Normally, I avoid posting commerical sites: after all, this site isn't exactly Amazon here. But you have to understand something about Vintage Vinyl: this has got to be one of the best used CD stores I've ever been in, and I can't say enough about it.
The original Vintage Vinyl store is in the Delmar Loop in St. Louis, right next to Washington University in St. Louis, mia alma mater. It's a sweet place, a renovated movie theater -- so you know it's got lots of floor space for used stuff. Kept me groovin' through my college and a few post-college years, as well as selling me an X-Files poster for my office cubicle when X-Files was still neat.
Quite a few friends worked there: you could always get an opinion on the latest stuff, and it was always interesting. Reading through the rack labels was always a treat; someone usually put some commentary or good artwork on them. They had tapes, CDs and vinyl to choose from, and lacked in none of them.
I got to see the Squirrel Nut Zippers there, and watched as a crowd of kids from the suburbs who desperately wanted to be considered dangerous and scary formed for the Insane Clown Posse (I link not, because I have taste left).
Let me also quote from their CD policy:
Any CD you order from us is absolutely, unconditionally guaranteed. That means: The disc will be in perfect condition i.e. it will play perfectly on your player. All original artwork/booklets ect. will be with your CD. The plastic CD case (jewel case) will be free of chips, cracks or breaks and open and close properly. If you buy a CD from us and in your opinion (Ed: note, their bold) it does not meet these standards we’ll cheerfully take it back and apply credit to your account or refund your money.
That's why I like them. They like music, they like their customers, and they're solid. I moved away from St. Louis, but I still miss that store. Nothing like it in Atlanta.
But with mail order? Heck, even if it costs a little more I'd be happier knowing that my cash went to something good. Think of this as like shopping at Powells instead of Amazon: choose this if you can, and if not, no worries.
Posted by Ted Stevko at January 29, 2004 09:57 PM | TrackBack