Ez 2 Collect — Local services in Elmwood Park

I want to leave an honest review that will hopefully be helpful to the public — but MOSTLY to the OWNER. Please know that I have NO malicious intent whatsoever. I truly want to see this business THRIVE, because stores like this — ones that help preserve physical media — are incredibly IMPORTANT and RARE.

First, the GOOD: This store has a GREAT INVENTORY — no doubt about it. TONS of fun and collectible relics from the past: vinyl records GALORE, CDs, movies, video games, toys, and all kinds of treasures that collectors will absolutely enjoy digging through.

Now, the PROBLEMS: As many other reviewers have noted, there are some SERIOUS issues holding this place back:

1. It’s extremely cluttered. Browsing can feel overwhelming. It’s not just about how much stuff there is — it simply needs BETTER ORGANIZATION to make the experience more enjoyable and navigable.

2. The pricing is WAY off on a lot of items. Often double what you'd expect — or MORE. Of course, the owner has every right to price items as they choose, but customers also have options. If prices aren't at least somewhat competitive, people will shop elsewhere. I don’t mind paying a little more to buy something on the spot, but it’s a hard sell when I can get the same thing online or even at other local stores for a FRACTION of the price. It feels like the pricing is disconnected from current market value.

3. The shopping experience can feel uncomfortable. Customers should feel FREE to browse — not like they’re being watched like a hawk. Yes, theft is a reality in retail, but there are better ways to handle it. Improve your security systems, lock up the high-value items — but don’t make EVERY shopper feel like a potential thief.

4. Customer experience NEEDS attention. Make people feel WELCOME. Give them a REASON to spend their hard-earned money here. Run SALES. Offer discounts on bulk purchases. Start a loyalty program. Small gestures go a LONG way. I'd shop here MUCH more often if I felt like I might stumble upon a deal or be rewarded for coming back.

To the Owner: You have something SPECIAL here — a store that a LOT of people would support and recommend IF you took the feedback seriously. But honestly, your responses to reviews come across as DEFENSIVE and dismissive. LISTEN to what people are saying. ADJUST. Most of the criticism comes from a place of wanting this store to SUCCEED.

It’s not just about maximizing profit on every item. Focus on creating HAPPY, repeat customers. Treat them well. Give them a deal. Build goodwill. Throw a 50% OFF SALE once a month — I PROMISE that would bring people back through the doors. Make the store a FUN place to visit, with energy and excitement.

And finally: keep the inventory MOVING. What’s the point of hoarding items if they never sell? Get them into the hands of people who love and value them.

I hope you take these suggestions to heart and at least CONSIDER them. It’s going to take some time to undo some of the ill will and negative perceptions that people currently have about the store — but with a little humility and willingness to grow, I truly believe this place could THRIVE. There’s so much potential here. I’d love nothing more than to see this store become a beloved spot for collectors and music/movie...

This place is insanely horrible. I can't believe it's for real honestly. The vibe you'll quickly get here is "why are you in my store?" My friend and I walk inside today and are immediately told there's a $5 record section but "we look like the kind of people that wouldn't want to browse that." We're also told we aren't allowed to examine any of the records out of the sleeve. Umm I know how to handle a record properly... This is ridiculous already I knew but I just browsed anyway to see what was there. We're also told that that the prices are high so don't think you're going to get over on him on anything essentially or get a bargain... "I know the values." Wow great way to make customers want to leave immediately. The place is dirty and cluttered with tons of records stacked on top of each other (a huge no no to anyone who knows anything about vinyl.)

We look around and the guy proceeds to follow us all around the store making me extremely uncomfortable. I felt like he was watching and commenting on my every move. My friend asks him if he has a dollar section and he replies "can't pay the rent with a dollar." He also goes on to say that promo stamped records are worth more always when most of the time it honestly doesn't even matter as most records are common.

I knew this was a disaster waiting to happen but we give him some records and ask for the price for fun. He goes to the computer and spends awhile and writes on a paper: Thomas Dolby She Blinded Me with Science single 12" (he wants $25!) and 3 Psychedelic Furs records ($20 each). Absolutely insane gouging prices on common 80s records that are worth at best $5 each, $10 tops on a really good day. I knew the prices he'd say were going to be high but not that high. These prices are on records that are sight unseen too please realize... absolutely insane. What other real record store does this? They could be trashed for all I know. I then tell him I have to think about that for now. He says "the Dolby record may be here but the Furs albums probably won't soon." Oh I believe they probably will "Forever Now" with everything else you're hoarding in there. By far the worst record store I've ever been to and I've been to many.

Followup to what was written below: Pristine condition wasn't wanted just fair prices. How do you make up a price without viewing it yourself out of the sleeve? Why buy anything when you can just get better prices on ebay, discogs, other stores even after shipping? Makes no sense. Yes you need to make money, totally respect that, but there's a point where you're price gouging. Honestly think you'd be doing so much better and moving inventory if you priced fairly.

The owner of the store rated his own store on these google reviews if that...

The first star is for the collection. Its massive. You can dig for a few days.

The second star is for the owner. He’s a good guy. We’re all human, we all have our own things that make us question each other.

The reason for this review is to join in on the community of record collectors, old and new. I have been to all of the record stores in Northern Jersey. A few in the south and a few in Upstate New York. I’ve talked to every person that work or who own the store and when I mention this store, the few that have been here, they say they would never go back there. The core reason is because of the price. I’ve been here just a few times because I wanted to see the truth with my own eyes and I take reviews with a grain of salt but unfortunately it’s true. Overpriced. Yes there is a section of cheap records that are $5 but other record stores have them for a $1 or even better deals. Yes there are gems in here that are highly valuable and/or sought after but overpriced. Old collectors know what I’m talking about but for new ones, do your research, go to other stores, talk to other collectors that love music and records. Of course this is just my experience and opinion. Go see for yourself but just be mindful.

Response to Owners post: I wasn’t collecting 10 or 15 years ago so I wouldn’t know the prices back then. When I went to your store and asked the prices on a few records, you gave them to me and I sat on it for a few days. I looked it up on Discogs and popsike. You were asking far more then what they were selling at top value. Double the top value on one of them if payed in cash. Credit card passes that price. Even one record (easily found in stores and especially online) that the cover was almost completely destroyed and the record was in decent shape, you wanted 30 for it. Pricey, definitely but realistic is by no means true. You may know all the stores but have you been to them lately? Just an honest question. No one can debate that you have a massive collection but what good is having that when those records are just sitting there because of the over pricing and not being enjoyed by people who love music and records. It seems that you are focused more on the business aspect of records then the love for them. Just an observation because every time someone gives you low ratings here, you answer back and advertise about the inventory and the $5 records. I hope you have a change of heart one day and realize what your doing.

Peace and...