Round Again Records

They may have some solid finds, but the owner is extremely arrogant and rude. Definitely the wrong way to run a business. He’s neither friendly or personable and just talks shit about his customers while they’re standing right there.
We asked him if he had anything by a specific artist and he was actually annoyed that we asked for help. He must sell his records online or something because I have no idea how he keeps his business alive with the way he runs it in-​store.
I’m all about supporting small businesses but not when the owner treats his customers like shit.

So the owner has is a bit edge. Who cares, this place has a great vibe. If you don’t know your stuff, he may kick you out or cuss at you under his breath. But, he does have some hard to find classic rock. Most of it is priced OK. Super rare has a super price tag. I liked the fact that most of his stuff was clean and playable. He’s not the type of guy to buy junk. I’m glad I stopped in. I spent $ 20 on one original pressing Stones album and was offered $ 30 bucks for it that night. No sale. Anyway, go to the little pub two doors down. Have a cold one and then go look at some cool vinyl.

I have been to countless record stores all over the world, from Rhode Island to Australia, Los Angeles to Tokyo, and this is one of the most offensive stores I have been to.
The guy who runs this place has this smug, obnoxious attitude, and I can’t imagine what it could be based on. There are records that have been sitting in the bins at this store for over a decade. The same damn records, I kid you not. The prices are far too high, and the records are generic. You could find these records anywhere in the state, and for less money.
It is not my prerogative to write negative reviews, but this is an exception.
«Maybe my previous 5 visits had just been bad days for the owner», I thought, so I recently went here again after 10 years or so to see if things had changed. I could almost feel the condescension and negativity from the sidewalk. If anything, the inventory is as pathetic as ever, and the owner’s attitude has taken a turn for the even-​worse.
Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else… anywhere else. Helping to sustain the mediocrity and poor attitude that exists at Round Again is like kicking a baby in the face… and what kind of person would do that? Hopefully not you.

The owner is extremely rude and belligerent. I have never had anyone talk to me disrespectfully the way he did.

One of my favorite pastimes on a Saturday afternoon is window shopping however my mood was dampened after leaving Round Again Records.
If you have some time sure they have some great selections… IF you dig for them. When I got to a record store that has an overabundance of older records I like to ask the owner what he would recommend.
The owner didn’t great us when we came in nor did he give me any kind of recommendations. He appeared to be just generally irritated and cold. Maybe he was having a bad day I’m not sure but it definitely would deter from coming back. I go out to record stores to make a good find, get a recommendation, and browse. If not I’d just buy them online.
A more positive attitude will always bring a customer back.

a bit tipsy when I stopped in. almost spilled a beer on my records…

I found Round Around Records after having lunch at Rue de L’Espoir (recommend, by the way) with my friend Erik. Before I start this review I should disclose that I am a mixed-​race, tall male and my friend is a Guatemalan shorter gentleman.
We walked into the store after perusing the sidewalk collection of $ 0.50 used records (and 3 records for $ 1.00). I ended up coming out with some great records such as early Aretha and Lou Rawls and even some classic Sinatra hits for less than bus fare. My qualm came during my time in the store. I was not greeted, which is fine but I expected to be since it was such a small, quaint store. Then I found myself looking through the stacks of records. I will say, they have an excellent selection of classical, pop, rock, rnb, everything.
However as my friend and I moved from one genre to another, the owner quickly swooped over to the section I had just gone through and, it seemed, checked the records to make sure everything was there. Then, when I went to check out, I was given nothing but the rudest, least accommodating service that I have ever received in my life (no hyperbole or exaggeration used). I would love to patronize this store more, support a local business and build my record collection, but I don’t know if I could deal with this TYPE of customer service. But I am sure others will love the store, as evidenced by the more positive-​rated reviews.

Like any other record store the rating is effected by the selection of stuff I actually collect (will pay for), vs stuff I buy if the prices are right. I don’t go in this place much but when I do I usually leave empty handed. In fact I can only remember buying 1 record here back in the early-​mid90s for $ 4. (checking
I see the only copy for sale there is $ 38, so I guess I owe these guys a thank you)
Anyway I think this place is a bit overpriced, but I am looking for listener copies (some ringwear on cover? fine. some dirty vinyl but no major scratches? fine too I didn’t buy a Nitty Gritty record cleaner because I only buy mint records) of fairly mainstream stuff at a place like this, and I can find it in one of the area’s other 5 record stores (we really are spoiled in the Providence area) cheaper.
If I collected the genres this store specializes in I’d rate it higher, does that make me a bad person?

