I've been coming here for more than 15 years. I used to visit their old store near the Harvard Kennedy School. Their collection is huge and varied. Their new arrivals bin is by far the largest of all the record stores in a 40 mile radius. I just wish they were a bit cheaper. They're second to Cheapo in terms of prices. Big Dig, Want List, Armageddon and Stereo Jacks are all significantly cheaper in my opinion. I've seen records that go for $3 (with better sleeve conditions) at other stores sell for $12-15 at Planet. I understand the location is probably quite expensive for them. The staff is quiet, but they will help you if you ask them. Regardless, a tremendous store. If you're into records, pay them a visit! read more

This location offers an impressive selection of records, DVDs, and Blu-Rays, with prices that are reasonable for both pre-owned and new products. The variety is vast, catering to different tastes and preferences. We also visited to sell some Blu-Rays. The process was smooth and efficient, thanks to the ability to schedule an appointment ahead of time. One of the staff members assisted with unloading and spent about an hour reviewing and organizing the items. While we were a bit disappointed not to sell everything, the staff was thorough in explaining their selection process and even recommended other places where we might have better luck. Overall, it was a great experience, and we would definitely return. read more

Yelp steered me to Planet Records, with their robust supply of Five-Star Yelp reviews. Planet Records is the goods! An audiophiles dream! I can't say enough great things about the kind owner and staff-person at Planet Records, and their vast array of music greatness. Planet Records is the preeminent music and movie store in the Boston area, bar none. read more

Was lookin for jazz 10" LPs & was not disappointed - they had so many - & good prices - Jah bless this place ! read more

Planet Records - The King - Music & DVDs Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

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A record seller from another "planet". Used records are priced as if made of gold. exorbitant prices- stay away!!

Their stuff is usually expensive for what it should actually be priced at. They're also lowkey rude when you go in... and think that you doesn't know anything. It's pretty tiring when have been collecting for more than half your life and they just think you're there to browse and look at the "cute art". Maybe everyone is "just browsing" cause you don't have good/fairly priced stock lol... They also put stickers on the front and back cover. Which is hard to get off and can maybe even tear the sleeve. So if you feel like overpaying and be patronized rudely with condescending comments, here is your place to go read more

Just moved back to Cambridge from NYC. went on a search for stereo version of Kind of Blue by Mikes Davis. Found it here. Store is great if you're looking fir vinyl. We'll organized with great selection. Highly recommended read more

I've been a loyal customer of this place for over twenty years, since their Kenmore Sq. location. I was lucky to find many bootlegs (especially by the Smiths) on CD and other rare imports and hard to find CD singles. Their first Harvard Sq. location seemed a little cramped so I like their "new" Mt. Auburn location a little better. The staff always has some interesting stuff playing on the stereo - from 70s soul, Bowie, early 80s synth pop, good live albums, to kitschy novelty records. I could browse for a loooong time here. I usually go with a list and though I might not find anything that I'm looking for I usually walk out with an item or two I wasn't expecting at all. And the staff will always let you play a track or two from the CD on their stereo to check it out the quality. The only quibble I would have is sometimes (not all) I've been disappointed with the price I've received from selling stuff to them. But I understand they have to work with whatever their formula is. However, there aren't a huge number of good independent, used record shops left so I'll continue supporting them. read more

Hands down the best used CD store in Boston. The selection is unparalleled. CDs cost an average of $8-10, which actually runs toward the high side. But the CDs that cost $10 are the real popular ones; the more obscure it gets, the cheaper it gets, which means that the Basehead album I found there was only $4. So yeah, I had to put back Michael Jackson's Bad, which is a great album I ought to own, because it was $10 - but if I can get Basehead and Pharcyde for the same price, who's arguing? Like the archetypal used CD store, they play insane music I don't know; it's tiny and packed with CDs; they're apparently dog-friendly, since some dude with two beautiful huskies came in and hit on my wife for like ten minutes without anyone caring; and, most importantly, the dude behind the counter appreciated me. When he saw that I was buying Basehead, he pointed out that they had another Basehead album - seriously, this place has every Basehead album? Jesus, man! but I already got that one - and let me know that Michael Ivey a) has gone born again, which we both feel bad about, and b) had a side project called BYOB that he recommends I check out. Now that is some great used-CD-store-dude interaction, man. I also want to mention that Planet has created a list of all the used CD places in Boston so that you know where else to go, and they've written something nice about each of them. You can pick the list up at their counter. That's really cool of Planet. WE BOUGHT: Basehead, Pharcyde, "Christmas on Death Row," Lionel Richie and Fu Schnickens, the great mid-90s gimmick band that once rapped most of a verse backwards and who've been on my hit list for about five years; this find was so momentous that I almost cried when I saw it. Instead I gasped loudly enough that the chick next to me gave me a suspicious look like she was worried I was about to talk to her. I was all "No, it's cool, see that chick over there getting hit on by the dude with the dogs? We're all married and shit." "But seriously, Fu Schnickens." read more

