Meh, I've got mixed feelings on this shop. On the one hand, it's a classic record shop with a large volume, particularly in the rock/classic rock category, but also decent offerings in jazz, soul, and blues. As mentioned, they do have some offerings of mint, unopened, newer indie releases. Prices are generally reasonable on their used stuff, though I wouldn't go so far as to say cheap (at least not for any good albums in decent shape). That said, I've certainly broadened my collection with a few good finds here and have appreciated its presence. Finding a gem or two is a usual occurrence here if you look hard enough. On the other hand, for me this shop lacks personality. It reminds me of the music shop in Low Fidelity, except there are no witty debates over what qualifies as "good music", and there's often not even any music being played in the shop. Recently when I brought some out of town music-head friends in for them to scour a bit, the owner was overheard talking shit about the customers. All in all, in a world of struggling or dying record shops (one that I preferred on Wickenden closed down about 2 years ago), its certainly a blessing that Round Again is still around. With it's lack of offerings in alternative genre's however, I often prefer some of the other record shops PVD has to offer: -SDC Audio and Video on Angell St. has a surprising volume of records and the owner is friendly and flexible. -Analog Underground and Armageddon on the West End are smaller, but cater to more indie and metal/punk respectively. All of these shops will be happy to throw on an album that you are debating about, or to put in an order for a request you haven't been able to find read more

The five star reviews must be either accidental or from family members trying to bump his rating up. This is the worst establishment I've ever set foot in. Before you even say a word to him he lets you know that he doesn't want you there and that you are a burden to society for trying to support a small (dying) business. Incredibly sarcastic and snarky. Overtly narcissistic. Heard that he makes comments to people about their appearance, while he's dressed like a character on Home Improvement. As an actual business owner myself (with five stars), let me tell you that this man doesn't care about running a business or building relationships, he just wants an outlet to talk down to people who are actually happy and have a life and a future or at least did something valuable with their life instead of sitting in a musty record store being overshadowed by the better, more highly rated business that's down the street. Don't waste your time with this place. The bright side is that this business is obviously on its last legs. read more

I was visiting town for five days and hitting local record shops was one of my biggest goals. I hit up three, this being the first. I'm glad I didn't read the reviews first. The guy has some decent stuff, but prices are all over the place. He had one record priced $30 that I'm guessing he put that price on 20 years ago and it's been sitting there ever since. I looked it up online and it was $10 in mint condition, so I was going to see if I could offer him $15. I asked very politely if he was open to any kind of negotiation around prices and his response was, I'm paraphrasing, "I priced things what I think they're worth. Why would I accept less than what I think they're worth?" So I didn't get that record. I did however buy a Madonna CD for $7.99 which is actually a 24k gold Japanese import release with a rough estimated value of $250, so karma's a bitch. read more

Wish I'd looked at the reviews before stopping in today. I was looking to donate a handful of my grandpa's records. He was a pretty famous DJ back in the 50s/60s. Didn't want to sell them, was just hoping to get them to people who might appreciate them more than I could. Any store has the right to say "no thank you, these aren't for me" but before I could explain where they came from or their history, the owner cut me off, mocked me, and rounded it all off by insulting me for wanting to donate them in the first place. Breathtakingly rude. I've never left a bad review in my life. I want independent stores to survive. But if you go in here looking for customer service or just base level human decency, Godspeed. read more

service is shit. was in the middle of paying and the guy checking us out made nasty comments to us. said there was "too much shit on our face." had ok selection but way overpriced. would not come again to be treated like that read more

Round Again Records is tucked away on Wickenden Street that has been there for as long as I can remember. Inside is small and cramped but offers a great selection of records and CDs to browse. Much of my collection at home as been acquired though Round Again and I plan on continuing to come to keep looking. The prices are so-so. You can find some great deals on used records for $3-5 which is the bulk of what I usually purchase when coming here. New records can run you $25+ and just not worth it in my opinion for the choices they offer. The owner of the store isn't the friendliest or nicest person. Two sets of customers who had made purchases this weekend were then talked about by him rather loudly to his friend there. He also isn't very personable so don't expect much conversation when coming here. read more

