There are a ton of people that are new to record collecting these days. Like all hobbies, it can be a little intimidating when you are comparing your knowledge and collection to someone that’s been doing it for 40 years. Luckily, many of these things are not as complicated as they seem. Below, I break down essential information to help you understand the current vinyl record market, what to expect from different types of record stores—both online and brick-and-mortar—and offer additional tips to kickstart your collection.

The Different Kinds of Record Stores in 2024

Previously banished to the back corners of antique stores and cardboard boxes in your grandmother’s attic, vinyl is popular again. You might have bumped into a rack of them at Barnes and Noble or Urban Outfitters and thought to yourself: What the hell is that doing there? And you’d be right to. So, why are stores suddenly selling 40-year-old records next to a 10-foot display of the new Britney Spears book? Because they’re cool, dammit! 

The vinyl record industry is booming right now which means there has been a massive influx of people into a hobby that many people have been doing for decades. This can make things a little overwhelming for newbies who are just dipping their toes into record collecting. This guide will help you understand where you can buy records, the pros and cons of these different places and what to look for when it comes to actually picking a record off the shelf. Of course, having a way to play records helps before you get started.

Why Records Are Making a Comeback

There are a lot of different reasons that records are outselling CDs for the first time since the 1990s. Aesthetics and this idea of a “vinyl culture,” is the main reason behind this sudden surge in record sales. Records are just cool. There is a lot more visual appeal to a collection of records than there is a Spotify library. The Taylor Swift Record clock is all the evidence you need that tons of people are buying records because of the aesthetic charm. But there is admittedly more to record collecting than just having something nice to look at.

Sound quality

There are distinct differences in the way music sounds, depending on the listening methods. CDs sound different than vinyl. An album on vinyl is going to sound different than that same album on Spotify and so on. Many people tend to prefer the sound qualities that vinyl offers. In many cases, the sound quality of vinyl is superior to that of the music available on music streaming services, but that’s a rabbit hole I won’t be getting into today. Long story short, many people prefer the way vinyl sounds.

Ownership of an album

The other major reason is the idea of actually owning an album. With so much media available through streaming services, many people don’t own their music. The music in your Spotify library could disappear if you cancel your subscription or if the company suddenly goes kaput. Or, what if your favorite artist decides to pull their music of a streaming service entirely? This is already an issue with several artists. For example, Cindy Lee, whose critically acclaimed album isn’t available on Apple Music or Spotify. Buying a record allows the buyer to own the record in a way that is becoming increasingly rare.

There are many other reasons that records are suddenly growing in popularity. It’s a better way to support your favorite artists, buying albums that aren’t available digitally, digital detoxification, etc.

With all that being said, the way records are sold is a little different these days. Unlike the 1980’s there are no longer any major chains. Numerous outposts of Tower Records and Virgin Records having physical stores across the country is a thing of the past. Instead, we have Target, Barnes and Noble, and Urban Outfitters. Of course, there are still independent record stores, online record stores, thrift stores, and a few other places to buy records. But knowing which store to check out can be a little confusing if you are looking for a certain record. 

Where to Buy Records

There are a few different categories of vinyl record shops out there today. Below, I’ll break down some of the most common places that you will come across records and try to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each one. 

Local Independent Record Stores

By far, the best overall place to buy records is from your local independent vinyl record shop. Although these are still somewhat rare they are making quite a comeback and more If you live in a smaller city, there’s still a good chance of finding a locally owned record store nearby. A quick Google search might yield some surprises.

Independent vinyl record shops are extremely important to the hobby and it’s not just a matter of personal principle. Sure, it’s almost always preferable to support local businesses instead of mega-corporations. But shopping local when it comes to records has several key advantages. 

TYPES OF INDEPENDENT RECORD STORES

When it comes to true independent record stores, that is stores who do the bulk of their business selling actual records, there’s a few different kinds of shops you will come across. 

In general, record shops tend to put an emphasis on stocking their store with either primarily used records, or primarily with new records. Of course, there are lots of shops that will offer plenty of both, but in most cases, you’ll find they will have a lot more of one than the other. There tends to be a lot more “used record stores,” than new record stores in the United States. This is largely due to new records being much more expensive to purchase (even at wholesale prices) than used records. You will likely find “New record stores,” in larger cities as they are selling a high enough volume of records to justify the cost and risk associated with purchasing new records at wholesale prices. 

There is also a growing number of “specialty record stores”. These shops specialize in a specific kind of record or genre. Rare records, jazz records, metal records, etc. Again, these are most common in major cities where there are enough record collectors to appeal to people interested in such a specific niche. 

