Ever Been Thrown Out Of A Record Store ?

[Guest Martin Coleman]

I do think that we sometimes get the knock on effect if the stores have been turned over badly & I dont mean financilly either, some Brits have treated these people like poo & abused peoples good nature. I have been told loads of times recently that I am not 'aggressive' enough when it comes to shaking down potential sources of records ???,

Russ

[Russ Vickers]

I do think that we sometimes get the knock on effect if the stores have been turned over badly & I dont mean financilly either, some Brits have treated these people like poo & abused peoples good nature. I have been told loads of times recently that I am not 'aggressive' enough when it comes to shaking down potential sources of records ???,

Russ

Hi Russ,

yep, the vast majority of people that I've met here are genuinely very nice people and have very good natures. So much so that I still feel guilty when I pay the price that people ask for. A couple of weeks ago a guy showed me a few boxes of records he had at his place, and I had to argue the price up! Your tipping policy sounds like a very good idea. Maybe the difference is that we now live in the community, and so have ties, which is completely different from going on a 2 week "slash and burn" record hunt. Surely, being "aggressive" can only work in the short-term anyway. Once you get a bad reputation all the doors close to you. No-one will give you any leads. Better to be respectful anyday. BTW Have you tried the coffee and doughnuts approach yet? 100% success rate on all lard-ars*s

Coffee & doughnuts seems a sure fire way!!! BTW where are you based mate.

Russ

[Steve G]

Russ - I have been LOCKED IN a record store - does that count? Maybe I should start a new thread "Have you ever been locked in a record store?"

[Guest Dan]

never had any real problems in the states on quite a number of trips

however have always been as polite as possible and listened to their tales about the old days, where they got their great country haul from and how the local college team is doing.

never feel bad about taking records for 50c either - just do it with a smile and a thankyou. if they're in business they ought to know the value of their stock. different if buying from small collectors or bands of course.

BUT was talking to my mate who is into jazz in a big way and he reckons he was barred from a shop for buying 'too much of the good stuff' . work that one out if you can

[Pete S]

never had any real problems in the states on quite a number of trips

however have always been as polite as possible and listened to their tales about the old days, where they got their great country haul from and how the local college team is doing.

never feel bad about taking records for 50c either - just do it with a smile and a thankyou. if they're in business they ought to know the value of their stock. different if buying from small collectors or bands of course.

BUT was talking to my mate who is into jazz in a big way and he reckons he was barred from a shop for buying 'too much of the good stuff' . work that one out if you can

He ought to be banned just for buying jazz!

[Guest NASHEE]

Russ - I have been LOCKED IN a record store - does that count? Maybe I should start a new thread "Have you ever been locked in a record store?"

WOW...THERE IS A GOD.!!!

[Gene-R]

Been thrown out of Sven Books.

WOOF! ¢Å¾¢

Now there's a name from the dark past! Was that the branch in Old Compton Street with the blue film cinema club upstairs?

[Steve G]

WOW...THERE IS A GOD.!!!

No, no sooner than the owner had left (locking me in) I came to the realisation that his 30,000 untouched records were all Perry Como, Andy Williams, and other assorted garbagio.

[Daved]

Russ, didn't I throw you out of K-TWO Records in the Pentagon, in Chatham for having the timerity to ask for a soul record on Pye????

Jo, didn't you throw someone out of Caroline Records for asking for Dick Van Dyke?

[Mikevague]

We like the British!

Most American record dealers are oppertunist scumbags (I guess they are everywhere), and because they never gave a toss about $oul 45s until the good ole' Manship book hit the shore, many feel "cheated" because they gave em' away for many years...

But records are still turning up all over the place, and these same dealers ignore modern soul records because they can't find em' in the "bible" yet, despite obvious clues in the market.

This country (USA) has a sick addition to print and books; Until someone organizes or outlines a guide for them, many dealers foster resentment towards other who are more organized or interested.

There are some UK dealers who have ruined it for others, but for the most part, I find most Uk collectors better than US in terms of honesty (NO stealing, etc.) and paranoia. Many Doo wop dealers (who for many years ignored $oul 45s) are now overnight authorities thanks to "THE BOOKS"! My friends and I refer to these Johnny-come-latelys as (Firstname) "Manship"s. Pseudo soul experts that hate soul but act the part to get paid; These are the ones you as the British need to tell that you collect Rick Springfield or Elton John...

