Oh, how I loved Amoeba Music. I quickly got tired of Tower Records and went solely to Rasputin's and Amoeba. Amoeba has the largest selection of CDs I've ever seen. It caters to just about every music lover you can think of. The DVD/VHS selection is decent, but it's all about the MUSIC. And the used CDs! Admittedly, I didn't get into CDs until college (1992), but I probably bought about 600 CDs (I wasn't rich, just in debt) during my tenure. Imagine how much more that would have cost new! Since it's on Telegraph at the heart of Berkeley, you have to get used to the panhandlers in front, the funky smells, and the crowds. While I was at Berkeley, this was not a problem. I'd just go before or after classes when it wasn't so packed. Unfortunately, now that I'm a working stiff, it's hard enough just to get to Berkeley and then find parking, but the store is packed. I mean packed. I mean once while browsing through U2 CDs someone had to squeeze by me because there were like eleventeen other people in the same area, and as he brushed me from behind, I could tell he had a nipple ring. Hot. Like the usually Berkeley stores, expect to check in large bags. read more

This place lives up to its hype for sure. Amazing selection of music in all genres and all formats (cd/vinyl/cassette/dvd) and some shirts too. I was impressed with how much used stuff they had here and the new was priced pretty fair. They have some dollar bins under the racks which are always fun to explore. Don't expect to find any rare gems at good prices, they know what they have and are quick to slap an "out of print" sticker on it and charge e-bay prices. read more

Amoeba Music - Amoeba In Berkley, CA - Music & DVDs Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've been to all 3 locations and I just have to say that my experience at this particular location was really sour. The employees just seemed really bothered. Employee made a mistake on our purchase and got mad when we pointed it out and he didn't know how to correct it. It didn't end up getting corrected and we left with the wrong stuff and not what we intended to buy. We drove out of our way to stop here as our "fun" thing on a long road trip and we just left the place feeling like they probably talked smack after we left. Not a good feeling. We just wanted to support the iconic amoeba. read more

You know how when you step into a store not sure whether you'll get anything, only to find yourself in need of a basket or something to carry all the goods you have and want to take home? This is that kind of store. Unknowingly setting foot into the used section and finding an obscure Japanese release of R.E.M. in my hands, I continued to dig and dig and dig, and pretty soon I had everything in my hands that would take me my entire collegiate career to listen to and fully appreciate. Flash your student ID and you get ten percent off. Awesomeness abounds. read more

Update your hours. Drove 3 hrs to find out it wasn't open. Something that can easily be done

I love diving in the piles of 1.99 cd's, losing myself for hours in LP's and checking out the cult dvd's in the corner. The music they play often sends me back to the stacks to buy it and the resale of discs is quite fair. What would a trip up Telegraph be without a stroll through Amoeba for 300-400.00 of tunes? The have a decent selection of Cash cd's and box sets and I found some cool Clash LP's in the bins digging around. This has become part of my sunday (late) morning ritual. read more

Stay out of the vinyl section. Ya heard, This is my spot. And s/o to Evan who was extremely helpful in suggesting new artist based on the album's I purchased. read more

I LOVE Amoeba ... but the one in Berkeley is really small and has a very limited selection. Yes, I'm a bit spoiled from the Hollywood one... but there wasn't even a section for top 20's pop nor pop for that matter (they only had pop vocal). They DO carry a HUGE selection of rock, electrionica, jazz and classical though. =) Don't expect to find Backstreet Boys. =P We left with an out of print Disney CD, though! =) read more

When I came to Berk, to visit my sister, she left me with a map of different places to go to when I got bored in her apartment. I totally did end up get bored and then took the map and went out on my own. I ended up coming to this place and getting a lot of CDs. I think I ended up getting more than I should have, but with the prices that they have here, how could you not end up with a handful of CDs!!!! read more

It all started in Berkeley for Amoeba Records. This store will always be the original Amoeba with a unique energy and spirit not to be surpassed by the newer stores. This store opened a long time ago on Telegraph and had to take on the great Rasputin's which dominated the Telegraph record store scene for years. Plus the old Tower on Durant was a nice store as well. They did this by developing a solid collection of rock/ soul and funk. Hip-hop/rap was an entire separate section. Plus they had a back room of Jazz, Brazilian, Soundtracks, and a World Music room full of vinyl and cds. We had a routine. Pick up a Fat Slice right down the street. Wash it down with a large coke to muster up the energy for some music digging at Amoeba. It was a bustling scene back then, as it is today. The main format was CDs, but they also offered a good deal of vinyl. During this time they started buying used albums from the public. Thus, their music inventory completely snowballed. If you wanted to find a rare album by say Grand Central Station, Evelyn "Champange" King, Cymande, etc. You went to Amoeba to find it. Always with the help of a passionate music staff who were there to share some knowledge. Plus, they generally kept the in-store music on a rare groove, indi rock format. After the demise of many of the big record store chains, it's quite assuring to know we can still depend on Amoeba in Berkeley read more

