music
 

 

Music Shops

Most national chains subject the customer to a highly amplified and endless barrage of rock muzak. For the classical music purchaser, even in the better music shops, such as the larger branches of Virgin and HMV, you will have to endure an assault of loud rock music to get to the relative quiet of the classical area, but these areas are often inadequately soundproofed and the noise from outside infiltrates these areas. For those who are interested in other types of music, such as jazz, world music, folk music, etc., there is no sanctuary. And there is no need for this assault - listening booths can be installed that allow customers to sample the music they are interested in buying in relative privacy.

Complain about this assault even if you have given up on these shops and you buy your CD's by mail order. Only in this way will these outlets realise that they are chasing away potential customers.

The Shops

HMV

A complaint can be sent to the company from its web site (click on Customer Services at the top of the page) at:

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

Click on Customer Service at the top of the page, then on “Mail Us” half way down the customer service page.

Virgin Megastores

You can telephone Customer Services on their dedicated phone line.

020 7299 0444 (lines open from 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday) or email customerservices@virginmega.co.uk

Or you can write to:

Customer Services
Virgin Megastores
PO Box 2889
London
W1A 5RL
 

Tower Records

Complain to:

Mts., Inc., Tower Records, 2500 Del Monte Street, West Sacramento, CA 95691. e-mail: feedback@towerrecords.com

The Noise Network

Val Weedon was awarded an MBE for her work against noise. In 1991 a noisy neighbour drove her to start the Right to Peace and Quiet Campaign. However, this organisation was eventually a victim of its own success, and they had no funds to cope with around 30,000 enquiries each year. She now heads The Noise Network, and its web site can be found on my links page.

Campaign Against TV/Radio Muzak

Superfluous music ruins many a TV and radio programme and this nuisance has worsened in recent years. So why not join Richard Tomalin's campaign by writing to: 52 Linden Close, Aldeburgh, Suffolk IP15 5JL. tel. 01728 452734. e-mail richard@tomalin.freeserve.co.uk