PROS OF SHOPPING AT INDEPENDENT RECORD STORES

Aside from supporting a local business, there are several benefits for the shopper at independent record stores. 

• Variety – Independent record stores offer a greater variety of genres, artists, and usually offer used records.
• Records from smaller artists – Major retailers will really only stock records from the absolute biggest artists in the world. Think Billie Eilish, Led Zeppelin and the Beatles. Independent record stores will have a far greater variety of artists big and small. 
• Rare and Unique Records – Used record stores in particular will have the greatest variety of unique records. If you are looking for highly sought after pressings or records from some whacky doo-wop artist you’ve never heard of, an independent record store is where you want to go. 
• Personal touch – Most people who run record stores simply love music. Record store employees are some of the best people to get music recommendations from. It may be intimidating asking someone for recommendations but most music nerds will love the opportunity to flex their musical knowledge to help someone discover a new artist. Think of record store employees as music sommeliers. You mention some albums or artists you enjoy and they will steer you in the right direction.

CONS OF SHOPPING AT INDEPENDENT RECORD STORES

There are a few basic cons that can affect the shopping experience of an independent vinyl record shop. 

• Selection – The selection can be a strong suit for many independent record stores, but it’s also a common problem. There’s plenty of record stores out there that will be full of low-quality and extremely common records 
• Availability – One of the biggest problems with independent record stores is that there simply are not very many of them. Most major cities will have plenty of record stores to choose from. Smaller towns will likely not have an independently owned record store to purchase new records from. In this case, major retailers will be the only physical store to buy records from. 

TIPS FOR SHOPPING AT INDEPENDENT RECORD STORES

Shopping at independent record stores is a lot like shopping at a thrift store: you never know what you’re going to find. Sometimes you will find 10 records that you have been looking for, sometimes you will be striking out left and right. It’s important to go in with as few expectations as possible and simply see what the shop has to offer. It helps to have a list of artists in your head to guide your search, but the best record store finds always seem to come when you least expect it. 

A more intermediate tip: once you have begun to amass a substantial record collection and are more familiar with the hobby, check the “new arrivals bin.” Most people will do this anyway but at record stores that deal with lots of used records, this is where the best “treasure,” will be found. Anything especially unique or sought after will not make it out of this bin. The most hardcore of collectors will be checking the ‘new arrivals’ bin at their local record store multiple times a week. Like a good thrift store find, finding something really good in this bin is all about luck. Of course, the more you go, the better your chances are.

Major Retailers – Target, Urban Outfitters, Barnes and Noble, etc. 

Major retailers like Barnes and Noble, Target, and Urban Outfitters are a big reason for the surging popularity. Although this may be a hard pill to swallow for many old-school collectors, it is the honest truth. Many people’s first introduction to vinyl records will be while they are shopping for laundry detergent. However, this is far from the best place to buy records. 

Types of Major Retailers 

A surprising amount of major retailers sell vinyl records. Big box stores like Walmart and Target often have vinyl records available for purchase in-store these days. Urban Outfitters and Barnes and Noble are probably the most well-known for their record selection. Both have put a major emphasis on pushing the sale of records and record players in recent years. An increasing number of store-exclusive record pressings have been popping up at these stores too.

PROS OF SHOPPING AT MAJOR RETAILERS

There are some undeniable pros when it comes to shopping for records at major retailers like Barnes and Noble. 

• Convenience – These stores will stock the newest records, as soon as they release. So you can grab a copy of a new record from a major artist while shopping for soap.
• Reliability – Many major retailers try to carry records with the broadest appeal possible. This can make them a good place to stock up on crowd pleasers. Christmas records and old classics like the Beach Boys and Frank Sinatra are abundant at major retail stores. Keep in mind, these are often not the greatest pressings in the world, but the quality is usually good enough.
• Returns – Most record stores will not offer returns on merchandise. However, major retailers will often accept vinyl returns as long as it aligns with their standard return policy.  

CONS OF SHOPPING AT MAJOR RETAILERS

• Selection – Major retailers will only stock records from the absolute biggest artists possible and often fairly few of these. While a record store might have hundreds of artists, major retailer might have 20-30 different albums at a time. 
• Quality – Records are delicate, and underpaid retail workers are often not. This means there is a good chance that the records are warped or even broken. Virtually all of the albums available are going to be low-quality pressings, which can result in poor sound quality. When it comes to vinyl records, newer does not mean better. 

TIPS FOR SHOPPING AT MAJOR RETAILERS

As far as tips for shopping for records at major retailers, my biggest tip is: Don’t, if possible. Even if you’re buying a record as a gift, I recommend purchasing directly from the artist if possible. Major retailers are a gateway into the hobby for many people. However, there are much better places to shop for records and vinyl record equipment in general. 

