Diggin' the Virtual Crates: Buying Records Online

The one that got away.

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I don't like buying used records online. You lose out on all the charm of the dusty little record shop, the joy of flipping through records in crates, and – most crucial – the all-important chance to try before you buy. A damaged record isn't much use, after all, nor is one that you just don't like.

Still, sometimes buying online is simply unavoidable. I mostly collect jazz and funk records, and I don't exactly live in a major urban center, so if there's something I particularly want, sometimes I have to go online. I spent months looking for a copy of Jimmy Smith's Groovin' at Small's Paradise Vol. 1 without success, so eventually I gave up and bought it online. I was very happy with the purchase - until the record disappeared mysteriously from my collection awhile back.

Do Your Homework

So, how do you shop for used records online without getting taken for a ride? The answer, of course, is research. Know what you're looking for and who you're buying from. If you have a specific record in mind, the first part is taken care of – but if you're looking to dig the virtual crates a little, it will behoove you to have some resources handy to look things up.

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