Contact RMGI Before It's Too Late

[jpmorris]

Do you think they're in danger of taking a loss with the price they've set? Are you kidding?

I have no idea, and frankly, nor do you. That's the thing - we don't know how much it cost RMGI to take on the EMTEC product line.

It may be that RMGI simply bought the specs for the formulation and modified their existing tape coating machinery for cassettes, videotape or whatever it is their product line was before. In which case they might be price-gouging as people here seem to believe, but they might also be getting reamed by the shipping costs. It is far, far cheaper to send things from the US to the UK than the other way around - work that one out This may or may not apply to the Netherlands as well.

That's if they just bought the rights, the patents and the formulation. But if they had to buy new premises and the old AGFA/BASF machinery it may well be that they have large upfront costs which need to be recovered. I for one would be happy to pay more in order to have a supply of 1/2" tape.

I'd agree that they should perhaps be targetting the home users more aggressively. I'm going to buy SOS (which isn't such an interesting read for me anymore) and see if they're advertising in it. If not, perhaps they should - brand awareness for the home recording market would be useful to them and I might suggest that if I decide to flip them an email.
But without knowing the specific financial situation of the company, I'm not going to write some storming letter demanding that they lower their prices.

 

[MCI2424]

I have no idea, and frankly, nor do you. That's the thing - we don't know how much it cost RMGI to take on the EMTEC product line.

It may be that RMGI simply bought the specs for the formulation and modified their existing tape coating machinery for cassettes, videotape or whatever it is their product line was before. In which case they might be price-gouging as people here seem to believe, but they might also be getting reamed by the shipping costs. It is far, far cheaper to send things from the US to the UK than the other way around - work that one out This may or may not apply to the Netherlands as well.

That's if they just bought the rights, the patents and the formulation. But if they had to buy new premises and the old AGFA/BASF machinery it may well be that they have large upfront costs which need to be recovered. I for one would be happy to pay more in order to have a supply of 1/2" tape.

I'd agree that they should perhaps be targetting the home users more aggressively. I'm going to buy SOS (which isn't such an interesting read for me anymore) and see if they're advertising in it. If not, perhaps they should - brand awareness for the home recording market would be useful to them and I might suggest that if I decide to flip them an email.
But without knowing the specific financial situation of the company, I'm not going to write some storming letter demanding that they lower their prices.

Good post, and I have seen RMGI doing some heavy advertising. I just bought 2 reels of 1/2" tape and the price is the same as Quantagy was (if you shop around). RMGI IS trying to reach customers but it also is up to us to buy and leave the used tape market alone. Old tape is old tape and new tape is only gonna be new if we buy it and they have a reason to continue to make new tape.

 

[Beck]

They aren’t taking a loss! No one is expecting anyone to give anything away. We are expecting them NOT to take advantage of the situation, which would in the long run mean the end of them and new tape.

Go back and read what I’ve already posted starting at the beginning, because I’ve made it quite clear in plain English why I started this thread in the first place. It’s possibly the most uncontroversial thread I’ve every started.

Some (at least one) seem to be purposely “misunderstanding” and taking statements out of context for sport. None of us on this forum are that bored. Others simply don’t understand. They aren’t able to look at the sky and discern the weather, until it starts raining… and some wouldn’t even know it then.

A business needs feedback… they are blind without it. So go tell them you think they should charge more if you want.

The current pricing schedule was set by Quantegy. It will fail. For RMGI to reference it for their pricing is betrayal.

Stop treating these companies as saints or something and have some balls.

When a business receives feedback on quality, pricing or service they will do all they can to address the issues and that’s all they can do. That’s all we’re asking.

Speaking of which... Hats off for those that have already contacted RMGI or are planning to.

 

[Good Friend]

sick ass

Its a sick ass sad ass day when i agree with MCI, but i say stop buying old tapes off ebay.

 

[Beck]

Its a sick ass sad ass day when i agree with MCI, but i say stop buying old tapes off ebay.

Don't worry, it's other way 'round... MCI is agreeing with us, what I've been saying about old tapes on eBay since I've been a member here. So, you're off the hook.

