sorry if this has already been discussed... don't know how recent this is,
buuut...
and if it's already been discussed and is a tired subject, please don't
bother other
listees with senseless rehashing of redundant information, but this is an
important
thing to be aware of:
www.forcedexposure.com
Mr. Jimmy Johnson
226 Lowel St. Somerville MA. 02143
fe@shore.net
This is a warning to other labels particularly, but also to consumers and
shops.
Forced Exposure owes Lucky Kitchen for almost 7 months now, over 1,500 US
dollars on three open invoices. Mr. Johnson has avoided our email and phone
contacts ( which we have regularly sent approximately 2 weeks apart for the
past 4 months). When we contacted him by phone 3 months ago, Mr. Johnson
actually hung up the phone in the middle of the conversation. The phonecall
went like this:
Lucky Kitchen" "hello, do you know when you can pay us for the open
invoices?"
Mr. Johnson: "No... is that all?"
Lucky Kitchen: "do you have anything you would like to tell us? Do you have
anything more to say?"
Mr. Johnson: "Not really..." click...
In a second phone call Mr. Johnson agreed to return all unsold LK CDs and
write a check for the balance within the week. This was over 1 month ago, and
he has ignored further communications leading us to fear the worst: he has
not intended to pay us since the beginning. Luckilly we stopped sending our
new CDs 4 months ago or he would have them for free as well.
Because we have dealt with certain distributors on the mistaken basis of
trust, we have learned the hard way how vicious the situation can become.
(The case of Dutch East India is fairly well known also, but at least they
were upfront with their business troubles and they try to be respectful.)
Let this be a general warning to all labels: DO NOT WORK WITH FORCED EXPOSURE
ON A TRUST SYSTEM. DEMAND PAYMENT UPFRONT OR RISK LOSING YOUR HARD WORK. We
have spoken to a dozen other labels who are also owed substantial sums of
money by Mr. Johnson (we have heard horror stories, but we should not talk
about this here). Most labels are too afraid to come forth because they
believe silence is the best way to stay on Mr. Johnson's "good side".
If Forced Exposure is, as it appears to be, a failing business, Mr. Johnson
owes it to be upfront with his business partners -- the labels, big and small
-- and to try to reach an accord of some sort. Since this is a basic business
structure (Mr. Johnson ordered CDs, we sent them, Forced Exposure sold them
on their website, they should then send us payment), it is clear that Mr.
Johnson's arrogance and disrespect for basic fair business policies sinks
below even our worst expectations. Also, since we are in Spain, our rights in
general are limited by lack of international trade standards: it seems Mr.
Johnson already knows this, probably from first hand experience.
CONSUMERS: Please do not buy Lucky Kitchen CDs from Forced Exposure because
they have been stolen from us. Please do not buy LK011 through LK015 from
U.S. shops either because Forced Exposure was the dealer supplying them.
(This notice DOES NOT include Anomalous Records who bought a small supply of
LK015, and have since distributed LK in the USA starting from LK016 and pay
ontime with great respect.)
SHOPS: Please return all your Lucky Kitchen CDs directly to us, and do NOT
pay Forced Exposure for them because they have been stolen from Lucky Kitchen
and FE are not entitled to this money. If you have already sold the CDs,
please do an accounting and pay us directly for them. We will work out a
discounted price with you.
EVERYONE: We realize that with the world situation as it is, most people do
not care about this message in the least, and we don't blame you. However,
please re-consider your relationship with Forced Exposure in regards to some
basic principals of artist's rights which seem to be too often disregarded.
Please forward to anyone to whom it may concern. We are not doing this just
for the money, because we will probably spend as much money taking Mr.
Johnson to court as he owes us. We are doing this to defend the rights of so
called "small labels" whom Mr. Johnson among others seem to think have no
rights. Please forward to anyone to whom it may concern.
Open letter to Jimmy Johnson:
We have made every attempt to be civil and upfront. In return, your behavior
is unacceptable and sad and we will not forget it. If you do not want Lucky
Kitchen CDs, please do not order them. After ordering them, you must pay for
them. In an attempt to rectify the situation, please send us full payment
immediately of all open Lucky Kitchen invoices and we will publicly
acknowledge your step to set right what you have done wrong. Otherwise, we
will come to Boston and call you into Small Claims Court, and continue
sending this message to warn people about your company.
Sincerely, Lucky Kitchen