If you’re new to collecting physical media, the idea of building your collection can be daunting. Where does everyone find all these records? How do you find exactly what you’re looking for? While it can take many years to build a sizable collection of vinyl records, with the power of the internet, you can find every record under the sun, down to limited edition pressings from specific countries. Who needs streaming when you have the bright, warm sound of a vinyl record?
While scouring your local record store is the best way to feel authentic about your search for records, there are a ton of options online if you want to find something extremely specific, especially if nobody near you has what you’re looking for. Whether you’re searching for factory-new records or well-loved secondhand ones, you have a lot of options at your fingertips.
1 Discogs is the first stop for audiophiles
You can find even the most niche records on Discogs
Vinyl enthusiasts love Discogs, and it makes sense. Not only can you catalog all the physical music you own, but you can also procure hard-to-find records and CDs from sellers from across the world. If you’re looking for a rare pressing of a record, chances are you’ll find it on Discogs. It might not come cheap though.
If you’re looking for a rare pressing of a record, chances are you’ll find it on Discogs.
Discogs sellers include the condition of the vinyl they’re listing, as well as any important details about the record and when it was made. This way, you can make informed decisions about what you specifically want, whether you need the best condition record, or if you just want something that will play the music you want while spending the least amount of money. Buying secondhand is not only great for your wallet, it’s also better for the environment since you aren’t adding to demand to produce new records, which have a pretty significant environmental impact.
2 eBay has a ton of records to scour
The listings may not be as detailed as Discogs, but they’re still solid
eBay is another site that vinyl enthusiasts swear by since you can find a wide variety of used vinyl in varying conditions on the marketplace. Since eBay is more catered towards regular people and not audiophiles, you might not get as many specifics from sellers, but you’ll still be able to find lots of amazing records on there.
Sellers generally will list the condition the record is in, especially details like if there are any scratches or areas that cause skiping. It’s also a good idea to ask the seller about these specifics before buying, just to make sure you’re getting what you want.
3 Support your favorite artists on Bandcamp
From big artists to small independent ones, you can find so much vinyl here
If you’re looking to buy newer releases, Bandcamp is an excellent place to buy vinyl records directly from your favorite artists. The site is full of artists, from mainstream ones to small independent artists, so you can find a wide array of records on the website to choose from.
Even if the artist you’re looking for is a local artist who does basement shows, there’s a chance they are selling their own records on Bandcamp. One of the best aspects of Bandcamp is that every first Friday of the month, the website hosts an event called “Bandcamp Friday” where 100% of the profits from sales go directly to artists and labels.
4 Amoeba Records has an extensive catalog of new and used records
They’re more than just their brick-and-mortar stores
Amoeba Records is well known among music lovers, especially for its “What’s in my bag” videos on YouTube that they make with popular artists. But did you know you can buy records directly from Amoeba’s website?
Amoeba has a massive log of vinyl to choose from, including new and used records. You can filter by genre, format, and new or used on its site. Better yet, all music and movies purchased through Amoeba include shipping within the United States.
5 Tower Records sells a ton of new records
They don’t sell used records, so you may end up spending a lot
As another well-known record store chain, Tower Records also sells vinyl on its website. The company has a wide variety of records to choose from, from popular new releases to rare and special edition vinyl. You can also pre-order upcoming records from your favorite artists through Tower’s website.
Tower Records only sells factory-new vinyl and the company doesn’t buy or sell used records. So, while buying from Tower Records ensures you’ll be receiving records in excellent condition, it will cost significantly more than buying used records from other record stores.
6 Believe it or not, buying records from Urban Outfitters has its perks
Audiophiles, don’t get mad at me
Hear me out: Urban Outfitters can be a good place to buy vinyl records from. The retailer doesn’t just sell fast fashion, coffee table books, and mugs, but it has a wide variety of vinyl records from popular artists.
The best thing about buying vinyl from Urban Outfitters is the fact that the company sells a lot of Urban Outfitters-exclusive vinyl pressings, often with different colorways of the actual record. If you want to buy a new record from a popular artist you love, there’s a good chance Urban Outfitters will have something special on offer, and you can snag a fun color to show off as part of your collection.
7 There are a ton of options available on Amazon too
However, it shouldn’t be your first option
Amazon, being the everything-store that it is, has a wide variety of vinyl records for sale. You will likely find every new release from current artists under the sun, and re-pressings of older records too. You likely won’t find a lot of used records, unless you’re buying from a third-party seller. If you do choose to do that, do your research on the seller and make sure they’re legitimate, because you don’t want to end up with a scratched-up or otherwise damaged vinyl.
I should stress that, while Amazon does have many options available, it should not by any means be your first choice for buying physical media, even if it’s the easiest way for you to get it.
I should stress that, while Amazon does have many options available, it should not by any means be your first choice for buying physical media, even if it’s the easiest way for you to get it. Supporting artists more directly, and supporting smaller businesses, should both take precedent over buying records off of Amazon. You also don’t know what condition you’ll be getting your record in, because Amazon isn’t an expert in physical media, it’s an expert in shipping every possible product as fast as possible.
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