Round Again Records has been in continual business since 1979… you don’t stay in business that long by cheating people or being a devious merchant unless you are the Federal Government. The store is full of history, lots of great photos including original Rock Photography by Providence local, Richard McCaffrey, original Rock Artwork by the Rhode Island’s Mad Peck, many other pieces of music ephemera and of course the BEST selection of COLLECTIBLE and desirable music available on vinyl in Providence. If you’re looking for the new, hip, of the moment record by that favorite band of yours that no one will know about in three weeks… you won’t find it at Round Again. If you are looking for great music that stands the test of time… this is where to go. This is a USED record store… you can’t order used records. Additionally, all records are MINT or VERY CLOSE…(This does not include the budget bin records located on the sidewalk during the warmer months…50 cents each or 3/​$ 1). The stereo equipment there is all fully refurbished, cleaned and comes with a guarantee (my entire system was supplied by them). Steve, the proprietor and only employee is a fountain of knowledge about music and is generally quick with a humorous quip. Steve specializes in Classic Pop, ALL JAZZ especially Be-​Bop & 50−60s Rock and Roll but has MANY great records from the 70s and 80s as well, covering all musical genres.

Meh, I’ve got mixed feelings on this shop.
On the one hand, it’s a classic record shop with a large volume, particularly in the rock/​classic rock category, but also decent offerings in jazz, soul, and blues. As mentioned, they do have some offerings of mint, unopened, newer indie releases. Prices are generally reasonable on their used stuff, though I wouldn’t go so far as to say cheap (at least not for any good albums in decent shape). That said, I’ve certainly broadened my collection with a few good finds here and have appreciated its presence. Finding a gem or two is a usual occurrence here if you look hard enough.
On the other hand, for me this shop lacks personality. It reminds me of the music shop in Low Fidelity, except there are no witty debates over what qualifies as «good music», and there’s often not even any music being played in the shop. Recently when I brought some out of town music-​head friends in for them to scour a bit, the owner was overheard talking shit about the customers.
All in all, in a world of struggling or dying record shops (one that I preferred on Wickenden closed down about 2 years ago), its certainly a blessing that Round Again is still around.
With it’s lack of offerings in alternative genre’s however, I often prefer some of the other record shops PVD has to offer:
–SDC Audio and Video on Angell St. has a surprising volume of records and the owner is friendly and flexible.
–Analog Underground and Armageddon on the West End are smaller, but cater to more indie and metal/​punk respectively.
All of these shops will be happy to throw on an album that you are debating about, or to put in an order for a request you haven’t been able to find

Low-​Fi meets low cost
They even sell new needles!
Vinyl: not a myth
There’s a ton of reasons to go to Round again. Let me detail:
1. To prove to your hipster friends how cool you are
2. To see what the hell your parents are talking about
3. Because you absolutely MUST find (insert rare vinyl-​only recording) and have been digging for AGES
According to Steve the owner, most of his business is now done through mail order and the internet. That doesn’t mean you can’t spend a good hour or two ’round the brick and mortar store. The place is perfectly organized, and everything is in moderately good to brand new condition. It’s truly a trove of music, with all genre’s represented, from Bad Religion to the Clancy Brothers.
If you’re an audiophile and actually listen to vinyl, you can also pick up hardware here like needles and players. It’s a hell of a lot better than scavenging the dregs at Goodwill and Salvation Army.

This is my favorite record store in Providence. The records are cheap, they are in good condition and are well organized. You find stuff here that you have been searching for for years and instead of it being priced up insanely it’ll often turn out to be like six bucks. For eg. I got the Rolling Stones, «Exile on Main Street,» here for $ 3.00. The only objection I have at all is that often you don’t find that much vinyl from after, say, 1982.

«Record store steve» has been around for years… if you have a record player, his store is the place to go– Steve also, buys your old records… if you need quick cash, go to round again records–
I have been told you get a «special sound», a unique sound (analog), with 45’s and 33’s…you cannot get that sound with cd’s–

I stopped by based on the 1^st review of this little shop. There is a decent selection of vinyl and used cd’s, and the vintage speakers, receivers and turntables on sale are a cool plus.
If you’re into vinyl and 45’s, stop by. you might not find everything, but there are surely a few good ones floating about.

This is not the place to go if you just want to pick up the latest thing you heard on the radio. The owner (who is very nice and eagerly discussed Annette Funicello with me during my most recent visit to the store) stocks a small, eclectic collection of used CDs (divided into country, blues, soul, and a few groupings that I have yet to decipher) and a larger, equally eclectic, and much more interesting collection of records. Most of the titles are at least fifteen years old. Beautiful but expensive mint-​edition albums line the walls, and much more reasonably-​priced records fill the bins. Bargains abound if you know what you’re looking for. Turntables and a few other pieces of electronic equipment are also available. If I were a true vinyl enthusiast, I would come here all the time and eventually be very, very broke. Worth a visit.