Save Money on Vinyl Records from Amazon

[@lite2fly]

GREAT VIDEO!!!!!! (as usual!) I buy almost all of my records from Amazon. I do go to a local record store for RSD and a few other times throughout the year. That being said, I save money by shopping at Amazon. Free next day shipping, release day delivery for new releases, always cheaper than my record store, don’t have to drive 40 minutes in traffic, use gas, don’t worry about parking in the small lot or driving around until someone leaves. I get home from work and there it is! I have only had 2 warped Blue Notes. They were inverted like a bowl. I know Amazon is looked down on but I am looking out for me and me says Amazon is great for me. BTW, thanks for turning me on to the Cecil Taylor, I just ordered it!!

[@spinzvinyl]

Your story totally resonates with me. In fact I just got back from a local record store a few minutes ago. A big percentage of records that I would consider buying were either scratched up or overpriced. I ended up finding some decent things but took an hour and a half and a lot of digging to find them. That experience was a lot more appealing to me when I was younger, haha! It's just not that enjoyable for me anymore. There are a ton of record stores around me but I usually just hit one of them because they specialise in used, and they have a lot of turnover in their New Arrivals bins. Most of the other stores in the area are either overpriced current reissues or "way" overpriced originals. Thanks so much for the nice words! I hope you enjoy the Cecil Taylor!

[@madcrabber1113]

I have ordered many records from Amazon and as far as problems with the records is concerned, none were Amazon's fault but returning them is easy as long as you only order records shipped by Amazon.

[@spinzvinyl]

I have to agree. Amazon’s return policy is a real plus. I feel much more confident pulling the trigger on Amazon than many other retailers.

[@TripleE76]

The reason I use Amazon, free shipping over $35, was even better at $25! I won’t name the major sites’ shipping policies, but y’all know them. I’ve had a few sent loose inside a larger box with another item … but the return policy is the BEST! I don’t have prime, however, have bought MANY of my collection on Amazon.

[@spinzvinyl]

Yes! You can’t beat Amazon’s return policy!

[@LS_CZ]

Bought Blue Train Tone Poet Stereo version at $40 from Amazon. Really a steal to me cuz it costs around $70 in my local vinyl stores 😊

[@drazenbabich]

Got my copy from Blue Note store during last Black Friday sale for $28…with 9 other TPs. Crazy considering I paid $34 for a Mono version on Amazon last year.

[@spinzvinyl]

Nice! I'm pretty sure I paid full price for mine. Always good to get a deal, considering how much we spend on these things!!!

[@reedrobins170]

As much as I love to hate Amazon, there are deals out there occasionally that are too good to pass up. So I totally agree with you, as a collector you got to do, what you got to do, to keep your costs down. That $50 savings can go into something else great. I do only by the deals on Amazon though. Great video, and that Fats Navarro is a fantastic album.

[@spinzvinyl]

Like you, I have a love/hate relationship with Amazon. It's good having the option when you need it, but I feel a little dirty while doing it...

[@elderinmoi1571]

I suggest checking other buying options. Many times these are less expensive. Amazon is not the discount market they tried to be when they started out. I also like to support my local dealers much more than I like supporting Amazon who are avoiding taxes playing tricks. The locals also not only have records to buy online but you can actually enter the store and browse the shelves yourself. Something that is really fun and something I would miss if these shops close because of people buying everything from Amazon.

[@spinzvinyl]

Great take! Thanks for weighing in on this!

[@kfratz6]

Well said!

[@JohnZolla-bp7tl]

Over the holidays I bought a bunch direct from Blue Note. Everything was 30% off. The problem buying direct is delivery times. Often around three weeks. The wait is a killer.

[@spinzvinyl]

Haha, yeah. Waiting weeks to hear a record is a bummer. I don't think I've ever purchased directly from Blue Note, maybe once. I heard that a lot of people received free records recently because of late shipping. They just completely refunded their orders! I'm sorry I missed that sale!

