This was one of the most extensive and all encompassing collections of records, cds, and DVDs. The VHS selection left a bit to be desired but it was more than made up for by everything else. Prices were great, too. I didn't interact heavily with the staff, but what little interaction I had was very pleasant. A great experience and a great shop, I highly recommend it. read more

I'm glad Lubbock has a legit record store in town. This place really checks all the boxes. Records and CDs galore, plus an entire half of the store dedicated to DVDs and video games. There's also a smattering of fan goods and collectibles. Plus, this appears to be the go-to store for local concert tickets. I've been tracking down CDs that were once a big part of my teen and young adult era looking to replace that feeling of listening to a full CD through from beginning to end. I came across a copy of Hoobastank's first album and bought it without much thought. It was $6, honestly a bit high, but I like that album. The staff member helping me was great and went above and beyond. They didn't have much else I was looking for, and records aren't really my thing. Definitely worth a visit for y'all vinyl lovers out there. read more

ralph's is just about the only real record store in Lubbock. they have an awesome selection, you could literally spend hours in there just digging through the bargain bins. the staff are all awesome, friendly people and everything is really reasonably priced. read more

I spent two hours in the overstock bin. Everything was .50 to $1. I bought albums by Herbie Mann, Rare Earth, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Ernest Tubb, Harry Neilsen, etc... The total was less around $8 for 10 records. I noticed they also sold video game consoles. I needed a switch dock to hook my console up in my hotel room and they sold me a used model for $25! I'm going back as soon as possible. I barely got past the entrance lol. read more

See all

Cool little record (etc) shop that had a modest stock of vinyl in the front of the shop, including some good titles, very reasonably priced, and a wall of stuff you see everywhere. I'd definitely check it out next time I'm in town. read more

Excellent record store. Lots of classic rock used vinyl and just about anything you can think of new. They even have CD's, DVD's, videogames and other stuff too that's all very fairly priced. The staff are nice and friendly and the place just has *that* atmosphere you want from this kind of store. They also sell tickets to some live events occurring in Lubbock. Definitely stop by if you have the opportunity. read more

This is the oddest business model for a record store that I've ever run across. The usual model is to price newly-acquired records in line with the going price, and then drop the price if they don't sell and eventually send them to the bargain bin for a buck or two. That keeps the inventory fresh, and ensures the best use of a store's limited space. That's not how things work here. The cheapest thing I saw was $4, and then from there, $8 and up. (I didn't see a single $6 record.) And no bargain bins. All this leads to some interesting results. So I'm looking along the huge wall of rock for Joe Walsh records, and under "W", there's something like 7 copies of Rick Wakeman's "The Six Wives of Henry VIII", back to back on the shelf, for $4 each. Now there's nothing wrong with that record, especially if you love the Minimoog, but if there are 7 copies of it that haven't sold, perhaps the price is too high. I can understand keeping *one* copy at that price, for that special customer who wants to buy that record today, and is willing to pay a price premium for it. But *seven*? Another example: For the James Gang, they don't have "Yer Album" or "Rides Again", but they have at least five copies of "Bang", all next to each other, for $4 each. I have seldom seen a clearer instance of basic supply and demand economics in action. It is a textbook example of a surplus: price higher than equilibrium causes goods to pile up. And it's only compounded by the coarse granularity in pricing. So you end up with a big wall of stuff people don't really want, and then what do you do? Well, you have a small section up front that's "the best of the used records", so people don't have to mess with the big wall of stuff. To add to that, they have jazz and easy listening mixed together in one section. As a jazz guitarist of 20+ years, that disturbs me at a visceral level, but it also makes crate digging an exercise in frustration. I love going through jazz records and finding things I don't know about. Maybe it's a leader I don't know but with rhythm section players I enjoy. Maybe I don't know anyone on the record, but it's on a label I usually like. Now imagine trying to do that when roughly nine out of the ten records are Andre Kostelanetz, Mantovani, and such. Sucks the fun right out of it. I'm not saying not to go. You might really dig it. But I found it frustrating and odd. read more

