I absolutely hate to write this since I’ve relied on Amoeba for years and they have been the reason why I’ve built such an amazing vinyl collection, but after this experience, I don’t think I’ll be returning. I have bought multiple higher priced wall items with no issues and their staff have also always been helpful. Today that has changed. I had been eyeing a used yellow pressing of A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships by The 1975 on one of their wall displays. I finally caved and bought it since it was one of my dream pressings to own. A worker pulled it down for us and verified that it was the yellow pressing. They then held it at the register for me and I purchased it.

Upon getting home (I live about two hours away), I started opening the record to properly sleeve it, and I found the the back part of the gatefold was coming completely apart. This was not labeled on the plastic sleeve the Amoeba places over used records, especially the pricier wall records. Amoeba will usually write if there are any defects and flaws. This was not written on the sleeve (see photos).

I then reached out to Amoeba via phone. I was redirected to the buy counter and spoke to Mark. He was really rude and trying to downplay that the record I purchased was actually damaged and that it’s an “easy fix”. Really? I pay $75 for a record, expecting it to not have a major flaw or defect, and it does. You do not sell something higher priced and rare without disclosing a clear flaw. He then said that I could bring it back for store credit only even though it has clear damage that was not disclosed. He also gave some ridiculous excuse about humidity within the store causing it. You guys run a major record store. Shouldn’t you be taking care of your higher priced records to avoid alleged humidity damage. He gave us a month to bring it back (again for store credit only. not an actual refund) or I would have to mail it back to them if we couldn’t make it out. Do you think I would trust mailing a rare higher priced record back to a shop that lied about the condition in the first place? Absolutely not.

As I mentioned before, I have bought countless wall items from this location without any issues. I’m quite upset that the one time they make an error, they have provided me with an unfair solution and a rude attitude. I will be looking into other retailers and online options from this point on. They seemed to have lost their care for their customers and it’s very disappointing and upsetting to see. For future customers, I would avoid purchasing any of their wall items.