[@cheapcheerfulrecordcollect8071]

Thanks for the tip. Just found some nice deals in the Classic and Tone Poets. Didn’t pull the trigger because I may be buying a collection next week. If that falls through I’ll definitely pick up some of those on Amazon. The place we love to hate.

[@spinzvinyl]

Oh nice! Would love to hear how it goes with that collection! Hope you find some great stuff!

[@abc456f]

I ordered "Rumours" from Amazon, sold and shipped from Amazon, and the jacket was bent and creased in the upper right hand corner. Started a return and ordered a replacement. It also had the same bent and creased upper right hand corner jacket. So now I'm returning both and having a copy from a different Amazon seller delivered today. Fyi...the records themselves sounded fine, it was just the physical damage to the jackets. I assume they were damaged in the packaging that Amazon received. I've bought other albums from Amazon and they've been good.

[@spinzvinyl]

That’s a bummer. I know people that have returned 2 or 3 copies just to get a clean one. And not just from Amazon. Some of the biggest vinyl retailers have quality control issues. Fortunately Amazon has a great return policy. But it does suck having to return multiple copies. I hope the next one works out for you! Enjoy Rumors! One of the best!

[@michaelhendricks6991]

I do buy vinyl from amazon. I have a separate album list I monitor daily on prices. It’s easy to send family an item link for holidays or birthdays.

[@spinzvinyl]

I love that! Great idea for holidays!

[@EmbryonicRobot]

Usually, Amazon packages records very well, but they have sent me records in a plastic bag, which I returned. I also use Camel Camel Camel, which I am sure you have heard of, to track prices on my wish list.

[@spinzvinyl]

Yikes, yeah I have received 1 record like that, and it was a while ago. Since then everything from Amazon has been packed pretty well. Actually, I hadn't heard of Camel Camel Camel! Thanks for sharing that! I will definitely be checking it out!

[@iceWaterProductions1]

I love Amazon for vinyl. I bought almost all my Christmas presents (which were all records) off Amazon. The only one was the new Juliana Hatfield. I bought that one of the American Laundry Mat Records site.

[@spinzvinyl]

That’s a great idea. Gift receipts and an excellent return policy are worth the price alone. Cool that you have people in your life to buy records for!

[@sharksbean]

I just bought my first vinyl record through them last week.

[@spinzvinyl]

Oh nice. I hope it went well.

[@sharksbean]

@@spinzvinyl also just bought my first turntable, the AUDIO TECHNICA AT-LPGO (Walmart version of the AT-LP60X-BT) and it works beautifully! The record arrived in perfect condition!

[@johndelavina3335]

Thanks for the tips! As much as I want to support ONLY my local and favorite online stores, I gotta do what I can to make the dollars stretch. So who can blame anyone for a little trip down the Amazon? 👍🏼

[@spinzvinyl]

I couldn't agree more!

[@drazenbabich]

Nice one Jason, bought many a record from Amazon in the past, mainly Blue Note Classics and TPs. Eagle eyes among us will stumble on sales that sometimes go over 40%. My collection of BNs would have been much smaller if it wasn’t for juicy Amazon deals.

[@spinzvinyl]

Likewise, Drazen. Sometimes it's better to be patient rather than first. I'm going to have to pay up for this year's TP releases just because I will be reviewing them, but other than that, I'll just wait for the deals! Thanks for weighing in on this!

[@drazenbabich]

@@spinzvinyl The thing about BN Classics and TP is they likely carry the least of 'collectability' and re-sale value of all high-quality re-issues by the respectable labels, and are widely available worldwide at a very attractive prices even at full retail. Joe Harley once said neither Classics nor TPs will ever go out of print, if they run out of a title they will re-print it/them. Case in point TP Chet Baker Sings which went up to $500 on Discogs until it go re-pressed. When I hunt, I hunt for other titles which are produced by other labels in smaller and limited quantities and likely once-only. BN ones can wait, until they pop up again in the future ... ;) And let me use this opp to give you again a thumbs-up for opening my horizons with MION Japan...dude my wallet hates you :-)

[@spinzvinyl]

@@drazenbabich I couldn't have said it better myself! I definitely jumped on the TP train last year. But I'm beginning to cool somewhat. The scarcity and priceyness of OGs make them hard to ignore. But if I'm being honest, I wish they did them more like the Classic Vinyl Series w/ more original covers. Just put the session photos in the sleeve as an insert and do away with the gatefold. I'm glad you're liking MION! I hope you're getting some great records, just don't break the bank! Haha!!!

