vv32bl,
Back in the mid 80's I started collecting classical records, around the same time cd's became available. French Deccas were being blown out at bargain prices. There were also Phillips, RCA, London's, and a few other brand records still available, that audiophiles really were not looking for. Audiophiles were looking for London FFSS, Decca FFSS, RCA Shaded Dogs labels, and Mercury Living Presence albums. In the late 80's I returned to South Florida and continued looking for sought after albums. In North Miami Beach there were a couple of used record shops that I didn't care for. One of them would reseal used records, and even apply black shoe polish to them. There was also a shop in Pompano Florida that had a much better selection at better prices. Unfortunately I was living seventy miles south of Pompano in the Homestead Florida area. An old audio pal of mine and I would take turns driving to Pompano once every week for about two years, buying used records. These trips ended abruptly on my part when I took about ten records and a Beethoven Nine Symphony boxed set in very good condition to the check out counter. Upon returning home and taking the records out of the bag, the Beethoven boxed set was never put in the bag. After checking the receipt I then noticed that I did not pay for it. Whoever had priced the set had priced it lower than they were willing to let it go for, so they set it aside without telling me. They lost a good customer, and did me a favor that I didn't fully appreciate at the time. Since that time I have not purchased any used records, and have purchased nothing but new reissued records that are delivered to my house from different mail order companies. Many of these albums are forty five rpm that are on two discs. They are not inexpensive but they are extremely well worth whatever you have to pay for them, because of the "you are there sound". Audiophiles that are just getting a turntable now days have no idea how fortunate they are. All they have to do is sign onto a web site and pick out records that I drove thousands of miles just looking for back in the 80's. In the years before the internet buying sought after record albums was driving,driving and more driving, with a small reward if any.
Back in the mid 80's I started collecting classical records, around the same time cd's became available. French Deccas were being blown out at bargain prices. There were also Phillips, RCA, London's, and a few other brand records still available, that audiophiles really were not looking for. Audiophiles were looking for London FFSS, Decca FFSS, RCA Shaded Dogs labels, and Mercury Living Presence albums. In the late 80's I returned to South Florida and continued looking for sought after albums. In North Miami Beach there were a couple of used record shops that I didn't care for. One of them would reseal used records, and even apply black shoe polish to them. There was also a shop in Pompano Florida that had a much better selection at better prices. Unfortunately I was living seventy miles south of Pompano in the Homestead Florida area. An old audio pal of mine and I would take turns driving to Pompano once every week for about two years, buying used records. These trips ended abruptly on my part when I took about ten records and a Beethoven Nine Symphony boxed set in very good condition to the check out counter. Upon returning home and taking the records out of the bag, the Beethoven boxed set was never put in the bag. After checking the receipt I then noticed that I did not pay for it. Whoever had priced the set had priced it lower than they were willing to let it go for, so they set it aside without telling me. They lost a good customer, and did me a favor that I didn't fully appreciate at the time. Since that time I have not purchased any used records, and have purchased nothing but new reissued records that are delivered to my house from different mail order companies. Many of these albums are forty five rpm that are on two discs. They are not inexpensive but they are extremely well worth whatever you have to pay for them, because of the "you are there sound". Audiophiles that are just getting a turntable now days have no idea how fortunate they are. All they have to do is sign onto a web site and pick out records that I drove thousands of miles just looking for back in the 80's. In the years before the internet buying sought after record albums was driving,driving and more driving, with a small reward if any.