Round Again Records is a staple anytime I visit Providence. It's old school. It's what record Stores were many, many years ago, and it hasn't changed. Which is just as cool as the vintage vibe that vinyl has brought back to the music world. I appreciate Steve, who has a plethora of historical knowledge of music, which is what every record store owner should be. He has stories. He has music. Plus he's a fellow vintage BMW motorcycle guy who loves what he loves. His bikes are as cool as his shop. Vintage. Old School. And beautiful for what they are. He (nor his bikes) will not win awards for the fastest, sleekest, or cleanest store. But along with anything vintage, comes a little patina. Embrace it. read more

Owner is a total creep. Store smells like mold. There's a filthy dirty fan blowing hot air and dust around the store. Seems more of a hangout for cranky losers over 60. Owner knows very little about music and gives out bad information about artists, titles and catalogs in a arrogant manor. Ok collection. Over priced. Overall, unpleasant experience. read more

Zero Stars. The owner is an absolute PRICK! I walked in the door around 4pm on a Tuesday and said "Hi, how are you? Are you closing soon?'" Because I didn't know his hours and I was being courteous. He could have given a shit. He looked at me like I was crazy. Later he was cleaning record I was interested in and I said "How much is this record?" and he said "it'll take me 30 mins to price this." I said okay and moved away from the counter. He then blurted out "$20 bucks." I just said "Is that your best price?" He said "How about $25?" Then gave me shit about negotiating. I would have paid the $20 but his condescending attitude and blatant disregard for ANY human civility caused me to not buy the record for $20 (and would have if he wasn't a DICK) and also leave 2 records I was going to buy on the counter. I told him "It's not that you didn't negotiate with me, it's your right not to, it's your horrible attitude towards me that will cause you to lose this sale." He didn't care and my buddy bought a few overpriced CDs and we left. I even said "Take care, take it easy." When I left. He just grumbled some snide remark as I walked out. Just know before you walk in that this guy is a miserable sack of shit and you'll be okay and he'll make a sale. read more

Went in to look around with my girlfriend and the man behind the counter didn't greet us, just looked at us, shook his head and sighed. While going through records, made a comment of the t-shirt I was wearing and again sighed and shook his head. Immediately left for feeling like we were a burden for being in the store. Miserable workers who drive away customers trying to support local small businesses. Will never come here again. Wish I could give it a half star review. read more

Came here on a whim and had an uncomfortable experience. As I was shuffling through the mediocre selection of records, every time I wouldn't be able to find something I liked in a stack of vinyls the owner would let out a huge SIGH. Extremely rude owner, no greeting upon entry just glaring while I looked around the store. Will never come back here again and I highly recommend you all take your business elsewhere. I could honestly care less about customer service if the selection was at all decent but it isn't even close to decent. Wish I could give less than 1 star but I already have a feeing this shop is on it's last legs. read more

One of my favorite pastimes on a Saturday afternoon is window shopping however my mood was dampened after leaving Round Again Records. If you have some time sure they have some great selections...IF you dig for them. When I got to a record store that has an overabundance of older records I like to ask the owner what he would recommend. The owner didn't great us when we came in nor did he give me any kind of recommendations. He appeared to be just generally irritated and cold. Maybe he was having a bad day I'm not sure but it definitely would deter from coming back. I go out to record stores to make a good find, get a recommendation, and browse. If not I'd just buy them online. A more positive attitude will always bring a customer back. read more

I found Round Around Records after having lunch at Rue de L'Espoir (recommend, by the way) with my friend Erik. Before I start this review I should disclose that I am a mixed-race, tall male and my friend is a Guatemalan shorter gentleman. We walked into the store after perusing the sidewalk collection of $0.50 used records (and 3 records for $1.00). I ended up coming out with some great records such as early Aretha and Lou Rawls and even some classic Sinatra hits for less than bus fare. My qualm came during my time in the store. I was not greeted, which is fine but I expected to be since it was such a small, quaint store. Then I found myself looking through the stacks of records. I will say, they have an excellent selection of classical, pop, rock, rnb, everything. However as my friend and I moved from one genre to another, the owner quickly swooped over to the section I had just gone through and, it seemed, checked the records to make sure everything was there. Then, when I went to check out, I was given nothing but the rudest, least accommodating service that I have ever received in my life (no hyperbole or exaggeration used). I would love to patronize this store more, support a local business and build my record collection, but I don't know if I could deal with this TYPE of customer service. But I am sure others will love the store, as evidenced by the more positive-rated reviews. read more

