I sent the following email to the music club on October 6th

Dear NPG Music Club:

I (and many others) are concerned -- Rumors are circulating that we will not be receiving exclusive CDs as part of our 2002 NPG Music Club membership - instead we will be receiving a 3 CD live set that is to eventually be released at retail and therefore not exclusive at all... Can you let the NPG Music club members know what they will be receiving before the clubs year end... Is it the Live set or 3 more exclusive CDs as promised

A lot of NPG Club members feel let down and in the dark as to what their membership fee has got them - An online petition is being created with many are saying they will not rejoin the club in 2003 and seek refund for 2002 from their credit card providers (a common course of action for non delivery of product and one that protects the consumer in such cases as non delivery).

Please note -I know one response is the club offers so much more particularly in the area of concerts and priority seating - My response to that is - while the pre-sale tickets are nice, Most artists are offering pre sale tickets to 'online club members' (I have bought them this year for Beck, David Bowie and Ryan Adams to name a few - and all I had to do was sign up for a news letter advising when they would go on sale without a $100 dollar club fee!)

I joined the club because I love the music and was under the impression I would be receiving 'at least 4 new CDs' not one cd and a three CD live set (That I will be able to buy at Retail probably for under $25 dollars).

This is all a shame because I think the intention and premise of the club is a good one-It has been the execution of the club's commitments (regarding the 4 CDs of exclusive music). Of course given that there is another 4 months till clubs official year end there is hope something good is going to happen (there is still time for the remaining 3 CDs to arrive. However lack of information regarding delivery schedules is frustrating and annoying to your club members. Cryptic answers as to what to expect do not satisfy in this case — it has been 8 months and only one CD has arrived... With no news...or explaination

A club by its very nature demands communication and in this case delivery of promised product-Please let the NPG Music club members know (in clear language) what is happening regarding the 4 CDs before it is too late ... It would be a shame to see the club collapse next year because members either seek refunds from their credit card providers for 2002 or do not join again in 2003.

Thank you in advance

As of 5.19pm EST there has been no response---

Wow. Well said. Maybe the reason you haven't received a response yet is because they can't come up with a short flip answer to this. I hope we all get some clear communication this time.

John B, you beat me to the punch. I was compiling a similar letter only mine was peppered with quotes from the org and a few from the NPGMC website. I hope they answer you. You managed to be direct without being rude, and fair overall.

PLease post the response when (or if) you get one.

Good job.

I also sent Email last night at 11pm-Monday...Said: :I really enjoy my membership to NPGMC and I love the ONA cd that we as members recieved. I was just wondering when we should be expecting another "ONE OF THE BRAND NEW cd's for the year 2002" I was also wondering when Prince and NPG return from tour if they as in the membership agreement promised and stated " A special chatroom will be open from 2 time to communicate directly with prince and npg for the year 2002" I am really looking exicited and I will be waiting patiently. Thank you!" This was my email to them last night...NOW ...This is what I recieved at 12:09am(midnight) One hour later. ...NPGMC response: "High (), The ONE NIGHT ALONE...LIVE! Box set is being prepared right now 4 release. Look 4 it on your door step very soon".***I emailed them back this morning and asked "Does this ONE NIGHT ALONE LIVE! Box set complete this years "4 BRAND NEW CD's" THAT WAS OFFERRED as membership for the year 2002 if joining NPGMC? ...NO ANSWER YET! But IMHO 4 brand new CD's are music not released or re-recorded in concert... we seen the ONA concert...we have The Rainbow children...THIS IS NOT THE 4 BRAND NEW CD's!

OCEANA said:

OK...Got email back tuesday night...says:..."Hello, (), THIS IS PRINCE DECISION...,we do not have any in4mation BEHOND this box set". MEANS NO BRAND NEW CD's IMHO...THE BOX SET COMPLETES IT! (A box set was not part of the agreement...4 BRAND NEW CD's were!) BRAND NEW means NEVER RECORDED, NEW MUSIC to members only PRINCE!)

Well since Prince is touring into December it may take that long to get a decision.

However, if he were going to wait to sell ONA Live, then why do the Release party?

Either ONA Live will be available online very soon, or we'll receive it in the mail.

However, I was looking forward to the new CDs and still am.

I really hope this is a bonus for the club members. Since I went to 3 ONA concerts and the Celebration this year, I'd really like to hear some "NEW" material. I'm not bragging or anything, and I'm not tried of hearing the music. I just want something New.

Just a thought. Maybe he will release it in December. He may still be getting concert clips from the European Tours.

As setlists have generated a few new songs that weren't done in the US.

However, again, Why have release party if it's not ready.

I'm so confused.

OCEANA said:

Not brand new in your opinion but legally NPGMC is delivering as promised 4 brand new cds. You are not getting any used cds but 4 brand new cds.
You are getting exactly what they promised - 4 brand new cds.

and what a GOOD way to treat fans. utilize a technicality to swindle them!!! isn't this the reason prince swore off CONtracts?

not even the NPGMC would do something that classless, i hope

ZaZa said:

sorry, but there is also this little thing called "FALSE ADVERTISING"!!

the 4 "brand new" CDs R being advertised in the ONA Tourbook. & guess what´s not on that list... yea ONA live!

so there U go!


[This message was edited Wed Oct 9 11:27:08 PDT 2002 by talk2thejay]

i just sent NPGMC an EMALE alos & we'LL see what they say. u know how Prince changes his mind: The Gemeni Effect. but i would PREFER what was Listed when i first joined:

Last December
Xenophobia
The Best Of

& we already have

One Nite Alone