 

[Dr ZEE]

They aren’t able to look at the sky and discern the weather, until it starts raining… and some wouldn’t even know it then.

until it falls out of the mouth of those who know "the sky" far better than you, Those who are paid to know.

In modern age those who are paid to know are not those who know, but rather those who paid to know and consequentially are paid "back" upon presentation of the receipt of their payment in the form a "certificate of degree".

Also I personally would guess that they (those who "know", that is) would not give a smelly chunky piece out of a rat's a$$'s about letter's from friendly and concerned customers . I may be wrong. So God Bless those who writes.

"...we are living in an age of incompetence at the highest levels."
Yes we are.
...and so it shall RAIN! Big time!
...and so it does.

 

[jpmorris]

I simply don't know if the price increase is malicious. It might be, but I would like to think in terms of 'innocent until proven guilty'.
For one, did RMGI explain why there was a price increase?

Perhaps I'm just fond of them because they got back to me - a year after I asked, but heck, they remembered - when I asked about UK suppliers, but I'd like to think they know what they're doing.

It's possible there is a perfectly sound explanation. They don't make the stuff out of thin air, after all - for all we know the firm who supplies the backing tape increased their prices. Something like that happened to Quantegy as I recall.

Without knowing their profit margins we are in the dark. Nonetheless, I shall be watching their prices carefully to see if they rise here. So far they haven't - which is perhaps suspicious in and of itself, although it might lend credence to the exchange rate theory I outlined a few days ago.

I just don't like jumping to conclusions...

 

[Beck]

I like the people at RMGI I've dealt with as well. They sent me free tape to review last year and were very responsive. But that’s why I know they can be reached and seem reasonable… at least the people I dealt with then.

I’m not asking people to phone in bomb threats or cuss them out.

Like many threads, the reframing of the subject by trolls or just genuine idiots blurs the original intent. It’s not nearly as difficult as some people are making it.

I don't want to see them blow it. It will mean the end for them too.

In the case of Quantegy they started out well. But behind the scenes key people left or were terminated and assholes gained the upper hand.

 

[SteveM]

I actually did contact RMGI about a month ago, to see about selling tape. It was sort of just a curiosity thing, it's not something I've ever done before. I told them it was because I knew of the demand for tape and how seemingly invisible it was. They got back saying they were pretty much covered for the US. Which seemed kind of weird to me. But at least I got to say those few things.

I've never bought used tape. Just don't like the idea of it. But, if it was a little cheaper I would buy more and be a little freer with experimenting. that's something they should consider. I can't say myself whether the prices are justified either. I tend to think they sorta picked up from were Quantegy left off and boosted it a little more.

 

[Dr ZEE]

I've never bought used tape. Just don't like the idea of it.

Same here. I've got some used and nos reels in the past that happen to be in the "package" with used gear though , and I've sold those reels for good , and keep some as fun "historical items" in the collection of vintage 'junk'.

...if it was a little cheaper I would buy more and be a little freer with experimenting.

Same here. More to say, I actually bought more new tape than I ever may need. Also it's hard to know whether or not I'll need it, that's why I've bought more than I need . If it was cheaper I would simply buy more of "more than I need".

btw, I did not vote no crap for no crap. I've just bought bunch of tape that I need and tape that I don't need and propably never will. that's all.
apparently, in my case "voting with wallet" (if that is what it was, which was not ) has not proven itself well as an "economic panacea", as the company I "was voting for" (which I was not), took the cash with shiny smile on its face and invested it all into f*ng Black My stinking A$$ Diamond.

And so it shall sink.

One can preach primitive stone age formula of economy all night long doin' it slow till want no'mo', But it has nothing to do with modern reality.
When you give up a buck you simply have no way to know who or what you "vote for", you can fantasize that you know. however, if it make you feel better.

btw, there's an element of beauty in 'sinking', one just has to be able to see it .


/later

 

[SteveM]

Wow, what an awesome painting that is. I rather think they're goint to survive. But, we'll never know.

 

[cjacek]

Hey, I say give RMGI a shout anyway, 'cause ya never know. They may indeed listen. Fair enough ? Okay!