Wanna "Footsee" for $50.00? Its in "THE BOOK" (ha ha)!!!

[Guest vinylvixen]

Hi Jo!

As far as I'm aware, Keith still runs the shop in Berwick Street, a few doors away from W1's only bonafide chippy (had many great lunch hours in there in the '80s!). It's now in the basement, under a soul-funk shop. Dunno if he's still trading under "Daddy Kool" though. I still see Keith there sometimes, and he still has time for a chinwag! I have always found him great to get on with, and he always has time to chat about life, and most other things aside of records. I believe Keith and his son now manage the basement shop.

Gene

Ah....so he's gone underground Cheers Gene....I couldn't find the shop - walked up and down for hours...how dare he hide in the basement

Jo, didn't you throw someone out of Caroline Records for asking for Dick Van Dyke?

Oi young Dixon, if you come in here and mess up my Northern Soul section again, I'll get Pentagon Security I do believe you used to spend most of your pocket money with me It was always a pleasure...and great to meet up with you again at Shoes Jo x

[Guest vinylvixen]

The Blue Grotto - it's a bloody dry cleaners now! Oh boy did we have some nice places/clubs in chatham back then LOL

Don't knock the Blue Grotto, Janine...it was the height of sophistication there was a small water feature and the downstairs bar wasn't too bad and there was a dance hall upstairs.....and the dance hall over Burtons (now the Halifax), where, one night, i had to hitch my skirt up and leg it down the fire escape in my platforms when the Military Police turned up - it was like Lawless Street - Marines/ Army/ Navy all beating the crap out of each other - claret everywhere And the Central RnB club up on Watling Street behind the Central Hotel where Major Lance and Prince Buster appeared....the Trafalgar Club, The Casa Ventana, Caesers......you're too young to remember all these dens of iniquity....but Chatham was FULL of dingy little clubs....and BOGARTS...Keith Rylatt and myself at the controls evey Sunday - in Strood......ah, the rock and roll life style....and record shops.......Coopers, Caroline Records, The Pop Inn - all gone and Boots had listening booths.........sorry, i'm getting all nostalgic about Chatham somebody punch me

[Steve G]

Don't knock the Blue Grotto, Janine...it was the height of sophistication there was a small water feature and the downstairs bar wasn't too bad and there was a dance hall upstairs.....and the dance hall over Burtons (now the Halifax), where, one night, i had to hitch my skirt up and leg it down the fire escape in my platforms when the Military Police turned up - it was like Lawless Street - Marines/ Army/ Navy all beating the crap out of each other - claret everywhere And the Central RnB club up on Watling Street behind the Central Hotel where Major Lance and Prince Buster appeared....the Trafalgar Club, The Casa Ventana, Caesers......you're too young to remember all these dens of iniquity....but Chatham was FULL of dingy little clubs....and BOGARTS...Keith Rylatt and myself at the controls evey Sunday - in Strood......ah, the rock and roll life style....and record shops.......Coopers, Caroline Records, The Pop Inn - all gone and Boots had listening booths.........sorry, i'm getting all nostalgic about Chatham somebody punch me

Bloody 'eck - we thought we had it bad in Tonbridge. My first job my boss moonlighted as a bouncer in clubs in Chatham, and he tells it just like you - MP's arriving en masse with battons bopping everyone over the head, loading them up in jeeps and taking them back to base etc. before the propper rossers arrived. Apparantly the submarine crews were the worse - having been holed up in a tin for six months they were up for anything once "washed ashore" so to speak

[Guest vinylvixen]

Bloody 'eck - we thought we had it bad in Tonbridge. My first job my boss moonlighted as a bouncer in clubs in Chatham, and he tells it just like you - MP's arriving en masse with battons bopping everyone over the head, loading them up in jeeps and taking them back to base etc. before the propper rossers arrived. Apparantly the submarine crews were the worse - having been holed up in a tin for six months they were up for anything once "washed ashore" so to speak

Steve, the Submarine Service were my matelots of preference.....they were all unhinged - really, really, really unhinged Most were on conventional subs and were Stokers....and all smelt of engine rooms for weeks whilst on shore leave... ..If my mother had known....... the MPs always got their men out of the way and in military lock-ups before the old bill arrived otherwise the locals would be moaning that the Forces couldn't control themselves.....they couldn't back to the record shop thread - does anyone remember Barnebys in Gillingham and City Soul in Holborn? Bluebird Records up Edgeware Road was good....but I never got thrown out of it....I did see Robbie Vincent in there once...does that count?

