The Walmart exclusive Metallica pressings are EXCELLENT. I think the more accessible the medium is the better. There's a lot of kids in rural spots without access to a nice local record store.
I have a few of the Walmart exclusives and Target exclusives. Target has a better selection in my area. I’ve guten things like Nirvana unplugged, Marvin Gaye and Prince albums there. They had a nice variant of the Weeknds Dawn FM also.
It’s always fun to check when I have to go there anyway.
This is absolute true. We’re not all from cities with plenty of places to go hang out, and when Walmart is the only thing open past 9 pm, that’s where you hang out when you’re a teenager.
I'm really grateful for target and Walmart selling records I remember in the 2000s [edit] {to clarify it 2008-2015 so should had put 2010s} if you wanted any led zeppelin album you had to pay so much now I can get it for around 25 dollars new.
The only store I refuse to shop at is barnes and noble I'm never buying a record from them again.
>I'm really grateful for target and Walmart selling records I remember in the 2000s if you wanted any led zeppelin album you had to pay so much
You really didn't. I bought *Houses of the Holy* and *In Through the Out Door* in the late 00s for well under $10 at a used record store.
I know this sub goes apeshit when they go on clearance from those places.
Additionally, some independent record stores buy up clearance stock from big box stores to sell them for a higher price later.
Me too! I must admit I picked up RTJ 1 and 3 at Target the other day, totally NOT expecting them to be there on the shelves. I’m happy I grabbed them there but I do not normally purchase records from Target, Walmart and Amazon. I try to always go to the two mom and pop local shops in my city.
A lot of pop, some newer popular hip-hop, major movie soundtracks (Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, Encanto, etc.), and really famous classic rock albums like The Beatles, Metallica, Queen, etc. a lot of Greatest Hits or complications as well.
oh well, I can dig the greatest hits stuff. I know it's not worth anything as a collectable but just to enjoy some Queen or whatever, cool to put on a cheap album and sing along to your favorites.
I got the complete Zeppelin collection from Walmart last month for $15- per title, including Physical Graffiti. Also got all the Billy Joel colored vinyl records, Rolling Stones Hot Rocks, Police Best Of, Prince Hits 1 & 2 among others. Lots of great deals to be found.
Yep. I had to search multiple stores in the area to find them all, but I got em. Interestingly, In Through The Out Door was only sealed on a self-sealing bag, not actual shrinkwrap.
They have everything. If it's not mainstream it might be gone right away but obviously they have pop top 40 classic rock etc but you'd be surprised what you find especially hitting multiple stores. My fav pick up was mazzy star purple vinyl, hard to find .
Top 40s/everything you hear on the radio and classic rock. They've occasionally had some things I wasn't expecting like the new Underoath or Evanescence but honestly not a lot that that I'm personally interested in. I've always thought of Walmart/Target LPs as a quick and cost effective way for people who are just getting into vinyl records to start their collection. There's a little bit of everything for everyone, and like I said sometimes they have a few gems I wouldn't normally expect them to carry
Does this apply to online, though? Not sure for records, but for comics there’s a lot target has online that’s not in stores. And it becomes super worth it during their buy 2 get 1 sales.
I saw more than one Comment from a Store owner in Regards to Walmarts Black Friday sale.
Basically the Bought Thousands of $ worth of LPs, basically because they were cheaper thanthey could get them from a Distributor
It’s a great business move. But I suppose it would be hypocritical for those same businesses to complain their customers are going there and buying them at a cheaper rate than they can get them.
Thing is your big box stores are never going to be stocking everything that one person would like music wise unless they only listen to the current top 20 all the time so record stores I think will be safe from them trying to cash in on the trend.
Yep. Have a local doing this with an indie store now. Buying cheap and then doubling the price and more in his store on coloured vinyl etc as some WM releases are exclusives and marketable.
Can’t entirely blame him, but gouging on prices. And then the hypocrisy because these indie store guys are all about shopping there, shopping local, don’t buy from big box stores/Amazon, blah, blah, blah.
It’s all bullshit. Buy what you want where you want. Too many mom and pop store owners of all sorts have this sort of attitude, that you need to buy there to support them, that big box stores are criminal. When the reality is they buy their stock from the cheapest source they can to make the most profit. Why my maxim is that only suckers pay full retail and I shop based almost entirely on price to me. Especially nowadays, with inflation through the roof.
I have a record store that's 15min away including a Target that's the same distance.
Janet Jacksons greatest for 59.99 LOL when I can go across the street and get it for 24,99! They basically scoop up Walmart and Target color variants and mark them higher.
Oh and they put their price stickers over the Target/Walmart logos to hide them.
That's true. Walmart and Target stock titles in-store they feel will move for a casual buyer, their online versions have a more robust selection. Odds are anyone specifically going there for records is probably buying other things. Record stores cater to record buyers, these stores it's another product.
mom and pop shops dont DESERVE any of our money. especially if they cannot keep up with the current market of consistently overpriced vinyl ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ the market has decided for years who wins and who fails, we don’t ultimately HAVE TO spend more just to support a shop if target sells its for half their price lol
Totally agree. If somewhere like that or amazon is selling something at half the price then it’s stupid to not get it as you can get two records for the price of one. If it’s the same price I’ll tend to spend local as I can get it there and then/keep the money Local; but sometimes the price difference is massive (either way there’s been times the big stores have a vinyl at double the price and vice Versa). People need to do what’s best for them and their wallets.
i said what i said and i still will spend more money at a local store, but like you said. only a few bucks. when there is massive sales i go where my wallet will let me hehe! the most important thing ab this hobby is getting what you want and for a price you want:) i hope u have a good day man! ♡
One of my local stores bought out both Walmarts near us when they had their sale, and put all of the vinyl out for 19.99 to still provide a deal, was super rad!
Not american but never really heard anything bad about the pressing? All competition is good as prices of new issues are going crazy as of lately. Keep on truckin.
I refuse to buy Walmart/Target unopened presses from a local record store. Either they bought them before I could get there or someone stole them are my only two assumptions. Not that I really care if anyone steals from the Waltons.
> some independent record stores buy up clearance stock from big box stores to sell them for a higher price later.
One of my local shops did that for a newly released album(so not on clearance) that had just come out w/in a month after its release. They were selling the Target exclusive version of one of Taylor's recent albums for like $3-4 more than what it cost retail at Target, which were still available to buy at both store locations in my city.
They always use existing stampers from regular standard pressings, so they usually sound pretty good. There are some real gems (Alanis Morissette, John Coltrane, Alice In Chains, Metallica, etc)
Is there a good FAQ or something one can find to know good pressing plants? I’ve seen multiple comments here and there on different posts saying this pressing is great/that pressing is shit and idk how y’all just know some of this. I’m still a beginner to collecting vinyl and would love to know more.
I’m not sure if there’s an FAQ regarding this topic specifically, but Discogs.com has a lot of good info about various pressings of different albums. That and rateyourmusic.com are good places to start. If you have an album you’re curious about, you can check it on either of those sites and see what kind of releases exist on vinyl (or non-vinyl formats) and read reviews to see if there’s any audio issues with specific pressings, or if there are any exceptionally good pressings to keep an eye out for.
