NEED EVERYONE HELP HELP

[MBrevard]

Hi, guys! I've been thinking and thinking about this problem all day, since Meat's earlier posts.

I sent him a PM, but he hasn't had the chance to get it yet. So, I have unanswered questions.

If you read my post earlier today, I ordered extra singles from HMV UK online. They accepted my order, but when I clicked on the button to check on it, I was given the information that they had not gotten the product from the supplier yet.

I have a very strong feeling, since Meat was as adamant as he was today about getting the singles bought up, that both Presales and Orders that cannot be filled due to lack of product will NOT be counted! And that makes sense, if we think about it. On these orders, no money has yet changed hands even though credit card info has been taken. And since that's the case, there has been no actual sale. Does that make sense?

So, continuing to buy from these sellers who WILL have them soon--probably the 21st, since that's what we're hearing most--will NOT help Meat right now. Next week, they'll help him tremendously. I would imagine that because of all these extra sales, plus being rated #8 on Amazon's presale list, is going to send the numbers through the roof next week!!! But that's not what he needs right now in order to "enter in the Top Ten," which is what he wants to do so desperately (and most likely needs to do, with still no contract signed over here in the States--that's just a guess, but it makes sense).

Calling the big chains and companies who SHOULD be carrying it, to see if they are, IS important--not to pester them to get it ordered, really (we can do that NEXT week if they STILL don't have it ) but we need to know if ANY of the stores in their chain MIGHT have it now or if their online websites might also have it available.

What we need to do for Meat, from the way I am understanding it, is to buy up EVERY AVAILABLE CHSIB SINGLE IN THE COUNTRY and do it RIGHT NOW! And we have precious little time to do it in.

Does anyone out there know exactly what the cut-off is for a week's numbers? Is it Friday at 5 pm or 11:59 p.m.? Is it Saturday or Sunday?? We need to know what the timeframe is that we have to work with. There's SO much I don't know about how all this works, but want to...! And this is all complicated by the fact that it's Good Friday and some shops may close early...And some of the people who could normally help us here may not be available.

So we need to get organized. We need a plan to be able to work as a team. Working individually will help, certainly, but it won't get the major job done that is needed to truly help Meat. It's a large task we're taking on.

I've worked up a basic plan that I'd like to propose, and I'd like to get everyone's opinions on it. It's the middle of the night in the UK; only 9 p.m. here in California. We should try to get this all worked out, if we can, before the shops open in the morning. It is my great sadness never to have visited the UK, so could someone tell me when, typically, stores do open there? Is it 8 or 9 or 10?? And also, how late are shops usually open during the day? In other words, how much time do we have to work here? Perhaps it varies too much to say, but please give us all an idea--those of us who are outside the country.

Let me lay out my plan, so you can see what you think of it:

Based on what I've been reading from your posts, the smaller shops, in smaller areas are more likely to be carrying the CD single. Most of the bigger sellers just don't seem to have it. And some of those who do, won't ship outside the country, leaving those of us out here unable to help.

What we need is for everyone in the UK, who has the ability--and the time--to mark off as wide an area as possible, and call EVERY seller within that area to see if they have the CD. If they find someone who does, and they can purchase it, great! They should do it. If they find someone who does and they cannot go out and get it, for whatever reason, they should bring the information here to a new thread on the forum, so that either someone else in the UK can go and get it--or order it by phone. Or those of us outside the country can call and order it, IF the shop will ship overseas. If they will not ship, then perhaps it would be possible for us to buy the singles and have the person making the phone calls pick them up and then ship them to us. Either way, money changes hands and CDs get sold!

I mentioned in an earlier post that I called the Virgin Megastore on Oxford Street, since I had heard they did have copies for sale. But I was told they do not ship here--and that their website does not ship overseas, either. But if I had had someone there who would have been willing to pick them up and ship them to me, I would have happily bought what I could from this store.

You see. We'll have teamwork. Everyone plays an important part, and no one gets left out.

People phoning a certain area should send a message to the forum indicating what section of the country they are taking, so that we would not be overlapping--doing the same job more than once. If, yesterday, you already made calls in an area near you, post that, so, once again, we won't duplicate our efforts. (If any chain stores were involved in your calling and your found out that no store in that chain will have it, please post that quickly, so they can be avoided.)

Mariella (or anyone else who wants to do this job): If you are willing to make the phone calls to the larger chains, whose phone numbers were given here, and ask them if they are carrying it; if ANY of their stores are carrying it THIS WEEK, that would be a tremendous help. If they aren't carrying it, we can just cross them off the list for now. No need for anyone making phone calls around the country to call any of their stores. That will save some time. If they DO have it--somewhere in the chain--then, again, that will save some time. The stores in that chain should be called first. So, we need a clear posting of what each of these companies have to say, and everyone will know how to proceed.

