My thoughts/ opinions. These aren’t directed at anyone individually so please don’t get upset.
Firstly, congrats to everyone who obtained a copy. Commiserations to those who didn’t but hopefully you can still get lucky. My experience from previous years is that selling prices skyrocket in the days after RSD and then go back to around RRP and sometimes even below as FOMO subsides, but obviously there is a risk in waiting.
I have mixed feelings seeing so many posts from people who have bought the record but have no means of playing it. I’m a bit of a collector myself so I get it, it’s just a shame for those who want to buy this to listen to but won’t be able to.
In terms of the people who have a friendly/crooked record store owner who let you get the record early or without going through the official process, you got the record and that’s the main thing.
BUT!
You also missed out.
You missed out on a fantastic experience. Myself and others in this thread had a wonderful experience queueing up, making new friends with fellow buyers, being supplied with coffees (Red Bull reps turned up at my store to give free drinks to everyone in the queue!) and having the feeling of anticipation rising as you got closer to the front.
And most of all, you missed out on the sheer joy when you get to the front of the queue, ask if they have any copies of The Boy by Mark Knopfler, and the assistant returned from a box with a copy in their hand. That was a wonderful moment, something truly wonderful that money can’t buy.