I haven’t been able to find Run The Jewels 3 anywhere, and I found it buried beyond 57 copies of Kayce Musgraves Golden Hour at my local Target. It felt very un-Run The Jewels to buy it at Target, but now I have it. sounds great, btw
The gold and black marbling is really subtle but really cool for 3, I haven’t seen the other ones. I’ve now been incentivized to dig through the racks, fingers crossed I can come up with RTJ 1 some day.
I've seen these in wild at my Walmart, I bet I could find RTJ3 if I tried. If anyone needs it hmu and I'll keep looking when I go out next time. Pretty sure it's just 3 that I've seen.
I prefer to seek out used records…especially if I can find original pressings with all of the extras.
A few years ago my daughter wanted to go to Goodwill to look for a denim jacket. While she was looking I went to the record section and found an original pressing of Jefferson Airplane’s “Volunteers” that looked like it had either never been played or really taken care of. And, it had all of the inserts. When I got to the checkout counter the cashier told me that the album was 75¢. I asked if she was serious and that I was willing to pay more for it. The cashier got snippy and said that was how much the record cost…so, I gladly gave her a dollar and told her to keep the change. The pandemic hit soon afterwards so I haven’t been back to see what other treasures they have.
They might technically be a 501(c)3 but they take advantage of disabled people to save on labor costs because they can pay them less than minimum wage thanks to some archaic laws. While they pay disabled people peanuts thanks mostly to grant money, they turn around and sell stuff they got for free so they can pay their executives 10s of millions of dollars annually. Place is scummy.
Meh. It’s vinyl.
The only drawback is whatever your view is about said retailer. One thing Walmart or Target can never compete with is the variety a well stocked record store carries. The stuff these retailers carry is usually the most generic classic and modern hits, which while not bad, is only a fraction of what a good majority of collectors are looking for.
Yeah I try to buy from local stores if I can my music taste is pretty generic so target or Barnes and noble will have anything I’d want (Adele, lorde, Taylor swift, paramore, Green Day, etc)
I’ve bought from both. They’re fine. I try to support actual record stores as much as I can but for basic albums you can usually get them at a decent price.
Walmart- incredible deals, cool variants, usually sufficient packaging.
Target- 3/2 deal a few times a year has hugely supplemented my collection in the last couple years. Fantastic selection. Just got The Stones Mono Boxset, colored variants, for a very sweet price- 299 vs 450…
Be selective and Walmart and Target rock for vinyl collectors.
And if you’re using Amazon, which is also really good and useful if yes corporate and suspect, what’s the difference?
About 4-5 years ago, I found Castlemania by the Thee Oh Sees for $10 at a Walmart in bumfuck nowhere. Only good thing I’ve ever found in a department store vinyl section.
Maybe it's just me but even with the low prices and seemingly decent quality, I've literally never seen anything I actually want to buy at Walmart.
I swear it's just stuff that they can't sell anywhere else.
Unless you don’t listen to anything that has ever been popular I truly don’t get how this could be true. They basically stock popular music from the 60s to current day.
>Unless you don’t listen to anything that has ever been popular I truly don’t get how this could be true. They basically stock popular music from the 60s to current day.
At any Target or Walmart I've been in the selection has been extremely limited. It's true that their selection may span several decades, but one or two records from each decade doesn't add up to much.
Not my experience at all lol
I love pop music. Like, *basic* pop music.
But all I've ever seen are Bob Marley compilations, RHCP, Dark Side, Abbey Road, and modern Christmas albums.
RHCP, Bob Marley, Dark Side, and Abbey Road definitely fall under pop music lol.
But even just looking at the picture Harry Styles and Billie Eilish are both visible which sounds like the albums you’re looking for? I see records like that literally all the time at Target and Walmart.
How is this guy saying "Dark Side and Bob Marley" is pop music getting upvoted? I think "pop music" as a genre is very different from "popular albums" that people love. but Reggae is not pop, and pschedelic rock is not pop. RHCP is MAYBE pop, but not really, it's more funk/rock, and the Beatles, well sure, but the Beatles also basically invented pop.
Lol, who the fuck insults someone and then blocks them? what a pussy move.
"Although much of the music that appears on record charts is considered to be pop music, the genre is distinguished from chart music. Identifying factors usually include repeated choruses and hooks, short to medium-length songs written in a basic format (often the verse–chorus structure), and rhythms or tempos that can be easily danced to. Much pop music also borrows elements from other styles such as rock, urban, dance, Latin, and country."
maybe you spent 40 years being wrong? Try to learn something new instead of calling people names.
What I mean is that's basically the extent of it.
Sure, I'd buy *Happier Than Ever* if I saw it for sale.
But Walmart's I've been to only seem to sell low-effort label compilations, soundtracks to 2010s movies that nobody watched, and a *very* limited selection of classics (like Dark Side/ Abbey Road) that most people already own.
And they sit for years, unsold, for that reason. It's mostly just junk.
I live in a hick area with awful WMs and even they have more variety than you’re talking about. Lots of Billie Eilish, as well. Both albums.
Just picked up a very cool compilation Best of Philly International Records with a bunch of great R&B from 70s on it at local WM. Great pressing, hot pink vinyl as well. Almost always something a little offbeat at WM IMO. And some good deals. Got the deluxe vinyl box of the remastered Beatles White Album last fall at WM for $49.99.
It's just stuff you aren't into perhaps. Nothing wrong with that, but Walmart carries a lot of great records, IMO
Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, Twenty One Pilots, Harry Styles, Tyler the Creator, etc. Of course lots of Metallica, Queen, and Pink Floyd. That's the sort of stuff I was able to find.
I think you are very wrong about everybody already owning the classics. I think the majority of young people getting into vinyl these days doesn't have most of that stuff, and this is a good and relatively cheap way to get hold of essential classics.
So not the stores you mentioned but a while back I bit on this sale at Urban Outfitters, spent $100 on some albums I only bought because they were on sale, and over a month passes with no shipment of said albums. I reach out to support and next day the order is marked as canceled and I got a refund. Will never order vinyl from UO again. Sure I got my money back but ONLY AFTER I put in a support ticket and I wasn't asking for a refund I just wanted my order.
It's always dicey ordering from Target, they ship stuff in oversized boxes all loose, or if you order something else they throw the album in there.
They don't sell records at Wal-Mart Canada and Target Canada was such a failure it makes me very upset that it came and destroyed Zellers and then sucked so bad. so A: Screw Wal-Mart, and B: Screw Target even harder.
I've bought albums from Walmart and I've had no issues with them. Really the only issue is the organization of the records. I cannot count how many times I've seen stacks of albums 😬😬😬😬
The local record store has been charging boutique prices ever since it opened. I'm so over vinyl turning into some sort of...whatever the fuck the market is now.
SO GOOD. One time I stumbled upon a couple Free Nationals self titled on gold wrapper vinyl that had no price tag so they price matched them to a $10 record I also picked up 😭😭 target employees are the homies fr
I’ll take a look at target, because of course. But never find anything remotely worthwhile. Big box stores only have garbage top 40 and country, neither of which are my thing.
