I was shocked too see so many scratched up records being offered for sale at ridiculous prices. Back in the old days, seventies and eighties, a used record store would not buy a record in if it was not perfect. Now they are not cleaned and are just put on the shelf as is. I guess that it must be getting harder to find good quality records being brought in. This was my first journey into the used record stores in about 25 years. Extreme caution is a must now.
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Used Record Stores
- Thread starter jim249
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Maybe for the store you went into.
I buy lots of quality records out of my store.
Worried Man
Super Member
In my experience, the most reliable stores for used LPs are those stores that focus mainly on selling new LPs (both new reissues and new releases).
I think there are a couple of reasons: 1) These stores rely on sales of new LPs so they can afford to be selective about what they put in their used bins. 2) The people running these stores know what new LPs sound like, so they're more particular about the sound quality of the LPs they put in the used bins.
I think there are a couple of reasons: 1) These stores rely on sales of new LPs so they can afford to be selective about what they put in their used bins. 2) The people running these stores know what new LPs sound like, so they're more particular about the sound quality of the LPs they put in the used bins.
noisefreq
Super Member
Personally, I'd rather they not clean the records.
Just more chemical residue I have to scrub out of the grooves when I wet clean.
A small LED flashlight can help.
And a listening station is nice but needle drop with caution, could do damage if not cared for.
If the condition is not up to par, tell the clerk.
They may or may not care but if enough people complain they might get the hint.
Just more chemical residue I have to scrub out of the grooves when I wet clean.
A small LED flashlight can help.
And a listening station is nice but needle drop with caution, could do damage if not cared for.
If the condition is not up to par, tell the clerk.
They may or may not care but if enough people complain they might get the hint.
RhythmGJ
Here, But I'm Gone...
I like to pick the garage sales, estate sales, GW & SA, collector's shops, and antique shops on occasion, but these folks are not record people. Everyone now thinks every piece of vinyl, especially very common Beatles records and even Jim Nabors, etc., must be priceless. Some record shops have followed that lead, trying to "cash in while the medium is hot."
I have found about three shops where I know the people, can trust them, and see that their records are in great condition, and graded properly in general-- often sight-graded but sometimes play-graded too (it depends how busy these guys are and how many records they are dealing with). Two of them I would consider "friends," and I'm a pretty loyal guy and I also like to spend locally when I can, rather than order on-line unless there is a significant savings; i.e., I have paid a few bucks more to give the business to my favorite shops, even when ordering new product.
But I have been frequenting one amazing shop that I call the "honey hole;" this guy has been both a collector and dealer (weekends at an antique flea market) for years, and is starting to divest himself of his personal collection which must be in the tens of thousands. Not quite yet, but he's thinking about retirement and selling his house and getting rid of a significant chunk. So he took over a local shop and is now open weekdays as well. His stuff is immaculate, and he has lots and lots of great records in the genres I like.
I would much rather spend my money with guys like this ^^^^, than with the fly-by-night cash-in types I have had some experiences with. I bought a decent record from a kiosk guy in an antique shop. The next time I went back and picked-up something else (even though it was "used," but he had it "sealed" in a sleeve with gobs of tape), I was disappointed after paying a premium price and then taking it home to find more or less a $3 record inside (beat to ****). The next time I was in that store, there was a nice-looking piece that I was interested in, "sealed" up the same way, with a note saying "do not open." I ignored that, opened the outer sleeve to find another craptastic piece at inflated prices, and I have never purchased from that seller again.
Take your time and find the right vendors. Then buy from them.
GJ
I have found about three shops where I know the people, can trust them, and see that their records are in great condition, and graded properly in general-- often sight-graded but sometimes play-graded too (it depends how busy these guys are and how many records they are dealing with). Two of them I would consider "friends," and I'm a pretty loyal guy and I also like to spend locally when I can, rather than order on-line unless there is a significant savings; i.e., I have paid a few bucks more to give the business to my favorite shops, even when ordering new product.
But I have been frequenting one amazing shop that I call the "honey hole;" this guy has been both a collector and dealer (weekends at an antique flea market) for years, and is starting to divest himself of his personal collection which must be in the tens of thousands. Not quite yet, but he's thinking about retirement and selling his house and getting rid of a significant chunk. So he took over a local shop and is now open weekdays as well. His stuff is immaculate, and he has lots and lots of great records in the genres I like.
I would much rather spend my money with guys like this ^^^^, than with the fly-by-night cash-in types I have had some experiences with. I bought a decent record from a kiosk guy in an antique shop. The next time I went back and picked-up something else (even though it was "used," but he had it "sealed" in a sleeve with gobs of tape), I was disappointed after paying a premium price and then taking it home to find more or less a $3 record inside (beat to ****). The next time I was in that store, there was a nice-looking piece that I was interested in, "sealed" up the same way, with a note saying "do not open." I ignored that, opened the outer sleeve to find another craptastic piece at inflated prices, and I have never purchased from that seller again.
Take your time and find the right vendors. Then buy from them.
GJ