Record Collector Inc

I love this place. The selection isn't Big City great--I was spoiled when I visited Twist & Shout in Denver, for example, and saw ALL the great new vinyl that IS available. It's just that they don't have all that stuff in at the same time like Twist, but eventually the stuff floats in. It's cheaper than Real, and I've found some real gems, including fantastic 180 gram reissues and new vinyl reissues. No, it does not specialize in used ablums! That's only one aspect of the store. They also specialize in new CDs, new LPs, and new DVDs. more

This is my local source of vinyl; I shop here almost weekly. The service lacks in knowledge and responsibility, so unless you catch the particular employee that knows your genre, best to do your research beforehand. While some of the employees do the best that they can, the owner can be recognized as Shadeball McGreedy. ALWAYS CHECK THE CONDITION OF YOUR PRODUCT! Never special order anything from here as they have a knack for f***ing it up or straight up forgetting it all together. That being said, the staff has improved since I first moved here, especially within the last year (2006). There is no comparison to the service level of "Real Records", the music shop 3 blocks North, as those folks (the store is mostly run by a man and his daughter) are exceptional at finding anything and answering any question about music you, and sometimes they, have never heard before. They will even let you listen to it before you buy. Both places are ridiculusly expensive. The Record Collector is often more reasonably priced, and occasionally you can find a steal. Often I feel that their selection is stale; I've been through the hip-hop section so many times I can spot all of the new arrivals in less than 8 minutes. To me this store is like a Goodwill...sure it's full of garbage, but if you keep an eye out, you can find things that you weren't necessarily looking for, sometimes for a bargain. more

Take the store for what it is. It offers every genre of music that you're looking for, and if they don't have what you are looking for, they will personally track it down and call you when it's in. I special ordered a CD from an underground hip hop group in Canada and they had it within a week. Given the limited space, they have a very wide selection. Then there's this "record issue" that was addressed...have some culture Dear. I'm not going to turn this into a pure dis, but if you have any appreciation of music, you'd understand the importance of vinyl. I feel that's all that needs to be said. If you're into mp3s and Mike Jones, venture elsewhere. If you're into Music, stop in. more

I really hate rating business' low but when I honestly do not think a business should even be entered I will post....this is one of those business'. This business specializes in used albums. For those of you in the CD age, they are extra large CD's that used to played on this contraption called a "record player". Seriously, the selection here is pretty poor....mostly local stuff and not good local stuff at that. It is a somewhat musty, dusty feeling establishment that makes me itchy when I am there. I thumbed through some of the selections that were available and honestly did not recognize many at all and the ones I DID recognize, I can see WHY they were sold to a store such as this. Bottom line....don't waste your time here unless you honestly are looking for some obscure local band or some really "different' local music. Keep walking folks........just a few miles away is a large mega-mall with clean floors, bright lights and music you will recognize and LIKE!......sorry but that's my opinion....take it or leave it as they may say! :-) more

The LP selection here is mediocre, but there are still some good finds here. There is a pretty good used collection. I like the fact that the Record Collector doesn't cater to the mainstream, so there is some really unique music here. Iowa City has a pretty good local scene, and you can find alot of local artists on display here. more