This is a rather common situation with dealing with distributors. I can guarantee you that every
small label out there has at least one or more of these stories. This situation is not limited to
Forced Exposure. I'm not going to mention any names to the list but if any labels want to contact
me directly to find out who in my experience has been shady feel free. As for getting a distributor
to pay upfront for releases, thats really not going to happen. Most have 60 to 120 day terms which
basically translates to twice that in actual days.
Rob
::::::Component Records:::::::
Box 783, Somers, Ct 06071
www.componentrecords.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <Aboredbowler@aol.com>
To: <idm@hyperreal.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2002 5:19 AM
Subject: [idm] forced exposure bogus business
quoted 100 lines sorry if this has already been discussed... don't know how recent this is,
> 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
>
>
>
>