I looove amoeba! I've been to the one in Hollywood more often, which has a much larger selection. The staff here though was nice and helpful. I found 3 CDs in the clearance section that I really like for only $1.99 each! I also found old hard-to-find DVD collections of TV shows for cheap. I got two seasons of Gilmore Girls, previously viewed, for under $10 each. I always suggest that when you go to amoeba, you have a list of things you want to look for, so you don't get overwhelmed. Unfortunately, since this one is smaller than the one in Hollywood I'm used to, I wasn't able to find most of the bands. However, I had great success when searching through the clearance racks for names I recognized. I ended up with 4 CDs total for $17. A steal! read more

I like the location in the City much better. The normal cretins on the Ave in Berkeley abound. Once that gauntlet is cleared into a vinyl wonderland you shall roam. Nothing feels better than a 12" x 12" piece of cardboard holding a LP tucked under your arm as the search continues! read more

I never come back there . The worst customer service . We wondered around for one hour and no body helped us. I returned the stuff less the one hour and I have been told there is no return and I can get credit to buy . Horrible experience !! read more

The Berkeley Amoeba is definitely one of my top picks for best record stores in northern California. AND, I prefer it over the SF location. Once I finally figured out that there's a cheap parking lot just around the corner ($1!) which allows you a nice and easy detour from the dozens of incense selling vendors, coeds sporting sweatpants w/Berkeley etched across their rears and crusty punks w/mean dogs scene mayhem - AKA Telegraph (to be avoided at all costs)- Berkeley Amoeba has quickly become a weekly shopping destination. It's not that I always score great finds here cause I don't. BUT- their vinyl selection is more than decent. For the most part, their prices are reasonable. And the tape section rules. I can usually find some random but obviously much needed tapes (a la Dead Milkmen, Flaming Lips, Talking Heads, etc.) for a couple of bucks... and I love me some cassette tapes! Other niceties- the staff have never been judgey (knock on wood), I'm a fan of free calenders (for work!), they still continue to have free live in-stores that rock, and again, are FREE!, and finally their staff recommendation mags are perfect for bathroom reading material. Sorry. :) read more

They carry way more horror pins than the SF store! Horror patches too. As well as other stuff. Some good vinyl finds as well. As far as horror pins go, compared to the SF store which only has a tiny plastic rotating rack with a very limited selection, and virtually no horror ones! Berkeley's has a huge glass case and almost an entire shelf is horror pins. So they are a good place to get pins since if you order online from anywhere you pay a good chunk in shipping cost. And they do a random enamel pin day sale which is rarely once in a blue moon. read more

great prices! I got The Beatles record for $5 and The Velvet Underground for $10 also La Vie En Rose for $15 oh, but that is not all students get 10% off yay score. read more

Here's what I got: -A double album by the Swan Silvertones -A CD of James Booker's early singles -Some Bulgarian choir music that was a staff pick -Screamadelica by Primal Scream (for like $3 off the discount rack) Made for some great browsing! read more

One of the best selections of new and used cds, dvds, and vinyl in the Bay Area. They are always having sales. Their staff is very helpful and friendly and they can steer you right where you need to go when you are looking for something. I like this store more than the one in the Haight in San Francisco., I seem to like their selection and prices more. Easy street parking. Amoeba Music is a strong supporter of the community and live music. They are one of the Sponsors of the Berkeley World Music Festival on June 22 Featuring Afrofunk Experience, Manzo Rally w/members of Malo, and Pride and Joy plus 12 other bands from around the world. read more

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I used to come here all the time until an even better record store opened in my house. Yeah, its called the internet. Besides, Rasputin was always always better. read more

I'm giving 2 stars to the Berkeley store mostly because of the staff. It seems like everyone is too cool to pay enough attention to customers, no one cares to help if there is a special event and you supposed to enter a sweepstake or get a poster, and on the record store day almost every worker was severely depressed (yes, it is a lot of pain for the staff, but it is an exciting event!). Plus, they did some restocking on the RSD, which was quite annoying, Selection of LPs is pretty good though (probably much better than your local indie record store), but Amoeba San Francisco and Amoeba Hollywood easily beat that. And people at your local indie record store are more likely to be much helpful and guarantee a better experience. read more

