Record Runner

Really cool bookstore to hang out around. Tons of figurines, video games, toys, pokemon cards, and…read moreof course books. Great $1 book section. Tons of big name authors there!

Buying and Selling at Book Off What a cool store. So much to…read moresee. Unfortunately, it is lousy to sell at and expensive to buy at. First, Selling. I brought in three statue items unopened in the original packaging. I checked on ebay for what the items sold for (not asking price but sold price) and it added up to about $600, I lugged the items over there and had to leave them there because they wouldn't get to them right away. The people/kids working there were very nice. I went to have lunch and got the text to return, and they are offering $150. So I picked up the items and turned down the offer. Again, they were very nice, it's just I wasn't willing to accept 25% of the value. I figured at worst it would be 50%. But I am better off getting closer to the actual price on ebay. Now, Buying. Lots of very expensive and exiting things to get, and I didn't have time to price check things so much, but my son is into the Nintendo switch and i spotted a used Marvel VS Capcom game he might like. It was $34.95. But just in case, I pulled up Amazon and looked the game up. A brand new one costs $21.79. So it would have been a terrible idea for me to buy it there. I guess if you are leaving work and need a quick gift, you might stop in and pay too much for an item. If you are in real trouble and don't have time to wait for an Ebay sale, you might consider selling your collectables for 25% the value, this place might come in handy.

Books

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Section by section of pure organization

Westsider Records

4.1(55 reviews)

3.4 mi•Upper West Side

Established in 1963

Locally owned & operated

Was walking on 72nd Street and saw this record store. Wowwww what a great selections of records,…read morealbums and CD's. Brings me back to the 80's. Definitely stop by when on the Upper West Side.

This freestanding bookstore is a hidden treasure trove to those who like to spend hours flipping…read morethrough a thick shelf of alphabetized records and books. It has a fantastic collection of UK and US rock vinyl at highly competitive prices (usually less than $10 each), and a spectacular collection of new books.

Storefront

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Stranded Records NYC

4.4(79 reviews)

0.7 mi•East Village

The people running the shop were friendly and cordial without being overbearing. Records were…read morereasonably priced and a bit lower than what I have typically seen online across multiple websites. There was a nice and diverse selection which was well-organized, though for some records there were more than one option. I really like that the store was clean and spaced nicely despite the vintage feel.

I originally knew this shop from Oakland, CA (and I had a few issues with them, despite an…read moreincredibly curated selection of music). The NYC Stranded is great: incredible selection of vinyl. Great people working in the shop: good convo, knowledge and help. It's a dangerous place to walk into. There are no bad records. There are also no low prices! Enjoy and beware! Epic selection!

Used records in all genres

Outside entrance

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Records

Westsider Rare and Used Books

4.0(154 reviews)

3.8 mi•Upper West Side

Still a really cool bookstore, with a lot of books that need to be reached by ladder. I wish I…read morecould see some of those books that are hard to reach. They specialize in antique books as well, their NY sections are well stocked as one might imagine, and the fiction and psychology sections are full of good reads. The spaces and aisles are small and narrow, so be ready to bump elbows and navigate carefully during busy times on weekends.

Small hidden gem! Excellent selection of books from floor to ceiling! Such a cool little book store…read morewith a cool vibe to it! Good prices and friendly service. Anyone looking for a good read I recommend stopping in and seeing the book selection!

9.6 mi•Sheepshead Bay, Midwood

Back room of the bookstore, under the staircase and upstairs.

Exterior

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Inside

Compact Disc Shoppe

4.7(14 reviews)

The owner was really nice and the store had many underground artists/bands so with popular ones. I…read moresaw tapes and movies in physical media.

Randy converted my skydiving dvd video into digital format and I am absolutely thrilled with the…read moreresults. My video came out flawless and beautiful, allowing me to relive such a thrilling moment in my life and to share with my friends and family. Besides being a really great, humorous and down to earth person, Randy is a perfectionist and takes great pride in his work. We are blessed to have this rare gem of a place in our neighborhood!

