Honestly I will never understand the bad reviews on this store, it gave me a nostalgic feeling when I walked in, I loved it, i love music but I mainly go in for the comics, honestly I've been to hero trader, and as far as single issues go, I think record trader has a bigger selection, guy was super awesome and we talked about judge dredd and Batman when I walked up to the counter, I recommend this store if you are a geek and want to support a small business that has your taste Ps I'm a big guy and can get around the boxes just fine read more

Walking into Record Trader was overwhelming. The place is just packed to the rafters. So much goodness to look and search through. If you're a music, movie, comic book or toy enthusiast. You need to come and take a see for yourself. Amazing items at fair prices. Ralph the owner is a great guy and is willing to help you find anything you looking for. He is really knowledgeable about everything he sells and the general area of where it is. Be prepared to go on a treasure hunt though. Odds are he has it but you need to search for it a bit. Which to me. Is half the fun. If I lived nearby. This would definitely be my honey hole. Support local businesses especially the good ones. Record Trader is awesome. Shop here. read more

Record Trader 1 - Ralph the owner. - Music & DVDs Near Me - Fort Myers, Florida

This father and son team have a remarkable place. While it is not big and pretty, it is a very good place to find what you are looking for. I have been to many record stores since starting my collection on 2014, this one is my favorite. Go there, you won't be disappointed, I promise. read more

This place is amazing. All the reviews are spot on (even the negative ones). If you love to dig, this is heaven -- they have an incredible selection (to give one example, there are hundreds of Pink Floyd records, including at least 6 copies of Ummagumma). But it's organized semi-randomly (and semi-alphabetically), and everything is packed way too tight to browse. Boxes on boxes on boxes, all stuffed to the breaking point. Prices range from fair to optimistic, but they probably have whatever you're looking for. Multiple copies. read more

This is an over stuffed vinyl museum. There's only one positive thing I can say about this shop: they have a lot of stock. A LOT. The store is tight and overcrowded. There is a narrow path between boxes and boxes of records. The prices are ridiculously high (that's why I call it a 'museum.') Why in the world would you have 5 copies of "Genesis Live" all priced between 10-12 dollars? It just doesn't make sense. They also have numerous boxes of comic books that are too full to look through, strewn all over the shop in no order whatsoever. They need to move out at least 20% of their stock, to make the shop less claustrophobic, and bring prices down at least 25%, if not 50%. The guys working there mostly talked among themselves, but they were polite enough in the little bit of conversation I had with them. I simply can't imagine why I would ever want to enter this shop again. read more

Good upkeep and meticulously clean. Very organized and new records are brought in weekly

I am a serious record collector who visited the area from New Jersey and I went to 3 records stores, and I read the previous reviews before I went, while yes it is hard to search through the stock it is because there is so much, this shop is for serious music people and audiophiles, other shops in the area carry basic everyday record store day releases and items you can get online anywhere...Record Trader 1 has rare, hard to find records, tons and tons of records. I can say I wish they would get a bigger store just because they have so much more than other record stores do. read more

This place looks like a fully-packed storage bin! There are THOUSANDS of records, CDs, DVDs, Albums & paraphernalia in there, PLUS, Ralph, the owner is so knowledgeable, he remembers artists, groups, labels, and types up recordings that is far beyond his years! He transferred an acetate to a CD for me and did a terrific job. The acetate was extremely sensitive and he knew exactly how to keep it clean. I can't say it enough about this place and its owner. If there was such a thing as six stars I would give it six not five! Gary Knight read more

By far the worst record shopping experience I have EVER HAD! Super rude owner who treated me like I have never been treated. Over priced and unorganized. Terrible business! read more

If you are prepared to treasure hunt through bins and stacks of boxes and aren't frightened off by tight spaces with a dose of fun chaos, you will love this joint. Super knowledgeable and friendly staff is happy to help you map your way through a huge and genre-spanning selection of new and used gems. read more

I'm always torn on what I think of Record Trader.... First, it's TINY but it has a TON of viny. However, nothing is organized, which is overwhelming and frankly kind of annoying. There's a zillion boxes of vinyl randomly stacked everywhere and when I'm in there I think "if these guys got their act together this would be an amazing record store" because they really have some GREAT stuff if you dig. Unfortunately they don't so it's kind of a crap shoot. Be prepared for high prices and the guys behind the counter constantly telling you how valuable everything is that you pick up. Some of it is valid...I have seen some stuff in there you don't see real often. But most of the time they over-value what they have. Also be SURE you look at the vinyl before you buy. Alot of it is never cleaned or even inspected before it's priced and I've paid over $10 for records that have a deep scratch it in because I forgot to look (my fault...AND theirs if they want to be good to their customers). I'll probably return, but I always tell myself to be prepared to have patience and a sense of humor when I walk in...because I always need it. read more

Cramped and WAY over priced. Staff wasn't exactly welcoming; seemed more like they think they are above their customers. Disorganized. And they charge about 5 times too much. read more

