February 14 2013 I put in an order for Skyrim on CD from DirectSong. DirectSong's tagline is "your unique record store" and seems to exclusively sell albums by Jeremy Soule. I figured i'd get the album in a couple weeks so I could rip it and listen to the Skyrim score from anywhere. A month later my Skyrim album hadn't shipped so I reached out to them to see where the order was. The first response from them was an automated email telling them I couldn't open a support ticket that way and I need to create a separate account on the support site. They told me that they had a stock issue and my response was:
Jon: I recommend next time being a bit more proactive by letting me know when you know. I totally get backups and product delays and don't fault you for that. But I had to submit a complaint before I knew.
DirectSong: I completely understand your concern and apologize for any Inconvenience. Unfortunately there has been a hold on shipping due to manufacturer delays. We are expecting the arrival of product any day now, Once received they will be ready for a signing session with the composer. Your patience understanding and cooperation thus far has been greatly appreciated. Once your order has been dispatched you will receive a confirmation email and USPS tracking number
We will be sure to keep you posted!
I felt pretty good about that. Jeremy was going to autograph my CD when stock came back which was a big bonus but I was annoyed they didn't reach out to tell me about the delay. Not a huge deal and I was super excited Jeremy would autograph it.
A few weeks later I got this email:
DirectSong: I am contacting you regarding your soundtrack order through DirectSong.com Our records indicate your order is well over the 4-6 week window we have quoted in the disclaimer, We understand the inconvenience these several delays have caused and truly hold your support with high value.
It is within my authority to issue your soundtrack at no additional charge via Link
Please keep in mind you will still receive your Autographed soundtrack.
To receive your soundtrack via DirectDownload please change the "Subject" of this message to either: "Skyrim", "Guildwars2" or "Both" and Reply to this message.
I was impressed. They reached out and I was going to get a digital download of the album and getting the album autographed? Awesome. That said 5 months went by and I didn't hear anything from them. I guess it could take 5 months to get more albums back in stock. Maybe they got lost somewhere? I filed another support ticket and received no response. I was pretty upset and at that point I stopped reaching out to DirectSong at all.
August of this year I decided to reach out again and send them a much less happy email. Years had gone by and I didn't receive my album and I was very upset. At this point I figured my money was flushed down a toilet. I actually did get a response back from the agency that represents Jeremy Soule and they finally shipped the album 3 months after they contacted me.
I do not recommend you buy anything from DirectSong if you want it to actually be delivered to you. My experience isn't unique as many people have had a terrible time with them too, I just wish i'd known that beforehand. That said the Skyrim score is fantastic and if you are looking for a great classical score for one of the best open world games around, it's worth listening to just don't go to DirectSong to do it.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/10/ign-has-your-back-dont-use-directsongcom
https://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/14slg7/ive_fought_with_directsong_for_too_long/
Jon: I recommend next time being a bit more proactive by letting me know when you know. I totally get backups and product delays and don't fault you for that. But I had to submit a complaint before I knew.
DirectSong: I completely understand your concern and apologize for any Inconvenience. Unfortunately there has been a hold on shipping due to manufacturer delays. We are expecting the arrival of product any day now, Once received they will be ready for a signing session with the composer. Your patience understanding and cooperation thus far has been greatly appreciated. Once your order has been dispatched you will receive a confirmation email and USPS tracking number
We will be sure to keep you posted!
I felt pretty good about that. Jeremy was going to autograph my CD when stock came back which was a big bonus but I was annoyed they didn't reach out to tell me about the delay. Not a huge deal and I was super excited Jeremy would autograph it.
A few weeks later I got this email:
DirectSong: I am contacting you regarding your soundtrack order through DirectSong.com Our records indicate your order is well over the 4-6 week window we have quoted in the disclaimer, We understand the inconvenience these several delays have caused and truly hold your support with high value.
It is within my authority to issue your soundtrack at no additional charge via Link
Please keep in mind you will still receive your Autographed soundtrack.
To receive your soundtrack via DirectDownload please change the "Subject" of this message to either: "Skyrim", "Guildwars2" or "Both" and Reply to this message.
I was impressed. They reached out and I was going to get a digital download of the album and getting the album autographed? Awesome. That said 5 months went by and I didn't hear anything from them. I guess it could take 5 months to get more albums back in stock. Maybe they got lost somewhere? I filed another support ticket and received no response. I was pretty upset and at that point I stopped reaching out to DirectSong at all.
August of this year I decided to reach out again and send them a much less happy email. Years had gone by and I didn't receive my album and I was very upset. At this point I figured my money was flushed down a toilet. I actually did get a response back from the agency that represents Jeremy Soule and they finally shipped the album 3 months after they contacted me.
I do not recommend you buy anything from DirectSong if you want it to actually be delivered to you. My experience isn't unique as many people have had a terrible time with them too, I just wish i'd known that beforehand. That said the Skyrim score is fantastic and if you are looking for a great classical score for one of the best open world games around, it's worth listening to just don't go to DirectSong to do it.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/03/10/ign-has-your-back-dont-use-directsongcom
https://www.reddit.com/r/Guildwars2/comments/14slg7/ive_fought_with_directsong_for_too_long/
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Wow, three-year shipping. That's new!
Glad you finally got it though.
Years ago, I backed a project of Jeremy's on Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/499808045/from-the-composer-of-skyrim-soule-symphony-no-1). The project was funded, but has yet to see the light of day (it's been over 3 years now), and appears to be on the back burner as far as Jeremy is concerned, and, unless you follow his Facebook page, you won't get updates, even as a backer (they stopped updating the Kickstarter with any news). The whole thing felt pretty scammy. I'm still hopeful he'll make the album he collected funding for, and hearing that you finally got your product, Jon, is at least slightly encouraging, I suppose.
"DirectSong" sounds like a hip church name lol
"Three year shipping" LOL yeah and I had to pay for shipping too.
Greg: I funded the same project and I think based on that and now this, I don't think I'll order anything from Jeremy again.