Last night I made the plunge... I have to say that given my high hopes and expectations, I left somewhat disappointed. The place is large, and has lots of variety, particularly across neglected genres for some stores such as jazz, folk, country, and opera vocals. However, the majority of artists I was interested in (rock) had their selections all new, in shrink wrap, and commanding top dollar. I am not the pay-through-the-nose so I can have a brand new copy of everything "collectible" guy; I'm the pay a few bucks for a nice used copy guy. This is not this store's standard procedure. What little I found on the floor was generally uninspired, and I walked away with a few pieces for a good deal, but no more than any other smaller store I've been to. I've heard that I can't judge the brand by that one spot, and San Fran deserves its own visit (as I'm sure I'll do for L.A. still), but I just wanted to put it out there so any of you who might feel left out could breathe a sigh of relief... (but don't inhale deeply while in or near the Berkeley store)... There were about 8 dudes on the sidewalk who'd just set up shop there, like a time warp back to the sixties. They had collections of special rocks and who-knows-what-else. Nobody bothering anyone, just taking up space on the sidewalk and hanging out. Peace out, read more

it's been years since I've stepped foot into a music store, but for some reason I don't remember the HMV's and virgin music stores being this much fun. From walls of vinyls to rows upon rows of hip hop, world music, and obscure classical collections, Amoeba has something for everyone and their mother. With a great selection of both used and new merchandise, it's a great way to explore different artists and musical genres without breaking the bank. I definitely had fun, was simultaneously productive and felt like I was being adventurous when I emerged from the store clutching 2 CDs (whose contents were unfamiliar to my virgin ears) for $15. The only thing that I found puzzling was how CDs would have seemingly inconsistent pricing (eg. same price but one was used, or two of the same CDs had different prices). Since I'm a sucker for a good bargain, this just added to Amoeba's appeal. read more

I do not live under a rock nor do I resemble a troll, but everytime I go inside Amoeba Records, the staff there makes me feel like something the cat dragged in. Yes its true, they have a great selection of movies and music. Their trade prices are MUCH better than Rasputins, yet everytime I leave that place, I feel like I have been insulted. No matter how many times I say "hi" in a friendly voice, or "thank you!" or "Good-bye!" I am met with sullen look (if I am even lucky enough to get that, or absolutely silence in return. I was wondering the other day, if they would act that way to a really beautiful woman, then I remembered that I have been told I am a really beautiful woman. So what then? Is it some sort of "I am a rock God and you are a mere mortal" sentiment going on? Well I have news for you. You are NOT a rock God, you are a freakin clerk in a record store. Get over yourself! My best friend used to work at a record store exactly like this in Portland, Oregon. She said I was not imaging the "'tude." She said they do think they are holier than thou. So my message to the store's management is to work on customer relations. A smile goes a long way... read more

Great place and location. For some reason unlike the San Francisco's location I found it hard to find what I wanted. The San Francisco store has a clearance section in each genre, Berkeley's location I was having a hard time finding them. They did have the seven inch record album books that I was looking for. Nice place will probably go back at some point. read more

While smaller than it's counterpart in the Haight, this place is better. I found several CDs that I bought at the other one being sold here for dollars less. :-( This one feels more intimate and more like a neighborhood record shop than a huge overwhelming warehouse. read more

I've been coming here for years! With technology diminishing Cd's, Vinyls and Cd's are not that much of a demand. With sharing music through flash drives and so on, CD places like these are hard to come by. Their CD section has diminished throughout the years but you can almost find what you're looking for. I still buy Cd's and I support artists that I love! Cheap DVDs (unless they are recently released). I have recently sold Cd's here and I usually get more money here than Rasputin. I do love the clearance section. You might find some classic Cd's such as Dr. Dre's the Chronic or Notorious BIG ready to die. If you're a DJ then the vinyl section is perfect for you. You can find many TV season programs here for an affordable price! The staff is knowledgeable and willing to help. Note: If you buy 3 red sticker price cds then you get another one for free. If you park in the oarking garage then just have them validate your ticket! This is a great place to buy new music and get that old feeling of flipping through cds to buy one. Come check this place out! read more

