Do you go record hunting while you are on a trip?

I bought one of my first CDs -Pearl Jam's Ten- while visiting a mall in the city of Curitiba, during a trip to Brazil, aged 15. That was my first experience of buying CDs abroad.
11 years passed until my next experience. Last year, while I was planning a trip to the US, I did some research and found the adresses of several record stores in Manhattan. Once we were in New York City, one day, my mum and I walked around the área, but couldn't find any apart from Barnes And Noble, of course, and when I was there I asked the sales assistant for a few records, and he showed no interest in helping me at all. The only álbum I could find was Introspective, by the Pet Shop Boys.
Then I went to Best Buy, which was even worse. I couldn't find anything. I also went to a store in a subway station. I had no luck, again. That was the end of my record hunting in New York.
Once we left New York, and we were in Virginia visiting some relatives, my mum advised me to créate an Amazon account and buy what I wanted to buy there. So, in 10 minutes, I had bought 17 CDs.

 

If I pass a record store, I'll go in. But other than that, what are the odds of finding something that eBay/Amazon doesn't have? When I was in Liverpool, I wasn't looking at Beatles records, I was looking at Beatles houses. I hear people recommend tourists go to Amoeba in Hollywood. I don't understand why exactly, there's nothing there that's too spectacular/fairly priced. If you're in LA don't spend hours looking through Amoeba, spend hours checking out the most beautiful women in the world. Go to Santa Monica, Griffith Park, or Venice.

 

Yes. Before I go over to the US or Canada I'll do online searches for record stores in the areas I'll be visiting. Even after doing that, I sometimes come across one out of the blue while wandering around, or that I'll spot from a bus. I even came across a used record store in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island!

Was with friends in San Francisco when we came across a sidewalk sale - I'd never heard of them before - and I got Richard Harris' first two lps. In Buffalo NY last year I found Revolver Records by pure accident. The guy running it is open 5 days a week and he puts his stalls up in 5 different places in Buffalo each week.

 

It's one of the first things I look up before I go somewhere.
To the annoyance of some traveling companions, I can't resist.
Forget Pokemon Go. Imagine what vinyl I could find if I was in the Navy.
The US Navy resorted to Pokémon Go as a recruitment strategy »

 

I try not to plan my vacations around record stores and the like, but yes, if i'm near a place that has records, I'll take a look.

 

Yes.

 

I never pass up the opportunity if I have time, however there seem to be less bargains out there. I used to get many great finds in charity shops and car boot sales but find diminishing teturns as time progresses.

 

All the time.

 

Yes, while my wife shops for whatever she wants, I'll go hit the record stores if they're in close proximity. It's only been the last two or three trips that I've come home empty-handed. One trip to Canada, I insisted we go to Chilliwack just because of the band named after the town.

 

I always try to, yeah. Chicago has great record stores, but also a ton of fellow record hunters, so I often find things elsewhere that would be difficult to find here.

 

Sure! That's what I did on a trip to Phoenix, a couple of weeks ago. I hit a few places, and came home with some good vinyl.

 

Yep. I travel to the US quite a bit and find stuff that I have never found locally. Often for less even with the exchange rate.


My avatar was taken with family at the Glass House record store in Pomona, CA in 2015.

 

That's my feeling as well.

Was in Pittsburgh earlier this weekend, as an example. Managed to make a quick trip to Jerry's Records (which I've heard about here on the forum and elsewhere) since it was very close to where I was. It was a quick drive-by but of course I managed to grab two things I've been looking for.

 

Yes! In fact, when I was in Manhattan 4 years ago we went to a record store in lower Manhattan near Washington Sq. park (I can't remember the name), where I picked up a Harmonium album and a Planxty album. 2 groups you just don't see laying around most shops. The following year we were in Knoxville TN. and we went to Lost and Found records and I grabbed a whole bunch of John Martyn and other English folk lps.

 

I'm visiting London right now and have visited Sister Ray, Reckless, and Flashback, along with seeing friends, going to pubs, the usual! Tomorrow's supposed to rain so my day in Brighton will likely include more record stores. I love going music shopping when I travel.

 

I always do! In answer to the above, you get to find stuff in small places where the owner has no desire to input his stock into a computer. Old-fashioned selling may only be for the brave...

 

What's the use of travelling otherwise?!

 

Hell yes! Records and beer.

 

yep

 

That's the reason I go on trips!

 

My eye is keenly sharpened for record stores. Just the same if I go into a thrift shop or flea market, I can spot 'em a mile away. So if ya see me a comin' step aside!

 

It's one of my favorite things to do. I had really good luck in Vegas.

 

I rememeber being with my aunt, who was traveling with us, at the apartment we were renting in Manhattan, after my negative experience at Barnes & Noble, and she asked to me: Albums?, Why would you want to buy albumst?. And my mum replied: She's always been a music fan!. So, it's obvious that my aunt doesen't feel the same way about music as I do.

 

Always!