The Smiley Smile Message Board

I recieved a cd copy of Gettin' In Over My Head in the mail today, and after opening the package and pulling out the cover, I noticed some gold-stamped words on the back:
"For promotional use only. Sale or other transfer is prohibited. Must be returned on demand of recording company."
I ordered it used from Amazon.
Does this mean that my copy of the album was a promotional copy sent out by record companies?

Most likely. They're pretty common in used record stores -- not GIOMH specifically, but overall. I guess rock critics like to get ride of their review copies.

I wonder if some dealers add those stickers/stamping a to standard issue CDs in an attempt to artificially inflate their perceived value to collectors?

We have some serious collectors within our community… anyone ever come across such a fake?

Years ago when I was collecting I came across fakes quite often in that vain. You could tell because the promo's were usually given a different catalog number, or towards the 2000s were commonly included in a slipcase rather than jewelcase with the coverart and either a sticker or small sheet containing a condensed version of the press release. Universal used to (around this time - '95-'05) actually have a stamp-style 'PROMOTIONAL USE ONLY' label printed directly on to the disc as part of the disc's artwork (i.e. the non-playable surface of the disc). I used to avoid anything that didn't have something to specifically set it apart from the released version - so if all indicators that it were a promo were contained only on the jewel case (PROMO USE ONLY stickers or stamps) etc. I'd give them a pass.

Most CD promos don't go for very much anyway, although I'm sure there are exceptions. A recent one that springs to mind is GN'R's Chinese Democracy, what's known as the 'Red Hand' artwork. Something like 25 copies produced for what was evidently supposed to be a re-release/variant containing some quite intriguing in depth liner notes from Axl that were absent from the released version.

There are some other valuable promos as well.  Like, the Dixie Chicks' "Fly" (which actually has a song where the final version had a blank track in the middle of the disc - long story) and ICP's "The Amazing Jeckel Brothers" (which has an extra song).

No others I know of.

I remember seeing dozens of copies of Orange Crate Art at used record stores with that same stamp. Tried to find one with no stamp...to no avail.