Black & Read Music, Books & Games

Reviews 6

BY

Byron Swezy

So...Ive been here 4 times now. 2 of which were fine experiences 2 of which not so much. I went in on Record Store Day just because and picked up a dozen or so albums to the tune of about $170. On this day they had taken away the record players used for testing vinyl because the needed the counter space for sale items understandably. Needless to say I wasnt able to test any of the records I was purchasing. Got home and played several of them and discovered 2 of which were scratched and needed to be returned. Went back the NEXT day and asked for store credit. This is when it went south. The store clerk, lets call him NEAL because thats his name. Came up to me while shopping and accused me of switching price tags on one of the albums I was returning. He made this accusation loudly enough so that the other 10 or so patrons could hear him. My immediate response was "your wrong" because he was. I proceeded to follow him back to the register to declare my innocence and mentioned a 2nd and 3rd time that he was mistaken for which he continued to accuse me of said wrong doing. I assume they may have some sort of id code imbedded into the price tag but I cant be sure. My guess is that his assumption was based on this. If this is the case then it would have been either the store that made the error or someone else. What I do know is that I am a 50 year old successful self employed business man and own 5 houses/ properties and a person that doesnt need to take advantage of another business to gain $8 (price of the used record). I am not sure where this guy was coming from but it certainly became clear to me why he got stuck working the Sunday shift at the local record store. Assuming low to no ambition. I hereby swear that the above fore mentioned claim to be 100 % true and that I DID NOT switch stickers. That would be stupid on all levels. But not quite as stupid to verbally accuse a customer of wrong doing without explanation or proof. NEAL youre still wrong...and apparently this has in your words "rubbed me the wrong way" . p.s. Amazon sells used records too, thanks for making them an actual alternative when I was trying to avoid them.

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collegeman1988

I used to be a customer of Black and Read (the store that is located on 80th and Wadsworth), until 2010. They do have a great selection of books, movies and compact discs, but their customer service is terrible. In the decade leading up to 2010, I had purchased, as well as sold books, movies and music there. I live some distance away from the store, and the last time I went, I called the store in advance to find out if they still purchased used DVDs and books. The woman on the other end of the phone was polite and told me that they did, However, when I showed up at the store later in the day, the grumpy old man behind the counter was flat out rude toward me and got mad when I showed up with a shopping bag containing books and movies I wanted to sell. "You should be buying books and movies here, not selling them!!!" He shouted at me. But, before he could grab the bag I had, I took it away from him and told him that I did not like him or his attitude and that I would never come back here again. Black and Read, you lost me as a customer forever and I encourage those of you who have had the same experience not to do business with them either.

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Christopher Scott

Great people. Great selection. I really like going to a shop owned by guys Ive bought from since I was in 9th grade (remember Sweets Records and Tapes?) and I am now 49. But... I would really give 4.5 stars if Google allowed it. The death metal played on the music side of the store can be overwhelming. When I have to listen to metal for my 2 hours (or as long as I can take it), my time in the store begins to feel a bit like a death march to go with the death metal. I can handle, even enjoy, a single CD of the some of the staffs selections of the metal I do not know, and too the staffs credit, if I say something, the music changes. I just wish I didnt have to say something. However, when Im in the store and music other than metal is being played, I really enjoy myself browsing through vinyl for 2+ hours as I did in my youth. But dont get put off the ramblings of an old man. Black & Read is a great store with a lot to offer, from 45s, cassettes, CDs and LPs across a wide spectrum of styles. In fact, I would say this store has the best selection vinyl jazz in town. Get in there and enjoy yourself!

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Chuck Durfee

I have mixed feelings about Black and Read, mostly positive. On the one hand, they have an incredible selection and excellent prices. They sell a mix of new and used merchandise. I go most often to visit their large wall of board games, but they have a broad selection of used books, tabletop roleplaying games, videos and audio media as well that outshines anyone in the metro area. My only reservation about the place -- and its a big one -- is that it is that their inventory does not begin to fit in the space and it has become a maze of encumbered aisleways and jumbled shelves -- a condition the staff does not seem motivated to remedy. Thus, I need to be in the right mindset to visit. If you have plenty of time to browse and soak in the musty smell of old books while metal music from the far side of the store competes with the lilting Celtic harp CD on your side as you rifle through boxes for books, this is the place for you.

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Nightshade jello

Visited this place and the saying "finding a diamond in the rough" has a whole new meaning. the store is disorganized beyond beleif its like walking through your grandmas attic, empty boxes piled to the ceiling, trashed out books. My main reason for coming was on reccomendation from an aquaintence for their manga and anime section, they dont have an inventory system and finding your favorite genres are a nightmare. They did have a few items that have been out of print but honestly what really got me is as the clerk would walk away from her post and toss books in piles ontop of already pre existant ones showed they really didnt care and the poor shelving and conditions of the books reflected this. The book portion of the store needs a complete overhall and reorganization.

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Matthew Gordon

If you are a nerd and love garage sales, this place is for you. If you are a music lover and vinyl-buff, this place is for you. If you are into organization and want to get in and out quickly, you might want to try some place else. Love this place. Lots and tons of both new and used books, records and games all at reasonable prices. Staff is knowledgeable on everything except where a specific thing might be. This might be frustrating to some but if you are like me and enjoy the hunt it can be fun digging through boxes of items to find what youre looking for. Dont be intimidated by how metal the dudes running the record side look, theyre totally cool with you buying that Phil Collins record and might even recommend something similar as well.

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