Hard To Find Records

Record buying (or collecting, depending on what you like to call it) is an art unto itself. Since records have long passed from the shelves of mainstream music retailers, it can be difficult to get your hands on that special remix or import--particularly if you don't happen to live within driving distance of a great record shop. The Internet has made finding records a lot easier, but the best way to build your collection is through a combination of electronic and traditional commerce.

Locating Hard to Find Records

If you have a specific title in mind that you simply must get, your best place to start is on the Internet. If it's an older out of print title, online auctions are a good place to look since you might get a good deal on a very valuable record--thanks to someone who doesn't know what it's worth. A big drawback of buying records at online auctions is that you can't be sure of the quality of the record until you've actually paid for it and it is in your hands.

The quality issue is best solved by buying records in person. Good records shops know what record collectors and DJs are looking for and they won't waste your time with warped, scratched versions of the record you're looking for. They can even do a lot of the legwork for you, tracking down that obscure title using their years of experience and their ample connections.

If new (but obscure) records are what you're looking for, online specialty retailers are the best bet. They usually have a much wider selection than normal record shops, and they're probably also a lot cheaper. Look for Internet record stores that specialize in the particular genre that you like--they're much more likely to carry rare imports and hard to find titles.