Omg! Took all my family here. We thought we died and went to vinyl heaven. The owner couldn't have been nicer. Extremely knowledgeable. It is a little warm but he has fans blowing evey where. So it wasn't that bad. I am very impressed. read more

Simply amazing. Some retro video games and a nice selection of VHS as well.

If this place were to go down the toilet any faster.... ...oh wait! It already did!!! WAY overpriced on JUNK albums that might be worth something IF they weren't so damn scratched!!! read more

Definitely the place to go when you want to find anything on vinyl, cassette, or even CDs and DVDs. Most of the time I end up finding things I never thought to look for. Lots of audiophile accessories, including turntables, reel to reel decks, speakers, even a few LaserDisc machines for sale. Their stock changes frequently so stop by and check them out! read more

Everything about the record exchange is outdated, from its music stock all the way to its retro 1950's building façade in the heart of Southampton. Once inside, you enter the hoarder's paradise. All the stuff we donated to the Salvation army seemed to have found their final burial place here. Inside is a maze of records that serve as wall barriers for the aisles; a course of navigation to a nostalgic 80's childhood. This place is like a distribution depot for the St Louis area's thrift store circuits. It was just as I come to suspect. All the CDS no one wanted to ever see again like the Crash Test Dummies are here en masse, at which point I almost threw up in my mouth a little bit after seeing nearly 10 duplicates of the said CD. Pretty disappointed I must say. Every decent band I tried to look for was nowhere in site, but there was plenty of Johnny Mathis to go around..gee great. The store goes for quantity, which they master, but somewhere in that fold is a lack of a lot of quality. My store is F.Y.E a little further up on Hampton and Chippewa street. There they don't F' around with the lame stuff, and their prices are digestible unlike here. read more

What a great place. Spent a couple of hours there today and didn't even begin to see everything. Lots of vinyl, CDs, cassettes, even laserdiscs. Also tee shirts, books and movies. If you are looking for something this place probably has it. I was overwhelmed by the amount of stuff and did not buy anything. I am going back with a list and enjoy another visit real soon. read more

I have been coming here since the 1980s I am always come away with 10 or 12 bargains under my arm. The staff is as knowledgeable as it gets. The selection... Incredible. It compares to The Great Escape in Nashville ... The greatest used record store that I have never been to. this place is huge in size but reasonable in price. I have friends that are music freaks from out of town and stopping here and at a nearby White Castle is a ritual for us. read more

i'm revising my previous review. i still like this place but their stock is starting to get picked over and it's getting hard to move around in there. still an interesting selection of stuff, though read more

11,000+ square feet of nothing but records. Lots of thin rows, vinyl organized by genre, alphabetical, and then some piles near the back. This place has nothing but mostly used vinyl, all over the place, and apparently an upper floor area that has nothing but 45's. They also carry some stereo equipment from what I saw. We talked to the guy running the place and his wife, they seemed like nice people. I spent $60 here and found some pretty good albums. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for records in the STL area. I'd also suggest getting Ted Drewe's frozen custard after you finish looking at records! read more

I have been a vinyl and music junkie for 30 years, while I agree with 90% of the reviews for The Record Ecxhange , there are a few I must disagree with When it comes to used record stores it doesn't get any better than here I've shopped all over the states, and yes while the store is packed to the brim It is by far one of the most organized, I emphasis the word used stores out there. The racks and racks of vinyl are clearly marked by category and alphabetized as well With a little time, patience and common courtesy I have most of the time found what I went in for..... and the prices are fair, after all it isn't a flea market I can appreciate the dedication Mr Haffner has had for 40 years to this place and I can sympathize with the every inflating cost of running a large facility as a small business owner....... his stamina is to be applauded for hanging in there thru the past few years of rough economy. He didn't just give up....... and he hadn't had a government buyout to help him either!!! I for one, am thankful my children have had the opportunity to experience this store You can not find this nostalgia on eBay..... so what if there's a little dust So, if your afraid you might get a little dust, or dissatisfied not to find a barcode pricing system, go somewhere else leaves more for the rest of us who appreciate The work and madness Mr Haffner has graced South St Louis with for almost 40 years....... hats off Record Exchange..... don't leave us!!! read more

My first "record buying experience" was with Record Exchange, WAY BACK in the late 70's. It's possible that over half of my massive LP collection has come from this amazing store. Formats of all shapes and sizes are available in abundance. Reel to reel, picture discs, Laser Discs, CD, DVD, 78s, the almighty LP and a massive room full of 45s. They even have a HUGE selection of stereo equipment like turntables, receivers, speakers, VCRs, DVD players and anything else imaginable, varying in both quality and price. I got an amazing Carver receiver from them, only after spending a good amount of time deciding between the Carver, Hafler and Marantz. They even HOOKED UP these receivers for me through several different sets of speakers, which I also purchased that day. That's great customer service, if you ask me! They'll even hold items for you, for up to a week! New arrivals daily of all formats and electronics. I shop there a few days a week, if I can and it's impossible to keep up with the used LPs that arrive there daily. Only used. Don't expect the latest Britney Spears or trendy music of the month. This store is stocked to the gills with music from all eras, but no "new releases," unless someone brings them for trade/sale. Plenty of hidden gems load the shelves. To seriously browse their A-Z LP section can take hours, not to mention trying to keep up with the stuff scattered about the store that hasn't hit the shelves yet and the massive overstock. You literally have to be there on the right day, as the more-rare, sought after stuff is consumed by serious LP collector geeks like myself. A helpful staff of vinyl lovers is also a great thing about R.E. I also have to mention THE PRICE of the LPs. Sure, there's a slight mark up on rarer LP's, but it's always a FRACTION of what you would pay for these rarities at other record stores or sites like Ebay, Gemm, Amazon, Discogs, etc. They even have an awesome website now with a completely separate inventory from the store. The site has auctions 24 hours a days, which gives you a chance to purchase LPs/CDs/Cassettes/etc. as low as a third of the list price! EVEN THE PRICEY, RARE STUFF!!! This store is ideal for SERIOUS COLLECTORS. If you're looking for the "typical-uniformed employee-corporate shmooz-fest retail outlet disguised by white walls that spends more time sweeping their floors than stocking their shelves with a worthy product," this store may not be for you. I've watched their staff try to keep up with the stock that consistently comes into the place for years now! Impossible! Be sure to keep an eye on the "Latest Arrival" LP bins located next to the check out counter! I also have to mention the "layed back" environment. You won't feel uncomfortable spending hours at a time looking. There won't be anyone "up your butt" with false customer service, but they're ready to help you in your search when asked! No "fast food like" corporate service that just wants to take your money and chase you out the door. You can take your time and find what you're looking for! Unlike MOST record stores, they even have a public restroom! HA! VIVA LA VINYL!!! read more