Well, here’s a weird one: The Weeknd has faked his own signature on his $200, individually numbered-and-limited-to-500-copies, “signed” vinyl box set of Trilogy.
Chatter around the announcement of the ‘Trilogy’ vinyl box set was mostly about how expensive the damn thing was—$66 per double album—but in the ever-increasing trend of pricey deluxe vinyl editions that sell out quickly, lots of fans and drooling record-collector dorks decided it was worth the cost for something special. After all, there’s only 500 copies, and hey, the thing’s signed.
Except the Weeknd’s ‘Trilogy’ vinyl box set isn’t actually signed.
Apparently Abel Tesfaye’s too busy to autograph copies for dedicated fans shelling out $200, because the prints included in each of the three records bear a pre-printed signature. Looking close, it’s clear that the autograph on each is part of the printed artwork, and not created by a Sharpie; also, the autographs are in the same location on all 500 copies. Even worse, the graphic designer imported a file with a replica of the same exact signature into the artwork layout on all three prints:
Did you shell out $200 for this box set? You got played, Holmes.
The packaging of the set itself is nicely done, with die-cut jacket pockets and vellum paper sleeves. The pressing sounds decent. But Abel Tesfaye didn’t actually sign these super-expensive “signed” box sets.
You have to admit: a scam like this is a really shitty thing to do to your fans.
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UPDATE: Those who bought this box set are reporting receiving an email reading as follows:
“To all the fans,
We sincerely apologize for the issues with the Trilogy Vinyl Box Set. Unfortunately, there was some miscommunication internally and you were ultimately led to believe the packages would be hand signed. To make up for that, everyone who ordered the set will receive a complementary lithograph insert, which will be hand signed, and a special item from the new project later on.
Sorry once again and we hope you will continue to show your support in the years to come.”
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UPDATE: This was just posted on the Weeknd’s Instagram…
.The Weeknd Printed Fake Signatures On His $200 “Signed” Trilogy Vinyl Box Set
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[…] Some buyers thought they were getting a deal because the albums were signed. Well, According to an article, The “signed” vinyls have pre-printed signatures that are actually part of the design […]
I just got mine in the mail. It sounds wonderful. But it was such a disappointment to see that the autograph is printed. I did feel ripped off. The website shouldn’t have advertised the autograph if it wasn’t really signed. how silly.
[…] 3/31/13: It appears that the signatures on the box-set are printed, not individually signed. If true, that’s quite the shame, since when spending $200 on three double records, you […]
[…] the packaging is apparently pretty dope, word is his signature was printed, and lazily at that. Sound City grabbed the above images of the “signature(s)”, which you can pretty easily see is […]
Will definitely be interesting to see how or if he responds to this.
I’ve just left a comment on the Spin article that led me to this one, but I just got my box set in the mail and I’m pretty disappointed about the fake signatures.
They add absolutely no value to a really expensive product but I’m written an email to the merch company and I hope if they get enough complaints they might actually do something about it, i.e. post us something small that is actually signed since that’s what we ALL thought we were paying for.
Just received this in an email:
To all the fans,
We sincerely apologize for the issues with the Trilogy Vinyl Box Set. Unfortunately, there was some miscommunication internally and you were ultimately led to believe the packages would be hand signed. To make up for that, everyone who ordered the set will receive a complementary lithograph insert, which will be hand signed, and a special item from the new project later on.
Sorry once again and we hope you will continue to show your support in the years to come.
[…] was promoted as signed, individually hand-numbered and limited to 500 copies. But music blog City Sound Inertia say the sets have not been individually autographed by the man behind the music, Abel Tesfaye, but […]
He just posted a pic on his Instagram @abelxo of himself sitting at a table signing a stack of inserts.
Yes, seems like the powers behind it speak a snakes language. I just baught the new “Kiss Land Vinyl + Screenprint Bundle” from the official websites store (handled through Sandbag). I paid ~GBP 65 incl S&H for this package. It is announced in the despriction that the vinyl LP (already pricey at ~GBP22)comes with the screenprint and also the EXTENDED ARTWORK BOOKLET (26pages, full color) also sold seperately for ~$10 same price as the CD). What I received was just the vinyl gatefold and the 12″ sized cover print. I complained by email the EXTENDED ARTWORK BOOKLET was missing and then received a standard CD bookelt (16 pages, b/w inner pages) instead. I contatcted them again and I was told that is the right booklet (!) they wouldnt have other booklets so send, thats it (!) So they show you false pictures and false infos on the official store page !!! I dont know if that is TheWeeknd himself or Sandbag as the Service guys or whoever, but it’s a big ripoff going all around this artist!! Anyway I’m fed up with these guys and just getting ready to send this “package” back. I dont want something that makes me feel uncomfortable by even thinking about it.