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Generation Records

3.8(142 reviews)

0.3 mi•Greenwich Village

Super cool record store! The prices are a little high but…read moreit's New York. Tons of options. There's a basement area that is filled too!

Good variety and selection, reasonable prices, good condition of items, I liked the cheaper bins…read moretoo, and nicely organized and maintained. The only thing negative I'd say is that the death metal music continuously for the entire 20min I was there was too much for me, a little variety of background music would be nice. Service was good and helpful in pointing out what I was looking for.

0.7 mi•Union Square, Gramercy, Greenwich Village, Flatiron, East Village

Vinyl selection downstairs

Downstairs

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14th Street DVD Center

4.0(1 review)

The DVD selection is one of if not the best in the city. Also nice selection of reasonably priced…read moreadult toys and enhancement products. I go mostly for the buddy booths upstairs. It's kind of hit or miss when it's good... it's very good. Mixed crowd ... 20s-40s. Often straight guys, not too Chelsea and no hustlers. Usually after work, later in the week I find to be the busiest. Though I assume weekends are probably good also.

Fifth Avenue Records & Tapes

4.3(42 reviews)

4.4 mi•Park Slope

I love gems like this. This is an unpretentious, divey, hole in the wall (literally) record store…read more It is cluttered and messy and disorganized and filled with an assortment of records. And I love it. I go straight to the dollar bins outside. There are about 10-15 bins of records loosely labeled with titles such as "Classic Rock" "Jazz" "Blues". Sometimes a white sticky note will inform you that each record is only 25 cents. I have walked away with 8 records for 2 bucks. Good records! The Doors, Beatles, The Who, Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band, etc. etc. There are also some ridiculous options available as well, an unknown rapper from the mid 70's, another album I purchased simply because the record cover was 5 men in speedos and killer mustaches, and of course some holiday themed music. Really, can you beat listening to a lightly scuffed record, with a good whiskey, while cooking a nice meal? PS. Before making the trek here, check the hours. It closes early most days and is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. PPS. They also have a selection of current music records, VHS tapes, compact disc's and the classic cassette tape, available for purchase.

donated and sold a few lots of records and taped and other speaker equipment. Ryan's super cool…read more Lots of love ryan k. the virtual artist.

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5th Avenue Records - 439 5th Avenue, Brooklyn

The Juilliard Store

3.7(32 reviews)

3.1 mi•Upper West Side

Over the past year, it has become harder to find anything here beyond standard repertoire. I…read moreordered a Delius piano solo that took eight weeks to arrive, and communication with the store was painfully intermittent with me having to follow up constantly. In the end, it would have been faster to order it myself online. More recently, I tried to exchange a gift I received, a biography (not a musical score), that I already owned. I simply wanted to exchange the biography, which was clearly unread, for a different one that was actually more expensive. I was happy to pay the difference. I even had the physical receipt. Both were full-price books, not discounted items. The exchange was declined under their umbrella policy. I understand having a policy in place to protect publishers, but it would be clearer to simply state "All Sales Final on Printed Materials." Instead, the language references "copyrighted materials," which suggests there may be exceptions, when in practice there are not. I want to support a neighborhood brick and mortar music shop. But when selection is limited, flexibility is minimal, and communication is inconsistent, it becomes difficult to justify staying loyal. I am disappointed to say, that I will likely purchase my scores and books elsewhere going forward. At times, the store feels oriented more toward internal or institutional purchases than toward the musicians and readers who live in the neighborhood.

Great amount and variety of books in good editions. Some merchandise can be of higher quality…read morethough (seriously).

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Academy Records & CDs

3.8(115 reviews)

0.7 mi•Flatiron

Stopped by to see what they had and scored a live James brown vinyl for a decent price! Friendly…read morecashier and good music playing in the background for your search.

The store was pretty busy and we couldn't tell who worked there/who was also browsing which was…read morefine because we were there out of curiosity. There seemed to be a huge selection of classical records, international music CDs, a few pop records and DVDs.