Decent selection, but literally impossible to find anything the store is so packed with boxes you can't walk through and the owners just watched us struggle to get through "aisles". You literally had to side step to walk through some of the tightest spaces. Furthermore, one of the owners was extremely rude and made snarky comments the whole time. "It's not a scuff, it's a mar", "yeah all albums are going to have SOME scuffs, it just comes with records that are 40 years old" "no, you're not going to find one without scuffs for that price" and my favorite when I asked where the jazz was and was told it was underneath a pile of boxes "oh I guess that's too far down for you to bend, huh?" I've been to many record stores and this is just no way to run any kind of business. Insulting, disorganized, unconcerned with customer service. read more

I have been one of the owners customers for nearly 30 years. He values his customers and has a great knowledge of his stock

This is the first record store that I ever went to and will always stop by when I'm in town. The store is like a basement stocked with all of the best records you'll find in Fort Myers. There are enough records, action figures, and comics to make a collector of any of those three's head spin. When it comes to records, the variety that they carry will fulfill everyone's tastes. My last trip I bought records by the likes of Silver Apples, Brian Eno, Sonic Youth, There's A New Dawn, and The Cure. When I first started coming here with an appetite that could only be satisfied by all of the classic rock staples, they had me covered. The thing about Record Trader, is that you have to be prepared to dig through the bins. Their section of classics is labeled and organized, but their new records are dispersed across many crates and bins. Despite not having the organization that you'll see at other record stores, you can just ask Ralph or Monty about what you're looking for and they'll be able to get it for you. They're both very nice guys and are glad to help anyone find what they need. I've always struck up conversation with them about music and they're not snobs in any sense of the word. A bonus of going to Record Trader is that there will be some characters (friends of Ralph and Monty) that come through with hilarious stories. It's a great vibe in the store and while their prices are higher than they will be on Discogs or eBay, you're supporting some good people and you'll come away with some great additions to your collection. read more

Record Trader is a must-see and is musty, too. What a place. Upon entering I had a little bit of the creepies. The store itself is shoe-horned into what I would say is 30'x20' (600 sq ft) space. There is one aisle that winds to and fro between stacks and stacks of crates, plastic bins and other non-traditional holders for all things vinyl LP. Laying atop the crates as well as hanging from shelves or just stacked atop each other are plastic models from the Marvel and DC Comic line. Wolverine, Spiderman, Hulk, .... on and on they go and they're in great shape. Comic books in plastic sleeves are in the back corner. As a friend of mine and I were there along with 2 - 3 others.... you have to jockey for position in the aisle. Yes,... one aisle that winds its way from the front door back, to the left and like a corkscrew ends up a dead end in the middle of the store. LP vinyl selections are distinctive and the owner knows his SH*T or knows where to get it. The store carries many remastered works, mostly rock n roll or jazz. Don't go for classical. Nope, it won't do you any good. But rock 'n roll ... it's there, all there. Dusty, a little bit unkept is Record Trader. But if you're seeking some good vinyl.... get off your duff and visit the place. You'll like what you find.... so long as Freddie Krueger or Michael Meyers doesn't come out from behind some screened curtain. read more

I met Ralph and his son when they came to help me with a record player we bought from an estate sale. I contacted him when I was at a loss because I could not get the player to work! He came out so my home so I did not have to move the large piece of furniture. I wanted the record player to be fixed as a surprise for my spouse. He was able to fix the record player and educated me on some of the different parts. Also, some tips/tricks on getting it back to the best possible running order for a piece from the 1960's. I cannot wait to go in to Record Trader and check it out! You made a customer for life! Thank you! :) read more

I have been going to Record Trader for about two years. I really enjoy going . I look for metal and hard rock mostly and they have it. Ralph 'the owner' has always gone out of his way to help me. I have purchased turntables, tape decks, records and tapes from Record Trader. Really great tape selection as well.To my satisfaction, Ralph has also done repairs for me. This place really is a hidden gem. It is a fun place to look for great music. They also have a store inside of Fleamasters, off of Martin Luther King Blvd. from Thursday through Sunday, I believe. I usually look for metal but they have all kinds of music. It's a cool place and the people working there, no their stuff and are friendly. Check it out! read more

On the advice of a best buy employee i decided to check this place out. First it is tiny and kind of awkward when you enter the store. Between a zillion boxes of vinyl records, stacks of comics and toys and even used stereo stuff it is overwhelming. Add in the folks working in the place and it is tight. Ok, now that I prepared you - if u are a vinyl record geek like me, it is a treasure chest. Boxes and boxes of vinyl theoretically in alphabet order and you just start to dig. The guys working were more then friendly and open to answering questions and explaining first press, last press, rare etc. People say they are a bit expensive but I thought for the condition of the records, they were reasonable. 20 bucks for an original Beatles album from 1964-65 that plays near perfect with no skips I think is priced ok. You have to be diligent and examine each record carefully before you purchase but they are used 50 year old vinyl so there you go. The owner was very friendly and agreed to help me add speakers to my home set up and I look forward to working with him. Check this place out. If you are a 60-70s vinyl geek and like the doors, dead, band, etc- this is the place. read more

This store itself is very messy, and a fire hazard. There is no place to even move if more than one person is in the store. What's worse is the customer service, the owner doesn't like people touching any of the merchandise, why have it out then? When I told the owner I might be interested in buying one of the comics he was telling me that he had, he simply stated "You wouldn't be able to afford it". If you are looking for great customer service, you will not find it here. Steer clear for sure as I will not be making a return to this place. read more