And I guess that would work for those who are calling around the UK, as well. If YOU are dealing with a chain of stores, and find out they don't have it yet; ask if it is likely the other stores in that chain would not carry it, as well. Then come and post their answer here. So everyone will know to either avoid these stores or phone them quickly.

When you find shops that DO have them, and are unable to get them yourselves, come back here quickly and bring the following information:

Name of Shop
Address of Shop
Phone number
How many CDs available
Price of CDs
Whether they will ship outside UK
And if not, are you willing to pick them up and ship them to whoever does purchase them (if outside the country)

I know this is a huge task, friends. But Meat doesn't often ask for our help. We have to do the best we can. And I think, if you all like this plan and believe it's feasible, we can make it work. It will take close and constant communication, though, on everyone's part. So, you should post as often as you can with what you have found out in your area--especially if you DO find CDs in a certain place. Then, the rest of us out here, either in the UK or outside it, can work toward buying up what CDs we are able to.

That's my basic plan. I'm sure it can be improved upon. But I'd love your comments on it and if this is doable--if there are enough of us here to make it work. We really need enough people in the UK who are willing to make these calls--whether they can buy the CDs or not. We've got to find a way of locating all those that are available--and we must do it in the next day, day-and-a-half, or two, depending on when exactly the deadline is for making the Top Ten.

Meat, dear heart, if you're out there and reading this, please consider contacting Geri at the OIFC. I don't want to cause any problems or bad feelings between the various groups. I'm just thinking that the number of fans in the other group is large and they, too, could be set upon to help with this huge and difficult task. Geri now has the ability to send a quick email to everyone on her list that is connected to the net. And they can then join us in trying to help you. It cannot be a matter of 'groups' right now; we ALL must pull together, as your fans, if we're going to make this happen.

So, what do you think, guys? Is this plan workable? Can you improve upon it? Let's talk about it for the next several hours, but we do really need to have the plan, whatever it is, in place, before the shops begin to open in the UK.

Please write and share your thoughts. And if you want to be a part of this, then, say so and what you are able/willing to do to help!

I am a great believer in the power of people, especially those who are motivated. I believe that motivated people can accomplish anything they set their minds to. And of course, there is no greater example of that, than the person we all come here to be with every day!!!

Thanks, as always, for listening.

Love and peace to each of you!

[MBrevard]

I can't believe I'm posting again so quickly, friends. But I just received good news.

HMV UK must have gotten more CD singles in stock. Yay!!!

I got an email from them a few minutes ago saying that the 10 I ordered yesterday morning have been shipped!!

I think this is exciting news! Maybe some of the other sellers, like Amazon might begin to get their shipments in, too! Wouldn't that be terrific!!!!

Thanks again, Caryl, for sharing that info with all of us.

If you've been thinking about ordering extra singles from them for Meat, but were waiting until they got more in, now's the time!!

[mariella]

That's great news! Buy, buy, buy! Yes!

M.Brevard and everyone else in Meats 'army of love', we WILL makes this happen!
Have to go to work for a few hours, be back sooner then usual. Think in 5 or 6 hours time. Start calling/buying, please!!
I will join in as soon as I get back, will see if I can take the day of from work too.

The power of mind, with the right action, is so strong!

Great day to all of you,

Mariella

[The Flying Mouse]

Hi guys.
I've just rang 15 branches of HMV picked at randow throughout the UK.
I told them I was doing market research for Meat Loaf .
I asked them if they had the new single.if they said no,Iasked when are you supposed to have it.If they said yes,I asked if they were playing it in store.
The results...
Liverpool city centre-No-Suposed to have it the 14th.
Speke Park-Yes-Will you be playing it?Yes,if you want us too.
St Helens-Yes-Play?-Yes
Chester-Yes-Play?-Yes.
Warrington-Yes-Play?-No.
Bolton-Yes-Play?-No
Manchester Trafford Park-Yes-Play?-No.
Preston-Yes-Play-Yes.
Manchester W1 centre-Yes-Play?No.
Blackpool-Yes-Play?-Yes
London Oxford St-No answer.
Birmingham-Yes-Play?-Don't know.
Sheffield high street-No-When-Suposed to be the 14th.
Cardiff-Yes-Play-Don't know.
Glasgow Union St-Yes-Play?-No.

As HMV is probibilly the biggest music retailer in the UK,try some branches yourself.Go to their website,and go to store finder in the left hand column.Type in a city and a list of branches comes up.Click on one and you'll get the phone number.
Do what I did,tell them you're doing market research(they pay more attention).If they have it ask if their playing it in store,as you see,in one case they were willing to start playing it if requested.More promo for Meat.
Right,gotta run to town for my copies .
Later .