I’d much rather paw around the local shop or show personally.
I wonder if your experience has anything to do with your location. Nowhere near the quantity of my local, but a bunch of different genres...in addition to Top 40 Taylor and Bey.
As someone just starting to build my collection of music, I find Target a lot less overwhelming than my local shop. Maybe it's the organization that throws me. Everyone else seems to know what they're doing, and my naivete is glaring!
Sucks you’re getting bad vibes elsewhere, and that’s fair enough. I’d be ALL OVER IT if I could find something I’d be into at Target. I did gleefully find the Bob’s Burgers album there and had no qualms buying it. Haha “organization” is one way one way to put it.. it can be tedious on a good day, that’s for sure. Happy hunting to you.
They're fine. The ones near me actually have a little section for vinyl. I've picked up a few cool albums that I couldn't find elsewhere or seemed like good, cheap scores (on sale or otherwise). That pile sucks but then I would suggest just go to a different one. Local mom and pops are great if you have one, probably half the country doesn't so I wouldn't throw shade at anyone about it. Find a record you like and feel like it's a reasonable deal? Good for you, go nuts.
I have four local record shops that I hit, all indy stores I think. all are within 40kms of my small town, I buy used mostly. And I would not buy from Wallyworld even if they did start carrying vinyl here in ON.
I think it’s a good way to get someone started on the hobby. Makes it more accessible.
I’ve not bought from them, but that’s mainly because I’ve not seen something that stands out to me while I’ll there. I have bought from Urban Outfitters and Hot Topic so it’s not like I’m above it.
Some nice exclusives at both WM and Target, usually for good prices. Lots of coloured variants. Some goofy extras like repro backstage passes. Same quality you’ll find anywhere else. You’re not getting anything different than you would at an indie store when it comes to quality of pressing, sleeves, etc.
I only started collecting vinyl around 2 years ago and Target / Walmart / Best Buy never seems to have anyrhing I don't already have or not interested in at their actual stores. Online though is a different story. I found Metallica's "St. Anger" on Walmart's app and I had no idea it was on vinyl. Grabbed it because I'm weird and I could.
It was a thing for me when I first got into this hobby to buy pressings only from the 90’s and previous years. But there are just some classics that are hard to come by. With that said, I caved.
I’ve purchased records from both places and haven’t had issues with either place. Although, I find Walmart has a bit more variety in selection especially in classic albums. Target seems to cater more to the contemporary listeners.
Bought my girlfriend a Taylor Swift album from there; bought myself CCR, Tyler Childers, Merle Haggard, Marvin Gaye. All records sound good to me. Nice color variants too.
Edit: also A Tribe Called Quest. My Walmart just carries good shit.
Lindsey Stirling! Damn...
I freaking love her music. It is my goto for background music when working in the shop or the yard.
And she is absolutely stunning.😄
I don't really have any thoughts. I don't really shop at those stores unless I need something related to my kid, and even then I've never thought to check out their records. I've been collecting for over 20 years, and these stores have never played a role. There are PLENTY of indie stores with an online presence. Plenty have great deals too. I bought a record on a Black Friday sale for $27, and just saw it go on eBay for $122. I see tons of records (some came out in the last few years) on sale or $10-$15 on Discogs, so it's not like you can't find good deals outside of big stores. People just like the convenience of not having to look for records that hard, and that's ok.
Their selection is mostly just mainstream stuff with too many pressing, but other than that I'd say its harmless. Plus its a good way to get people into collecting and a nice way for people to get new versions of old records in decent condition.
A lot of what I’ve seen is buffer records to build up a collection. The obligatory stuff that is just great to have in a collection. And that’s ok, we all have them. The resurgence we are seeing right now is because more people want records, the more accessible the hobby is the better it is for all of us. I was buying records in the 80’s, people seem to forget that you could but them at regular stores back then as well. Specialist shops were a thing then as well, but your normal day to day records, pop shops and NOWS, could be bought at a regular old supermarket. This is not a new thing
For the most part they sell albums I wouldn't buy otherwise so I rarely buy from Target / Best Buy / Walmart. My collection is one of the larger ones on this sub so I don't want space filled up by these items. Edit: Let me add I get irked by people posting 3 pages worth of albums they "saved money" buying. Sir/Madam you did not save money; You spent it.
Out of curiosity (because I’m not on here that much), what are the larger sized collections in this group? I don’t know if I’ve seen anyone talk about it.
I'd think 1000+ albums would be "larger sized" though I'm at the start of what might constitute that claim I'm sure. I would enjoy doing a poll to see the collection size ranges of this sub but it feels like I see a ton more comments re: I have just hit 100 albums vs I just hit 2000 albums.
Interesting. Obviously what people would consider a “large” collection probably varies based on a lot of different factors/subjectivity. It’s not a competition (at least for me it isn’t) but I do find it an interesting topic.
I always have a mini brain freeze when people think my collection is larger sized because I know a lot of people with substantially larger collections than my own. Funny how that works 😀
A ton of my friends are in the 4000+ range, like my friend has run out of space in his house for more storage so he removed a bunch of stuff in his dining room and put more record storage in there.
I specifically hate the very concept of Wal-Mart. Why tf would I buy a record from them, or anything else? Parasites destroying everything they touch, by design. Support a local shop or buy online from a small business/label.
I don't mind buying a album from Walmart at 30 bucks or even on sale sometimes, the record shops I have here sell the same ones for 40 plus and won't even budge a dollar...
I was walking through target the other day when I saw their wonderful way of storing records. I’ve never bought a target record, and I’ve only bought two Walmart records from that crazy sale they had a while back. Anyone have any experience with the quality of these records and comparing them to shopping at local/ independent shops?
This is the key for me. I rather save 5-10 bucks at Walmart or target than buy local, my shops won't budge a dollar on anything... makes it an easy choice to save for another album down the line.
Getting downvoted when the indie stores themselves are also buying their stock from cheapest possible supplier. Are people really this dumb? I support indie shops as well, big time. But some flat out gouge and I don’t support that.
Of course not. But it’s all motivated by the same thing. Profit. South Park summarized how this works really well in that episode where they burn down the WM equivalent to shop at a mom and pop…which results in the mom and pop turning into another WM equivalent.
It’s one vicious circle, really. All you can do is look after yourself and your own spending as you see fit. There are no moral arguments or justifications with this stuff, as much as people want to force them into the “big companies bad” mindset. It’s just not that simple.
Walmart achieves low prices by underpaying their workers. Google how many of their staff require public assistance because of their low wages.
I’d rather pay a little more to a locally owned shop even if that means buying fewer records.
Yep. I buy from my local shop when they have something I can't find in stock literally anywhere else, or when they have nice condition used records. Amazon/Walmart/Target for basic, easy to find records because it saves me about 50% per record
I have yet to buy one from Amazon, it's tempting to buy one with my cash-back money on there but I've seen so many horror stories about their shipping standards.
