I like that this topic has got its own thread. I get Spencer's and Seb's concerns, and know that, from a business-owner's PoV, they have to look at what is feasable for them in the future. So far, the renewal of interest in soundtracks has sustained the whole variant business, but it will probably only last so long until the newness wears off.
This will vary from one collector to another, as there are so many different types, from the completist to the I-only-need-the-music-collector, so I can only really speak for myself. I have a comfortable budget to spend on my hobbies every month, but it will still only get me so far, if I spend it between my different areas of collecting (records, dvds, comics, books in general). As far as vinyl goes, the music is to me the most important, sound quality comes next, then price. A nice cover and presentation is always a plus, but it's not gonna make me buy or not buy somethin ... vinyl color does not really factor in a lot.
So I decide if I really like a soundtrack, then I think about what I want to pay for it ... to me, 30€ (including shipping) is a threshold for new vinyls; above that, I really have to love the music. That's why I decided not to buy the Creepshow soundtrack, the music itself did not tempt me enough for the price.
This will of course vary from person to person ... some really like nice variants, and I can't blame them, some really look awesome. But I figure there are so many soundtracks out there that I love, probably more that I have never heard, but would love if I heard them, that I have to find a clever way to spend my limited funds across as many soundtracks as possible. If I have to spend 40-45€ on a new record, with shipping, but could find for the same money 3-5 good soundtracks at a local store, it's hard to spend it all on one record.
That's why I like Finders Keepers' approach ... 15£ on a simple, black vinyl record, which gives me the possibility of doing some blind buys for not too much money, and that's why I hope Spencer can make the black subscription happen ... it would enable me to take more risks towards film scores I am not familiar with.
I hope I didn't ramble on for too long ... this thread had a lot of information to take in, and I wanted to give my take on it. Cheers