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Record Store Buying: Do you try to impress the staff with your purchases?

GPJeff

GPJeff

Super Member
Here's the situation - you go in to a big city record store. The kind that the wait staff is not the "just for the paycheck" Best Buy type staff, rather genre specific knowledgeable by appearance - with an air of genre authority. Examples - trendy indie shops with the guys with a beard, punk the chicks with the pink or jet black hair or guys with mohawks, jazz well dressed guys with
convertible beamers, etc

Do you dare walk up to the counter with the generic/ pedestrian McDonalds type LP selection or do you did deeper for that rare band LP that you know you'll get a "ahhh cool choice" from the cashier?
 
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Hahah, sometimes I like to throw in something cheesy if I feel like my records look to hip. Luckily I like some really cheesy stuff.
 
There have been 2 occasions in the last year where I have bought the album that was playing in the store, right off the turntable... What a suck up!
 
I'm the one handing them money....so, no, I couldn't give a rat's derriere what they think of my selections. Don't particularly pay attention to their reaction, so might not know enough to care.
 
Not only don't I try to impress, I don't even care what they think.

I buy what I want, when I want and for whatever reason I decide; it may just be for the cover art.

My money, my opinion. No one else matters to me. :music:
 
GPJeff,
I mostly live and buy in The Big City, and there's no thumbs up or sour lemon reaction to my buys...it's no different than buying books - the hipster at the counter only cares when the shift is over. Also, I'm too old to be really cool so....it's just not an issue.

On the other hand, some Bklyn hipsters opened a store near our farm (most assuredly NOT in the Big City) and I just ask: What's cool? These guys know me and my tastes by now, and pull out a couple of records they think I'll like.
 
Never gave that much thought. I can usually tell what the owner/cashier think of my purchase though by the expression on their face ... if they like the album they usually check the song title list on the back and make some passing comment like "Nice album".
 
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I haven't got a clue what I'm buying half the time and an opinion is always welcome. We have quite a few stores within a 150 mile radius and buy from all.
 
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I pick up such random things that people just assume I'm nuts anyway. its not on purpose, but I find when I'm looking at stuff that I frequently either have it, or know I don't want it. I don't do it to impress anyone. I don't mind input from people though. More than once I've had someone say "if you like this band, have you ever heard of these other guys" and sometimes those suggestions work out.
 
I'm not sure what it is with record store people. Today or 40 years ago when there were stores all over, I don't know where they recruit these people from. Some,rarely, occasionally are genuinely great people. Others,, well, I've been working with people in one way or the other since the late 70's. Some people have the gift and others should never interact with humans on any level for any reason. Many of these seem to end up in music stores.

There's more human warmth and personality in the ring around my bathtub than some of these clowns. They sure aren't working on commission, because walking in the door, asking a question, or making a purchase is some rude interruption of their busy schedule treated with the disdain otherwise afforded someone who farts in church.

Me try to impress them? The only thing I can imagine that would get any reaction at all would be to say " Hey, I hear minimum wage is going up, what are you gonna do with the extra money?".
 
Haha, I just thought I'd ask. I could just imaging someone insure somewhat trying to make an impression, like a 1980's John Hughes movie.

Now when I was a teen going to the big city punk/ new wave store I wouldn't dare bring a Bon Jovi LP up to the counter. I'm kind glad that I bought the punk stuff then because it's worth a bunch on ebay and discogs now.
 
I chat it up with the employees too much, and do the same with other people who I THINK share a an appreciation for the same things I do. Sometimes they just look at me like a foolish old man, other times we talk music and exchange info for a while. Never really thought about trying to impress, just make a connection.
One time many years ago I was buying records and after I took them up to the counter, the clerk called the manager up to look at my selections. The manager then handed me a few promos for free. Another time I was interviewed by a local radio station (WHFS). All fun stuff.
 
I frequent ONLY shops as the one described in the OP. Whether or not the cashier approves of my purchase has not crossed my mind until now. And it never will again.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
 
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