"Record store steve" has been around for years....if you have a record player, his store is the place to go-- Steve also, buys your old records....if you need quick cash, go to round again records-- I have been told you get a "special sound", a unique sound (analog), with 45's and 33's....you cannot get that sound with cd's-- read more

Owner was so rude that I walked out after about 5 minutes of browsing. There are enough other places to buy records.

Lowball prices paid for your records and the owner is absolutely arrogant ! Never again. !!!!!!

They may have some solid finds, but the owner is extremely arrogant and rude. Definitely the wrong way to run a business. He's neither friendly or personable and just talks shit about his customers while they're standing right there. We asked him if he had anything by a specific artist and he was actually annoyed that we asked for help. He must sell his records online or something because I have no idea how he keeps his business alive with the way he runs it in-store. I'm all about supporting small businesses but not when the owner treats his customers like shit. read more

I stopped by based on the 1st review of this little shop. There is a decent selection of vinyl and used cd's, and the vintage speakers, receivers and turntables on sale are a cool plus. If you're into vinyl and 45's, stop by. you might not find everything, but there are surely a few good ones floating about. read more

Like any other record store the rating is effected by the selection of stuff I actually collect (will pay for), vs stuff I buy if the prices are right. I don't go in this place much but when I do I usually leave empty handed. In fact I can only remember buying 1 record here back in the early-mid90s for $4. (checking discogs.com I see the only copy for sale there is $38, so I guess I owe these guys a thank you) Anyway I think this place is a bit overpriced, but I am looking for listener copies (some ringwear on cover? fine. some dirty vinyl but no major scratches? fine too I didn't buy a Nitty Gritty record cleaner because I only buy mint records) of fairly mainstream stuff at a place like this, and I can find it in one of the area's other 5 record stores (we really are spoiled in the Providence area) cheaper. If I collected the genres this store specializes in I'd rate it higher, does that make me a bad person? read more

Like most of the other reviews about this place say, the owner is a rude grouch. Last two times I was in there with my daughter he was rude and surly. On the phone loudly complaining the whole time for one of the visits. My daughter, who was ten years old, made a comment comparing the Flaming Lips to the Beatles (which was fairly insightful for a kid) and the owner replied, gruffly, "That's cuz the Flaming Lips stole everything they ever did from the Beatles." Rude to a kid. Go to Olympic Records down the street; the owner there is really, really nice. read more

The owner knows what he is talking about, takes very good care of records from decades ago so they always look brand new. I recently bought four records from easily 40 years ago and they play like new. I have bought almost 10 albums from Round Again and am NEVER disappointed. Very passionate about the records in his store. This is one of the best places to buy records in the city, great selection! read more

I have been to countless record stores all over the world, from Rhode Island to Australia, Los Angeles to Tokyo, and this is one of the most offensive stores I have been to. The guy who runs this place has this smug, obnoxious attitude, and I can't imagine what it could be based on. There are records that have been sitting in the bins at this store for over a decade. The same damn records, I kid you not. The prices are far too high, and the records are generic. You could find these records anywhere in the state, and for less money. It is not my prerogative to write negative reviews, but this is an exception. "Maybe my previous 5 visits had just been bad days for the owner", I thought, so I recently went here again after 10 years or so to see if things had changed. I could almost feel the condescension and negativity from the sidewalk. If anything, the inventory is as pathetic as ever, and the owner's attitude has taken a turn for the even-worse. Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else...anywhere else. Helping to sustain the mediocrity and poor attitude that exists at Round Again is like kicking a baby in the face...and what kind of person would do that? Hopefully not you. read more

