Shopping here feels like buy deodorant for 15$. You may like the smell but receipt never makes sense, I hate everything about the store with their prices and I want to just toss this brand buy my own. Again, everything about this store, simply not worth it, if this were a candle store I'd probably never walk back in and this has games. - lack of games - overpriced games - forgetful staff - not useful policies - (Broken games) - jaded staff - theft of discounts and useless membership(literally just giving them extra credit for their stocks and prices, which they will take from you regardless of whether you're a member or not) - (Overpricing for taxes) - The games The scammy, scummy and their games suck, the only reason I'd go back is if their consoles are cheaper than the ones online. They have 200$ games and half a thousand dollar consoles, I rest my case. read more

SOOOOO many great records here. This is a blast to the past and a place to come and listen and find new music at. I hear this is an expansion from other locations but if you are in the area you will love it. I will come back and buy more records. read more

TERRIBLE STORE! called multiple times before I knew my stuff was stolen and they still bought my stolen stuff from my crack head roommate manger constantly said " it's above his pay rate " even after my first stolen report after providing police evidence they decided to buy another batch of my stolen stuff. I'm moved out of Chicago and they wouldn't work with me or give me the gms number saying I would have to go in person to get my stuff even though I'm in a whole different state. read more

Growing up in Pittsburgh, I used to love coming to The Exchange. Now I was happy to see that they've expanded (to be honest I'm not sure which locations came first). The Exchange is the perfect place to find new/used video games, movies, cds, toys, consoles and more! Everything is organized in sections by type of game or appropriate genre of music or type of movie. It may seem overwhelming at first, but it's almost like a library of all things cool. The staff is super helpful. When you want something, you'll need to ask them for help as everything is behind glass and locked so you don't steal- good call on their part. Prices are reasonable for the most part. Some things like vintage games can be a little pricey but it makes sense. I bought about 6 or 7 old video games from NES Super NES and Sega for $38. I think I did well. They now have a rewards program that's free to sign up for so take advantage of that. I love this place whether I'm in Pittsburgh or Chicago. Definitely will make a trip or two every time I'm here. read more

The Exchange - Music & DVDs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

When I think of the Exchange, I think retro. Run by people who take gaming seriously. The name says it all; a great place to sell your DVDs. This chain also has locations in Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio. We purchased our Nintendo Switch here, along with some discounted and reasonably priced newer records. I always see a lot of other gaming systems, as well. They have a large assortment of new and old DVDs, vinyls, turntables, video games, cassettes, and other electronics. A great place to kill some time. Ask about their Rewards program. read more

This place always beats Amazon and game stop prices! Always!!! Super cool staff and amazing place!!!

On my way to Reckless Records, I bumped into this store a few doors down from my destination. Walking in, it was apparent it was one of those buy/sell/trade all sorts of media types of places (like CeX). This is a good and bad thing. The good part of it is that most used cds are $6-7 and there's a decent selection of popular artists to choose from. They also have a very lengthy $1 cd section, though it may be a bit high up for some people to view well. I found a few good dollar discs including the Happy Mondays and the Features. They also have similar, affordable used sections of dvds, games, and even records. So there it is, a big throw all of what drives a lot of America's home entertainment today. Sorry, no board games! The bad thing is that it sorely lacks any character. The point of the store is to sell used stuff to those trying to get things a little cheaper. It can't be bothered with vibe or style ... that doesn't sell! I also found it to be a pity that it was a few doors down from Reckless, which is a fantastic store. Competition helps but hopefully people don't get lazy and settle for the Exchange over a well-informed, musically superior record store a few doors down. I'm hoping the future doesn't turn all the specialty stores into these types ... If you're looking for music, go to Reckless first and then the Exchange for overall value. However, if you're looking for dvds and video games this is a more convenient stop than the big chain stores or even online. read more

