From: Harvey Goldsmith
Subject: RE: Rip Off’s
Date: June 7, 2010 2:29:19 PM PDT
To: Bob Lefsetz
Cc: Rob Light, Peter Grosslight

Rip offs
I am here at Wolf Trap with Jeff Beck.
We have sold very well including apparently quite a lot of Lawn Tickets. This is unusual I am told as most venues give them away.
We are paying full rent (including a lot of rent overage).

Yet this venue has the audacity to charge 35% for merchandising.

I have been trying to sort this for 3 weeks.
The person in charge Peter Zimmerman decided to go home rather than discuss this with me.
Most acts will virtually double their prices for merch. to deal with this.
A lot of artists complain and then don’t bother.
The venue manageress Barbara told me that if I thought the charges were too high I should NOT sell merchandise!!!!
She said a number of acts don’t sell.
What kind of an answer is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
I am sick of it.
Why are we constantly having to rip our audiences off dealing with these bad practices because the "business!" is too lazy to confront.

I have knocked our prices down for merch. to stay the same or better.
We are very proud of the range we have produced and want people to buy at fair prices.
We are touring to promote and sell CD’s.

Why in Washington do I have to sell at more than retail just to satisfy this GREEDY venue.
Why does the Wolftrap audience have to pay more than any other city.
Why do the agents and managers just carry on as if nothing has happened when this year ticket sales are haemorrhaging.
It’s time to stop otherwise there will be no 35% to charge.

Harvey Goldsmith.