Re: [ARSCLIST] lp, cassette, 8-track cut-outs?

[John Ross <johnross@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

At  8/15/2008 08:54 AM, Rod Smear wrote:
> Can anyone explain why certain LP's used to have a "cut-out hole" in 
> them, usually in the upper right or left portions of the album 
> cover? Did this also apply to 8-track tape cartridges as well?

It has to do with the way LPs were sold to retailers. Following the 
bookstore model, most retailers could return unsold inventory to 
distributors for credit. However, cut-outs were provided to retailers 
at a much lower wholesale price, without return privileges. The hole 
or notch or cut-off corner identified an LP as a cut-out, for which 
the wholesaler would not issue full (or any) credit upon return.

Because it was not possible to restore the hole or notch, an 
unscrupulous retailer could not alter a cut-out to a condition that 
the wholesaler would accept for credit.

John Ross