ElWray Music and Records — Local services in Barberton

I had heard some not so good things about this place at a Cleveland record swap last month from a pretty knowledgeable rock and metal collector. While I don't believe everything I hear I took the time to drive from Cleveland to check this place out. If it weren't for the other local record shops in Akron that do know what they are doing it would've been a waste of a trip. While I didnt want to believe what I heard about them this is a one and done type of record store. Even Tom from Royal Garden Records in Cleveland wasn't as bad as these tight wads. Here is my honest review of this place and enough to never want me to go back. If don't believe it check it out for yourself. I bet most of these 5 star reviews are from their friends to help boost their ratings because anyone who is serious about collecting would find this place offense and not return. This review is also rebuttal to what one of these fake reviewers said about the staff being knowledgable.

1. They have alot records out on the floor with no price stickers and a few that do.

2. If you pull a record out with no price sticker the first thing they do us pull out a phone and popsike the record and/or go to ebay and discogs. The guy speaks into his phone in the most annoying fashion. So much for a knowledgeable staff because they will do this for every single record without a price sticker which is about 70% to 80%of the store.

3. Many but not all of the records that are priced are beat up pretty bad. They have no clue about grading. I found one record the guy said was Vg+ but it was VG and good for a beater play copy. Cover was ok. They put a $20 price on it which was top end for the record in mint unplayed to near mint very little play condition. I offered $5 because it didn't have a sticker on it and because it would play but just not mint. You hear the wife rudely in the back scream out "you know it goes for more than that."

4. When you go in other local Akron stores like Square records, Hollowbone, Time Traveler all the records are priced and nobody is getting online in front of your face trying to figure out a price for a record.

5. It is very clear that the lady and the guy are very new to this. Records are a continual learning curve but be professional even if you aren't a pro. Especially while you are in the process of learning. With that said if you are going to demand top dollar for records in beat up condition then make your store look top dollar. This place looked like a flea market dump and just by appearance you wouldn't expect to pay more than $5 (and I'm being nice) for any record in this place. No professional bins and records in milk crates (not underneath), the antique place down the street from them don't have bins but it is still professional looking and they took the time to price records all the records out for sale.

6. I did want to buy one record they looked up and was told they wouldn't sell it to me because it was tricky. They couldn't tell the difference between a 2nd press and original. They said the price varied between the 2 and they weren't sure which it was. Sorry but it is not my job the educate the "knowledgeable staff". Keep your records off the floor if you cant price them.

Lastly it would be good if this place closed down and the owners got another profession. These are the type of stores that stain up the record store business. No price Tags, lack of knowledge, lousy appearance, and pricing records from online right in your face because they don't know anything. This is definitely a...

The staff (husband/wife?) were very friendly, and helpfully explained that they put records out without prices so that customers can see everything in stock even if it hasn't been processed yet. I guess I can understand that, but I really do wish more of the inventory was priced. I would say it was about 50% or so that were lacking prices, particularly the jazz section. There were about 7-8 albums I would have considered had they been priced, but the thought of taking each one to the counter put me off, so I ended up just buying a few that were priced and left the others. I hope they can catch up on this soon. Otherwise, it's a good shop with a very densely packed collection. Crate diggers...

Better selection than most places in the local region, partly due to location. The owner was attentive and helpful to us without being overbearing or annoying. They answered all questions we had and found us what we were looking for fairly quickly. Reasonable prices, though in a few cases a record in poorer condition might have been a few dollars over what it would go for given the amount of wear and tear, but nothing was outrageous. In all, a great place to go if you're looking for records you actually want to listen to on a semi-regular basis, and less a shop for collectors...