(LP/VINYL REVIEW ONLY) Nice selection, seemed to be curated to only stuff in really good condition, which I appreciate. Something for everyone, and a really friendly staff who were really into the stuff I picked out. Highlight scores: I bought a really sweet original press of the Descendents FAT EP and a really cool Japanese Garage Psych comp. Will be returning. read more

"Eat music, live longer." That's their motto. Need I go on? Sure I do! This is a great little used record shop, packed to the gills with cd's, vinyl, and dvds too. They have a nice selection, with plenty of harder to find albums mixed in with the classics, and a nice variety of genres. Plus they have funny t-shirts for sale, featuring cocks. And no, you dirty kids, not that kind of cocks. Cocks, like the rooster. My only complaint (and reason for the -1 star) is that, in a world of the interweb and free downloads, I find their prices a bit high. $10 seems steep. But dig, and you can score some $5 finds. Buy! Sell! Trade! read more

I think Planet Records is the greatest. It just gets the pricing right for used cds and rarely have I found a disc that made me do a double take on its sticker price. With the wide range of selection as well as affordability, this place is tops in Boston for me. I will begin with my favorite section: the $1 cds. These are truly castoffs, but if you take the time to poke through you can find some really entertaining discs. Granted, you won't find any classics in here (unless you count, er, 90s classics) but if you go by record label, local band name, or simply album art, you will likely find at least one record worth the money. Deals and duds, that's what it is. I also find that the cd selection is vast for many artists. With each album in a thin sleeve, they can jam in many records to choose from. Prices for regular albums are usually between $9-10, so I suppose that might be a few bucks more than the mean value of used cd prices in the area, but I've always gotten quality used discs from them. They also have many, many bootlegs of the popular bands if you're into that kind of thing. The record, book and dvd sections in the store are also interesting to poke through and are pretty affordable. The staff isn't entirely engaging (they're stuck behind a long counter) but they seem friendly when I'm checking out. Therefore, I declare Planet Records to be a very good music store and certainly a place worth frequenting. read more

Planet Records is my favorite used record store because: 1. It is very well lit 2. Each genre of music is clearly defined 3. They have a very organized inventory. The staff are really great at keeping everything in its proper place 4. The staff KNOW their stuff. You can ask them about pretty much anything and they can find it or give you info on how to find a song or album 5 Prices are terrific. When I have shopped around, I find that Planet has the best prices and sell album's and CD's that are in good shape read more

I was on a seemingly endless search for one thing: a Teenage Head record. This was before I even bothered with the internet, my life was that of a modern gypsy, if a modern gypsy was a young, forlorn bass player who knew nothing of the world outside of albums and trains, and likewise I would float from record store to record store, milling about looking at what bands are doing, always on a search for Teenage Head. I'd asked everywhere, went to the biggest record stores, hole in the walls, dove through vortexes of musical ambiguity, trying to follow the white rabbit holding that rare album from Canada's finest in my head. When I stepped through the doors of Planet Records in Cambridge, MA I took one look ahead of me and really, that was all you can do. But this was the last place I would even think could end the embarrassing and repetitive repetoire of: "Do you need help with anything?" "Uh yeah, do you have anything from Teenage Head?" "Teenage what?" It is so tiny. Tiny enough to where someone smart enough to figure out that he just may have to make do with the space he has, started slipping album covers in plastic sleeves to maximize space. But I finally found my holy grail of a record (for $10!) and you'd be just as surprised what you'll find here. Size isn't everything, you gotta spend some time. read more

