CliveR

We (Dualers fans) also wish 'someone' could explain what happened - we are all working on supposition, leaked info that there was 'a problem', and my brief conversation with Nadya James at OCC who said 'an issue is being discussed with the record company'. We think it's possible that multiple sales at least on Saturday at Croydon Virgin were maybe rung into the till(s) as a single sale of multiple copies- which would probably result in DQ- rather than individual bar-codes being scanned...allegedly ?!

"Goodwill" is a word rarely used within the music business, though since the 'issue' is still apparently 'under discussion' we can but hope for a positive solution......and now with the imminent demise of TOTP, what, if any, is the future of OCC ?! Maybe 'they' could follow historic US practice and combine sales/downloads/airplay for a chart listing....but given the lamentable state of UK radio, that would keep Baker Street and Moondance etc in the charts in perpetuity!!

Having taken a look at the OCC site, I'm a bit surprised to find that they are responsible for a total of 57 different charts, and this with a staff of supposedly nine people- though actually currently eight as they are runnig a vacancy for....ironically....Chart Operations Manager!!! The matter of The Dualers is, apparently, 'under discussion'.....

I noticed that yesterday in 'the chart rules' , and it seemed then, as now, that OCC initially 'police' themselves, and in a case like this, a product is deemed 'guilty until proven innocent' as the 'first working day' after Saturday sales is Monday AFTER the chart is published. It is being said that there is no 'appeal' mechanism for this, which is iniquitous in the circumstances, and would maybe not stand up in court. The solution- to appease all and redress the 'injustice'- is to re-instate the data on DQ sales- in this case also to include sales of 130 units made before 'qualification' date due to retailers' ineptitude...and include in next Sunday's chart... ...I'll be wary of flying pigs on this one!

I fear the 'industry cartel' has lobbed a spanner into the works specifically to foul-up The Dualers. I had a 'conversation' with one Natalie James at OCC this morning- who more or less blanked every question with 'I can't comment' or 'it;s being referred to the record company'- though her instant 'awareness' of The Dualers kinda suggested that mine was not the first call on the topic! There are, apparently, "issues" being discussed....the only issue I can see is their fear of having an indie label get volume sales in the 'weekend' period and maybe be close to a high top 20 placing... This is a difficult crusade to pursue until a statement of facts re the DQ reaches the public domain....but there may yet be a petition/blockade on the OCC doorstep later this week.