Record Surplus — Attraction in Los Angeles

Update: staff here have gotten super weird and unfriendly. In the last two months I’ve had three or four weird encounters with the staff. I don’t see Neil in anymore, just the awkward quiet dudes who just want to price records and not be bothered. Records are still good but the atmosphere inside has been way different and cold.

One of the best record stores in the state and probably the country. Really, really diverse selections of new and used records at very reasonable prices. Their clearance section is usually ace, in the last 10 months I have picked about 120 LPs of really great stuff: Johnny Cash, Robert Johnson, Sketches of Spain, Deep Purple, Jimmy Cliff, an og mono copy of Born Under a Bad Sign, etc etc. Good stuff you don’t see in dollar bins anymore. Some great used stuff hidden in there: Doug Sahm’s Groover’s Paradise for $13(!!!!!). Jamey Johnson’s Guitar Song for $30 because of a slight warp but still plays perfectly. I mean.... that’s crazy. Their country section is full of cheese could use a little work but all other genres are well stocked and full of gems. Friendly staff who really know their stuff and a cast of daily regulars who drift in and out. This store is as close to High Fidelity as I’ve ever seen. Go buy...

The prices are very good but the staff are kind of standoffish or seem reluctant to help you. Seems like typical pretentious music buffs who look down on others. I wanted to buy a CD but the price seemed awful low for the package (which is one of the benefits of going here, the prices are great) and I wanted to verify the price. I ask the guy up front, is this really 9 bucks? and he says yeah, but TEN DOLLARS TAX. This really surprised me. Not even in big name stores like target or Barnes and noble am I ever charged that much in tax. So of course I ask him, how come? why is it so much. And he gives me some really weird almost sarcastic response "Because tax is involved"... WOW. REALLY? Thankfully this man was able to help me acclimate into American society and the world of taxation because man the concept was really foreign to me. He must've thought I was a tourist from Mars. Great selection of CDs, awesome prices and cool vibe, but you run the risk of having some dude talk down to you like you're stupid. Just another result of pretentiousness...

While visiting LA in late October, I drove to Record Surplus. I was looking forward to the experience. What a mistake! The prices on Classical compact discs were too high, the stock, somewhat lean, and the environment, very warm to hot. After taking my purchase to the counter (I had 6-7 CDs), the clerk wanted to know if I was also buying the vinyl on the counter, to which I said, "No". He rung up the sale, then asked if I wanted a bag. Now after buying 7 CDs, a bag might be necessary to carry them. He never offered a "thanks" nor did he seem to appreciate my being there. The other clerk acted very weird, too. I drove many miles out of my way to visit Record Surplus--never again!!. The next time I am near there, it will be to visit the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica Pier--a much more pleasant experience. Buy at...