I call this place Purple Records because they gave me a purple bag on my first visit. Apparently their name is Planet Records, but I'm still going to stick with Purple. Anyway, they have the best cheap used DVD selection I've ever encountered in the area. It's vast and high quality for the small space, making it a cinephile paradise in Harvard Square. You'll find blockbusters, Criterion films, television shows, and box sets. For example, the last time I was here I bought a few Humphrey Bogart DVDs for $5 each and David Lean's Brief Encounter for $10 (for context, it was $15 used at the Newbury Comics down the street). Thanks for existing, Purple! read more

The store is small, but there's a lot here, the CD's are all behind the counter, with only the liners in plastic sleeves for you to browse. I was opposed at first, but I actually like this way of browsing. I pick a section of the alphabet, pull out a handful of liners, and flip through. You get to see all the cover art have various things catch your eye. Everyonce in awhile, I'll find a rare bargain, otherwise things are priced relatively appropriately -- maybe a dollar more than I might like for a used CD. But their stock is generally well picked -- unlike places like CD Spins they won't take all your crap, so you won't see 50 Creed albums here -- and the staff is nice, so its hard to complain. Vinyl afficianados will be better served by the depth of other local stores, although since this Planet store has so little space, they present a quality selection in this department, as well. Come in often as the stock is always changing, you'll almost always leave with something interesting. read more

I've been on the hunt for a recording of Heifetz playing Paganini's Caprice No. 24 for about 12 years - and even though PR didn't carry it, one of the employees helped me track it down. They have a good used DVD section and they sell DVD cases! I know it's no cure for cancer, but my OCD is quite specific - it only applies to good movies that come in crap cases. Way to save the day, Planet Records. Email: planet@tiac.net read more

When I'm on the trail of an old LP, Planet Records is on my short list of places to check. The staff here is really friendly and helpful, in my experience. After the Pet Shop Boys show, I hit up Planet hoping to find some of the 12" singles, and Planet's employees helped me track 'em down. They tend to have a good mix of the popular stuff you'd expect, and the deeper cuts. The selection isn't as vast as In Your Ear nearby, but Planet manages to oft-times have what you need, and have it for a reasonable price. read more

It's great to see that Planet has managed to hang on in Harvard Square, bucking two trends at once - record stores closing, and rents in Harvard becoming unaffordable for small businesses. Their Kenmore Square store burned down at least 10 years ago (a guitar that didn't quite survive the blaze is on display at this location). That store was full of amazing, hard-to-find records across many genres, some of which I've never spotted again (even in used record meccas like Amoeba). The Harvard store has yielded some great finds as well - several years ago I found nearly every early Suede 12" single here in mint condition... these were import-only releases that didn't sell in huge quantities. To find more than one, at a reasonable price, really is a needle in a haystack. While I give the owners all the credit in the word for keeping this place going, it seems that the stock hasn't turned over much in recent years, and when they do get new vinyl in, it's just more Blue Oyster Cult LP's. The records are generally in good shape - but they either have a LOT of the same titles in stock, or the records aren't moving very quickly. Their bargain LP's are worth flipping through, but they're on a shelf low to the ground, so anyone who's not a full-time MLB catcher will get very sore after looking through them for only a couple of minutes. Since I don't own a record store, I'm not sure if the problem is lack of motivation in getting new titles in, or a lack of availability of things worth selling. While I'm sure there's a market for 70's classic rock titles, it's been said before that most of these titles can be had at thrift stores for 50 cents apiece. read more

Planet is a great record store. I'd give it a 4.5 if I could do halves, as my qualms are pretty insignificant. I wish it were bigger so they could fill more space with more delightful goodies. I've gotten some real good deals in this little brightly lit basement, and it's always a fun romp to flip through the little plastic CD insert holders for hours on end. They are well organized, relevant (and also irrelevant, when appropriate/ironic!), and have a wide variety of genres for such a tiny place. I have to give them a hand for their more-than-just-suitable electronica section. Bigger places have far less selection! Planet packs tons of records into the corner of the store and there's a lot of rare and odd and desirable ones in there (original Bowies? Yay! 2000s-era New Order? Rad). I wish they had 7"s, but hey, when space is an issue, why have hamburger when you can have steak? What they do, they do very well. I love you Planet, please stay forever and continue to provide me and the good Cantabridgian people with ear candy. read more

Found a 2-CD set of Arditti playing Schoenberg's String Quartets. Done deal.