The Exchange - The Exchange - Music & DVDs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was hunting for 2004s Ninja Gaiden Black. The games developer Tecmo just released an inferior Remaster collection of the Ninja Gaiden Games this month (Tecmo repackaged the PS3 ports and attempted to sell them as a bundle). Admittedly they stated they lost the code for Ninja Gaiden Black and Ninja Gaiden II (the superior and bloodier Xbox versions). This is where The Exchange comes in... I must say the store is clean and very organized. The staff was friendly and very helpful. They didn't have NG Black in store but they were able to quickly locate a copy in one of their Midwestern stores and have it brought to Chicago at no additional charge. The price for this used game was better than amazon and eBay and it was great to see the game case and disc condition in person before purchasing the game. I recommend stopping in to see their vast collection films and video games. read more

The Service these guys provide is great!!! Got to handed to their enthusiasm and care for the customers and the store itself, they have a lot of good selections of music, games, toys etc. Although the layout is average for a store it's kinda cramped when walking through the store when you're in a group of three ( don't try bringing and carry a book beg here it'll will get in the way of people walking around) and there is no public restroom here. Other then those two things this place is great, and would come back again. read more

Just visited the store for the first time in a while. The selection is excellent, the staff is friendly and the prices are fair. Never going back to Gamestop! read more

Seems like a great selection of games and consoles but smelled absolutely awful. The whole store smelled musty upon entering. I wish I could've really checked it out, but couldn't even make it down one aisle. read more

Stopped by this jam packed treasure shop today on a whim and so happy I did! I found both DVD's I was looking for. Everyone working here were so friendly and helpful it was truly a pleasure. I will definitely be coming back again! Thank you! read more

I've been to this store dozens of times and never had a bad experience until tonite. I definitely won't be back now. After coming in a few days ago and discussing options regarding my current Nintendo and how to hook it up to my flatscreen, I came in with the console (as the previous clerk suggested) to get it checked. The clerk tonite was clearly agitated by this and was extremely rude. He told me to look around for "10 minutes to an hour." When I asked if he could just call me (as they have in the past when looking at my items I brought in) because that's a huge window, he laughed and said,"you realize I'm doing you a favor? There's actual customers who need my help." I was fully prepared to buy a brand new machine if this one didn't work or games with the money i saved if the machine worked. I strongly suggest not patronizing this place. I know I wont be anymore. read more

When I saw that The Exchange was opening in Chicago, near me, the gamer nerd inside me couldn't have been more aroused. Having been born in Cleveland and raised in Akron, this is an establishment that I've been supporting since long before I could legally drive. Sure, they have a good bit of music in the store, but that's not why I come here. Back when I stilled lived in the Hummy P., my only used game option was the massive corporate chain, Gamestop. I had visited Gamestop to find a used copy of Mario Galaxy. They had more than a dozen used copies of it available for $45. Why would I buy a used game that is more than 2 years old for $5 less than buying it new? Then I remembered that The Exchange had opened. Sure enough, I walked in and found the same game for $20. That's what I was expecting. Enough upon my first visit, I found some consoles that even I don't own. Sure, they had a Virtual Boy on hand, but so do I. What they did have was a Sega Master System II. Sure, I've seen one on Wikipedia, but I've never touched one. Oooh, I wanted to touch it. Hold it. Plug it in and play with it. For any of you so-called "old school" gamer girls that claim that video games stopped being fun once they introduced analog controls that you'll never grasp, this is your place to pick up some Genesis and Super Nintendo games. :P Reckless supporters, fret not, as I'll only be coming here for my video gaming needs. read more

