My Southern California likes:
Record Surplus (excellent classical section and two turntables on hand for listening - excellent classical advice and pricing)
Atomic Records (excellent for jazz records and advice for same - excellent to reasonable prices)
Amoeba (excellent prices and selection - enthusiastic young people but not a lot of depth in knowledge outside of what the youngsters are listening to)
Record Collector (the best collector's knowledge and depth of stock on hand at the highest price)
My northern California likes:
Ameoba (not as friendly or helpful as socal, but good pricing and stock on hand)
Grooveyard in Oakland (excellent jazz knowledge and good pricing - depth of stock varies)
Online:
I've found Ebay and Amazon to have better stock on hand so to speak at much better pricing - but you have to do your own research - and be prepared for some returns. In other words, less convenience and more work for lower prices. I've found that all sellers tend to overrate the quality of their used records, so its good to know their return policy. I've not found any sellers that regularly underrate the quality of their used lps.
That is my two cents. Jeff
Record Surplus (excellent classical section and two turntables on hand for listening - excellent classical advice and pricing)
Atomic Records (excellent for jazz records and advice for same - excellent to reasonable prices)
Amoeba (excellent prices and selection - enthusiastic young people but not a lot of depth in knowledge outside of what the youngsters are listening to)
Record Collector (the best collector's knowledge and depth of stock on hand at the highest price)
My northern California likes:
Ameoba (not as friendly or helpful as socal, but good pricing and stock on hand)
Grooveyard in Oakland (excellent jazz knowledge and good pricing - depth of stock varies)
Online:
I've found Ebay and Amazon to have better stock on hand so to speak at much better pricing - but you have to do your own research - and be prepared for some returns. In other words, less convenience and more work for lower prices. I've found that all sellers tend to overrate the quality of their used records, so its good to know their return policy. I've not found any sellers that regularly underrate the quality of their used lps.
That is my two cents. Jeff