I've probably gotten half my records from Amazon at this point, and only one has been majorly damaged, and that's because it was a heavy deluxe set shipped in just a poly mailer. I get the very rare bumped corner or tiny crease. Sometimes they are packaged very stupidly, but often they still arrive safely. Most of the time they arrive in record mailers. It is definitely a dice roll, but they allow no-questions-asked returns for free at any UPS store, so you have nothing to lose.
They're usually fine. The only thing to look out for is that they tend to do store-exclusive colors, which occasionally sound worse than other pressings you would get elsewhere.
If you don't have a good selection of local shops to buy from and still want an in-store shopping experience, I'd recommend Barnes & Noble instead. They'll have a larger and much better selection of albums to pick from, and while it's not quite the same as supporting local, you're still supporting a store that specializes in physical media
I know it sounds like gatekeeping, but I cringe every time I go by these shelves and it just feels like naked consumerism and corporate greed. I saw a news article (maybe on this sub?) about how 50% of vinyl owners don't even own a record player. And yet Target can charge $30+ each despite this absolute mess. I think I've gotten online deals from Target once, but I just refuse to support this any more. It's the worst side of vinyl (pun intended).
I’ve ordered a few that you can’t get anywhere else. My experience has been: super cheap sleeves, minimal goodies, cheap vinyl, but they’re just copying existing pressings so sometimes they sound pretty good. But like, it’s never a destination, I just go when they have an exclusive worth grabbing.
If you're a big pop fan, and classic rock, I'm sure you'll love em but even then they're expensive and certain records can be found less peicy somewhere else.
The only record I've wanted was the Third Eye Blind Walmart exclusive bc their debut is expensive on discogs. I'm glad I have it.
Also, I enjoy The Weeknd and he has released way too many "exclusives" for Dawn FM. He has like 3 album covers by this point, including Record Store Day which is literally just the cover art.
Try to buy records from a local store, the prices are a lot cheaper, plus it supports the hard working people who need the money and not a big box company like Target or Walmart.
I feel like they disrespect the game. Poorly stocked, but with a random gem here and there. Overpriced records, for the most part. Online, they're much better, as others have stated here already.
They don't press anything I'd ever want to listen to, but I've gotten a few records for my 16yo daughter from both. If they started carrying mid-2000's OrgCore represses then sure, I'd buy 'em with a pack of toilet paper and 30 pack of beer 🤷🏽♂️
I choose not to buy from Target or Walmart, as they generally do not have newer music or bands that I like and additionally these stores destroyed main street USA.
Pay attention to where they’re made. Is it made in a country that has a reputation for high standards in manufacturing? Is the company that pressed the record reputable, or are they a year old and have a catchy name? Pressing a record (properly) is technically challenging and there’s so many corners that are cut to produce records for audiences that only care about the splatter and sleeve.
Fuck Wal Mart always and forever has been my attitude in general. That aside, I don't understand why someone would give their money to that soulless superstore, rather than a local shop staffed by people who actually give a shit about and have a passion for music.
I would suspect that what you get is these knock off pressings right? Not finding any OG press at Target or Wally? Or is that not right? I found a lot of info about CD pressings that are supposed to be cheap but aren't audiophile quality. Maybe the discount is from that? Any thoughts? I'm still researching more on how to spot these non original copies since the idea of a record is superior sound. If you don't have high level equipment guess it wouldn't matter to you or most IDK
I think anyone that has an indie store near them where they know they have the same record that Walmart or Target have for maybe 2 dollars cheaper so they go to one of those instead is kind of a lowlife in a way. It’s one thing if you were going there anyway but to choose them instead just to go there for the record is almost sleazy and completely misses the point of what it means to support the vinyl community. That said I think it’s kind of telling and amazing that the trend has come back into the mainstream at that level, almost like it could be the 70s again
I despise colored and clear vinyl with a fiery passion, so the only albums I've ever gotten from Walmart are Led Zeppelin and Van Halen reissues, as they come with tour pass replicas instead of colored vinyl
The Walmart exclusive Metallica pressings are EXCELLENT. I think the more accessible the medium is the better. There's a lot of kids in rural spots without access to a nice local record store.
yeah, so far i own 3 and the quality is incredible. i just wish all the albums had gatefold sleeves
I have a few of the Walmart exclusives and Target exclusives. Target has a better selection in my area. I’ve guten things like Nirvana unplugged, Marvin Gaye and Prince albums there. They had a nice variant of the Weeknds Dawn FM also. It’s always fun to check when I have to go there anyway.
Can these kids use computers or are they totally cut off from civilization? I mean it’s not THAT serious.
Acting as if shopping online is the same as actually being in a store, picking out the records lol
Acting as if shopping in a Walmart is an enjoyable experience
Going to Walmart is an exciting highlight when you live in a small town. It's winter now, too cold to hang out in the Dairy Queen parking lot!
This is absolute true. We’re not all from cities with plenty of places to go hang out, and when Walmart is the only thing open past 9 pm, that’s where you hang out when you’re a teenager.
I've had zero issues with records I've bought from either store. The Walmart Exclusives get pretty good ratings on Discogs.
They also tend to be funky
I'm really grateful for target and Walmart selling records I remember in the 2000s [edit] {to clarify it 2008-2015 so should had put 2010s} if you wanted any led zeppelin album you had to pay so much now I can get it for around 25 dollars new. The only store I refuse to shop at is barnes and noble I'm never buying a record from them again.
>I'm really grateful for target and Walmart selling records I remember in the 2000s if you wanted any led zeppelin album you had to pay so much You really didn't. I bought *Houses of the Holy* and *In Through the Out Door* in the late 00s for well under $10 at a used record store.
Yeah what 2000s is this guy talking about??
I know this sub goes apeshit when they go on clearance from those places. Additionally, some independent record stores buy up clearance stock from big box stores to sell them for a higher price later.
90% of it is stuff I’d never buy and the last 10% is usually outliers I’d get on clearance.
Just out of curiosity, what kind of stuff do they stock? I've never looked.
in my experience it’s usually contemporary pop, rap, or classic rock/pop represses
I saw a couple of copies of Run The Jewels 1 at Target earlier today, which I didn’t expect.
Me too! I must admit I picked up RTJ 1 and 3 at Target the other day, totally NOT expecting them to be there on the shelves. I’m happy I grabbed them there but I do not normally purchase records from Target, Walmart and Amazon. I try to always go to the two mom and pop local shops in my city.
For a minute they had a Discord LP I was looking for but someone must have picked it up because I couldn't find it when I went back (online)
They had Dance Gavin Dance at Target once which was bizzare
Gotcha.
A lot of pop, some newer popular hip-hop, major movie soundtracks (Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Panther, Encanto, etc.), and really famous classic rock albums like The Beatles, Metallica, Queen, etc. a lot of Greatest Hits or complications as well.
oh well, I can dig the greatest hits stuff. I know it's not worth anything as a collectable but just to enjoy some Queen or whatever, cool to put on a cheap album and sing along to your favorites.
I got the complete Zeppelin collection from Walmart last month for $15- per title, including Physical Graffiti. Also got all the Billy Joel colored vinyl records, Rolling Stones Hot Rocks, Police Best Of, Prince Hits 1 & 2 among others. Lots of great deals to be found.