 

[cjacek]

Ok, lets set aside the costs of tape for a second and pretend you're the marketing head guy over at RMGI... What would you suggest as a strategy to bring tape to as many people as possible, something realistic and cost effective? I personally would recommend someone from marketing perusing sites such as this one, joining in discussions / educating and taking into account the fact that arguably the biggest user base are the home / semi-pro recordists with their 1/4" and 1/2" track decks, for the most part. Those are the folks RMGI needs to cater to especially. Case in point, take a look at this 1983 TASCAM print ad. (I hope you can make out the small print).

 

[MCI2424]

Ok, lets set aside the costs of tape for a second and pretend you're the marketing head guy over at RMGI... What would you suggest as a strategy to bring tape to as many people as possible, something realistic and cost effective? I personally would recommend someone from marketing perusing sites such as this one, joining in discussions / educating and taking into account the fact that arguably the biggest user base are the home / semi-pro recordists with their 1/4" and 1/2" track decks, for the most part. Those are the folks RMGI needs to cater to especially. Case in point, take a look at this 1983 TASCAM print ad. (I hope you can make out the small print).

RMGI is well aware or the home recording croud. It takes less than 15 seconds to do a web search to find a source to buy from. Once people actually start buying, and RMGI sees many more orders for 1/4" or 1/2" tape and declining orders for 1" and 2" tape, they will figure it out pretty quickly.

Quantagy put tons of money and resources to actually making tape for a market that *seemed* to be there. They tried and deemed there is no market beyond boutique. They shut down. If RMGI is not sustained by *us* then *we* have no one to blame but *us*.


I say the best medicine is to kill the eBay and used tape markets and support the new tape market. Maybe Quantagy will be back. Who knows.

 

[famous beagle]

Ok, lets set aside the costs of tape for a second and pretend you're the marketing head guy over at RMGI... What would you suggest as a strategy to bring tape to as many people as possible, something realistic and cost effective? I personally would recommend someone from marketing perusing sites such as this one, joining in discussions / educating and taking into account the fact that arguably the biggest user base are the home / semi-pro recordists with their 1/4" and 1/2" track decks, for the most part. Those are the folks RMGI needs to cater to especially. Case in point, take a look at this 1983 TASCAM print ad. (I hope you can make out the small print).

Hmm ... I'm not sure I'd agree that the biggest use of analog is the home user. I don't know for sure, but since digital is so damned cheap, I think the number of home analoggers (just made that one up! at least, I've never heard it) is dwindling.

I dunno ... I hope not, but it seems that the majority of new kids that are getting into recording are already so well versed in computers (AND used to the ease of editing, file transferring, etc.), they seem to migrate toward that with regards to recording as well.

And this isn't just the trend with recording either. It's the same with all these damned modelling amps. It makes my skin crawl when I hear some kid talking about how great his Line 6 or Johnson amp is, and when you tell them something like "yeah but you really need to hear what an old tweed bassman or blackface deluxe reverb sounds like when you crank it," they say "no no no, look, I've got it right here ... see ... the American 412 model is from the tweed bassman!"

Anyway, I HOPE that more youngsters are tempted to go with analog, because I think that could be the difference in whether or not the technology does stay alive. The number of cassette 4-tracks available now is dwindling, and soon I bet those will be phased out completely as well.

 

[Flangerhans]

I completely agree that it is vital to the continuation of tape to make it more attractive to small home recordists. This is why pricing is crucial. There are very few new machines available, and those are prohibitively expensive. Should the actual media also become either difficult to obtain or priced out of reach, we will see the end of it's viability for the small user.
The best way to get new adherents to the mylar and rust way is to demonstrate to them how good it is. Prosletyzing is not an action I take to well, but it's important to us all right now to get as many new folks to get their hands on a tape machine as possible. Does anyone here have any ideas as to how to spread the word?

 

[Dr ZEE]

What would you suggest as a strategy to bring tape to as many people as possible...

