Amoeba Music — Attraction in Berkeley

This is a cross-review for both SF and Berkeley Amoeba locations. You'll benefit most from this review if you're looking to sell classic and/or rare records. I rarely leave reviews but the discrepancy between the two locations bears distinctions which I believe others could benefit from.

I've been collecting records for years and have dozens of rarities with similar appraisal value. When I brought 7 of these to the SF locations, I was quoted 250/170 as per store credit/cash value. However, when I brought 10 comparable and 6 identical records to the Berkeley location, pertaining to the genre preferred by the current locale-based generation, as opposed to the more various nature brought to SF, I was quoted 130/90, substantially lower than quoted in SF. All unopened, 180g custom color, limited edition with artwork and liner notes.

It's a tricky situation for newcomers; in SF, you'll be working with a Robert Christgau-like appraiser who will treat you like a jerk, but will give you a very fair price. In Berkeley, there's a younger ginger goatee guy who will act like your best friend, but will quote you substantially lower, most likely due to the fact that they're dealing with college kids most of the time.

The quality is great either way, but if you're looking for the most bang for your buck, hit up the Haight location, deal with the stern attitude, and you'll come away happier than if you went to Berkeley. Both locations are dope if you're looking to merely purchase a record, but it feels like the SF spot is more conducive to the benefits of sellers as well as the passion of buyers, whereas Berkeley feels more like they're squeezed economically so you won't get as fantastic of a deal.

Does feel like the Berkeley folks will talk ish behind your back more than SF; the Haight location was hella professional, if not for the attitude. Berkeley felt a bit more duplicitous with the chuckling between employees while appraising my wares, while the SF guy was clearly focused on the appraisal. It was kinda tough chilling in Berkeley pretending to look at posters, thinking that the employees had admiration for my records only to discover they didn't think they were worth as much as the SF appraiser in the Haight. Makes me wish the Amoeba GM took more of an active role in day-to-day operations.

At this spot, you'll have to endure long lines of parents and/or students looking to expand horizons or placate their offspring, but it can be worth it for certain deals, if one avoids the obvious monetization strategy built upon the UC Berkeley crowd.

I'm down to deal with the typical record store vibe established in the 60s, but the trip to the Berkeley spot was barely worth the effort, esp compared to the bump I felt when I worked with the SF folks. Kinda sours me on hitting up Berkeley at all, but still glad to contribute some aural love to the fine folks...

Con Artists - Don't sell your used vinyl.

We called because we live in Stockton (over 70mi away) and asked if we could send them photos of a children's 45 collection from the 50s and 60s we were trying to sell. They said "no because [they] can't tell the condition through photos". We explained that we had a former tenant vandalize our home on top of not paying rent, and could not afford the gas if the answer was no. Still, they couldn't be bothered.

So we drove for over three hours (traffic) only to have a really abrupt guy at the buyer counter tear one of the jackets and dismiss that he damaged it as inconsequential (which is amazing since it is NOT his property), and then tried to 'buy' the choicest 45s (Disney and Heavy Metal soundtrack respectively), along with a few other vinyls for less than 0.02% each. He literally wanted five collectible albums in good to excellent shape for $2. The Disney alone retails for $3200, but he tried to base his explanation on a website that sold the 45 FIVE YEARS AGO. The other Disney he wanted is not found online AND he dismissed the value of the other albums entirely.

These guys are scam artists. And instead of saving us time, they tried to b.s. and cost us a ton in gas and time. I'd sooner set my collection on fire than sell them to Amoeba Records, and since it is my personal collection, there's no way in Hades...

My my. Where do I even begin? Amoeba is a miracle, and the thought of it closing would be a reason to leave the state (or the country). It's the Rainbow Grocery* of music, entertainment, memorabilia and audio supplies. And happiness and inspiration. The selection is ridiculous(ly good). At the time of this review (August 2023), they seem to be overflowing with stuff. Whatever you're into, they have it in droves. What other record store in the Bay Area has -every genre- in both formats? None. The buyers are to be commended at the amazing job they do in making sure this place is filled to the brim in every genre. It's the only place where I go crate/box digging for my DJ gigs. I have found so much great stuff here. Stuff that maybe one other person would buy. I never know what I'm going to find and that's part of the great fun of it. Amoeba is an integral part of my ongoing musical education, a musical museum/library/store, and reason to live. What church wishes it was. I sell $15 worth of stuff and buy $30 worth, and learn in the process. And it's always worth it. My kind of shopping, but shopping for my mind. Please, do not close. It would really suck. (* two local, enormous...