Heads Up! Although this record store contains some quality vinyl, the owner is an asshole. He is one of the most forlorn and condescending people I have ever met. When you walk through that door of his, he will presume that he is better than you. Additionally, he sells broken stereo equipment that is way overpriced. Anything that you pay for there, you could get much cheaper elsewhere, and without having to deal with the irate grandfather, senseless in his ownership. I say all of this not out of malice, but out of personal experience. Please know that this is review was created after 3 years of attendance at his shop, and surmised from personal encounters with the shop. PS: the records are overpriced too. -J read more

Good ol fashioned record store with knowledgeable and passionate staff. Great jazz selection, reasonable prices and some obscure weirdo records too. read more

This is THE best record store I've been to in Rhode Island. #1 - The condition of the records is always very good. #2 - The curated selection is what you would expect from someone who knows music and also has taste. #3 - The prices are very reasonable - priced to sell - (no delusions about the value of the records that some places have that want more than $20 for a record with scratches on it). I have seen no other record store that 'hits the nail on the head' in all three of these categories. And the proprietor is a very knowledgeable and humble man, who reveals his subtle sense of humor as you get to know him. If you're looking for the better-condition copy of the rock records you grew up with, or love jazz, you will like this store a lot. My favorite record store. No others are close. read more

This is not the place to go if you just want to pick up the latest thing you heard on the radio. The owner (who is very nice and eagerly discussed Annette Funicello with me during my most recent visit to the store) stocks a small, eclectic collection of used CDs (divided into country, blues, soul, and a few groupings that I have yet to decipher) and a larger, equally eclectic, and much more interesting collection of records. Most of the titles are at least fifteen years old. Beautiful but expensive mint-edition albums line the walls, and much more reasonably-priced records fill the bins. Bargains abound if you know what you're looking for. Turntables and a few other pieces of electronic equipment are also available. If I were a true vinyl enthusiast, I would come here all the time and eventually be very, very broke. Worth a visit. read more

Don't knock a store thats been at it for 40 years. You never know what you'll find. Hello when you arrive and have a nice day when you depart. read more

This is my favorite record store in Providence. The records are cheap, they are in good condition and are well organized. You find stuff here that you have been searching for for years and instead of it being priced up insanely it'll often turn out to be like six bucks. For eg. I got the Rolling Stones, "Exile on Main Street," here for $3.00. The only objection I have at all is that often you don't find that much vinyl from after, say, 1982. read more

I've been to more record stores than I can remember.. all across the country. the selection here is mediocre & a little overpriced - ive seen better, seen worse. my biggest complaint is the OWNER. I had some genuine questions about rare LPs and his replies were rude and pompous. I've been to so many record stores where the owners think their tastes in music are the only ones that matter and that they know everything there is to know about music. I'll get my records elsewhere. You lost my business. read more

Pros: Clean records generally Some affordably priced records in the $3-$5 range. Caveats: no listening station Some overpricing. Do you research, make sure that $25 record isn't available online in the same condition for $4. Grouchy owner read more

The owner is extremely rude and belligerent. I have never had anyone talk to me disrespectfully the way he did.

This is an awful store, one of the worst I have been to in the country. First off, the staff/owner's attitude is disgusting. Secondly, the selection is nothing beyond what I could find at a thrift store. The owner has confused the relevance of his store with that of a good retailer such as Olympic Records. Do not waste your time at RAR. I certainly won't come around to this place again. read more

I haven't been here in a while but in the past I have been numerous times. It is very small with not what I would classify as a big selection, but it has a comfortable, cozy kind of feel with the distinct smell of aged records in the air. There are a few racks of used CDs, but its not the place to go for used CDs or tapes. Parking can sometimes be a hassle in that area. Yes, some of the prices are high but mostly for albums that are on the rare side. The owner knows his records and prices them accordingly, nothing wrong with that. He also sells refurbished vintage hifi equipment at the far end of the store, which I find a bit odd, especially since the owner doesn't exactly strike me as a gregarious salesperson. When I questioned him about this he said it was to supplement his income because vinyl sales had declined. Some have commented in this forum on his personality. I don't think I've ever been greeted when I've gone in there, but I don't really care. I'm there to look at albums, not make a new friend. What bothers me most about him is he typically has one of his cronies sitting in a director's chair opposite him as he pontificates (usually louder than necessary) behind his counter. As this is a music store I would much rather hear a cool Jazz album than be subjected to his views on this, that, or the other. It's distracting and annoying and there's no place to hide. Granted, it's his store and he is entitled to his opinion, but that's not why I go there and it's why I haven't been back. The other thing I don't like is whenever I've sold him some used albums he always pays by check. I've sold albums to various used record stores over the years and his is the only one that never pays cash, and it's not like I'm getting hundreds of dollars (I'm not). I'm selling my albums because I need the money. His checks have never bounced, but cash is king. read more