[dottie]

No Middlesex yet - same answer to me -

[mariella]

I have been calling and mailing all these numbers here.
Seems like HMV is the only big chain in the UK who has the single in their stores.
They wouldn't give me numbers on their stock for online-sales, but they did tell me a lot of Americans were buying lots of singles!!
Also said the moment they ship the cd, is the moment of sale. So, I would really like to know just how much time we have left!
Does anyone have the number for Universal?
I hope some of the smaller stores will also have the single, can anyone give me a few names, please? Will also try the yellow pages!
Be back soon, keep up the good work!

Mariella

[MBrevard]

Hey, Mariella--Well, that's good news/bad news, isn't it. It great that at least one big chain has them available both online and in their stories. It's one place all the people here can go and help Meat out. Good news about American sales. We are doing our bit, even if we're a few thousand miles away. Hope someone will respond to your other questions. I did a lot of searching online yesterday, with little luck. But online sites--smaller ones--might be a lot slower to pick up the new releases. I don't know.

Dottie, did the shops you contact in your area tell you if they've gotten their daily deliveries yet or will that take place later in the day? If it's later, the single might still show up. I don't know how things work in your country. But here, businesses often get late truck deliveries of their products.

And Flying Mouse: What a great idea! Loved it!! But let me ask you--does it seem like more stores DO have the single today than we were seeing yesterday? The list you got had a LOT of 'yes' answers. That is the best news of all.

Here's hoping that the people coming to the forum today in those particular areas will head down to the stores to buy their extra copies to help Meat AND put in a request to have it played!! You're right! That's a great way to get the song heard, so more folks will buy it!!

I'm going to go check with Amazon and see if maybe they got theirs in! With Meat's Presales being #8 or so on their list, wouldn't it be wonderful to have all those shipped out by the end of the week?!! That would be a boost!!

I'll let y'all know what I find out!! Talk with ya later...

[sherrie87]

I'm off to work in a quarter hour (it's 7:30 AM here in the States), but I will be contacting record stores via email all day, as well as buying what I can from UK sources online. We have got to do this for Meat! I wonder, is there any way for us to find out the sales numbers at the end of the week?

Sherrie

[mariella]

Hi there,
Virgin: no online single stock.
MVC: no single
Woolworth: no single
MVC: no single

Really seems to me that HVM stores and online-buying is the best option.

And ofcourse local recordstores!!

Cannot find the number for Universal in London, called Holland, they gave me a wrong number.

I want to know just where they are selling this single!

Great day to you!

Mariella

[Puritan]

Just to report in from my town

First thing this morning, the single was in a couple of independents and unlike yesterday in Our Price. Not in HMV first thing but I did some other shopping and when I checked an hour later it had just come in and there was a whole row of them under the "New Releases" section. It appears to finally be getting there. Pleased to say no one in my town who wants to will have any trouble buying it today

[mariella]

Is the date on amazone.co.uk still the 21th? I think it is.

Mariella

Please, needs names of local stores! (Live in Holland)
Or tell me just HOW to find them please.

[MBrevard]

Hi, Sherrie! You know, that's an interesting question. I'd like to know what it takes to get a single into the Top Ten--what kind of figures are we talking about?? There's SO much I don't know about all this, but want to...

Sherrie, let us know what you find out through your email search. Okay?

I just checked with Amazon UK and sadly, they still have the single as being released on April 21st!!

Hi, Puritan :) : Well, you've brought terrific news! The single IS getting out there today! I'm sure Meat's going to be pleased--or is it, relieved?!! I hope other folks are finding it to be the same in their towns!!!

What a mess for him! Whoever did this--whoever created such a nightmare--deserves to have his butt kicked when this week is over!!! Any takers???

[JulesB]

Yes, Mariella amazon is still listing April 21 for the single. The good news is in the last hour the sales ranking went from 1247 to 565! The album is also listed as April 21 and it's sales ranking is 4! I checked HMV and it is still listing the single as will be shipped when stock is available.

Jules

[mariella]

Thank you, happy to hear sales are going great!
I am off to HMV online to buy my share of singles.
Have never used my creditcard ever, so it might take a while...But I can do this!

Mariella

[MBrevard]

Hey, Mariella! Believe me! They make it WAY too easy to use a credit card. You won't have any problems!!

Hi, Jules! I know I owe you a letter. Sorry. Will write soon. How amazing that sales jumped THAT much in ONE hour!! But why are people going to Amazon when the singles won't be shipped until AFTER the 21st, I wonder? That won't help Meat right now. Wish we could get the word out...but I don't know how.

However, NEXT week's numbers are certainly going to be incredible!!!

Jules, where do you see those figures at Amazon? I don't know where to look.

Whooee, we're rolling today!!!

[jcmoorehead]

Unfortunetly i havnt been able to get hold of any yet. but i'll keep trying. I'm a bit short on money and i only have enough for the album next week. But as I said i'll try my best.