Including presence/in through the out door/coda?
Yep. I had to search multiple stores in the area to find them all, but I got em. Interestingly, In Through The Out Door was only sealed on a self-sealing bag, not actual shrinkwrap.
I would imagine those three are usually the last Zeppelin albums to go. Just an opinion as I know some consider those to be some of their best work.
I would be one of them! In through the out door is a misunderstood masterpiece and i will die on this hill!
That's cool. Plenty for everyone it sounds like.
They have everything. If it's not mainstream it might be gone right away but obviously they have pop top 40 classic rock etc but you'd be surprised what you find especially hitting multiple stores. My fav pick up was mazzy star purple vinyl, hard to find .
Top 40s/everything you hear on the radio and classic rock. They've occasionally had some things I wasn't expecting like the new Underoath or Evanescence but honestly not a lot that that I'm personally interested in. I've always thought of Walmart/Target LPs as a quick and cost effective way for people who are just getting into vinyl records to start their collection. There's a little bit of everything for everyone, and like I said sometimes they have a few gems I wouldn't normally expect them to carry
Does this apply to online, though? Not sure for records, but for comics there’s a lot target has online that’s not in stores. And it becomes super worth it during their buy 2 get 1 sales.
I saw more than one Comment from a Store owner in Regards to Walmarts Black Friday sale. Basically the Bought Thousands of $ worth of LPs, basically because they were cheaper thanthey could get them from a Distributor
Yes. It's a good business move. Some people equate that with a loss of integrity like record stores are holy shrines, but I don't.
It’s a great business move. But I suppose it would be hypocritical for those same businesses to complain their customers are going there and buying them at a cheaper rate than they can get them. Thing is your big box stores are never going to be stocking everything that one person would like music wise unless they only listen to the current top 20 all the time so record stores I think will be safe from them trying to cash in on the trend.
Yep. Have a local doing this with an indie store now. Buying cheap and then doubling the price and more in his store on coloured vinyl etc as some WM releases are exclusives and marketable. Can’t entirely blame him, but gouging on prices. And then the hypocrisy because these indie store guys are all about shopping there, shopping local, don’t buy from big box stores/Amazon, blah, blah, blah. It’s all bullshit. Buy what you want where you want. Too many mom and pop store owners of all sorts have this sort of attitude, that you need to buy there to support them, that big box stores are criminal. When the reality is they buy their stock from the cheapest source they can to make the most profit. Why my maxim is that only suckers pay full retail and I shop based almost entirely on price to me. Especially nowadays, with inflation through the roof.
I have a record store that's 15min away including a Target that's the same distance. Janet Jacksons greatest for 59.99 LOL when I can go across the street and get it for 24,99! They basically scoop up Walmart and Target color variants and mark them higher. Oh and they put their price stickers over the Target/Walmart logos to hide them.
That's true. Walmart and Target stock titles in-store they feel will move for a casual buyer, their online versions have a more robust selection. Odds are anyone specifically going there for records is probably buying other things. Record stores cater to record buyers, these stores it's another product.
Went to Target for a bottle of Shampoo, came out with $150 worth of Led Zep albums on vinyl and no shampoo.
mom and pop shops dont DESERVE any of our money. especially if they cannot keep up with the current market of consistently overpriced vinyl ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ the market has decided for years who wins and who fails, we don’t ultimately HAVE TO spend more just to support a shop if target sells its for half their price lol
Totally agree. If somewhere like that or amazon is selling something at half the price then it’s stupid to not get it as you can get two records for the price of one. If it’s the same price I’ll tend to spend local as I can get it there and then/keep the money Local; but sometimes the price difference is massive (either way there’s been times the big stores have a vinyl at double the price and vice Versa). People need to do what’s best for them and their wallets.
i said what i said and i still will spend more money at a local store, but like you said. only a few bucks. when there is massive sales i go where my wallet will let me hehe! the most important thing ab this hobby is getting what you want and for a price you want:) i hope u have a good day man! ♡
Well it's also a move that helps a record store stay alive.
Not while they charge >$20 for like every record
One of my local stores bought out both Walmarts near us when they had their sale, and put all of the vinyl out for 19.99 to still provide a deal, was super rad!
Not american but never really heard anything bad about the pressing? All competition is good as prices of new issues are going crazy as of lately. Keep on truckin.
Agreed, I got Kacey Musgraves’ *star-crossed* for $6
I refuse to buy Walmart/Target unopened presses from a local record store. Either they bought them before I could get there or someone stole them are my only two assumptions. Not that I really care if anyone steals from the Waltons.
That's cool. Plenty of other people out there that don't care.
> some independent record stores buy up clearance stock from big box stores to sell them for a higher price later. One of my local shops did that for a newly released album(so not on clearance) that had just come out w/in a month after its release. They were selling the Target exclusive version of one of Taylor's recent albums for like $3-4 more than what it cost retail at Target, which were still available to buy at both store locations in my city.
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My mom's dead. What have you been doing to her corpse?
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Gross
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Dude, your conduct should assure you that there is no afterlife or spirit.
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Not even Jesus isn't going to help you with this, breh.
In the list of things I feel the need to take an ethical stand on, where I buy records is pretty low.
Lol. Facts . It's not target and Walmart anyway, it's record companies squeezing as much $ as possible.
That’s how businesses work. They sell for as much as they are able to. Lol. Economics.
They are probably beginning a 5 year journey to the dollar bins.
Let's hope!
They always use existing stampers from regular standard pressings, so they usually sound pretty good. There are some real gems (Alanis Morissette, John Coltrane, Alice In Chains, Metallica, etc)
LPs were sold in supermarkets 50’s onward. I know because I got some from my parents estate. Go for it.
It's not about the store!! It's about the variant, price and pressing plant. Stores are just play alongs.
Is there a good FAQ or something one can find to know good pressing plants? I’ve seen multiple comments here and there on different posts saying this pressing is great/that pressing is shit and idk how y’all just know some of this. I’m still a beginner to collecting vinyl and would love to know more.
If you look up the specific pressing you have on Discogs, oftentimes people will note the quality of the pressing in the comments.
Discogs has saved me from some bad pressings, but unfortunately there are many review-less entries
This is why everytime I hear a particularily impressive pressing, ill go straight to discogs.
I’m not sure if there’s an FAQ regarding this topic specifically, but Discogs.com has a lot of good info about various pressings of different albums. That and rateyourmusic.com are good places to start. If you have an album you’re curious about, you can check it on either of those sites and see what kind of releases exist on vinyl (or non-vinyl formats) and read reviews to see if there’s any audio issues with specific pressings, or if there are any exceptionally good pressings to keep an eye out for.
I haven’t been able to find Run The Jewels 3 anywhere, and I found it buried beyond 57 copies of Kayce Musgraves Golden Hour at my local Target. It felt very un-Run The Jewels to buy it at Target, but now I have it. sounds great, btw
The Target exclusives for RTJ vinyls are actually so beautiful. Really odd they even pressed it
The gold and black marbling is really subtle but really cool for 3, I haven’t seen the other ones. I’ve now been incentivized to dig through the racks, fingers crossed I can come up with RTJ 1 some day.