...and make profit.
Here's a "strategy":
Make great tape. - (piece of cake )
Package that great tape in two fashions:
Fashion A: Analog Recording Tape on the reel in the box. No Special Labels.
Fashion B: Professional Analog Recording Tape on Professional Reel in Professional Box. All labeled with big "PRO".
Sell "Fashion A" tape at low price and keep it low.
Sell "Fashion B" tape at high price and do all pricing up experiments with it as you wish.
Take extra profit from selling "Fashion B" tape and invest it into Mass Propaganda about greatness of "Fashion A" tape., and I mean MASS-Propaganda.
Don't waste cash and time on traditional commercial channels such as commercial TV, Radio, Print Press. Be creative and use "New Meadia"
Give away some cool "Free Gifts" for customers who buys "Fassion A" tape. People love cool free gifts. Do something like Maxwell House Coffe does. Have you seen their new can yet? The coffe is the same. The key to the hearts and minds is the can. You see. So make those boxes "collectable" again.
Collect 2000 points and get this special new limited addition LP free.
If a deal with David and co. does not work out, then try to team up with something like coffee maker. Buy ten reels and get free coffee.
Or how about this: buy ten reels of analog tape and get 100 FREE new releases mp3-songs downloads. Now, that would be a real bomb, would not it?
**********
food for the brain:
"On the day when the last internal combustion engine production line was shut down the gasoline production and distribution business has become slightly rougher and bumpier ride."

 

[Dr ZEE]

here's what their site is "made of":
**********

<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" />
<meta name="description" content="RMG International has the EMTEC production know-how, formulations and patents">
<meta name="keywords" content="RMG, RMGI, RMG international, analoog, analog, analogue, broadcast, coating, master, band, recording, reel, studio, bias, magnetic, emtec, tape, video, cassette, cassettes, VHS, videotape, pancake, recordable media, recordable media group, audio tape, video tape, studio tape, video cassettes, duplicator, audio duplicator tape, tapes, audio tapes, broadcasting tapes, broadcasting, E-15, E-120, E-60, E240, E-180, duplicating, FE 60, FE 110, fe plus, fe-plus, ferro, ferro plus, studio master, master tape, profeassional audio, audio broadcast, SM 900, SM 911, SM 912, SM 468, PER 528, PER 368, PM 973, PM 974, PM 975, VM 950, VM 952, VM 953, paint production, cutting, calendering, AES, audio engeneering, studio tape, analogue audio">
<title>RMGI - Recordable Media Group International</title>
<style type="text/css">
<!--
body {
	margin-left: 0px;
	margin-top: 0px;
	margin-right: 0px;
	margin-bottom: 0px;
}
-->
</style>
<noscript><h1>RMG International has the EMTEC production know-how, formulations and patents. </h1>Former EMTEC key personnel is assisting in Oosterhout in order to maintain the EMTEC standards. Following the installation of the EMTEC equipment and positive results of comprehensive studies on availability of the necessary raw materials, RMG International started prototype coating for audio pancake tape and is now preparing for studio tape.</noscript>
</head>
</head>

<body scroll="no">
<iframe src="http://www.rmgi.eu" name="ifrTop" height="100%" width="100%" scrolling="auto" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="yes"></iframe>
</body>
</html>

*************
I am sure that it was designed by a person with enough sertificates of degree to entirelly wallpaper a nice king size bathroom.
we are living in the age of waht?
*************
Try to Google for "Buy Analog Tape" and you'll find that the one and only analog tape producer on the planet is nowhere to be found.
You can even try Google for "EMTEC-RMGI" and you will more likely hit a topic on homerecording.com/bbs or maybe couple of vendor's sites, but no luck with hitting the "mothership". Not a bloody chance.
*************
"...we are living in an age of incompetence at the highest levels." ~Beck

eBay IS the largest analog gear and accessories market, so here's a tip for RMG International (In-ter-na-ti-o-nal!, but of course )

 

[cjacek]

Doc, I think the eBay banner thing is a brilliant idea. Really.

Everytime I do a TASCAM / TEAC or TASCAM REEL search, for example, something usually pops up above, on that big banner, like "TASCAM VINTAGE MANUALS" or "TASCAM PARTS" etc ...... It never fails to get my attention.

 

[cjacek]

BTW, nice authentic touch there, Doc

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