Edited February 15, 2006 by vinylvixen

[Gene-R]

Steve, the Submarine Service were my matelots of preference.....they were all unhinged - really, really, really unhinged Most were on conventional subs and were Stokers....and all smelt of engine rooms for weeks whilst on shore leave... ..If my mother had known....... the MPs always got their men out of the way and in military lock-ups before the old bill arrived otherwise the locals would be moaning that the Forces couldn't control themselves.....they couldn't back to the record shop thread - does anyone remember Barnebys in Gillingham and City Soul in Holborn? Bluebird Records up Edgeware Road was good....but I never got thrown out of it....I did see Robbie Vincent in there once...does that count?

Between 1980 and 1985, I worked right above City Sounds in Procter Street (just around the corner from High Holborn). They were great for current soul imports, but the only thing I ever bought from them was a Will Powers 12" (think it was "Kissing With Confidence") and you can't get more far removed from soul than that!!

Just round the corner in High Holborn was a record/book shop called Templars. Nothing much to be had apart from the current Top 30 singles and LPs, but I did get a copy of the "Capitol Soul Casino" LP from there in 1982 for £1.99!

And yes - having family in Gillingham (mostly now pushing up flowers in that great Garden of England), I remember Barnaby Records in Gillingham during the early to mid-70s! I'd completely forgotten about it until you mentioned it here Jo! However, as a spotty kid back then, I only remember them as a chart record retailer. What have I missed out on?

BTW Jo, I bumped into Steve Noble (remember him?) a few months ago in Brighton. He's looking really well these days - has quite a large family as far as I'm aware!

On the record store subject, does anyone remember Groove records in Greek Street, Soho? Folded in the mid-80s, but I do believe that they had abundant stock of "It Takes Heart" by Greg Perry as a new release in 1982. Also had their own label (called "Groove Records" of course!), their biggest seller being "Wikka Wrap" by The Evasions. Perish the thought of them having multiple copies of Herby Brown, Charles Johnson or Tavasco!!!

Edited February 15, 2006 by Gene-R

[Guest]

Between 1980 and 1985, I worked right above City Sounds in Procter Street (just around the corner from High Holborn). They were great for current soul imports, but the only thing I ever bought from them was a Will Powers 12" (think it was "Kissing With Confidence") and you can't get more far removed from soul than that!!

Just round the corner in High Holborn was a record/book shop called Templars. Nothing much to be had apart from the current Top 30 singles and LPs, but I did get a copy of the "Capitol Soul Casino" LP from there in 1982 for £1.99!

On the record store subject, does anyone remember Groove records in Greek Street, Soho? Folded in the mid-80s, but I do believe that they had abundant stock of "It Takes Heart" by Greg Perry as a new release in 1982. Also had their own label (called "Groove Records" of course!), their biggest seller being "Wikka Wrap" by The Evasions. Perish the thought of them having multiple copies of Herby Brown, Charles Johnson or Tavasco!!!

Yes got a few things outa City Sounds myself, Jerry Butler All the way, Stylistics (don't laugh) on Philly Int can't remember title but a decent 80s dancer, 3 copies of Johnny Bristol Love no Longer etc on a 12inch white label remix ooh ! Couple of Billy Nichols Diamond Ring & quite a few other bits, Blimey Disco Dave or what. Used to go down there with Dave Morrison from Slough way, anyone remember him or know his whereabouts?

Yes Gene I remember Groove, never found much of interest, don't remember Greg Perry but Record Corner certainly had copies. Got Atkins on new (uk) release, multiple copies of Herby Brown ? if only mate !

[Sean Hampsey]

Hi Steve,

I've been locked in the Basement of a record store, by the owner, for 5 or 6 hours as the entrance to it was on the sidewalk (pavement... for you limy's).

He wanted to carry on his business upstairs while we dug through the vinyl underground.

