal of promo copies is that, because the normal customer shouldn't have them, they are some how special. And since the sticker often says that the disc belongs to the label and they could ask for them back, maybe it's the appeal of having something that doesn't belong to you.

I'm not really interested in owning a promo version of a CD just for the sake of owning the promo version of that CD. Promo releases that are somehow unique, such as a sampler CD for a boxed set, do tend to tempt me, but prices for these discs tend to very hugely--I've purchased promos for $8 that I've seen on the internet for over $100. My all-time favorite promo is the "Six Sides Of Janis" boxed set sampler, which features the famous nude Joplin photo on the cover, but the disc itself is redundant.

Indeed, I live in fear of the day that a posse comes pounding on my door, shouting "We're from the record companies, and we want our promos back!"

I don't MIND buying a promo copy of a CD as long as I am aware of that fact prior to the purchase.

For me, a CD with a cutout on the spine is worth less for two reasons. The tray insert is damaged. And morally it bugs me to buy a "retail" product which was given away by the record company. (Not sure why that issue bothers me; I generally don't give a damn about people screwing the RIAA.)

The obvious exception is the (pre-release) promo version which features different songs/mixes than the commercial release.

Thanks for all the input, guys. Since there's nothing special about the promo copy at all except that gold stamp on the booklet, I guess I'll stick with the standard issue.

Good luck for that posse trying to find them in your vast collection, Herr Jimbo.

2 points:

1. Back in the days of vinyl, one big advantage to a white label promo was that it was likely made from first pressings from a given stamper & as such was likely to sound much better then a later pressing when the stamper was starting to wear out.

2. Regarding cutouts, the majority of cd's with slices are NOT promos. When a record label deletes or liquidates overstock of a title, they often put a punch or slice in the cover or jewel box to prevent returns for full credit by unscrupulous retailers who have bought it for 30-80% off regular wholesale from a legitimate wholesaler who purchased the cutout title for pennies on the dollar honestly & legally from the record company. Often, this is the only way to acquire a brand new out of print item, & the cd is usually significantly marked down in price at retail. It doesn't harm the record or cd. This dates back to the days of vinyl.

Sometimes the record company will also put a punch in a promo item for the same reason. I've found these are USUALLY a punch in the barcode, rather then a slice in the case; though some legitimate cutouts also will have a punch in the barcode.

Wow...Just poking through my collection here and realized that my copy of the Monkees 1996 comeback CD "Justus" is indeed stamped "FOR PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY. SALE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS PROHIBITED. MUST BE RETURNED ON DEMAND OF RECORDING COMPANY".

Kinda makes an otherwise lame CD seem kind of...badassed. The "forbidden fruit", if you will.

Believe it or not, for completists, even the new CDR promos (given the cache of being called ACETATES to make them seem more valuable) go for ALOT. But you've got to sell them quickly - it's usually the really nerdy hardcore fans who go ape for these things.

IME, the EMI discs that have a promo disclaimer screened onto the disc are popular promos. Advance discs are popular too, despite not having full artwork and the like. But it's all about WHO the artist is - an advance CDR of say, the Beatles remasters would go for some big bucks!

If it's any consideration, you'll likely find that the stamped version (again, all other things being equal) is worth less at sale...