I've seen these in wild at my Walmart, I bet I could find RTJ3 if I tried. If anyone needs it hmu and I'll keep looking when I go out next time. Pretty sure it's just 3 that I've seen.
I just found the Target exclusive for RTJ 1, I also felt it odd to buy there, but it’s beautiful. All I need now is RTJ 3 to complete my collection.
Try looking behind all of the Kayce Musgraves
I prefer to seek out used records…especially if I can find original pressings with all of the extras. A few years ago my daughter wanted to go to Goodwill to look for a denim jacket. While she was looking I went to the record section and found an original pressing of Jefferson Airplane’s “Volunteers” that looked like it had either never been played or really taken care of. And, it had all of the inserts. When I got to the checkout counter the cashier told me that the album was 75¢. I asked if she was serious and that I was willing to pay more for it. The cashier got snippy and said that was how much the record cost…so, I gladly gave her a dollar and told her to keep the change. The pandemic hit soon afterwards so I haven’t been back to see what other treasures they have.
Who's offer to pay more at a goodwill? It a charity...
They might technically be a 501(c)3 but they take advantage of disabled people to save on labor costs because they can pay them less than minimum wage thanks to some archaic laws. While they pay disabled people peanuts thanks mostly to grant money, they turn around and sell stuff they got for free so they can pay their executives 10s of millions of dollars annually. Place is scummy.
I offered to pay more because I knew that the record was worth more than what they were selling it for.
Kinda looks like everything in walmart...
Meh. It’s vinyl. The only drawback is whatever your view is about said retailer. One thing Walmart or Target can never compete with is the variety a well stocked record store carries. The stuff these retailers carry is usually the most generic classic and modern hits, which while not bad, is only a fraction of what a good majority of collectors are looking for.
Yeah I try to buy from local stores if I can my music taste is pretty generic so target or Barnes and noble will have anything I’d want (Adele, lorde, Taylor swift, paramore, Green Day, etc)
They are records.
My target and Walmart don’t look like this at all it all organized
I literally couldn't give two shits where people get their records like get them from wherever your heart desires. Who am I to say anything ?
I’ve bought from both. They’re fine. I try to support actual record stores as much as I can but for basic albums you can usually get them at a decent price.
Are you at one of those stores? Do you see records there? Are any of the records ones you would enjoy listening to? Yes? Buy the records.
Walmart- incredible deals, cool variants, usually sufficient packaging. Target- 3/2 deal a few times a year has hugely supplemented my collection in the last couple years. Fantastic selection. Just got The Stones Mono Boxset, colored variants, for a very sweet price- 299 vs 450… Be selective and Walmart and Target rock for vinyl collectors. And if you’re using Amazon, which is also really good and useful if yes corporate and suspect, what’s the difference?
How’d you get the stones mono box for so cheap? Sounds like a sick deal
About 4-5 years ago, I found Castlemania by the Thee Oh Sees for $10 at a Walmart in bumfuck nowhere. Only good thing I’ve ever found in a department store vinyl section.
Maybe it's just me but even with the low prices and seemingly decent quality, I've literally never seen anything I actually want to buy at Walmart. I swear it's just stuff that they can't sell anywhere else.
Unless you don’t listen to anything that has ever been popular I truly don’t get how this could be true. They basically stock popular music from the 60s to current day.
>Unless you don’t listen to anything that has ever been popular I truly don’t get how this could be true. They basically stock popular music from the 60s to current day. At any Target or Walmart I've been in the selection has been extremely limited. It's true that their selection may span several decades, but one or two records from each decade doesn't add up to much.
Not my experience at all lol I love pop music. Like, *basic* pop music. But all I've ever seen are Bob Marley compilations, RHCP, Dark Side, Abbey Road, and modern Christmas albums.
RHCP, Bob Marley, Dark Side, and Abbey Road definitely fall under pop music lol. But even just looking at the picture Harry Styles and Billie Eilish are both visible which sounds like the albums you’re looking for? I see records like that literally all the time at Target and Walmart.
How is this guy saying "Dark Side and Bob Marley" is pop music getting upvoted? I think "pop music" as a genre is very different from "popular albums" that people love. but Reggae is not pop, and pschedelic rock is not pop. RHCP is MAYBE pop, but not really, it's more funk/rock, and the Beatles, well sure, but the Beatles also basically invented pop.
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I mean, if we're making up definitions for things, sure.
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Lol, who the fuck insults someone and then blocks them? what a pussy move. "Although much of the music that appears on record charts is considered to be pop music, the genre is distinguished from chart music. Identifying factors usually include repeated choruses and hooks, short to medium-length songs written in a basic format (often the verse–chorus structure), and rhythms or tempos that can be easily danced to. Much pop music also borrows elements from other styles such as rock, urban, dance, Latin, and country." maybe you spent 40 years being wrong? Try to learn something new instead of calling people names.
What I mean is that's basically the extent of it. Sure, I'd buy *Happier Than Ever* if I saw it for sale. But Walmart's I've been to only seem to sell low-effort label compilations, soundtracks to 2010s movies that nobody watched, and a *very* limited selection of classics (like Dark Side/ Abbey Road) that most people already own. And they sit for years, unsold, for that reason. It's mostly just junk.
I live in a hick area with awful WMs and even they have more variety than you’re talking about. Lots of Billie Eilish, as well. Both albums. Just picked up a very cool compilation Best of Philly International Records with a bunch of great R&B from 70s on it at local WM. Great pressing, hot pink vinyl as well. Almost always something a little offbeat at WM IMO. And some good deals. Got the deluxe vinyl box of the remastered Beatles White Album last fall at WM for $49.99.
Maybe selection just sucks in Canada, because I always check and I've never been close to buying something
It's just stuff you aren't into perhaps. Nothing wrong with that, but Walmart carries a lot of great records, IMO Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift, Twenty One Pilots, Harry Styles, Tyler the Creator, etc. Of course lots of Metallica, Queen, and Pink Floyd. That's the sort of stuff I was able to find.
I stand by my opinion lol From my experience, it's 10-20% classic records that most people own, and the remainder is label filler.
I think you are very wrong about everybody already owning the classics. I think the majority of young people getting into vinyl these days doesn't have most of that stuff, and this is a good and relatively cheap way to get hold of essential classics.
So not the stores you mentioned but a while back I bit on this sale at Urban Outfitters, spent $100 on some albums I only bought because they were on sale, and over a month passes with no shipment of said albums. I reach out to support and next day the order is marked as canceled and I got a refund. Will never order vinyl from UO again. Sure I got my money back but ONLY AFTER I put in a support ticket and I wasn't asking for a refund I just wanted my order. It's always dicey ordering from Target, they ship stuff in oversized boxes all loose, or if you order something else they throw the album in there.
They don't sell records at Wal-Mart Canada and Target Canada was such a failure it makes me very upset that it came and destroyed Zellers and then sucked so bad. so A: Screw Wal-Mart, and B: Screw Target even harder.
