Fopp or Flopp? (Fopp)

Member Name: jamiemchale

Product:	Fopp
Date:	03/01/02 (1954 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap!, Pleasant!, Did I mention Cheap!

Disadvantages: Few stores in the country

I like buying music. I regularly browse local music stores, whether they’re large chain stores such as HMV or Virgin, to little second hand music shops – Looking for bargains. I live in the west end of Glasgow – Luckily there is a Fopp store close by, Byres Road to be precise; A stones throw from Hillhead underground station (turn right out of the station), and about 2 minutes from the main university campus…There are other Fopp stores in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Leamingtom Spa, Nottingham, Bristol and Sheffield.

Why do I like Fopp? Why do I think Fopp is the best thing since monkeys? Because its practically one of the best CD buying experiences you can have on a regular basis, and here’s why:

Ok, the main thing to consider when shopping for CDs, aside from the music itself is the price of the thing. Buying the latest offering from your favourite band feels a whole lot better the less moo-lah you have to part with. Fopp is “independently owned” according to the labels on their bags etc. This (apparently) means that they can offer you the prices that wholesale offers, whilst still maintaining store individuality = Your CDs are cheaper = mint!

There are many offers to be had in Fopp. They have several ranges of CDs at £3, £5, £7 and £10.
Three quid doesn’t get you a lot these days, you probably pay slightly more just to eat lunch in a fast food joint – However, in Fopp a limited range of special CDs can be yours. These are generally one-off bulk bargains – Greatest hits, classic recordings, compilations, box sets etc. Not to everyone’s taste, but a damn good buy if you find something you like.
For a whole fiver a great range of CDs can be yours; These include oldies, classic type rock, the indie stuff that was around in the early 90’s, right up to the slightly older offerings from the back catalogue of current bands. For example, CDs I have bought at this pr
ice include those from Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden, Oasis, Dandy Warhols etc. There is quite a wide range to choose from. One of the most surprising was the winter special of the new “Iowa” from Slipknot.
£7 can also get you quite a bit; These are generally EPs and slightly more current CDs. Ash’s “Trailer” EP, Green Day “Warning” are some that I’ve seen.
A full “brown note - £10”, will get you a good range of current chart CDs. Not all chart CDs are priced like this, however, if you regularly check out the Fopp store you’re likely to be able to pick up most new releases at this great price (compared to the £13-15 you pay regularly).

As for the rest of the CDs in store, the prices can vary. Generally speaking, those CDs that are not on the special offer shelves (of which there are many) return to their regular high-street price, maybe a couple of pence under, not much to make a drastic difference to your wallet. That said, the prices for the “special £3, £5, £7 and £10 offers” can hardly be beaten by any other major store.

There is a wide range of styles catered for in my Fopp store. I’m mainly into Rock, Metal, Indie and alternative music, including the “old classics” of rock from the 70s etc. There is a good representation of these genres in the store, maybe more than in regular high-street shops. There also seems to be a good range for “Hip Hop / Rap”, “Jazz and World Music” etc. I feel there is less emphasis on the “pop” side of music, but a concentration on distinct genres such as rock and rap.
As well as CDs Fopp also sell books and DVDs. Not owning a DVD player, or having the will to read much more than my student course text books I haven’t purchased either of these from Fopp. However, a quick glance at the big pile of music-related and popular books and the DVD shelves indicates tha
t Fopp also caters well for both books and DVD.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for then you can place an order with Fopp. This is fairly easy, you (& a staff member) look up the CD you want in the Fopp directory. You fill out your contact details on a post-card, the shop assistant fills out the order codes, and you’re CD is ordered. The post card is mailed to you when your order arrives.

The store as a whole is very nice to shop in. Its generally quite busy, so there may be a bit of a cram for the shelves, but if you can put up with that (its friendly pushing…) then you can get to the great bargains.

The shop is done out in a wooden interior with the walls coated in the “special offer” CDs, with shelves in the middle of the shop for regular priced CDs. There are separate sections for rock / rap / jazz / world music etc, all well labelled. Its quite easy to find a CD if you know specifically what you’re looking for.

There is a “book pile” on tables near the checkouts (along which are piled the special £3 CD bargains). The books don’t really seem to be organised, but it isn’t really a book shop, and its fairly easy to see all that’s on offer anyway.

The staff in Fopp I’ve generally found to be very helpful. Whenever I’ve asked for something they’ve politely helped me out, from finding a CD in store, to ordering a special CD that I couldn’t find anywhere else. Top class friendly service.

In conclusion, Fopp is a great store. I’m currently staying at my “real” home in the south of England, a few hundred miles away from Fopp – I went to check out the January “clear-out” sales in my local HMV and Virgin Megastore. I left without buying a single thing. There was hardly a single CD at its reduced price which beat the regular Fopp price. The only ones that did beat the price that Fop
p offers did so by the 1p in the £4.99 beating Fopp’s regular £5 offer. Standing in a massive crowd at my local HMV with millions of people buzzing around and student sales assistants that really couldn’t care less if you find what you’re looking for is hellish when compared to Byres Road Fopp.

Its cheaper, easier and more pleasant to shop at Fopp, pop along and you’ll hopefully see what I mean.

www.fopp.co.uk – Useful Fopp Information, bargains, store maps etc.

Jamie

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