Ok Chicago DEFINITELY needs more stores like this. First off, they had a copy of Lunar 2: Complete. It was used, but in near-mint condition - even the Omake Box wasn't fully opened. Now if you know anything about video games, this is SPECTACULAR, and it was only $50. If you don't know anything about video games, let's just say that this is like finding a beautiful diamond just hanging out in your garage. Second, the employees are helpful, not pushy, and actually KNOW about the stuff in the cases. That's amazing in and of itself; for example, when I brought Lunar 2 up to the counter, everyone actually KNEW about the transaction about to take place. Yes, this sounds ridiculousl and horribly geeky, and it is, but I guarantee you that no one at gamestop or best buy would have any inkling about what was transpiring. Frankly I would rather purchase and support places that have knowledge about what they're doing, rather than generic-random-big-chain-store down the street (yes, I know The Exchange is a chain, but it's not faceless... yet). The best part? NONE OF THIS IS CRAZY EXPENSIVE. Some of the stuff in here could easily be sold for way more, but I think they get it; if they did sell at higher prices, we'd all just go back to searching for this stuff online and get the better deal. A couple months later they'd be out of business. Thankfully they're on top of that. So yes, perusing the stock is fun. Just stopping by to look, they had copies of Shin Megami Tensei games (try finding that anywhere, even when it was newly released), and some Disgaea stuff, not to mention all the latest Wii/360/PS3/DS games as well. This means while they have the new stuff, if you know anything about rare video games, it's hella fun to try and find some hidden gems. There's Gamecube, N64, PS2, PSX, Genesis and SNES games. The only thing I wish they had more of was Dreamcast stuff, which is weirdly lacking in quantity (though I DID spot a copy of Seaman with the mic), and the Sega CD section only had like 4 games. Where's Snatcher or any Working Designs stuff? (Also, no Gradius V for the PS2. Boo!). I still have yet to peruse the DVD and BluRay sections since all the video game stuff was overwhelming to the point of me hyperventilating; I needed to get the hell out of there before my wallet took a huge hit. Props for having all sorts of hilarious systems in the case, including a JAGUAR! Note to The Exchange: for real geek cred, toss in a Neo*Geo or Neo*Geo CD and something imported, like a PC Engine. read more

I would put the exchange on par with a bad crack addiction. All I wanted was Zombie Ate My Neighbors for SNES, and now I have an N64 and two video game collections. I've lost contact with my family, my girlfriend is threatening to leave me, I shower with Febreeze, and my fingernails are beginning to curl . . . Great store, excellent location, nerdy employees, and a mountainous selection of multimedia entertainment are enough reasons to keep me regularly visiting. I would definitely check it out if you're in the market for anything movie or game related. read more

This is a review of the VINYL music selection at The Exchange... If you are interested in collecting used bread and butter rock/pop/metal, this place will do fine for you. If you are interested in other genres (for instance, jazz, classical, folk, blues), you will be better served next door. Positives are they sell both new and used vinyl, and they seem to do a pretty good job of sorting through what's coming in the door, so that what they sell is going to be VG or higher when it comes to the used stuff. Downsides are a somewhat limited selection and pricing that is a tad erratic. Some things seemed priced pretty fair (versus what you'd pay at other places in the city that also have fair pricing), but then other things are a bit higher than average.* Overall, I feel meh about this store (and that's a category for rating, it appears!). Given that fact, I've given them a low average rating. There's enough other stores in the city that do at least as good of a job if not better, that there's not much more to give the place than that. Me personally, I'd walk on and go down the road to the other places nearby. [* See my other reviews for the comparative net I am casting here for other stores in the city [and beyond]. I have currently reviewed 39 stores in the Chicagoland area. In most cases, I have visited the seller several times, at least, to ensure I'm reviewing based on a consistency of experiences on several occasions.] read more

This is probably my favorite place to go in the city. Whenever I develop a new 'celebrity crush' or have an urge to watch a random movie I haven't seen in years, I go here. Amazingly, about 3/4 of my current DVD purchases over the last 6 months have been made here and most of them are movies that would be considered obscure or not all that popular. Whatever I wasn't able to find on their shelves, they've been able to order for me from another store. Bonus points to them for not charging anything to order something for you, and it's your call whether you even want to buy it or not when it arrives. If you don't want it, they just put it up on the shelf. No obligations. I just recently traded in some old DVDs and PS2 games (I opted for for in-store credit instead of cash), and although you're not going to get rich that way, I received way more than I expected for some really really bad movies I can't imagine anyone would want, and the in-store credit was almost double what I'd have gotten for cash, so I can't complain about that either. Every employee I've dealt with has been fantastic and eager to help as much as possible in regards to finding things on shelves, checking their other inventory or searching at other stores. I stop by the store at least once every few weeks and will continue to do so until I run out of money or they run out of DVDs. read more

