Where to buy vinyl online

If you’re new to collecting physical media, building a collection can be daunting. Where do you find all those records? How do you find exactly the records you’re looking for? It can take years to build a large collection of vinyl records, but with the power of the internet, you can find any record, even limited editions from specific countries. Who needs streaming when you have the bright, warm sound of vinyl records?

While combing through your local record stores is the best way to build confidence in your record hunting, there are plenty of options online if you want to find something very specific, especially if no one nearby has what you’re looking for. Whether you’re looking for factory-new records or pre-loved second-hand records, there are plenty of options at your fingertips.

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1 Discogs is the first destination for audiophiles

You can find even the most niche records on Discogs

Vinyl lovers love Discogs, and rightfully so. Not only can you catalog all the physical music you own, but you can also acquire hard-to-find records and CDs from sellers all over the world. If you’re looking for a rare pressing of a record, you’ll likely find it on Discogs. It just might not be cheap.

Sellers on Discogs not only list the condition of the records they are selling, but also important details about the record and when it was produced. This way, you can make an informed decision about what exactly you want: whether you want the best condition record or you just want something that will play your favorite music for the least amount of money. Buying second-hand is not only better for your wallet, it’s also better for the environment, since it doesn’t increase the demand for new record production, which has a significant impact on the environment.

2 There are tons of records to dig through on eBay

The list may not be as detailed as Discogs, but it’s still solid.

eBay is another go-to site for record lovers, as it’s where you can find a wide variety of used records in a variety of conditions. Because eBay is aimed at the general public, not audiophiles, you might not get detailed information from sellers, but you can still find a lot of great records.

Sellers will usually include details about the condition of their records, especially if there are any scratches or areas that may cause skips, and it’s a good idea to ask the seller about these details before you buy to ensure you’re getting what you want.

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3 Support your favorite artists on Bandcamp

You’ll find a wide range of records from big artists to small indie artists.

If you’re looking to buy new releases, Bandcamp is a great place to buy records directly from your favorite artists. The site features a wide variety of artists, from mainstream artists to smaller independents, so you’ll have a wide range of records to choose from on the website.

Even if the artist you’re looking for is a local artist who plays basement shows, there’s a good chance they’re selling their records on Bandcamp. One of the best things about Bandcamp is that on the first Friday of every month, the website hosts an event called “Bandcamp Friday,” where 100% of the profits from sales go directly to the artist and label.

4 Amoeba Records has an extensive catalogue of new and used records

They’re not just a brick-and-mortar store

Amoeba Records is well known among music lovers, especially for their “What’s in my bag” YouTube videos that they’ve produced with popular artists, but did you know you can also buy records directly from Amoeba’s website?

Amoeba has a huge selection of vinyl records, including new and used vinyl. The site allows you to filter by genre, format, and new or used. Even better, all music and movies purchased on Amoeba include shipping within the US.

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5 Tower Records sells a huge amount of new records

They don’t sell used records, so you might end up paying a lot.

Tower Records, another well-known record store chain, also sells records on their website. They stock a wide variety of records, from popular new releases to rare and special edition records. You can also pre-order new records from your favorite artists through the Tower Records website.

Tower Records only sells new records and does not buy or sell used records, so while you are guaranteed to get a good-condition record when you buy from Tower Records, it will cost you significantly more than buying used records from other record stores.

6 Believe it or not, there are perks to buying records at Urban Outfitters

Don’t be mad, audiophiles.

Listen, Urban Outfitters is a good place to buy vinyl records. Not only does the retailer sell fast fashion, coffee table books, and mugs, but it also carries a wide selection of vinyl records from popular artists.

The best part about buying records at Urban Outfitters is that the company sells a lot of records that are exclusive to Urban Outfitters, and they often come in different colors than the actual records. If you want to buy a new record from your favorite popular artist, there’s a good chance that Urban Outfitters is offering something special so you can get a fun color that you can show off as part of your collection.

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