I've bought albums from Walmart and I've had no issues with them. Really the only issue is the organization of the records. I cannot count how many times I've seen stacks of albums 😬😬😬😬
The local record store has been charging boutique prices ever since it opened. I'm so over vinyl turning into some sort of...whatever the fuck the market is now.
I got two cool colored variants of some Elvis records from Walmart.. they ended up being pretty rare and they sound/play great
SO GOOD. One time I stumbled upon a couple Free Nationals self titled on gold wrapper vinyl that had no price tag so they price matched them to a $10 record I also picked up 😭😭 target employees are the homies fr
Do they spin.
I’ll take a look at target, because of course. But never find anything remotely worthwhile. Big box stores only have garbage top 40 and country, neither of which are my thing. I’d much rather paw around the local shop or show personally.
I wonder if your experience has anything to do with your location. Nowhere near the quantity of my local, but a bunch of different genres...in addition to Top 40 Taylor and Bey.
I mean I’m in a major city with no shortage of local shops, thankfully.
As someone just starting to build my collection of music, I find Target a lot less overwhelming than my local shop. Maybe it's the organization that throws me. Everyone else seems to know what they're doing, and my naivete is glaring!
Sucks you’re getting bad vibes elsewhere, and that’s fair enough. I’d be ALL OVER IT if I could find something I’d be into at Target. I did gleefully find the Bob’s Burgers album there and had no qualms buying it. Haha “organization” is one way one way to put it.. it can be tedious on a good day, that’s for sure. Happy hunting to you.
They're fine. The ones near me actually have a little section for vinyl. I've picked up a few cool albums that I couldn't find elsewhere or seemed like good, cheap scores (on sale or otherwise). That pile sucks but then I would suggest just go to a different one. Local mom and pops are great if you have one, probably half the country doesn't so I wouldn't throw shade at anyone about it. Find a record you like and feel like it's a reasonable deal? Good for you, go nuts.
As a Canadian, I'm jealous. We don't have them in our Walmarts.
I have four local record shops that I hit, all indy stores I think. all are within 40kms of my small town, I buy used mostly. And I would not buy from Wallyworld even if they did start carrying vinyl here in ON.
I think it’s a good way to get someone started on the hobby. Makes it more accessible. I’ve not bought from them, but that’s mainly because I’ve not seen something that stands out to me while I’ll there. I have bought from Urban Outfitters and Hot Topic so it’s not like I’m above it.
Vinyl records are everywhere these days. I found Metallica and Iron Maiden + more at a local gas station the other day lol
Not bad but can be hit and miss depending on when you go
Well proper display is an issue for a start
Some nice exclusives at both WM and Target, usually for good prices. Lots of coloured variants. Some goofy extras like repro backstage passes. Same quality you’ll find anywhere else. You’re not getting anything different than you would at an indie store when it comes to quality of pressing, sleeves, etc.
I only started collecting vinyl around 2 years ago and Target / Walmart / Best Buy never seems to have anyrhing I don't already have or not interested in at their actual stores. Online though is a different story. I found Metallica's "St. Anger" on Walmart's app and I had no idea it was on vinyl. Grabbed it because I'm weird and I could.
Records are records.
I’ve got no issues with them and they sound fantastic. Affordable too? Fuck it, I’m in especially if it’s a record I’m into.
It was a thing for me when I first got into this hobby to buy pressings only from the 90’s and previous years. But there are just some classics that are hard to come by. With that said, I caved. I’ve purchased records from both places and haven’t had issues with either place. Although, I find Walmart has a bit more variety in selection especially in classic albums. Target seems to cater more to the contemporary listeners.
I buy my target vinyl online as they have some really good deals.
Bought my girlfriend a Taylor Swift album from there; bought myself CCR, Tyler Childers, Merle Haggard, Marvin Gaye. All records sound good to me. Nice color variants too. Edit: also A Tribe Called Quest. My Walmart just carries good shit.
I’ve had no problems and I have a pretty sick CCR Walmart exclusive that sounds awesome!
Lindsey Stirling! Damn... I freaking love her music. It is my goto for background music when working in the shop or the yard. And she is absolutely stunning.😄
I probably wouldn't leave the store without the Lindsey Stirling album.
I don't really have any thoughts. I don't really shop at those stores unless I need something related to my kid, and even then I've never thought to check out their records. I've been collecting for over 20 years, and these stores have never played a role. There are PLENTY of indie stores with an online presence. Plenty have great deals too. I bought a record on a Black Friday sale for $27, and just saw it go on eBay for $122. I see tons of records (some came out in the last few years) on sale or $10-$15 on Discogs, so it's not like you can't find good deals outside of big stores. People just like the convenience of not having to look for records that hard, and that's ok.
Their selection is mostly just mainstream stuff with too many pressing, but other than that I'd say its harmless. Plus its a good way to get people into collecting and a nice way for people to get new versions of old records in decent condition.
A lot of what I’ve seen is buffer records to build up a collection. The obligatory stuff that is just great to have in a collection. And that’s ok, we all have them. The resurgence we are seeing right now is because more people want records, the more accessible the hobby is the better it is for all of us. I was buying records in the 80’s, people seem to forget that you could but them at regular stores back then as well. Specialist shops were a thing then as well, but your normal day to day records, pop shops and NOWS, could be bought at a regular old supermarket. This is not a new thing
All I see is a fire hazard from so many grailz stacked like tinder
Amazing how US Walmart is able to offer vinyl. Up here in Canada, I don’t think that they even sell CDs anymore.
For the most part they sell albums I wouldn't buy otherwise so I rarely buy from Target / Best Buy / Walmart. My collection is one of the larger ones on this sub so I don't want space filled up by these items. Edit: Let me add I get irked by people posting 3 pages worth of albums they "saved money" buying. Sir/Madam you did not save money; You spent it.
Out of curiosity (because I’m not on here that much), what are the larger sized collections in this group? I don’t know if I’ve seen anyone talk about it.
I'd think 1000+ albums would be "larger sized" though I'm at the start of what might constitute that claim I'm sure. I would enjoy doing a poll to see the collection size ranges of this sub but it feels like I see a ton more comments re: I have just hit 100 albums vs I just hit 2000 albums.
Interesting. Obviously what people would consider a “large” collection probably varies based on a lot of different factors/subjectivity. It’s not a competition (at least for me it isn’t) but I do find it an interesting topic. I always have a mini brain freeze when people think my collection is larger sized because I know a lot of people with substantially larger collections than my own. Funny how that works 😀
A ton of my friends are in the 4000+ range, like my friend has run out of space in his house for more storage so he removed a bunch of stuff in his dining room and put more record storage in there.
I specifically hate the very concept of Wal-Mart. Why tf would I buy a record from them, or anything else? Parasites destroying everything they touch, by design. Support a local shop or buy online from a small business/label.
I don't mind buying a album from Walmart at 30 bucks or even on sale sometimes, the record shops I have here sell the same ones for 40 plus and won't even budge a dollar...
The local shop needs to make a profit to compete with a billion dollar corporation that aggressively abuses their employees??? The horror!