Incredible selection of DVD's, Blue Rays, and CDs at great prices (yea- I'll pay $6 for a Blue Ray '300"-thanks). Oh and did I say boxed sets?? AFFORDABLE. They had everything I could want from the obscure to the sublime, all well catagorized and organized. Huge selections of kids DVDs also. Plus all sorts of games (WII, Playstation, XBox, etc)... Oh, yeah, and you can trade in all your stuff for store credit. Awesome. read more

So I recently wrote a review based on my experiences when it comes to buying... and as of last weekend I now have experienced the selling side of this business. I don't normally sell my goods but I had a few rare retro playstation games that were just collecting dust. I thought someone else could be of more use. Now I decided to take them to this store first because I saw that they were already selling the same product for around 30 dollars each. Now I wasn't expecting to get 30 dollars because they need to make a profit too so I was hoping for around a reasonable 1/3 the price at least. Sure enough they bought 2 out of 3 of the games I had (because one was pretty beat up and had no cover) and gave me 20 dollars. I was very pleased once again with this establishment. I was expecting around 10 bucks each and got 20 for two games. Not bad in my opinion. Thank you once again, Exchange, for hookin' me up. And thanks again to the guy who helped who refereed to himself as the skinny kid. I will be continuing my business here in the future. read more

The exchange has been such a great a find for my bf and I. We LOVE guitar hero and have been looking for XBox guitars for a couple of months... all we're overpriced or too far to pick up. We were immediately greeted when we walked into exchange then asked by employees if we needed any help. We expressed that we wanted to buy guitars. They didn't have any in store however offered to take our name and number down, stating that they can get it shipped to the store for no additional cost in 2 weeks max time. Which was so awesome and kept us from doing all of the running around. We got our names jotted down and kept looking around. Bought a Halo Master chief collection and perfect condition. Got a call a couple of days that the guitar was in. Just picked up our item and the guitar is in perfect condition along with the Guitar Hero 3z I also expressed if we had any problems with it what can we do and the gentlemen stated that as long as we have the receipt we have 30 days, no problem. I did not get the names that helped us though out but all were very nice and knowledgeable about products. Will def recommend and continue to purchase. read more

The Exchange - Guitar Hero Xbox 360 - Music & DVDs Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I'm going to put my nerd hat on. And for once, I'm going to keep it short cause my brain wants to explode with happiness every time I think of this place. The Exchange is where discontinued game consoles and their games go after they become obsolete to the general public. What other brick and mortar store would dedicate shelf space to NES games and used Dreamcasts? Is The Exchange a store, or is it a museum? For gamers who don't get nostalgic and teary eyed like I do, here's a good reason to check this place out. The store is big enough that it will get fairly timely shipments of new releases but is low key enough that the games will not sell out as fast as the big boys. For example, I picked up a copy of both Blazblue Limited Edition and Demon Souls over two week after their release. For those who don't know the significance of that, I'm surprised you got past the second paragraph. For those who feel me on this, make The Exchange your place for games. Plus, supporting local business is good. Even if it is local business from Ohio. So go. Now. read more

I wasn't aware of this place and constantly walked by without realizing what I kept missing. I primarily go here to purchase and play the hell out of older games for my classic consoles. They've got a superb collection and everything is really easy to look through. Most of the time places that have such an expansive retro lineup have a problem with becoming cluttered and unkept, making it very difficult to find what you want. The Exchange is the place to go and, from what I could tell, they also have quite a few other goods available. I've been back and will continue to do so. read more