Online Record Stores

Many people will be looking to online record stores to better browse specific records they want. Online record stores can be a great place for certain kinds of records. However, there are a few common issues that you might come across when shopping on major online vinyl marketplaces. 

The most well known online record stores – Discogs, Ebay, Amazon

The internet is a big place. This is especially true when it comes time to try to buy something online. There are thousands of online vinyl record shops. But the online retailers that are most likely to pop up in search results when shopping for records are Discogs, Ebay and Amazon. Of course, there are tons of other large and reputable online record stores. More about those online record stores in a moment. 

PROS OF SHOPPING FOR RECORDS ONLINE

There are some very obvious pros when it comes to shopping for records online that are simply impossible to overlook. 

• Selection – There is simply no better place to find a rare record than on the internet. If you absolutely have to have a certain record, you’re going to need to buy it on the internet or get VERY lucky. 
• Price – With thousands of different sellers to choose from, it’s very easy to compare prices on records and simply buy the cheapest one you can find. Especially if the record is new so condition isn’t a factor.
• Discovering new music – An underrated aspect of shopping online for records is how easy it is to discover new music. While this is true in physical record stores too, when shopping on a computer, you can be listening to this new artist in a matter of seconds with the help of the internet. 

CONS OF SHOPPING FOR RECORDS ONLINE

There are a few major cons to shopping for records online that has scared many collectors away from ever doing so.

• Damaged Records – Records are very delicate and some sellers are lazy and careless. This can spell doom for your expensive records. Records getting completely broken during shipping is a VERY common occurrence. This can leave the buyer in a tough spot as refunds on many websites can be tricky if they are offered at all. 
• Scams – Especially when buying records that are especially rare, getting scammed by the seller is a common issue. Sellers that don’t send the record at all, or sellers that have obtained bootleg versions of expensive records and are selling them as authentic. 
• Prices – With all the recent attention that vinyl records are getting, there are tons of people who are entering the hobby just to turn a profit. This has caused some pretty major issues in the vinyl record market, especially on marketplaces like Discogs. Basically, with so many people trying to sell their records online it has greatly increased and decreased the value of many records, which can be frustrating for many longtime hobbyists. This has been further exacerbated by fake sellers posting records at incredibly high prices, further disrupting the vinyl record market. 

TIPS FOR SHOPPING RECORDS ONLINE

Shopping for records online is essential for many people. If you don’t have access to a good independent record store then the next best and most ethical place to buy your records is from online record stores. 

I would caution from buying from major online retailers for the same reasons listed in the ‘Major Retailers’ section above. 

Discogs and Ebay are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to fake records. Even if the record is legit, they are often in worse condition than what was posted, and records can get damaged in transit when not packaged properly. Unfortunately, these websites are often the only place to obtain certain records. Although there are trustworthy sellers, there are plenty that are not trustworthy at all. Try your best to only buy from reputable sellers whenever possible. 

My recommendation when shopping for records online is to buy directly from the artist, or to buy from places that at least specialize in selling records. There are major online record stores like Rough Trade or Amoeba, and there are tons of brick-and-mortar record stores that also sell their records online. Be sure to check if your local vinyl record shop sells their records online. 

Thrift Stores and Antique Stores

Thrift stores and antique stores are total wildcards when it comes to record selection, quality and price. In days gone by, antique stores could be treasure troves to vinyl collectors. It wasn’t uncommon to come across a vinyl section at a thrift store that was filled with high-value records at rock bottom prices, unfortunately this is no longer the case. Although it’s possible to get lucky and find undervalued records, it is extremely rare. 

What to Expect from Thrift and Antique Store records

Many vinyl collectors look down on records being sold from thrift and antique stores. This sounds a little bit elitist but it might be warranted. There is even a term amongst vinyl collectors called “thrift store records,” or “goodwill records.” This is generally used in a derogatory way to refer to a store’s selection being filled with old, extremely common records that are in poor condition. If you were to walk into a random thrift store, this is very likely what you will find. 

PROS OF SHOPPING THRIFT STORES FOR RECORDS

There are a few pros to shopping for records at thrift stores and antique stores that still makes it worthwhile for record collectors.

• Price – Many of the records will be of fairly low quality at thrift stores but they will probably be cheap, extremely cheap. This makes it a great place to pad your record collection with basics like random jazz, Elvis records, classical music, etc. 
• Finding a diamond in the rough – Although extremely rare, thrift stores and antique stores are still the best place to find records that are incredibly undervalued. Of course, you will need to get lucky with an antique seller that didn’t do their due diligence on the value of their product and you will need to have a keen eye for high value stuff. But it’s possible…technically. 

