Why cuts into vinyl covers?

When I worked at Tower Records in the early 1980's, I just loved the LPs  we affectionately called Cut Outs.  Mostly they were promotional copies sent to the record stores in the hope they'd be played on the store's record player and perhaps garner a couple of sales.  Cut outs were almost always among the first copies generated at the pressing plant so they sounded wonderfully fresh and quiet.  We almost never saw defective ones.  When the store manager got to know your tastes, he/she'd sneak 'em into your in-box to take home.  I still own more of my share of 'em. And oh yeah, several of the other record stores I frequented had cut-out bins where stuff was heavily discounted.  I'd see one that caught my eye and just take a chance.  After all, they never cost very much.

dekay -- sorry but no.  I got to say, too, that Tower Records has always been a true revolving door when it comes to clerks & floor managers.  But did I mention that I met my wife while working at a Tower?  She's the cyn in edcyn.

I just found a slit cut-out copy of a Philips classical LP among my vinyl. Nielsen and Sibelius Symphonies. Recorded live at the famed Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. Of course, I hadn’t listened to it in probably 20 years. I barely knew it existed. It has a $4.69 price sticker from what I believe was Freak Beat Records on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks CA. Anyway, it sounds absolutely excellent despite being a digital remastering. Compelling music and compelling live recording, including applause. A typically dead silent Philips pressing. What can I tell ya?