I just came here one day because I thought it looked cool. So I walk in and I find out that they sell mostly games new and old, CDs mostly old and movies, mostly old. Its a cool place and the people that work there are really cool. The atmosphere is bland and without character for sure and just by being in wicker park means that they are required to spruce up the place a little, even if it is a fake effort. They have a lot of stuff for super cheap so if you're a vintage nut, you could find anything here. They've made my list of cool places to shop for media so thats plus. read more

A good selection of used games across platforms. The prices are a little expensive. They also have some records and CD's which are priced fairly. The employees are very helpful. I recommend this store to anyone who loves video games and music. read more

I'm really glad we have a place like this in the neighborhood. The employees are extremely helpful and are typically willing to answer any question to the best of their ability. Being 3 doors down or so from Reckless Records means I probably won't be buying music here, but their selection of DVDs seems pretty great and they sell cables at a reasonable price. (This is rare!) I haven't mentioned the best part of this store's repertoire. It's one of the best video game stores I've been to in town. They have a great selection of current-gen games, but also have used games for systems dating back to the NES and earlier. Unlike Gamestop/EB, they don't pressure you to buy used, sign up for any sort of club, or offer $5 savings on used games. There seems to be some sort of general respect for their customer base, which is really appreciated relative to their goliath competitors. The ambiance is admittedly a little sterile, but more often than not I like the music they have playing, which is nice. read more

Being a collector it's kinda hard to find good deals that aren't in pawn shops or random garage sales. The exchange has fair prices that most people can deal with. If you go into the store expecting to find a Bubble Bobble 2 for $5 bucks then this place is not for you. Now if you're looking for $1 games to fill up your NES collection then this place is for you. The Exchange prices their games on quality and quantity. Something you don't see now a days with most stores. The only thing I am kinda sad about is their lack of import games, however, their main game selection makes up for it easily. read more

Are you in the market for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (original) Nintendo game? How about a VHS Disney movie or $5 DVD of Harry Potter? You can find all that stuff under one roof - at The Exchange. In addition to old weird classics, they have a wide variety of old and current CDs, DVDs, Blu Rays, and lots of other more current games for a range of gaming systems. Prepare to spend a bit of time if you are just "browsing" because they have a ton of titles to look through. Also be prepared for a kink in your neck because of all the sideways reading. Enjoy your treasure hunting. read more

I love it here. Their focus is not vinyl, and I actually like that fact. They have a ton of video games, DVDs, CDs and even a few consumer electronics. The people are incredibly helpful and know their stuff. I keep coming back because of that and the prices are actually reasonable. Way better to buy here than buy used from Gamestop. read more

This review is based on their vinyl selection. Poor selection, overpriced and damaged. I think this sums it up. Their vinyl bins not the proper size so everything that gets shelved will be damaged in order to fit in these bins. This is such a bizarre phenomenon? A true red flag that a shop simply does not care or they are just clueless. Also what a sterile environment to buy and appreciate music? CDs are all kept behind security cases (like CDs are such a valuable medium - hello?) Seriously, not worth a visit for vinyl or music. Lowest possible rating. :( read more

I'm not a hipster but we share something in common - the appreciation for all good things retro. I'm a gamer and a geek to the core and The Exchange in Wicker Park is a retro games heaven. The Exchange differs from GameStop in that they sell, buy, and trade games from current to old generation consoles. GameStop only carries the most recent and current generation merchandise so places like The Exchange definitely have a niche in the market. You'll find games, consoles, and controllers for PS2, PS1, Wii, Xbox, Super Nintendo, Ninendo, Sega Saturn, and even Dreamcast. I picked up a PS1 controller in the rare white color for only $2.50. It felt and looked unused and worked fine when I tried it at home that same day. The prices are completely reasonable. I have found similar merchandise on Amazon for more and you get to examine the merchandise before purchasing. The store is very clean and organized which is great in comparison to other retro stores that do the same but are a complete mess. Even if you aren't a gamer, they have a wide range of other products like collectibles, CDs, and vinyl records. Try walking in - you'll find something nostalgic to your childhood or inner geek. read more