[@austinhunt4260]

39.8% of my current collection came from Amazon (DE) and 100% of it started from Amazon. Obviously, I can’t say anything against it. But I will say I prefer not to buy from Amazon when possible. All the benefits you mentioned are true, which makes it difficult to select a seller that sells it at a higher price point than Amazon, plus potentially considerable shipping charges. If it’s a matter of a few extra bucks, I’d rather support an indy. It’s gonna suck when they’re all dead and we’re just buying records from the Borg, which is probably manufacturing them solely as an opiate. Ugh, Amazon. I’m such a hypocrite!

[@spinzvinyl]

The struggle is real! I couldn't agree more. Everyone has to decide what's right for themselves, and for those of us that have to attempt to be as fiscally responsible as possible, I think picking our battles is wise. At least that way we're still supporting the underdog without going bankrupt in the process. But as you say, Amazon is going to be last man standing at some point. 😩

[@BeenieSpooner]

The worst record I got from Amazon was, when they just slapped the shipping sticker on the shrink wrap. But that was some time ago. Since then they upped their packaging game. One more thing to note is the return policy. You get the replacement delivered before you even returned the defective record. Comes in very handy, if one of both has a pressing defect and the other one a slightly damaged cover. You can just frankenstein them together. 😅

[@spinzvinyl]

I think I had one record arrive that way as well; with the sticker just slapped on the shrink. Fortunately they seem to have improved on that method. Amazon's return policy gives me a lot more confidence when it comes to taking a chance on something. It's one of the best things about buying from them. I'll have to remember the frankenstein strategy!!!

[@funtimewolfy08]

Ive recently gotten an astroworld vinyl just yesterday and had to send it back cause it skipped a bunch of times.excitement turned into disappointment. The thing wrong with it was the ends were flat, there was a small plastic bit on the edge, and like i said skipped. So never again with Amazon. (Plus I have an Igor vinyl from Walmart and it works just fine)

[@brankob8697]

I personally try to avoid Amazon as much as possible just for the moral and ethical reasons, but I’ve been tempted a few times. Luckily my local record store more often than not beats the Amazon prices and I prefer to support local independent so it’s a win win for me. I know people in remote places don’t always have local stores they can go into tho, so I understand why people would use Amazon.

[@spinzvinyl]

Makes sense, my friend. Nice that your local has what you need and for a great price!

[@andrescadabid3022]

Am happy to say that my first experience buying a vinyl record online that I really wanted was at Amazon’s … and oh boy what a surprise when I got a CD instead. Not even the same album I ask for. From that day on. F Amazon never again would I even look or consider buying from Amazon’s sellers

[@happyhippythevinylguy]

Really enjoyed the video, man!

[@spinzvinyl]

Thank you, brother. I hope things are good!

[@Davidicus-m8c]

vert, cool jason,i only have 2 Jimmy Smith records, i have a second pressing of that midnight special album!!

[@spinzvinyl]

OOOOOOOOhhhhhh. Nice score on that second press!!! Hard to go wrong with Jimmy Smith! So good!

[@Davidicus-m8c]

i have bought from amazon before,, never had any problems with the records, i got from em.

[@spinzvinyl]

Very nice! Yeah, it's pretty easy to buy from them with confidence because their return policy is so great!