Top notch, these guys have EXCELLENT SERVICE. If by a small chance they don't have a movie, you seak, they will go above and beyond to get that movie for you, Their pricing is also EXCELLENT, I would rather give them my money as opposed to Amazon, it has nothing to do with tax or shipping, I thing this store is worth the money, if they did sell with shipping cost us still choose them over Amazon. Again, Value is most EXCELLENT. They eony sell you crap, I've bought several movie from them and there was a scratch they missed by mistake, I believe they would whatever it takes to make customers happy Guys, this store is fantastic read more

Place has it all! Old school metal/thrash/ hardcore was there which surprised me cause we're in Lubbock. Easily one of the best record stores I've been to. read more

Great selection! Help with record player needles. They will buy your old game parts not just game CDs & DVDs. read more

If you're coming from a city with a pretty robust record store scene, you'll likely be a little disappointed here. You'll find $30+ new and reissues and if you're used to crate digging in $1-2 clearance bins you'll see a lot of the same records but priced from $4-8. That's about all there is to say. read more

Great place! I bought a couple vinyl- they were in great condition and priced fairly. Good customer service- will be going back!

The entire staff here is amazing! Ian is the expert on movies, gaming, and cards! Doug is undeniably the expert in all music! Will never use Amazon or eBay again!! read more

This is my kind of record store! With literally tons of CD's, Vinyls, Video games, and DVD's, you could spend a lot of time browsing. They weren't the most friendly when I come in however. Their "can I help you find something?" happened about 4 times within the first 3 minutes of me walking in, which progressed to "are you all set?" which progressed to "we are actually closing now." 3 different people told me back to back! But I get it, if you are closing, you want to go home, your shift is over. I'd definitely like to come back and spend more time browsing. Go check it out before 9pm. read more

Ralph's Records Tapes & Cd's - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - Lubbock, Texas

Good selection of used and new vinyl. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. I will need to visit again the next time I'm in Lubbock

I was surprised to discover that this is the only real remaining record store in Lubbock. Naturally, the bf and I wanted to check it out, so we dropped in before we hit the road back to Dallas. I was very pleasantly surprised. We killed a TON of time here. They have newer records displayed nicely in bins near the front of the store, but if you are looking for used gems, you have to look on shelves under the bins, and likely sit on the floor to do so. There is a lot of stuff there, but you have to really dig. For the most part, all the records are divided neatly by genre, but are not alphabetized. However, that didn't stop us from going through the entire jazz section (and it was huge) and finding a few gems, including an original pressing of Martin Denny's "Exotica", which I got for $4. If you are looking for DVDs and video games, this is a great place to go, as well. Their inventory is absolutely solid! The staff was super nice to us, and even gave us some t shirts when they found out we were from out of town. It was a pleasant experience, and we will be back if we find ourselves in Lubbock again! read more

Great selection, comfy atmosphere, friendly staff. Took in the music and snapped some pictures because the setting was just too great to ignore. read more

Ralph's Records Tapes & Cd's - we couldn't resist snapping a pic! - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - Lubbock, Texas

Doug and the gang feed my music addiction!!!! If you want it they'll get or got it!!! read more

Ralph's Records Tapes & Cd's - Videos & Video Game Rental Near Me - Lubbock, Texas

If you are like me, every once in a while you feel that you an obscure album or song by a band you can't remember singing about something you once thought was interesting. It goes something like hmmm...nah...na...nah...(air guitar solo)... bahhhhhhh. You know the song? Yeah, me neither but Ralph's always does. They have a good selection of different types of music and bands you've never heard of. New and used CD's, records, DVD's, video games, etc can all be found here. If you need to replace some music you once had and cannot find on iTunes, or just want to try something different then I would suggest stopping by Ralph's read more

This place is fantastic! I just moved here from Austin, and this is one of my favorite places to peruse for the obscure. As mentioned in other reviews - it has a great vinyl selection, used dvd's, cd's, and a knowledgeable and extremely courteous staff. Also, if you have some old records or dvd's, it's a great place to trade in some of your older, less used stuff for some newer [or just new-to-you] stuff. It's one-of-a-kind, and a true gem of Lubbock, making me miss Austin a little less. Thanks! read more

Had mistaken a game for having been bought here- and turned out my boyfriend had gotten it from GameStop but was very scratched. They cleaned it at Ralph's anyway and removed the scratches for us. Thanks so much guys!! read more

This place is an institution. Are you looking for a record from that local or regional band? Ralph has it. Tickets to an upcoming show? Ralph has those too. Along with a huge selection of new and used titles they have movies and video games. From Atari to Xbox and everything in between. read more

I usually just go there for tickets and end up walking out with new vinyl and video games.

