Record store etiquette

Whether you’re a vinyl tourist or an experienced collector, there is a certain code of conduct you should follow when visiting record stores. These guidelines will help you navigate stores like a pro.

So you’re out and about, you walk past a record store and decide to pop in to check it out. Record stores attract a myriad of people from all walks of life and that’s part of the beauty of the vinyl community. However, you should be aware there are some (written and unwritten) rules we are all expected to adhere to when visiting stores. Here’s my top ten:

1. Avoid food and drink at all costs. This should (in theory) go without saying, but you would be surprised by how many times I’ve seen people walk into record stores mid-sandwich or holding a drink in their hands. The damage to records from food and drink is often beyond repair, and not just from spills (greasy hands often leave stubborn marks, so make sure your hands are clean before you touch anything).

2. Exercise the utmost care when handling records. Vinyl records are fragile, and their value can decrease significantly (and sometimes instantly) as a result of poor handling. Make sure you don’t bend the outer or inner sleeves of records. When taking a disc out of its sleeve for inspection, always hold it firmly by the sides, making sure your fingers stay as far away as possible from the grooves.

3. Be mindful of space. Record stores are often not the most spacious of places (save for a few exceptions, of course), so be mindful of this when making your way through narrow corridors. If you’re carrying a baby stroller or suitcase, consider whether it would be wise to postpone your visit. It will make things easier for everyone involved!

4. (This is my favourite) Do not mess with the order. Records are usually arranged by genre and/or alphabetically. If you pick up a record for closer inspection and decide to put it back, please make sure you place it exactly where it was. If you spot a random item where it shouldn’t be and feel confident enough to sort it, do the store owner a favour and put it in the right place. Record store staff spend an awful lot of time arranging records in a specific order so they can easily find them when needed. This helps ensure they can serve customers (including you) more quickly. Whatever you do, don’t mess with the order. I can’t stress how important this one is.

5. Don’t play music or videos on loudspeaker. If you feel the need to check out music online whilst at a record store, put some earphones on. Record stores often have turntables ready and music actively being played for two main purposes: ambient music (sometimes for marketing or promotional purposes) and to assist customers who wish to test play a record before purchasing it. Any music or sound coming from your phone is a massive inconvenience.

6. Don’t clog the stalls. Be considerate to other customers and don’t spend ages clogging or blocking access to an entire section. If you need time to inspect a record or to make up your mind, move the record (and yourself, as well as your belongings) aside, so you can free up the stalls for others to browse.

7. Don’t force conversations. OK, this is probably a British thing but, as a rule, you should not (in principle) engage in active conversations with other customers whilst they are browsing. There’s a time and place for everything, so if you really feel the need to talk to a fellow customer (for example, to tell them how amazing a certain record is), maybe wait until they’re done, or do it when you see them walking from one section to another (as it will be easier for them to pick up where they left off).

8. Inspect before buying second hand. If you’re buying used records, you should visually inspect them before you pay. You will probably see some dust, which is pretty common (once back at home, you should give the record a good clean before playing it). Try and look “beyond the dust”, paying special attention to things like marks, scuffs and hairlines. Superficial marks don’t usually affect play but, if in doubt, check with the shop owner or ask if you can test play the area of concern (not the entire record). When buying new records, don’t tear off the shrink to inspect them. Wait until you’re home to do this, and if there are issues, contact the store.

9. Don’t monopolise the shop owner’s time. Record stores can get busy, especially on weekends and bank holidays. By all means feel free to ask a quick question if you can’t find a specific record, but don’t expect the shop owner to do the browsing for you, or to curate your choices based on your favourite artists. While most shop owners will always be happy to help and engage in interesting conversations about records and music, remember that they are at work and they’ve got a store to run. Record shops are usually understaffed as well, so if the place is busy, try to keep your enquiries to a minimum.

10. Be patient with people who don’t follow these rules. Record stores attract a diverse bunch of people, now more than ever. We want everyone to feel welcome, so try to be patient and kind if you spot someone not showing their best behaviour. If they’re still out of line, speak to the store manager.

Needless to say, this list is not exhaustive, so a certain degree of common sense is always expected. You should also be aware that certain stores may have their own specific rules, for example when it comes to taking photos or videos, so make sure you keep an eye out for this as soon as you come in.

Can you think of other ground rules when visiting stores? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by. See you next time and, as always, happy spinning!