I remember we were dying of thirst in the heat and had to take urine relief in the corner, but, as I recall, it was well worth it!

Sean Hampsey

[Steve G]

Hi Steve,

I've been locked in the Basement of a record store, by the owner, for 5 or 6 hours as the entrance to it was on the sidewalk (pavement... for you limy's).

He wanted to carry on his business upstairs while we dug through the vinyl underground.

I remember we were dying of thirst in the heat and had to take urine relief in the corner, but, as I recall, it was well worth it!

Sean Hampsey

Hi Sean

I got locked in and the guy said bang on the wall when you're done (he was next door).....well guess what I nearly knocked the friggin wall down but no response. On checking closer there was a tiny window out back, but not large enough of someone of my middle aged girth and lack of dexterity to crawl through, and a great big plate glass window at the front. As it was in Mississippi I figured if I broke that I'd either be locked up by the sherriff or shot by the store owner - neither appealed to me as I had left Mrs G on a beach a few miles away and taken the car Anyway after about an hour he must have heard my pitiful cries for "help" , either that or I knocked some plaster off his side of the wall. He was seriously miffed when I came out empty handed too....

[soulsalmon]

Never been thrown out of a record store but when Pete Lawson was alive we got thrown out of pubs,shops, cafes, Labour Club, Soul nites, Police Station, Railway Station, peoples houses, Petes own house by Jean his mum, Blackpool Highland Room in fact Pete used to call it a bad day if he did,nt manage to wind someone up, the best one was when Pete and Mickie Cruise got thrown out of the Church after Dean Mitchells party NOW THAT WAS FUNNY

Hi Ian ,Pete could get himself thrown out of a empty house if he tried

[Guest Martin Coleman]

Coffee & doughnuts seems a sure fire way!!! BTW where are you based mate.

Russ

Hi Russ,

I've sent you a PM.

Martin

[Driveller]

Hi Jo!

As far as I'm aware, Keith still runs the shop in Berwick Street, a few doors away from W1's only bonafide chippy (had many great lunch hours in there in the '80s!). It's now in the basement, under a soul-funk shop. Dunno if he's still trading under "Daddy Kool" though. I still see Keith there sometimes, and he still has time for a chinwag! I have always found him great to get on with, and he always has time to chat about life, and most other things aside of records. I believe Keith and his son now manage the basement shop.

Gene

This bloke kicked me out of the shop for asking if I could put Scenesville flyers on the counter - moody git stared at me and said if I didn't buy anything he wouldn't let me, so I told him to stick it and went off to Reckless instead.

Nick

[Baz Atkinson]

Visiting a record store yesterday in the US, took ages to find in a right shit hole, finally found the place & it looks really promising from the outside, walks in, some guy, the owner says hi what you after, 'soul 45's' says I, he then gets real bolshy, saying 'we dont carry 45's' etc, I say'well the reason Im here is that we exchanged emails before christmas & you said that you did',..........................even more bolshy the guy replies that all the 45's are in storeage else where & that he is saving the sale of them for a retirement project..................shit thinks me, but as a last gasp I offered to help him sort them, hoping might just get a foot in the door, BTW Im being verrrrrrrrrrry polite in all of this................next thing the guy is slagging me off to another customer, so I politely says, you wanna discuss these issues with me, maybe we can start again, as we seem to have got off to a bad start here......................ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh my god, red neck bolshy f****r starts shouting for me to leave the store & god knows what, for the sake of not getting arrested or beaten up, made a swift departure.............................wondered if any one else has had a similar experience, wouldnt mind but never got to see one single disc, 45 or other wise ..

Im thinking of going back in a month or so in disguise as the store seemed promising even from an LP & 12" side of things ........................maybe my accent would give me away tho' .

Russ

[Baz Atkinson]

Great topic this got a few to tell re the usa.first visit was 1989 still could do well in certain areas.Picked up nice stuff in Canada near the falls then went on someones advice to a place over the falls in Buffalo,the guy clocked me immediatly and said"know where your coming from man,your not welcome here".He looked like a line backer total brick shithouse.

Got thrown out of a store in Tampa once and was made to feel very awkward in a godspell store in Brownsville[another lead] went bad.Had a few weired experiences with Mr Sylvarni in New York also mainly centring around a conversation on his strange price formulas.