This is a good place for tapes and cheap LPs. A lot of cheap punk/hardcore records can be found here. I found Unwound, Jesus Lizard and a bunch of good 90's stuff in the tape section (most of them a dollar each). I wouldn't really recommend Amoeba as far as trading in goes. I traded in a bunch of DVDs (crappy movies, but popular and current) and got maybe a dollar a piece. I think I traded in about ten DVDs and a few CDs and got about $25. The dude who bought them from me said they had a lot in stock. I later traded in the same amount of stuff to Rasputin and got a little over $50. read more

It's up and down with this place ... but, mostly up. The down part is that some of their used material is a bit higher than it really needs to be. They have such a wealth of product that I'm not so sure that there needs to be used cd's for more than 7 bucks, but ... that's just me. I mean, you can get a digital copy for 10 (or less sometimes) on Itunes. However, their selection of material is such that you could easily spend two hours there and not even realize it. Every genre of music is fully represented in all formats, with a plethora of options within each. They ... really ... have it all. This, to me, is easily the best record store that I have ever been to. However, I can only imagine what Dusty Groove is like in Chicago. Word. read more

Ugh, disappointment!!! I was bored this past Saturday so I decided to take a trip across the bay to Berkeley to see their famed Amoeba Music store. I am such a huge fan of the SF store I thought, might I find a ton of cds at this store I need! My gawd it's horrible!!! Ok so not horrible. But DAMN is it cramped. And my speciality of music is so lost in the store. Dance music? What the hell is that? The Electronica section is soooooooo tiny and so burried I had to hunt and hunt and hunt till I found it and it was terribly disappointing. I guess Berkeley doesn't like dance? I am not enough of a hipster for this place. *sigh* I barely spent 10 minutes in here I just couldn't stand to stay any longer. It didn't have the SF store vibe although it tries...I didn't feel particularly welcome and I always seemed to be in somebodies way. I wasn't impressed and I'm not going back anytime soon. Sorry Amoeba Berkeley! read more

Had a really bad experience with service here. The person helping had a lot of attitude when just asking about the price of an item. Made me feel like leaving so that's exactly what I did. Their prices are not as good as Rasputin's anyway... read more

Ive been coming to Amoeba regularly for over twenty years, but Ive had an experience in the store today that might've turned me off for good. I came in with a box of records, tapes and DVDs to sell. The clerk at the front counter took them and paged me when he was done pricing them. He said he would give me $30 in trade. I said, that'd be fine but I need to check with a friend before I could agree to the trade. I walked out of the store to put the box down and make the call. I verified with my friend that he was ok with $30 and walked right back in the store. The guy at the counter said he wouldn't give me the $30 in trade anymore. He accused me of going to Rasputins and trying to sell there. He said sarcastically, "Oh how convenient that when you left the store you walked in the direction of Rasputins.." I told him I just had to leave to verify that my friend was ok with the $30 in trade. He called me a liar to my face. After accusing me of lying, he told me he would only give me $6 in trade now. I walked right out and called the manager. He said that he wouldn't do anything to make it right. I said I'd never been treated this way in my life but he didn't seem to care. He said the best he would do is talk to the guy. Thats a poor poor way to run a business. Well, you wont be getting my business anymore. After 20 years, too! Bottom line: Never bring your CD, records, DVDs or tapes to Amoeba to sell. As other people on here have noted, they are not operating with a fair business practice and they do NOT deserve your money. read more

This was the first Amoeba as I was told by my boyfriend. Tons of music to select from. Not as big as the one in SF or in LA, but has a nice charm to it. We always leave with a CD or a DVD. read more

I love the giant Amoeba store in SF with the live concerts but it's so far away and often such a zoo. This Amoeba store has just as good a selection of the genres and artists that interest me - so when I'm looking to pass a rainy afternoon, I hop on the 1, walk a few blocks and browse Amoeba and the other excellent music & book shops on Telegraph. It's definitely worth your while to pop in and browse this store - support your local merchants! read more

This place is like my boyfriend's Church - and I have to admit, I really dig it too. While I'm not quite as obsessive about music as he is, I recognize that Amoeba knows what the hell they're doing, and does it very, very well. What I *am* obsessive about is movies. Movies, movies, movies. And the Berkeley Amoeba does that pretty damn well too. They ROCK hard for separating things in a way that makes sense to serious film nerds - sure, everyone has a David Lynch section, but does everyone have Dario Argento and Hammer Horror split out from the rest??? I think not. They also have the biggest selection of used DVDs I've ever gotten my greedy little hands on - most for around $6 or less! My Scream trilogy is now complete, I finally got a copy of Bound, and I was able to finish out my Argento collection. Plus, I picked up the Pulsars CD I've been coveting for $1.99. Oh Amoeba, why can't you be closer to me??? I NEED you. read more

