Instant Karma Records — Attraction in Orleans

I go to a lot of vinyl shops throughout New England. Each summer I spend time on the Cape, and just about each year I visit Instant Karma. I keep wanting it to be a great shop, as it has that potential. It's not. While it is true that they have a fine selection, several factors lead me to offer only a 2 star rating. (1) Vinyl here is way overpriced. Records you would find in the $1 and $2 bins in other stores sell for $18 - $25 here. (Cat Stevens - Back to Earth anybody?). (2) Worse, you cannot actually remove a used record from the sleeve to look at what you're getting (which is a must for buying used vinyl, and the norm in used record stores). Records are taped shut in an external plastic sleeve. (3) The store doesn't use a standardized rating system, such as Goldmine, (again, the norm) which rates records as Near Mint (NM) Very Good Plus (VG+), etc, which is essential if you are not allowed to look at the vinyl! Instead, they use terms like "good" and "nice". What is the difference between good and nice?!? Can you be more vague? Each summer I go back, as it's really the only show in town. Each year i am...

my first visit to the cape..spent time at instant karma on a monday...went back thursday...i've collected music/records for 50 years worked in and managed record shops for 12 years in the mid 70's to late 80's,,,this shop is one of the best i've found over the past 20 years...people who complain about the prices aren't serious buyers...i only have 8 records on my list...found 3 of them...these are records i've looked for for years...i don't shop on discogs or ebay...if you ask they will open records to view,,,they will also explain how they grade...no mystery...this shop is the real deal...if you're a serious record buyer this is a place you'll find hard to find records...clean...correctly graded records...if you're just into music this is great place to hang ...chat and start a collection...also had alot of fun talking with...

While visiting the Cape, I decided to check this store out. They had a lot of records available (so much so that some were on the floor leaning up against the wall or the side of a cabinet). I was impressed with their decent selection, though I did not like their opinionated signs, like, "disco sucks", and at least one with unnecessary profanity. I must say, though, I felt the records were on the pricey side, from my experience at other stores, as few we're below $12, and most were $15 or $18 and higher. I found an $18 jazz record I was looking for, but I wanted to check the vinyl, visually, which you can only do at the counter. When I did so, there were some significant scratches, so I decided not to get it. I don't think I will return here the next time I...