So the owner has is a bit edge. Who cares, this place has a great vibe. If you don't know your stuff, he may kick you out or cuss at you under his breath. But, he does have some hard to find classic rock. Most of it is priced OK. Super rare has a super price tag. I liked the fact that most of his stuff was clean and playable. He's not the type of guy to buy junk. I'm glad I stopped in. I spent $20 on one original pressing Stones album and was offered $30 bucks for it that night. No sale. Anyway, go to the little pub two doors down.. Have a cold one and then go look at some cool vinyl. read more

the store is small but the collection is fantastic. i focused on the classical music section and was very pleased. if i had known about this place 10 years ago, i would have easily dropped a few benjamins on this genre alone. every record i looked at were in NM condition, and this gave me a sense that the owner cares about his records. as mentioned b4, this place is organized and very clean. the pricing is better than fair. i've seen better but i've endured a lot worse...i left feeling i got a great deal. steve's got an assortment of vintage audio equipment for sale as well. although the real gem was his thorens td 160 that he uses behind the desk (doubt it's for sale)... the prices for the rest of the old audio equipment was astronomical but that's ok, they were a treat to look at. here's a tip for the novice: when looking at the record condition, try and not to get offended when steve offers you the correct way to hold the god damn vinyl; try and keep those oily hipster fingerprints off the grooves. and don't leave the store angry, at the very least put the album back in the correct section. read more

I truly enjoyed my years goin there and Steve. As for him being grouchy so would anyone who had to sit and not sell anything for days on end. I bought a butcher cover, an Elvis sun 78 and a pile of his Columbia Marty Robbins 45"s one day a long time ago. Notice I said purchased and a good amount of money for a good amount of fine condition stuff, yet fairly priced. He was smiling and quite nice that day. What he did talk about to me was people bring in trashed records expecting a ton of money and also those who come in to browse but insult the place. People often do not own up to their side of it all. Had anyone come into my shop and continuously asked how much things were when there is a price right on the outer sleeve and also condition when it is obvious you are able to examine records as as he watches, then why bother at all. I like the guy and his store and plan a trip there soon again! Also,it was once a kind of meeting place for many collectors who would be passing through and never once did he complain about any of us talking about stuff. He owns a business not a museum. read more

Round Again Records has been in continual business since 1979...you don't stay in business that long by cheating people or being a devious merchant unless you are the Federal Government. The store is full of history, lots of great photos including original Rock Photography by Providence local, Richard McCaffrey, original Rock Artwork by the Rhode Island's Mad Peck, many other pieces of music ephemera and of course the BEST selection of COLLECTIBLE and desirable music available on vinyl in Providence. If you're looking for the new, hip, of the moment record by that favorite band of yours that no one will know about in three weeks...you won't find it at Round Again. If you are looking for great music that stands the test of time...this is where to go. This is a USED record store...you can't order used records. Additionally, all records are MINT or VERY CLOSE...(This does not include the budget bin records located on the sidewalk during the warmer months...50 cents each or 3/$1). The stereo equipment there is all fully refurbished, cleaned and comes with a guarantee (my entire system was supplied by them). Steve, the proprietor and only employee is a fountain of knowledge about music and is generally quick with a humorous quip. Steve specializes in Classic Pop, ALL JAZZ especially Be-Bop & 50-60s Rock and Roll but has MANY great records from the 70s and 80s as well, covering all musical genres. read more