My frustration began with the time it took to get the rights. It was all thoroughly explained but did not negate the length it took. That was unexpected based on the many times I've ordered rights and scripts from other publishers including Sam French, Dramatists Play Services, Inc. and MTI.
I was unable to order the scripts until our license was granted. Once rights were granted, we mailed a check for the full amount of license and scripts. A week or more passed and nothing was listed on our status. So, I called for the third or maybe even the fourth time and was asked for our license #, check # and the date issued. Never have I been asked for the check# or date issued. I'm not the bookkeeper so more of my time was taken to get that information, further adding to my frustration.
I will say, Sarah Weber did her very best to accommodate me and ultimately expedited the shipping of our scripts. On the other hand, I found another agent to be surly, patronizing, and not helpful in the least.
Not knowing how your company works, it seems that there's too many departments through which the information must channel thus slowing down the process, plus no follow-up to let a customer know what's going on. You give a lot of dense legal information (all necessary, I understand,) but in a disjointed and not practical way.
Perhaps a checklist to start would be helpful, specifically for purchase orders, identifying, up front, that rights can't be issued until the check for the purchase order is processed. Then you can order scripts. Your 8 week licensing process plus the additional 2-3 weeks for a purchase order check to be entered seems ridiculous in this day and age. I was informed that scripts may be ordered with a valid purchase order, but the license would not be issued until the check is processed. Who pays $338.75 for scripts if the rights are still unconfirmed? The wait and wonder are prolonged.
Hope this clarifies and articulates my frustration from this experience.
I appreciate your follow-up.
Truly,
Mandy Volpenhein
Intro to Theatre
Gator Drama Director
Ryle Cappie's Mentor
"Study is like the heaven's glorious sun, that will no be deep searched with saucy looks"
Original Message:
Sent: 9/19/2023 1:57:00 PM
From: Billie Davis
Subject: RE: Concord Theatricals
Hi Mandy,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I was included in your correspondence with one of our amateur licensing managers, and I see the issue was resolved. I'll contact you directly to gather more details about the obstacles you encountered with your request in an effort to learn how we can provide better service to you and all our customers in the future.
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Billie Davis
VP, Amateur Licensing
Concord Theatricals
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Original Message:
Sent: 09-15-2023 16:47
From: Mandy Volpenheim
Subject: Concord Theatricals
I find Concord very difficult to work with and, like most of us, have ordered scripts and royalties from many different publishers with little to no hassle. If Concord didn't control so many collections from other publishing houses, I'd never order from them again. The time it takes, the hoops, the lack of transparency from the start seemed to me, egregious . Perhaps if you have an attorney order and process their procedures, you may get your rights and scripts within two months.
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Mandy Volpenheim
Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2020 14:04
From: Karen Wiebe
Subject: Concord Theatricals
Hi!
I've been reading mixed reviews on the Concord Theatricals website. I found them easy to use, but was concerned as I filled out a request for licensing on January 4th through Tams. I saw it wasn't in my dashboard and re-filled out another one once the site was up.
Just talked to them and they are doing what they can to get everything processed on time. Be prepared to wait, however.
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Karen Wiebe
Drama Director
Burlington KY
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