Help me start building my Vinyl Collection

Go to Unilet Sound and Vision in New Malden.They have loads of new vinyl and used to have a big selection of used also, which I assume they still do. 

Bens Collector Records Guildford has a huge used selection.

Just down the hill from it in Chapel Street, People Music has a good selection of new rock vinyl.

Online... Surus, Boomkat, and Bleep are all excellent if you like that kind of thing. Surus give free download copies of just about all the vinyl they sell too, which is a bonus.

Buying on Line...

Always best to have lots of web-sites handy to compare prices which can differ greatly.

Always check if the album is actually in stock and ready to post.

Amazon are the most strait forward if they're on the money, the packaging is good and it's easy to return if needed.

HMV occasionally have absolute bargains come along, although not always in stock and the packaging is not so good. Returning is easy though.

jpc Germany can sometimes be very competitive with prices (but often dearer too) packaging excellent, returning duff vinyl a bit more hassle. Very good site though, prices include VAT.

Buying from this site in Germany (or any other EU country) does not incur the wrath of import tax charges and collection fee.

Burning Shed not cheap but often good value for money (there is a difference) ...it's a must to visit their web site for a gander... https://www.burningshed.com/

If buying from USA (or anywhere outside of the EU) for purchases more than £18 be very aware of import tax charge & collection fee that may be applied on delivery!

Debs

I have just found this site for new vinyl - http://www.dada.uk.net/vinyl-c-66.html  They seem to often  be cheaper than both Amazon and HMV, but they do not post vinyl, although it can be reserved for in store collection. It is no good for me , but good for the OP as their address is DADA RECORDS  394 Chiswick High Road London W4 5TF

Online - It is also worth trying 991.com

Best wishes, John

The Rock Box and All Your Music are my favourites and have never let me down yet. 

Just watch out for the window which leans out at the top! I have banged my a couple of times in the past, usually late at night window shopping.

Jono

I don't know your area at all, but flea markets can be a goldmine for s/h vinyl. 90% of my collection came from a local market.

diversevinyl.com are worth a look. Not always the cheapest but they have a pretty good new releases list which is worth keeping an eye on.

 Friendly bunch too!

Not too much success so far.  Ordered one from HMV which after 5 days post dispatch has not shown up.  Do people think my response to HMV is appropriate or a little OTT.

PLEASE PLEASE Tell me collecting Vinyl gets easier!  All for a lousy £9.99 LP 

It does. Go to a shop. If online, Amazon is much better.

Did you not wander a couple of miles down the road to Unilet New Malden? Or go to Guildford and look in the shops there. I bought a load of vinyl today from Guildford - well priced and in perfect condition.

If you venture into Central London there are some good record stores on Berwick Street: Sister Ray, Reckless Records and Music Exchange. The HMV on Oxford Street does have a small selection of vynil. There are two  record stores  along a side street  right up the top  of Oxford Street ( I forget the street name but its  the turning on the left just after Whittards of Chelsea, as you walk towards Tottenham Court Road) 

Lontano, yes on reflection I wish I had made the effort to go to Guildford.  I held out in false hope that the weather would ease up and I could go out on my bike.  

All said and done I have acquired 18 LPs in 7 days from my local s/h store and HMV in Kingston, but have probably exhausted both for a month or two, so progress is being made.

I have made a resolution to put 1 Sat a month aside to go to Guildford, and have a day off the bike.

Thank you all for your ideas.

I guess it is a bit of a ride on the bike down the A3! Ben's for cheap used and People Music for new - the selection is not huge there but it is very good and interesting if rock/alt etc is your thing. The owner of People is a really decent chap, Howard Smith. He has had a record or two of his own out in his dim and distant past as well - here he is playing drums on his big hit!

It's amazing what you can learn here.

Lontano,  You have given me an idea, I can cycle down the Thames and River Wey to Guildford, and skip the A3 ,  about 27 miles I think, only done it once round trip, normally break off at Jacobs Well? and head home via Woking.

Two birds one stone. Do you think Ben or Howard have safe storage for a bike? 

The Vapors - I have their excellent New Clear Day album. 

The Rock Box is in Camberley, but go with Lontano's suggestions - just pointing out there are some good reliable record shops around. 

Maybe one day a nice new pressing of the Kinks Arthur will come out .... 

E.I.L.  There SITE AS 1000s   always good condition  and packed well for posting 

Gary, enjoy the ride down there. Are you easily able to carry back your haul?!

They are both relatively cramped shops but I am sure Howard would try his best for you....

Hangs head in shame.  LP from HMV arrived this morning, still p**s poor performance IMO.  I so sort of which I hadn't ordered the same album from Amazon just 48 hours ago.  Let's see if Amazon are any better.

Rock Box highly recommended never had a problem with them.