jwrosenthal
03-16-2009, 06:47 PM
So I read a thread about a month ago about CD Depot on Rt 1 College Park carrying vinyl. I have driven by that store so many times I can't even count, but never stopped in as the name had nothing for me (all analog all the time in my house). I went in on a whim about a month ago, and the sign on the door said "we now buy vinyl records"...a good sign. The store is huge, and obviously going through an identity shift as they are trying make room for the disgusting amount of vinyl that is piled through the isles in cardboard boxes. They have allotted one row (the store is about 100X40 with 2 double sided main isles and bins along the walls) for vinyl and the spread so far is respectable. I was in for 10 minutes, and skimmed the sections enough to know that I would want to go back when I had more time, but nothing screamed "buy me" at the time.
I stopped by again today and gave the place a little more time. It was even more cluttered than before, but it is obvious that this was once (recently) a very tidy store that is just overwhelmed by the media shift (converting bins that accommodate 5"cd's to 12" vinyl 'aint easy).
The classic rock section has all the usual suspects, but they were all near mint, in sleeves, and apparently (when I pulled 1 or 2 of them) all cleaned with their VPI RCM and in fresh paper sleeves with the old sleeve tucked in the jacket (no wonder it is taking them so long to get the merch into the bins with anal retentive care like this...not that I mind). Albums that weren't mint were clearly marked on the sticker "light scuffs" or "surface marks" and the prices were adjusted accordingly (and the prices were very fair..between $5-10 for minty common titles and $7-15 for rarer titles or first issues) and any that were "scuffed" were minimal at most.
The jazz was respectable. They had alot of Prestige re-issues (early 80's era) of which I own a ton, that were still sealed and priced around $9-11 each...not a bargain, but right where they should be. Lots of 80's Columbia res-issues, and some decent Riverside and 70's Prestige...in all a good selection for the novice collector and preced right. It was obvious I was late for the prime BN and Prestige stuff as that was all missing, clearly cherry-picked by someone who got there before me, but had I been starting a jazz collection from scratch, this would be a prime selection with which to start, at very reasonable prices.
The classical selection on the floor was meager...a big dissapointment for me. What they did have was priced well, and were good labels (DG, Philips, CMW)...but I knew that there must have been more and I was itchy now. I walked to the back counter where two gentlemen were up to their ears in stacks of vinyl and CD's obviously trudging their way through it. I asked if there was a hidden stash of classical that hadn't made it to the floor, and the owner (I assume he was the owner as he seemed to be calling the shots) said that they had several boxed that hadn't even been priced yet and was piled under other stuff. He escorted me into the back room which was a maze of cabinets and boxes...and guess what..they had around 500 classical recocords under boxes of jazz (he had a clerk move them for even after I insisted I didn't want to be a problem for them). Needless to say, I hit my motherload...great stuff....Everest,London, Philips, Decca, RCA LSC, all the good stuff. I grabbed about 50 albums, checked them out quickly and they were all VG-EX (some mint but I was going to fast as I felt awkward digging through boxes in their stock room). The owner was very gracious, and quickly went through the stack putting them in piles based on sales price ($1.99, $2.99, $3.99, $4.99) In total, I walked with several titles I had been on the hunt for, for years, and only spent $150. I could have spent twice as much if I had more time but I was late getting home.
SO.....now I have a new record store to hit on my rotations, and as they get more of their stock out, there should be some real gems in there. Next to the classical boxes were several jazz boxes...I think I saw some early Fantasty, Prestige, Riverside, Implulse and BN peeking at me (can spot those spines a mile away)....I guess it's worth making weekly stops as they mill through that stuff.
They are very nice folks, just a bit overwhelmed right now.....give 'em hand and clear some shelf space for them....I started today and they clearly appreciated the help:thmbsp:
James R.
I stopped by again today and gave the place a little more time. It was even more cluttered than before, but it is obvious that this was once (recently) a very tidy store that is just overwhelmed by the media shift (converting bins that accommodate 5"cd's to 12" vinyl 'aint easy).
The classic rock section has all the usual suspects, but they were all near mint, in sleeves, and apparently (when I pulled 1 or 2 of them) all cleaned with their VPI RCM and in fresh paper sleeves with the old sleeve tucked in the jacket (no wonder it is taking them so long to get the merch into the bins with anal retentive care like this...not that I mind). Albums that weren't mint were clearly marked on the sticker "light scuffs" or "surface marks" and the prices were adjusted accordingly (and the prices were very fair..between $5-10 for minty common titles and $7-15 for rarer titles or first issues) and any that were "scuffed" were minimal at most.
The jazz was respectable. They had alot of Prestige re-issues (early 80's era) of which I own a ton, that were still sealed and priced around $9-11 each...not a bargain, but right where they should be. Lots of 80's Columbia res-issues, and some decent Riverside and 70's Prestige...in all a good selection for the novice collector and preced right. It was obvious I was late for the prime BN and Prestige stuff as that was all missing, clearly cherry-picked by someone who got there before me, but had I been starting a jazz collection from scratch, this would be a prime selection with which to start, at very reasonable prices.
The classical selection on the floor was meager...a big dissapointment for me. What they did have was priced well, and were good labels (DG, Philips, CMW)...but I knew that there must have been more and I was itchy now. I walked to the back counter where two gentlemen were up to their ears in stacks of vinyl and CD's obviously trudging their way through it. I asked if there was a hidden stash of classical that hadn't made it to the floor, and the owner (I assume he was the owner as he seemed to be calling the shots) said that they had several boxed that hadn't even been priced yet and was piled under other stuff. He escorted me into the back room which was a maze of cabinets and boxes...and guess what..they had around 500 classical recocords under boxes of jazz (he had a clerk move them for even after I insisted I didn't want to be a problem for them). Needless to say, I hit my motherload...great stuff....Everest,London, Philips, Decca, RCA LSC, all the good stuff. I grabbed about 50 albums, checked them out quickly and they were all VG-EX (some mint but I was going to fast as I felt awkward digging through boxes in their stock room). The owner was very gracious, and quickly went through the stack putting them in piles based on sales price ($1.99, $2.99, $3.99, $4.99) In total, I walked with several titles I had been on the hunt for, for years, and only spent $150. I could have spent twice as much if I had more time but I was late getting home.
SO.....now I have a new record store to hit on my rotations, and as they get more of their stock out, there should be some real gems in there. Next to the classical boxes were several jazz boxes...I think I saw some early Fantasty, Prestige, Riverside, Implulse and BN peeking at me (can spot those spines a mile away)....I guess it's worth making weekly stops as they mill through that stuff.
They are very nice folks, just a bit overwhelmed right now.....give 'em hand and clear some shelf space for them....I started today and they clearly appreciated the help:thmbsp:
James R.