As an avid movie collector, this place is key to my collection. These guys are always super helpful. Even if I call ahead to ask about movies. There's never any hesitation or huffing and puffing for making them look something up before I make the trek down there. I really appreciate it, every time. Their selection is crazy huge and their prices are some of the most reasonable I've found in the city. They also carry a lot of classic video game systems and games (and new ones, obviously). I love being able to buy new(old) accessories for my N64 or dreamcast. Raiding this place and stocking up at least once a month is always the highlight of that week! read more

The place basically rocks. They have a reasonable and fair return policy, great selection, quirky and sweet staff. This place is my new gently used purchasing home. Last time I was there the guy helping me told me they had both the movies I picked out, cheaper, in a different spot in the store. He went and found them and brought them right to me. I mean how about that? Yes, you read right, he found them for me, for cheaper, within the store and brought it to me. Awesomeness. I love not feeling like the people who are helping me are HELPING me and not selling me. Not to mention he knew exactly how many episodes were on a Lucy DVD.... that's impressive stuff if you ask me. If they had more records I would finish this review.... Reckless who? read more

I'm not sure if it was the staff that was on duty this morning or if its just simply employee culture, but it seemed as if they were bothered by my request to trade items in. I wasn't greeted when entered, followed by someone talking to me while they're working on something else and There was absolutely no eye contact. I don't think its a stretch for an employee to provide respectful and decent customer service. I even thanked them and didn't receive a response. I decided to take my items back and another employee indicated that that was better for them. I don't think a trade business should just let possible profit walk out the door due to a major lack of respect and service. Unacceptable. Zero stars!!! read more

The employees were pleasant, however, it's imperative that you check your items before purchasing. My DVD turned out to be a former library copy, missing its accompanying booklet and quite scratched albeit playable. Will cease going to brick and mortar establishments in future. Found same item on ebay for less without the hoodwinking. read more

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Every retro dvd, vhs, vinyl, video game, video game system, and tech accessories you can imagine! You name it they got it and for cheap! Great place if your searching for something one of a kind that's no longer available on the average market or if you don't want to wait for shipping while ordering on line. Staff is super friendly and helpful. They're also human indexes and can help you find anything among the rows of merchandise instantaneously! The store smells musty but what thrift doesn't?! read more

I love this store. One just opened up on Belmont right underneith the el stop. First off some of the nicest people work there. Even if they dont have exactly what you are looking for, they are more then happy to order it in for you. They give you a call when it finally comes in and you have a week to pick it up! AWESOME! The price is perfect, the selection is steller, and the service is outstanding. Thanks Exchange! I'm letting everyone know about you! read more

The Exchange has been my go-to place for video games since it popped up a year or two ago. Their selection of new and used 360 games is great, but the best part is the pricing system for used games. If they have a few of a game they will mark down some of them, so if you're a little lucky you can get a great deal. I also like old school games (NES/SNES). The selection at The Exchange is the best in the city as far as I know, and the prices are decent - mostly about the same as if I were to buy the game off ebay, sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more. read more

These guys are all about customer service! I had spent the better part of the day looking for a Nintendo 64, when a friendly Gamestop employee pointed me in the direction of this store. Much to my chagrin, I realized that they had been out of stock for quite some time. They indicated that I might have some difficulty procuring such an item, as they haven't been commonplace since Clinton was president. Hell of a guy. Anyway, despite my strange request the two gentlemen on staff pointed me towards two other videogames I might enjoy: Black Bass Pro Fishing and Clue, the video game. Even long after a sale was made, they continued to chat with me. They even brought me up to speed on the legal situation involving Johnny Depp and his wife. Nasty stuff. All in all this is a great place if you're looking to buy a video game or even have a chat! Make sure you wear your hiking boots, however. The good folks in charge of this area have torn up the sidewalk with construction work, and quite unnecessarily might I add. read more

This the place to find hard to stuff and I've got to say the prices are reasonable and the staff are friendly and they're very helpful with there customers and they keep the store very clean. I would recommend to all who can burn time and maybe, just maybe you'll vfind a gen that would be worth your while. read more