We’ve all been there. We wait in the long lines, finally get in, only to discover someone else scooped up that prized limited-edition record before we got it.
If you didn’t get what you were looking for on record store day resist the temptation to jump directly to eBay or Discogs. In addition to normal after-market pricing there can be an immediate artificial inflation of price because the dust hasn’t settled yet and the true demand of some records aren’t known yet. Sometimes a few days after RSD the price of certain records will actually drop after there is less interest than previously thought.
Aside from eBay and Discogs one of the best ways to get that much desired record is still through a record store. It might just take a bit more leg work.
There are a few things you can try that might allow you to land that record for a more reasonable cost.
Contents
- 1. Join and connect with users in vinyl communities related to your favorite genre or artist
- 2. Call record stores in your general geographic area
- 3. Reach out to record stores in less populated areas
- 4. Reach out to record stores in different countries
- 5. Wait for a Repress
- Bonus: Shameless Plug – Update Your Vinyl Setup Instead of Chasing Impossible-to-Find Releases
If you are part of a community of like-minded fans, oftentimes people are very willing to help each other out. Post what you are looking for and ask if anyone has seen additional copies in other parts of the world. In many cases international shipping and duty from a record shop can be cheaper than paying reseller prices + shipping. Let’s be there for each other and help track down releases for our fellow fans.
2. Call record stores in your general geographic area
Even if record stores around your city don’t have it, start making calls or messaging record stores that are within a reasonable driving distance from where you live. It might be a lot of effort and hastle, but you might luck out and find what you are looking for without needing to resort to buying online.
3. Reach out to record stores in less populated areas
If you live in a big city, there might just be more record shoppers per capita for your record store thus leading to less supply. Consider reaching out to record stores in smaller towns where there might be less interest for your prized record.
4. Reach out to record stores in different countries
There are numerous releases that are exclusive to certain countries. You may need to go international to hunt down your record. Utilize the search function of each Record Store Day website in different countries to look up different record stores. Often website, social media or other contact information is provided on the various official RSD websites to individual stores. Reaching out to stores directly might be the best way to track down that grail.
5. Wait for a Repress
While some records are ‘Record Store Day Exclusives’ and may not be released again there are many records that are released for RSD that do see a repress a few months later. Sometimes it might be just a different color variant.
Many pressing plants are also experiencing a back log with their vinyl production and RSD titles may be capped in quantity to ensure the full run can be ready in time for Record Store Day.
The label however still may want to release more copies at a later date and it may be worth waiting for another less hyped repress that you can purchase at retail price.
Bonus: Shameless Plug – Update Your Vinyl Setup Instead of Chasing Impossible-to-Find Releases
Rather than breaking the bank on a single record you could use this as an opportunity to upgrade your existing setup. You may already have a great collection and want to get the most out of it. You can always consider upgrading your speakers, turntable or even just your cartridge or other accessory to maximize the enjoyment of your prized record collection.
