{"id":24529,"date":"2022-12-19T20:31:08","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T20:31:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/12\/19\/how-to-shop-for-vinyl-records-in-store-and-online-review-geek\/"},"modified":"2022-12-19T20:31:08","modified_gmt":"2022-12-19T20:31:08","slug":"how-to-shop-for-vinyl-records-in-store-and-online-review-geek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2022\/12\/19\/how-to-shop-for-vinyl-records-in-store-and-online-review-geek\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Shop for Vinyl Records In-Store and Online \u2013 Review Geek"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In my experience, shopping for vinyl is often more fun than playing a record. There\u2019s nothing better than digging through a milk crate and finding something cool\u2014especially if you\u2019ve never heard it before. But where should you shop for vinyl records? And should you skip retailers like Walmart?<\/p>\n

Visit Local Record Stores and Retailers<\/h2>\n
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The best way to get familiar with vinyl is to dig through a couple thousand records. Shopping locally gives you a hands-on experience with vinyl and the joys of crate digging. All you need to do is look up record stores in your area on Google, Yelp, or Facebook.<\/p>\n

Most new record stores are very small and \u201cboutique,\u201d which can be a good thing or a bad thing. On the one hand, these small stores sell a ton of new releases, which may be exactly what you want to buy. But the prices aren\u2019t always great, and some genres get the short end of the stick. I\u2019ve never had much luck finding R&B at the smaller shops in my area, for example.<\/p>\n

But small record stores can be great, especially if they\u2019ve been around for a while. You\u2019ll find that the best record stores often carry a mix of new and vintage vinyl, which gives you a ton of stuff to choose from at a variety of prices. (When buying used, check the vinyl for scratches, warping, or other damage. You can clean a vinyl record<\/a>, but you can\u2019t fix a broken record.)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re lucky, you\u2019ll find a massive record store nestled in a weird corner of town. These huge stores are usually operated by old-timers who impulsively buy other peoples\u2019 record collections. So, the selection is outrageously varied, the prices are low, and hidden gems are constantly rolling in. But if you\u2019re looking for brand-new records, these huge secondhand stores aren\u2019t always the best choice.<\/p>\n

You can also shop for vinyl records at Walmart<\/a>, Barnes & Noble<\/a>, and Target<\/a>.\u00a0But unless you come across a good discount or a limited-edition LP, I don\u2019t suggest buying vinyl at these locations. They don\u2019t offer a very strong selection, and their prices tend to be a bit high. (Of course, if you live in a rural area, these retailers may be your only local option.)<\/p>\n

Oh, I should also mention antique stores. In my experience, antique stores\u00a0really<\/em> overestimate the value of old records. If you shop for vinyl at an antique store, be critical of its prices. (Read the following section for an easy way to check what a record is worth.)<\/p>\n

When Shopping Online, Start at Discogs<\/h2>\n
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Modern record collectors love to shop online. Not only is it convenient, but\u00a0hey, some records just aren\u2019t available at your local stores.<\/p>\n

When shopping for records online, I suggest starting at Discogs<\/a>. It\u2019s the most popular database and marketplace for vinyl records, CDs, tapes, and other music media. You can find plenty of affordable records on Discogs, including new and vintage releases.(Naturally, Discogs is also one of the best places to find rare and expensive vinyl.)<\/p>\n

To be clear, Discogs isn\u2019t a retailer. It\u2019s an online marketplace, kind of like eBay. I\u2019ve never had trouble shopping on Discogs, as most of the sellers are record collectors and small businesses. Still, you should pay attention to the feedback left on seller profiles. At the very least, use Discogs as a price-checker tool when shopping for records elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve looked at the prices on Discogs, go shop around a bit.\u00a0Large record stores like Amoeba Music<\/a>\u00a0and Dusty Groove<\/a> sell records online, and retailers like Amazon<\/a>, Walmart<\/a>, and Barnes & Nobel<\/a> regularly offer discounts on brand-new vinyl.<\/p>\n

Also, if you don\u2019t mind getting a not-so-great price, you can buy records directly from an artist\u2019s website or Bandcamp page<\/a>. Or, try visiting a music label\u2019s website\u2014Blue Note<\/a> regularly reissues its classic jazz albums, which are hard to find (or expensive) when shopping secondhand. And Third Man Records<\/a> is a good place to find limited-edition vinyl, especially on Record Store Day<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hit a Flea Market, Swap Meet, or Pop-Up<\/h2>\n
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If you aren\u2019t afraid of vintage vinyl, try visiting a flea market or swap meet. You\u2019ll find a glut of old records, often at decent prices. And some flea markets have proper\u00a0indoor<\/em> record stores, which aren\u2019t always listed on Google or your GPS. (If you live in a rural area, a flea market is usually the best alternative to a \u201creal\u201d record store.)<\/p>\n

Obviously, you need to be careful when buying records at a flea market or swap meet. Check that records aren\u2019t scratched or warped, and check prices on Discogs to make sure that you aren\u2019t overpaying. Some people think that old vinyl\u2019s worth a ton of money, but unless a vintage record is extremely rare, it should only cost a few dollars.<\/p>\n

You can also try searching for pop-up record shops in your area. These are usually hosted by record collectors at farmers\u2019 markets, small concerts, and other events. Most vinyl pop-ups are advertised on Facebook, though you may need to do a bit of searching to find one locally.<\/p>\n

Try a Vinyl Subscription Box<\/h2>\n
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While it won\u2019t give you the experience of a crate digger, a vinyl subscription box can help you discover new and impressive records at a reasonable price. These services also tend to offer limited-edition vinyl, which may have some sentimental or resale value.<\/p>\n

Now, there are a ton of vinyl subscription boxes to choose from. The most popular option is Vinyl Me, Please<\/a>, which sends out a deluxe-edition vinyl and exclusive booklet each month. Your subscription also unlocks access to the Vinyl Me, Please shop<\/a>, which carries a ton of exclusive pressings.<\/p>\n

If you want something convenient, Amazon\u2019s Vinyl of the Month is a straightforward option. Subscriptions start at $25, and you can choose from genres like \u201cThe Golden Era<\/a>,\u201d pop<\/a>, country<\/a>, hip-hop<\/a>, and rock<\/a>. (Amazon occasionally sends out a \u201cfeatured\u201d album, which is usually a limited-edition pressing.)<\/p>\n

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