It looked like a commercial when I walked in. Techno music playing and everyone in the store was bobbing their heads to the beat. Mr. Bethany was on the hunt for whatever SRV bootleg he might not already own in some form or other. It was a tight fit walking around but it was organized and the owners were very helpful. I forget to buy the T-shirt of the punk'd out Nipper -- next time! I wish we had stores like this in Woo-sta. read more

Very impressed with the selection of CDs, records, and movies here. They have a lot hidden away too that you can search their online websites for and request. read more

This place was alright. Compared to Newbury Comics this place wasn't that great. I had a pretty wide selection but they still have some bands i couldn't find when i went there. At least there are some CD shops still around. The staff were pretty helpful and the CD's were very well organized. The location has moved and the new one seems to be better than the older one. I got a blur cd, It was pretty sweet. read more

Hard to browse. They keep all the CD covers out in little plastic liners for you to sift through. If you have a beverage in hand, as I almost always do, browsing is pretty difficult. Even with both hands free, I have yet to find anything I wanted to buy there. read more

I came here in search of used hip-hop CDs. While the selection was okay, because they don't keep the actual CDs on the shelf (they only have the liner notes in a plastic sleeve), the rows are so crammed that it is difficult to even pull them out or thumb through. Signs inform shoppers to keep things in alphabetical order, which is hard when the sleeves are so tightly packed and you remove one to check it out and can't find its place again. While they had a pretty good selection, the effort alone to search was not worth it, and I gave up. I wanted to like Planet Records but in the end it shouldn't be this difficult. read more

4.5 stars This record store was one of the better ones I've been too, I just wish their selection had been bigger. I was super stoked to find the woody guthrie record I found, but their blues section could have been more filled out. Some of the records are pricey, but worth it because they're always in great condition. And they have a GREAT selection of $1 records (also in pretty good condition) which balanced out the more expensive purchases. I will come back again and again read more

When I go into any record store that offers music (especially if it is used), I need two things. First, I need a good selection. When I walked into Planet Records, I was skeptical as to whether or not I'd receive that. The store was itty bitty! Once I started sifting I realized that it was sorted out by CD covers in plastic sleeves. It made the most of the space they had, and I managed to find lots of great things. Selection was definitely there as far as the CDs go. I can't say much about the vinyl - I didn't look through it extensively seeing as I already own too many vinyl albums for someone who doesn't own a record player. But the Second thing I need is a good price. I am a huge Radiohead fan, and I found some neat little gems here. However, in that section, they also had older full-length albums for more than what you would pay at almost any store for these CD's new. I understand that there is a more personal experience going to a record store, especially one as intimate and friendly as this - the cashier I talked to was really nice, and fun to talk to. However, I'm not so keen on paying more for an opened CD than I have to. Planet Records is likely to have a lot of my business and has probably been my favorite record store I've visited here to date, but I recommend going in with knowledge of the price range of what you are looking to buy. read more

I've had pretty good luck here with both CD's and vinyl. The vinyl selection isn't particularly amazing but the records are in much better condition than I found at other stores in the neighborhood. The few gems seemed overpriced and the other review claiming anything interesting ends up on ebay seems correct. I got here after first going to In Your Ear and then Twisted Village and was relieved with the cleanliness and lack of damage found on the used vinyl. read more

First of great return policy if you don't like the quality of the product. Selection is fine. I would give it a 5. But I'm very disappointed in there return policy. I bought something, that I thought I needed. When I got home, I said darn I had this one! So I brought rite back. Then they wouldn't give me my money back. They gave me a credit! It's a shame that happened. I guess they wanted me to come back so I would buy even more. I will go back eventually. But after that I'M DONE FOR EVER HERE! This place is all about them! read more