Last visit was last year New york and Philly ,nice to visit john moore a proper gentleman from the no bullshit school,some nice sweet soul picked up there[its not all bad],you need a good network out there to get anywhere!

[Guest]

Visiting a record store yesterday in the US, took ages to find in a right shit hole, finally found the place & it looks really promising from the outside, walks in, some guy, the owner says hi what you after, 'soul 45's' says I, he then gets real bolshy, saying 'we dont carry 45's' etc, I say'well the reason Im here is that we exchanged emails before christmas & you said that you did',..........................even more bolshy the guy replies that all the 45's are in storeage else where & that he is saving the sale of them for a retirement project..................shit thinks me, but as a last gasp I offered to help him sort them, hoping might just get a foot in the door, BTW Im being verrrrrrrrrrry polite in all of this................next thing the guy is slagging me off to another customer, so I politely says, you wanna discuss these issues with me, maybe we can start again, as we seem to have got off to a bad start here......................ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh my god, red neck bolshy f****r starts shouting for me to leave the store & god knows what, for the sake of not getting arrested or beaten up, made a swift departure.............................wondered if any one else has had a similar experience, wouldnt mind but never got to see one single disc, 45 or other wise ..

Im thinking of going back in a month or so in disguise as the store seemed promising even from an LP & 12" side of things ........................maybe my accent would give me away tho' .

Russ

[Guest]

Yep, Rock and Roll heaven in Florida about 15 years ago. The english accent was a very bad start. Asked the usual questions and was told that he had been ripped off by two (very nice) uk dealers who walked out with boxes of 45's to load the car and drove off without paying. Being a persistant sort of a guy I returned and he mellowed, after 3 or 4 visits he let me in to the under the counter stuff, some good semi/unknown stuff. The twist was that he said he was a friend of Teddy Randazzo and actually gave me shagged copy of "your not that girl anymore". The other was in Tower records for being pissed !.

[Guest]

Visiting a record store yesterday in the US, took ages to find in a right shit hole, finally found the place & it looks really promising from the outside, walks in, some guy, the owner says hi what you after, 'soul 45's' says I, he then gets real bolshy, saying 'we dont carry 45's' etc, I say'well the reason Im here is that we exchanged emails before christmas & you said that you did',..........................even more bolshy the guy replies that all the 45's are in storeage else where & that he is saving the sale of them for a retirement project..................shit thinks me, but as a last gasp I offered to help him sort them, hoping might just get a foot in the door, BTW Im being verrrrrrrrrrry polite in all of this................next thing the guy is slagging me off to another customer, so I politely says, you wanna discuss these issues with me, maybe we can start again, as we seem to have got off to a bad start here......................ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh my god, red neck bolshy f****r starts shouting for me to leave the store & god knows what, for the sake of not getting arrested or beaten up, made a swift departure.............................wondered if any one else has had a similar experience, wouldnt mind but never got to see one single disc, 45 or other wise ..

Im thinking of going back in a month or so in disguise as the store seemed promising even from an LP & 12" side of things ........................maybe my accent would give me away tho' .

Russ

There use to be a poxy store in Fratton, Portsmouth. If you went straight up to the soul section, he would say he was closing for lunch, no matter what time it was. After about 5 minutes, if you hadn't moved out, his huge dog would start growling so a safe retreat was needed. You learned to go straight to the pop section and slow inch your way over to the soul 45s and hope he hadn't noticed you were there. Never too much in the store (this was 70s - 80s) but you never knew.

However Ady Fountain came to visit me, having been in the store and had bought loads of things.It probably helped that he looks like C.I.D. in his raincoat and had his pick. The records had been stored behind. Well he said there was other rare things in there like Bowie ect. and other soul items as well so I made my way down there.

Started off at the pop before asking about the records behind the counter. "Haven't got any" he replied. I carried on looking and 10 minutes later "Who said I did". Carried on looking before he got some records out to show me. I bought about £50 / 60 (quite in bit then) but wanted some others. Long and short is, I said I would come down the following Tuesday (or whatever) and buy them then. Couldn't make it then but my mate was going down so I told him to pass the message on.

A a bit later, a call came, from him saying that when he had mentioned the delay, he had set the dog on him and never to go in his shop again.

Good PR.

Lot more like that!!