[@norrieclark5217]

Used to buy the Tone Poets and Classic series from Amazon (UK) as they were significantly cheaper but in the last year or so are now £5 - £10 more than many stores. Maybe I should hold off sometimes the slower sellers go cheap later on like the titles you picked up

[@spinzvinyl]

Yeah, I was just saying to someone else that patience can be a virtue when buying some of these reissues. It’s hard to do sometimes, but it can really pay off.

[@malcolmstevenson6402]

Amazon UK delivery service can be poor. I have had several issues recently when nothing was delivered and I have just returned 3 titles that are bevelled so won't play. Very frustrating. Visited my local record store today and picked up some great bargains, so won't be using Amazon in future.

[@spinzvinyl]

Sorry to hear that. Glad you were able to grab some great records from your local record store though!

[@EddieJazzFan]

I don't know where you live but Amazon has never sent me records packaged like you show here! And EVERY time they come dinged up. Not worth the aggravation even with the discount.

[@spinzvinyl]

Sorry to hear that. They didn’t always ship this way, but lately I’ve received them better protected.

[@SuperxDave]

I’m in Canada and recently started ordering vinyl from Amazon and they always show up in these type of boxes , I’m always impressed with them. On the flip side I recently ordered 8 records directly from a record label and I was appalled how they shipped them… all 8 stacked together with cardboard wrapped around them, all 8 records have a bent/creased corner, an inch or more into the sleeve.

[@khrzl93]

Amazon is the only cheap place to buy records since i live in Malaysia, free shipping for purchases above 49$..

[@spinzvinyl]

Very nice! Glad to hear Amazon offers easy access to vinyl in Malaysia!

[@aa5az423]

Now, I do not know why you came up in my recommendations with this video, but it was very timely. This week I saw a bunch of blue note sales on Amazon averaging about 35 to 40% off. So I bought several of them the night before I saw this video, probably six. I also pre-ordered about another six. so, two of them came in from Amazon, in the same box, one of them was Donald Byrd, live album, and the other was Chet Baker Sings. Chet Baker was perfectly packaged in a mailer, and Donald Byrd was sitting below the Chet Baker totally unprotected by anything in the outer box. the Chet Baker actually was damaged in the manufacturing process and I am having to send it back in the Donald Byrd was in mint condition. You go figure that one out. That Donald Byrd took a ride and came out mint. In any case, I’m willing to save money as long as they’re willing to take them back, but only if they’re willing to take them back if they are shipped damaged. And from what I can tell, they are willing to take them back, so that’s good.

[@spinzvinyl]

Hey, I'm very glad I happened to show up in your feed! That's crazy that the damaged record was better protected, and loose one was fine. Fortunately, Amazon has a pretty impeccable return policy. That's one of the big reasons I have no issue buying vinyl from them. You picked up some great records there, with Donald Byrd and Chet Baker! Enjoy, and don't be a stranger!

[@JumaBowi]

i have like 60 vinyl records on my wantlist, but really dont know if i have to buy the one i want the most first, or just watch which records are on sale

[@spinzvinyl]

It’s a great point. Lately I’ve really been selective. If I can find some things I know I’ll like on sale, great, I’ll pick them up. But mostly I just try to pick up must-haves.

[@JumaBowi]

@@spinzvinyl ah okay. Thanks for your reply. I now have like 7 records which i paid full price for, so hopefully there will be some big sales in the near future

[@deancronin6934]

Amazon Canada does NOT have these kinds of sales or discounts

[@spinzvinyl]

Oh really? That’s a bummer.

[@mikeholliday8056]

Actually they do offer these sale prices…. not to the extent of the USA prices, but you do have to factor in the exchange rate. I find that it is less expensive to purchase from Amazon than directly from Tone Poet, as I have to pay duty on top of the shipping fees from the USA. Just picked up two albums from the post office this morning and I was charged $29 Cdn duty for my purchase from Tone Poet!!! Amazon is your friend, expediting shipping in two days compared to two weeks with FedEx.

[@georgecheung4271]

Yes as long as the vinyl arrives in good shape!