CONS OF SHOPPING THRIFT STORES FOR RECORDS

In most cases the cons will outweigh the pros for shopping for records at thrift stores. 

• Selection – The selection of records at most thrift stores is going to be extremely poor. Records in poor condition, artists and albums you’ve never heard of, or artists and albums that you have heard far too much of. 
• Price –  There is a strange phenomenon of many thrift stores selling their records for incredibly high prices. This can partly be blamed on websites like Discogs that have a history of overvaluing records, but not all thrift stores will be selling their records in $5 bins as you might expect.  

TIPS FOR SHOPPING THRIFT STORES FOR RECORDS

When it comes to shopping for records at thrift shops and antique stores, the biggest tip is to go in with low expectations. Every once in a while you will find a solid record at a solid price. But in most cases you will be leaving the store empty-handed. Avoiding these shops entirely is a mistake. There is no greater thrill than finding a hidden treasure when you least expect it. Again, it’s usually not worth the drive across town. But if you happen to be nearby, then go ahead and pop in.

Record Shows

What are often referred to as “Record shows” or “record conventions,” are another aspect of the hobby that is growing in popularity. These are basically fairs for record collectors and sellers. They usually take place in convention centers or other large event spaces and can be found all over the country. Most major cities will have one a year or so.

Overview of Record shows – What to expect, how they work

Record shows are a ton of fun for hardcore hobbyists, those looking to buy their very first records and everyone in between. Most record shows will simply be a large room that is filled with tables of records. Generally these will be local or somewhat local record stores setting up booths as well as independent sellers who have large record collections, online record stores, or similar sellers. 

The majority of record shows will require a ticket to enter the building but this is often quite cheap so you can expect to pay under $20. Many shows will also offer early-bird or VIP tickets, which may offer earlier entrance times and other perks aimed at more serious collectors.

Vendors of all kinds will be at the shows, but the vast majority will be selling vinyl records exclusively. You can usually expect food vendors, vendors with other kinds of physical music  and vendors selling music-related merchandise like shirts, bags, patches, posters etc. at these shows as well. At some record shows, there will also be vendors selling equipment like speakers and turntables. 

As far as what to expect if you’ve never been to one, I would say to expect a lot of people and an overwhelming amount of records. Most record shows take on a very casual, fair-like experience. Think live music, alcohol, and lots of people walking around browsing and having a good time. There will also be tons of people there that are more on a mission to find records. Don’t be surprised to see people walking around with tote bags or wagons filled with thousands of dollars worth of cardboard and wax. 

PROS OF SHOPPING FOR RECORDS AT RECORD SHOWS

Record shows are an amazing experience and if you collect records I would highly recommend attending. There are just so many records to choose from, specialized vendors, record labels promoting their own artists and other cool stuff to do. 

Selection – There is no better physical selection of records to choose from than those offered at record shows. There are thousands upon thousands of records available. Think of 5 record stores shoved into the same building.

Community – Record shows basically double as vinyl collector meet-ups. The community aspect of these shows can not be understated. Expect to have several spirited conversations with fellow collectors.

CONS OF SHOPPING RECORDS AT RECORD SHOWS

The drawbacks of record shows are few and far between for most record collectors. 

Availability – Although a weekly flea market type of record show would be amazing, most record shows are only one weekend per year. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait a while or travel to a different city for the next one. 

Traffic – Most record shows are extremely high-traffic events. If you’re on the hunt for highly sought-after deals, you’ll want to get there as early as possible before all the really good stuff is gone. 

Entrance Fee – Although the entrance fee is usually low, it’s still more expensive than walking in the door of your local record store. 

TIPS FOR SHOPPING AT RECORD SHOWS

If you’re getting ready to go to your first record show there are a few basic tips you will want to keep in mind. The first is to get there as early as possible. These are popular events and things will get quite crowded around the bins so it’s best to beat the crowds if possible. Not to mention, all the best records are going to get snatched early. These shows tend to be filled with more “hardcore,” collectors.

There are few better opportunities to really stock up on records than at a record show. I would recommend bringing plenty of cash to make purchasing easier, and it can be a good idea to bring a sturdy tote bag to carry around all of your loot. Records can get heavy after all. 

Final Thoughts 

If you are just getting into record collecting, things can get pretty overwhelming. The important thing to remember is that there isn’t really a wrong way to buy records. There are plenty of people that love to gate-keep this hobby and look down on collectors for the records they buy and where they buy them from and the turntables they play them on. These people suck. Don’t be like them. 

I hope this guide will help you better understand the current vinyl record landscape a little bit more and what to expect from the various kinds of record retailers when you’re looking to add to your vinyl collection.