The star rating is actually an average, as Amoeba in Berkeley, despite halving in size in the last year or so, is still worth going to for records and cds, and most of the people are pretty friendly and easygoing. And for that I'd give 3 1/2 to 4 stars. However, for selling your records and cds, the rating would be zero to one star. As other reviewers have noted, these days the buyers at Amoeba seem to give pennies on the dollar towards credit. The tall, slender guy with the receding hairline is pretty much the stingiest. At one point when I asked about him about low value he was giving to what I brought in, he said "Gotta make money". Yes, but a 700-800% markup does not seem fair. Evidently, they don't take into consideration that if you give people such a low amount, it discourages them from bringing in stuff to trade or sell. I myself have many hundreds of record albums from the 60s and beyond, but they will not be traded in here. read more

I know, I'm not from the Bay Area, but when I was visiting my family in SFO I decided to give Amoeba a visit. I've been to the Amoeba in Hollywood millions of times, but I wanted to see the other stores. I took the BART all the way from South San Francisco all the way to Berkley, which was a great ride compared to the MTA in LA. I had to walk several blocks to get there and when I saw it there was a lot of life happening around it, well it's Berkley. I'm always jealous of this Amoeba because they have a lot more bands playing live here than in Hollywood, which has mostly art shows and auctions. The prices there are a lot cheaper and their USED section is a lot more extensive than Hollywood's. I bought several albums under 40 dollars and was able to get out of there before the sun set, which is a good thing if you are in that neighborhood without a car. read more

I have to admit that I've been more of a Rasputin fan. I feel as the organization of Rasputin's store makes it a bit more shop-able than Amoeba, but I became a fan when there was a side walk sale. I got 9 DVD and 3 CDs for only $19, tax included! Ok well 8 DVDs and 3 CDs, but then my boyfriend spun a prize wheel they had out as part of the sidewalk sale, and won another DVD bringing up our grand total to 9! The CDs they had were mostly soundtracks and older albums from the 90s, but you can't be 33 cents a CD. I also got a bunnnch of coupons, so I will definitely come back! What did I get you may ask? DVDs: 1) Cutting Edge 2)Sweet Home Alabama 3)Disturbia 4)The Incredible Hulk 5)Wanted 6)The Cable Guy 7)Rocky Balboa 8)Accepted 9)Once Upon a Time in Mexico CDs 1) Hitch Soundtrack 2) Rome and Juliet 3) Randy Jackson Compilation CD- Jason Mraz , Joss Stone, and Mariah CD were in the CD, couldn't beat that. Great place to find those movies that you've been searching for at an attractive price. =) read more

I've always wanted to visit an Amoeba location, and today I finally got to. I'd say my greatest find today was "Lycanthropy" by Patrick Wolf, which I bought new for $13.98 (compare that to $37.99 on Amazon). I also found a Thom Yorke remix CD I didn't know existed, plus a Radiohead single with my favorite b-side. Overall, a nice little trip. I'm in San Jose, so I'm pretty fond of our local Rasputin. I'll be sure, though, to browse through Amoeba whenever I'm up in Berkeley! read more

Ah, memories. Eons ago, wandering around Berkeley back in the golden age of record stores: Amoeba, Rasputin, Leopold, Tower, and yes, Mod Lang, this city was music Mecca for me. Discovering Amoeba was like the cloudy skies parting and sunrays beaming down and heavenly choirs singing. I used to spend hours browsing here. It used to be THE reason to go to Telegraph for me. Key words, "used to." Today, it's still a great store, but it's no longer a must-stop for me when I'm in East Bay. Now blown out of the water by their gigantic Hollywood store, Amoeba seems to be a ghost of what it once was for me. I had a pretty good size credit slip with me and I had a hard time using it. Sigh. Thanks for nothing, MP3. read more

I'm generally a fan of this store but my only complaint is that you often cannot tell if a CD is new or used since they don't label them any differently. There is no 'used' or 'new' label on any of their CDs. I recently bought several CDs that were $10.99 and I thought they were new. But when I opened them I noticed they had slit cuts in them. This is something that was hidden by Amoeba's anti-theft holders. Very sneaky Amoeba! read more