Things I Hate About This Place: 1) They almost never sell 7" in vinyl in the store. It's nearly all relegated to EBAY, and it's generally poorly/cluelessly listed which defeats the purpose. 2) A lot of the stock hasn't turned over since I've first started coming here in 1999, and they don't have a lot of it. Things I Like About This Place: 1) There are a lot of good deals on lps to be found. There's definitely overpriced junk too, but I've had plenty of good pickups over the years. 2) You can flip through the lps in about 15 minutes. That means there's not much digging to be done, but it also means you can make a quick stop and get out. 3) The staff really doesn't know what they're selling most of the time. This has generally led to me picking up a number of cool things at under the going rate over the years. Of course it means they can't really help you with much, and are just as prone to overprice as underprice, but they're polite easy to deal with. read more

I am conflicted. I want to give them 5 stars for their awesome selection, decent prices, and amazing selection of bootlegs. I also love the commentary written on some CD labels (I was looking at a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds import cd where someone wrote, "This CD is from Australia - Just like Nick Cave!" which made the fangirl in me giggle. Their staff is also sweet as punch, even though the store obviously leans towards the hipsterish elite, you never feel like a plebe when indulging in some guilty pleasure mid 90's artist. Props are lost for two things a) where the hell did their experimental music selection go? maybe I missed it, maybe it's hidden, but i couldn't find it the other day. b) their cd-buying. I went there recently with a pile of around quality cds (beatles Love album, both Dresden Dolls cds, an Islands cd, Jeff Buckley, just a bunch of currently popular cds in pristine condition that I didn't feel like holding on to anymore) and was offered a surprisingly low price for them after the cd buyer eyeballed it. I decided for the hell of it to go to Newbury Comics to see what they would offer (which I expected to be insultingly lower) only to find their offer was nearly double that which they offered me at Planet. That kinda made me sad since Newbury Comics is turning into a chain about as annoying as Spencer Gifts these days, but sadly, money talks right now. (Though to be fair, Newbury can accept more cds at a higher price since they don't have the space constraints that Planet has, since they can purchase CDs at their Harvard Sq location and sell them somewhere else) read more

Don't bother. It's expensive for the LPs in the bins, the stock doesn't change often (not surprisingly) and you'll never find a bargain. Anything halfway interesting ends up on ebay. read more

Excellent store despite the apparent lack of any Barbara Streisand or Mantovani records. I thought for sure they would be filed under "jazz" but the clerk went into a blank-faced, faraway stare when I asked where they were. However he was nice enough to steer me to a local thrift shop that had multiple copies of every single Streisand LP. Score! read more

I agree with everyone - we used to have record stores in every town, but no longer. It's great to be able to walk in here, actually speak with a person about what's playing or your selection. Long live the independent 'record' store! read more

As soon as I get to Harvard Square I go to Planet Records, you always find great CDs at cheap prices. Moreover the employees are very friendly and even though the place is quite small there are thousands of CDs. read more

Amazing selection of rare import cds (bootlegs) at unbeatable prices.

It's a pretty little used record store. The people seem friendly and the stereo sounds good. However the used LPs aren't cheap, despite being fairly used and not in particularly good condition. The selection was okay. A recall a common Beatles LP priced at $35. Anything common and popular was $10 or more. Scattered about I found a few new LPs, priced quite high. A small selection of classical LPs were $8 each. Does that say it all or what? Those titles weren't all that great either. It's not like these are NM DGs. After looking high and then low, my best finds were Grover Washington Jr - Mr. Magic (Motown reissue) for $4, VG condition and a Brand X LP I didn't have for $4, but again condition was just VG, and LP was notched. Then, as if it was charming, I had to wait 10 minutes at checkout, while every title I bought was manually written out. Every single one. Then double check the total on TWO different manual adding machines... are you kidding me? Thanks, I didn't expect that and I was late to my next appointment. read more

Grant you these places are becoming more difficult to find. Planet records felt more like a meteor than a whole planet. The selection was limited but well thought out. This was my first experience here. Upon entering the two young men behind the counter were much to engrossed in something on a laptop computer that I never even got a hello. I Wandered for several minutes while looking in the direction of the counter now and then; they never once looked up. After about 7 minutes I left, unable to find anything on my list. read more

They not only have CD's, but also LP's and 12 inch records, in case you are in to spinning. I actually recently purchased a Tori Amos CD there for 5 dollars. 5 DOLLARS! And it is really good. CD's here typically do not go for more than 12 dollars and they have a great great selection. From rock to pop to R&B. They also have a lot of Indy artists. Great place. read more