Twist & Shout Records

Reviews 5

DC

DC DC

Good and Bad Business Having grown up with Twist and Shout, I assumed there was substance to its Dead Head/Dead Kennedys altruistic vibe. The feeling was so cool that in the early days, Chipotle was cool simply because the music they pipe came from Twist and Shout. I went into T&W to sell some DVDs. Well, they were only able to buy a few things I had for a total of $6. No big deal. I understand retail, I am, after all, an experienced operational accounting controller. So I agreed with little thought. When I realized T&W was keeping one disc in particular that I happen know is a bit rare and valuable to a very select audience, I asked what it fetched. When I was told it got me $1.50, I explained its uniqueness and asked to have it back in exchange for the $1.50. I did not feel that T&W should give me far less than reasonable value because of their ignorance. I did not make a fuss. I asked to undo the deal on that one disc, and with the $6 and my DVD still on the counter, the manager said, “Now that it’s done, sorry.” The cashier backed him up with a, “Sorry man.” As a seasoned operational accounting controller I suspect I know what a Twist and Shout manager can and cannot do. More than that I have a good understanding of the metrics that likely measure a used record store managers job performance and directly impact his paycheck. Many a manager I have worked with would have thought at that moment, “Jackpot! I can’t wait to get online and look this one up so I can tell the boss how I totally stole this from some shom.” Of course, there is no way for me to know if he thought such a thing. I just think given that I had not moved an inch and less than a minute had passed, he should have relented. I find it hard to believe that the manager could not restructure the trade based on my dissatisfaction when I was explained the exact terms of the deal within seconds of verbally agreeing to it. In real estate law and even with gym memberships, flexibility and time to reconsider a contract after it is executed is proffered to ensure mutual understanding and fairness. I would be interested to know if in fact this transaction would be legally actionable. However, that really isnt the whole story. I had never been into the ”new” store, so while waiting for my DVDs to be professionally appraised, I engaged a female T&W associate by saying how cool it seemed that the store is completely different but looks and feels exactly the same as the old location. She was downright unpleasant. The manager with the tats on his scalp who snagged my DVD was a little more interactive but icy cold. So I probably would not be back based on those two interactions without having been exploited because that place always had a good vibe for me. Now, not so much. Record store people should be cool and conversational, sharing in the community of music lovers. In 1982, I turned down a job with Rocky Mountain Records and Tapes because all they talked about in the interview was watching for theft, and look how that business model panned out. Good business offers value while maximizing profit. Bad business maximizes profits without moral compass. I just want my Led Zeppelin/Clash breathern to know that Twist and Shout might as well be a Bain Capital subsidiary. Every time I see or hear about Twist and Shout I will feel betrayed for the rest of my life.

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Andy Pekoll

I have been going to Twist and Shout since moving to Denver 2 years ago, and it has consistently gotten worse with each trip. I have had very few positive interactions with the staff, as most present this pompous disposition and general hipster douchbagery that really ruins the record store experience. And that is what it is about, the experience. I can buy anything I want online if I so choose, but I have enjoyed the record store experience for years now. I want to be able to talk to the staff at a record store and get opinions and suggestions. Instead, when I do interact with staff, I receive blank stares or scoffs. The reason I have persisted going there for the past 2 years is due to their prices and contests. At this point, I have had it and will only be purchasing music online (from mass industries like Amazon or Insound, from the artist directly or some other form of purchase) or, as a last resort, will make the trip to a competitor like Wax Trax or some yet to be found record store in the Denver Area. This place has gotten way to big for its own good, heading towards the Sam Goody direction rather than being a record store for people who love music and the record store experience.

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Jonathan Ostrow

Great store or not? I have been going to this store for about 10 years and have spent thousands and never had an issue but today was a major issue. I had to return a defective record that was not working (my only return in all the time I have been going to this store) . This was a brand new record (that I would note I found they put back out as used). They gave me a really hard time and lectured me. They finally issued me a store credit (not a refund to my credit card). I shopped and found some other items. The difference after these purchases came to just over $2.00 and I asked if I could please get cash back. The person told me she cant do that but will ask a manager. The manager came over and said "what seems to be the issue"? I explained what happened and that I was a good long standing customer and asked if I could please get the cash back? Her reply to me was I am free to shop elsewhere. Yes that is literally what she told me. I WILL

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Steve Replogle

This is the best record store I have ever visited, and I am over fifty, so you know I was around during the golden age of record stores. I remember bigger places like Peaches Records, Tower Records, Sound Warehouse, Independent Records. There were some great smaller places, too, like Jerrys Record Exchange, Jazz Record Revival, and Recycle Records. There are still a few great record stores these days - well, at least Denver still has Wax Trax, and a few others that are maybe not so great. Regardless, Twist & Shout is the best of em all, and always has been. I constantly come across rare and strange items there. Odd cds from Japan or Europe, old vinyl in mint condition... I appreciate the depth of their stock, and enjoy their section for local musicians, too. Their holiday section is fun to peruse every year. The occasional live sets performed in-store are always memorable - well, at least the ones Ive seen. What a cool store!

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Jeremiah Saldana

Ive always loved Twist & Shout. Obviously the best selection of music media anywhere in the Denver Metro area unless you prefer to special order through Circuit City or Best Buy. Prices on new and used items are reasonable, occasionally Independent Records is cheaper, but really only when youre talking about new releases. This place has culture, and touts about being independently owned, which is cool - except of course for the employees (some can be very knowledgeable but all are underpaid). Of course it was better when they had 2 different locations, and free/available parking is always nice. In terms of selling stuff to them, no store in Denver pays what anyone would consider a "fair price" for used stuff anyway - at least they buy used stuff at all. Ive won tickets to several shows from them, and have had many good experiences at the stores. I cant say that about anywhere else in Denver.

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