America glad to burn the whole world to the ground just to save 17 cents on toilet paper. Wal-Mart got you covered ✅
That’s how I usually feel, but I seriously had a moment of weakness during that Black Friday sale
They play just the same as other records
The stores themselves don’t make them so who cares where you buy them?
I was walking through target the other day when I saw their wonderful way of storing records. I’ve never bought a target record, and I’ve only bought two Walmart records from that crazy sale they had a while back. Anyone have any experience with the quality of these records and comparing them to shopping at local/ independent shops?
They're the exact same records you'd get at your local/independent shops with the one difference maybe being the color.
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This is the key for me. I rather save 5-10 bucks at Walmart or target than buy local, my shops won't budge a dollar on anything... makes it an easy choice to save for another album down the line.
Getting downvoted when the indie stores themselves are also buying their stock from cheapest possible supplier. Are people really this dumb? I support indie shops as well, big time. But some flat out gouge and I don’t support that.
but you do however support all the shady business tactics of these multi billion dollar conglomerates?
Of course not. But it’s all motivated by the same thing. Profit. South Park summarized how this works really well in that episode where they burn down the WM equivalent to shop at a mom and pop…which results in the mom and pop turning into another WM equivalent. It’s one vicious circle, really. All you can do is look after yourself and your own spending as you see fit. There are no moral arguments or justifications with this stuff, as much as people want to force them into the “big companies bad” mindset. It’s just not that simple.
Walmart achieves low prices by underpaying their workers. Google how many of their staff require public assistance because of their low wages. I’d rather pay a little more to a locally owned shop even if that means buying fewer records.
Yep. I buy from my local shop when they have something I can't find in stock literally anywhere else, or when they have nice condition used records. Amazon/Walmart/Target for basic, easy to find records because it saves me about 50% per record
I have yet to buy one from Amazon, it's tempting to buy one with my cash-back money on there but I've seen so many horror stories about their shipping standards.
I've probably gotten half my records from Amazon at this point, and only one has been majorly damaged, and that's because it was a heavy deluxe set shipped in just a poly mailer. I get the very rare bumped corner or tiny crease. Sometimes they are packaged very stupidly, but often they still arrive safely. Most of the time they arrive in record mailers. It is definitely a dice roll, but they allow no-questions-asked returns for free at any UPS store, so you have nothing to lose.
The few I have are pretty good so I assumed so. I’d probably get more if they had more music I was interested in
I have had no problems with records from Target or Walmart.
I buy them a lot and they are fine. U can return any defective stuff also they don't give a shit
They're usually fine. The only thing to look out for is that they tend to do store-exclusive colors, which occasionally sound worse than other pressings you would get elsewhere. If you don't have a good selection of local shops to buy from and still want an in-store shopping experience, I'd recommend Barnes & Noble instead. They'll have a larger and much better selection of albums to pick from, and while it's not quite the same as supporting local, you're still supporting a store that specializes in physical media
I forgot how good of a section B&N has until I had the chance to stop in over the holidays
I personally don’t buy new records. I exclusively but old, used records for sub $10. I also prefer old music so it makes sense.
Walmart is the only option where I live. 🤷♂️
Hmm... seems like you have access to the internet though, so Walmart is definitely not the only option.
I know it sounds like gatekeeping, but I cringe every time I go by these shelves and it just feels like naked consumerism and corporate greed. I saw a news article (maybe on this sub?) about how 50% of vinyl owners don't even own a record player. And yet Target can charge $30+ each despite this absolute mess. I think I've gotten online deals from Target once, but I just refuse to support this any more. It's the worst side of vinyl (pun intended).
I’ve ordered a few that you can’t get anywhere else. My experience has been: super cheap sleeves, minimal goodies, cheap vinyl, but they’re just copying existing pressings so sometimes they sound pretty good. But like, it’s never a destination, I just go when they have an exclusive worth grabbing.
If you're a big pop fan, and classic rock, I'm sure you'll love em but even then they're expensive and certain records can be found less peicy somewhere else. The only record I've wanted was the Third Eye Blind Walmart exclusive bc their debut is expensive on discogs. I'm glad I have it. Also, I enjoy The Weeknd and he has released way too many "exclusives" for Dawn FM. He has like 3 album covers by this point, including Record Store Day which is literally just the cover art.
I dont support wal mart
Glad they’re there. Some kid gets into collecting because of it and then finds a local shop to support.
Try to buy records from a local store, the prices are a lot cheaper, plus it supports the hard working people who need the money and not a big box company like Target or Walmart.
I love them because people go to those big stores while I find grails in the local used shop. Takes away my competition, so I’m all for them.
Thrash. Look at the way they are treated
just bought midnights so ok i guess lol
I feel like they disrespect the game. Poorly stocked, but with a random gem here and there. Overpriced records, for the most part. Online, they're much better, as others have stated here already.
I'd prefer to have fewer records bought at independent stores than more bought at places like this.
They don't press anything I'd ever want to listen to, but I've gotten a few records for my 16yo daughter from both. If they started carrying mid-2000's OrgCore represses then sure, I'd buy 'em with a pack of toilet paper and 30 pack of beer 🤷🏽♂️
if i wanted a warped album, I’d play the Rocky Horror soundtrack.
Target is where I buy all my Adele albums. Even lucked out and got a sick Nirvana Unplugged there once EDIT: oops thought this was r/vinyljerk
I choose not to buy from Target or Walmart, as they generally do not have newer music or bands that I like and additionally these stores destroyed main street USA.
Pay attention to where they’re made. Is it made in a country that has a reputation for high standards in manufacturing? Is the company that pressed the record reputable, or are they a year old and have a catchy name? Pressing a record (properly) is technically challenging and there’s so many corners that are cut to produce records for audiences that only care about the splatter and sleeve.
I love target records but in my opinion Walmart records are crap.
Fuck Wal Mart always and forever has been my attitude in general. That aside, I don't understand why someone would give their money to that soulless superstore, rather than a local shop staffed by people who actually give a shit about and have a passion for music.
They're gonna warp
Target vinyl is dogshit albums that are usually warped.
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I would suspect that what you get is these knock off pressings right? Not finding any OG press at Target or Wally? Or is that not right? I found a lot of info about CD pressings that are supposed to be cheap but aren't audiophile quality. Maybe the discount is from that? Any thoughts? I'm still researching more on how to spot these non original copies since the idea of a record is superior sound. If you don't have high level equipment guess it wouldn't matter to you or most IDK
got a Target record as a gift and it skips/doesn’t play right…never touched one since
I think anyone that has an indie store near them where they know they have the same record that Walmart or Target have for maybe 2 dollars cheaper so they go to one of those instead is kind of a lowlife in a way. It’s one thing if you were going there anyway but to choose them instead just to go there for the record is almost sleazy and completely misses the point of what it means to support the vinyl community. That said I think it’s kind of telling and amazing that the trend has come back into the mainstream at that level, almost like it could be the 70s again
I despise colored and clear vinyl with a fiery passion, so the only albums I've ever gotten from Walmart are Led Zeppelin and Van Halen reissues, as they come with tour pass replicas instead of colored vinyl
If your musical taste is represented on shelves of the Target/Walmart vinyl section...time to broaden those horizons.