[The Flying Mouse]

Latest from Liverpool...
W H Smith-No idea when they'll have it,but some people have been asking about it.
HMV-The assistant in the shop told me that the guy who buys the singles for that branch said the single had been put back to 21st April.Cretin .
Tesco-Said they don't sell singles.
Woolworths-Didn't have a clue .
Music Zone-Don't sell singles.
Virgin Megastore-YYYYYEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!
HAPPY MOUSE
I bought seven copies.Hope that's ok Meat.
I went back to HMV and W H Smith and showed them .I said if anybody asks for it you can get it at Virgin Megastore.

As for kicking that guy from the record companys butt.To quote a Meat song,Take A Number .

Keep goin' guys.Let's do this for the big guy.

[jcmoorehead]

Hmm Tesco suck! If that woolworths doesnt have it in I know the one near me won't and as for my local asda well theres more chance of finding a gold brick in there then Meats Single. BTW I live in a town called Billingham

B-I-L-L-I-N-G-H-A-M

Near Middlesbrough in the north east of england. In a place called Teeside!

[mariella]

Way to go, Flying Mouse!

I am so sorry but I seem to have the wrong creditcard and am not able to buy anything from HMV. Called customer-services about it, they told me I need another card
Sorry, but my income isn't enough to get another card..
Wanted to buy lots and lots. Very depressing.

So, I will just keep making phonecalls!

You are doing a great job here, keep up the good work!

Mariella

[original sin]

Ok my update.
just brought the last copy at a local independant retailer. He wouldn't say how many he'd ordered but did say he'd had no problems obtaining copies in time.
My HMV have 5 left I'm off to buy them shortly. Have spoken with HMV customer service who state that the problem with the supplies is due to the record company changing the release date therefore HMV placed their order late. DUH excuse me but if they had an order anyway wouldn't it carry over to the new date???? I'm waiting for a phone call back to see if they can say what stores have copies left, will post if I get the info.
Woolworths...OMG lord help me......didn't have a clue about the single. have phoned their customer support team tel: 01706 862789 who tell me that they only stock 50 singles...where as other companies stock 100+ and get this they aim and the 12 year old market...WELL EXCUSE ME!! my 12 year old son has brought the thing with me....they were brought up on Meat Loaf if not conceived to him(music of couse)...lol but that's a different story.
LOCAL RADIO......one station tells me its not on their playlist therefore cant play it...i offered to drop the single off to them! they will only play it when its in the charts....I have the name of the playlist editor for another station who is gonna get a phone call when she's out of a meeting in the next half hour.

PHEW......I'm exhausted.....LOL

Meat I hope you can see how much we all love ya! xxxx

[jcmoorehead]

BTW Im sorry i havnt been able to get hold of any so far. But i have provided quite a few phone numbers. I hope you all still relise i am a massive fan of meat loaf and i tried my best Also is there any other information you may require as I will look for anything I have already provided information on Tesco, Asda, Woolworths so anything else needed?

[The Flying Mouse]

I knew i'd forgoten a couple of things.
I asked Virgin when they actually got the single,they said Monday(WOW somebody actually got it on time).
Asda didn't have it.I asked,if I drop a copy into you would you play it in the store?Unfortunatly,they couldn't do it,because all the music is done at head office and basically played live at all their branches.Shame,that could have been great exposure.
JCM,don't give up man.As we've seen with HMV,some branches have it others don't.Get the number and give them a call.You've got nothing to lose .

Keep going everyone.
Let's do this for the big guy.

[MBrevard]

Hi, JC. Listen, don't you worry about it. The big thing is you've been trying, which is more than others are doing. And as for being short of cash, well, there isn't a single one of us here who doesn't understand what that's like! Hey, even Meat understands that one, you know?!!

What you can do is to keep checking in your area for the singles. Puritan wrote earlier that he went to one store and they didn't have it, then went back an hour later and it was there. So, shops are still getting deliveries and stocking the shelves.

And when you DO find them in your area, come here and post where they are so that others who live near you will know where to go to get them.

Okay??

I think everyone here will agree you've been doing a great job of helping here!!

[CarylB]

My original order from HMV.com arrived this morning, and the next batch is on its way :)

I was struck by just what exceptional value both the single and the album represent. £2.99 for a "single" which has 4 tracks including a video, and £9.99 for an album with 12 new tracks plus additional tracks and 3 videos ..my visitor this morning was amazed!

Superb vfm at any time .. and for Meat LOaf just amazing .. though not surprising. His last release The Best Of was exceptional value too.

Don't forget ..
if you can't find it in a store .. complain and then go to:

http://www.hmv.co.uk/

Search meatloaf, then at top of second page make your selection!!

Caryl

[jcmoorehead]

Well im gonna go down to my local town now. The only problem is there isnt a HMV Near here i have to go quite far for one. Anyway i'll try and get as many as i can. So i'll report back in about half an hour!