Worst customer service ever! I used to love the place til today, not only was the owner 10 minutes late but as we waited he told us it would be another 5 minutes okay no problem but then when the tickets costed more than expected he did a refund and as I tried to explain that he could cancel the refund and I'd pay the difference he cut me off and immediately went to raising his voice at me. Then went on to criticize me as to things that were irrelevant to the situation. I asked for my receipt and he handed me the wrong one so as I tell him he continues putting me down. That's just unprofessional in every way. read more

This joint is fully stocked with vinyl from every music genre known to man. I scored some cool deals. prices are moderate and the staff is down to earth. aside from records they also carry dvds,cds,and posters.well worth your time. happy haunting!! read more

Great place to find cheap dvds, video games, cds, and records. Sister and I go here all the times. She looks at the video games and I look at the dvds and cds. Place always has great prices and a great selection. I love that you can find stuff that is rare and not in the mainstream of stores like Target and Walmart. Employees have always been helpful to my sister when she asks questions about video games. Will keep coming back here. read more

Recently went there looking for a soundtrack. They are on the wall near the back. The shelves went at least 7-8 feet high and there was no way for me to see that high. I was the only one in the store so you think the clerk might have noticed that I needed assistance. The print on the spine of a CD is only about a quarter of an inch, tops. Just how far am I suppose to be able to read it from. Needless to say "No Sale" I bought the cd from amazon instead. read more

I've been going to Ralph's since I was a kid. They have a million used Cd's and DVD's. Recently I've been picking thru their 70's comedy vinyls, and I ended up leaving with 6 records. Occasionally they have good NES games as well. They sell tickets and have a board with everything that is coming to town as well. read more

I feel kinda sad if people think this is the "Best" record store in Texas. Vinyl you actually want to sift through is about 5% of the store. It is more of a CD/DVD & retro video game store with a sprinkling of vinyl. Plus it has that nasty incense smell going on that hippies used back in the day to cover up the smoke smell. If you are looking for digital media and retro video stuff this the place for you. They do have a wall of records, not well maintained at all, plus some .50 records in cardboard boxes on the floor in a corner. I'm almost 50 years old, I'm not bending over a bunch of Barbra Mandrell LPs. I was passing through over spring break and thought I'd stop in based on some of the reviews. However if you do find something in their used section it will be over priced. I found a Kiss Originals - 2nd printing for $50.00...really, it's not worth $15.00. They have some new vinyl, mostly the new re-issues all the artists are coming out with though. read more

Wife and I go up to Lubbock several times per year as our daughter goes to Tech. I always stop in Ralph's and seem to find an LP to add to my collection. I was in a few weeks back and he had a buy 3 for $20 ( bought the first ZZ Top lp). Cool owner and I look forward to being back in May . read more

They are very disorganized for a small store. The vinyl collections are not properly archived. I have made two trips to this store after calling to verify they have the vinyl I was looking for and was told to come in only to find out they did not have the vinyl in stock. It seems to be only the records store in Lubbock with a decent variety of vinyl. read more

I visit Lubbock from Seattle once or twice a year and Ralph's is my first stop I make! I've been to Ralph's many, many times. They do have an awesome collection of vinyl. They have the big WALL of rock, plus other shelves for blues, jazz, country, etc. They really are an institution with lots of homegrown help for customers. I see some of the other reviews mention spotty customer service; I've never had that experience. From the owner, Ralph, himself to Doug and the rest of the staff; they've gone out of their way to assist me. They've done everything from grab me ladders to educate me on groups and sounds I knew nothing about. I feel Ralph's appreciates each and every customer and wants to continue their decades long, downhome help for all. Enjoy Ralph's!! read more