Great selection, always great music being played. The owner is a really great guy. You can be sure to find some amazing records still in quality condition in the discount section. Very friendly vibe! read more

not a fan of the store, poor customer service - i had to flag an employee down while waiting at the counter because they would walk right past me. i am a young poc female adult and the store employees are mainly old white men. i showed a picture of the needle i needed and the employee suggested i buy a plastic adjacent needle for $23 because the needle i need isn't in production and "hard to find" i found plenty on amazon and ebay for $10. i would've appreciated if they said we don't have the needle you need. i later called asking if i can return or exchange the needle since it didn't fit and instead of asking what device i had they suggested i bring it in assuming it was user error - its a media console from the 60s thats ~300 lbs. it definitely wasn't user error but more so i was sold a plastic cheaper adjacent needle than what i really needed. the phone call didn't sit well with me because it ended with me getting hung up on which didn't feel like any resolution but that i was being dismissed. cool store to walk around in but really disappointed in my first visit here read more

Out of the three used CD places I hit over the weekend, this place is the most expensive of stores but no scratches on the used CD's so didn't have to do any returns/credits. Used prices start at $4.95. No multi sale deals like Rasputin in MV and Streetlight in SJ. Street parking, meters are free on Sunday. read more

Vinyl Solution Records - No multi deals on used CD's, out of 4, none were scratched - Music & DVDs Near Me - San Mateo, California

I come for the great and inexpensive collection of used records and my daughter generally hits the impressive selection of new records. I could spend hours browsing. Owner is super helpful and keeps up with orders. No price gouging like some other shops. read more

Super cool shop, quite big. Lots of rock and alternative! Cassettes, cds, memorabilia and course, vinyls! There's a very small section of "dance, techno, hip hop" lumped together, if this is what you're looking for, there's other specialty shops. Very cool used equipment and new gear section, random cool things from studio-grade mixers, Turntables, old DJ gear and other things. Cool spot! read more

I have bought and bargained with I assume is the owner Tommy. The guy is not a happy person from first impressions, seems to talk beneath you. Cannabis is legal now roll a fat one. read more

Tommy is the MAN! I must admit, me being an a-hole, I profiled Tommy the first time I met him. I thought if I asked this dude from the Midwest his recommendations of cool bands, he was going to tell me The Allman Brothers, ZZ Top, and Whitesnake. Boy was I wrong. He guided me to Madeleine Pereux, Lnzndrf, and others. The guy goes to concerts every week and has a good pulse of bands current and up and coming. Tell him some bands you like and he will throw you some great suggestions! But here is where it gets better. I am a cheapa$$ and am always analyzing prices. On avg., a new LP is $25+ for any current album. Well I asked him to order me a more obscure album (which he never heard of) and he gets it for me. I was expecting at least a $25 tag on it but when I go pick it up, it is priced at $17.95. He passed whatever savings he go to me. That's just some solid honor right there! I'm sure he made his margin, but he could have netted another $7....but didn't. You can tell he does this for the love of music, not for the $$$. He is very lucky because he is making a living doing something he loves. Great selection. Solid staff. I always enjoy spending time there! You will too. read more

We found this place very randomly while having lunch across the street (read my other review!) I've been to different sized vinyl stores and I felt that there wasn't much wax here. They have a wall section dedicated to all of you who are stuck in the 80's and still listen to tapes. It's a big store with everything from vinyl, cd's, tapes, some guitars, and used/old speakers and turntables, but shoot, HELLA expensive. I'll try it again if I'm in the area. Maybe it takes more than 20 minutes to go through everything and find that one good single. Or maybe not. read more

Tommy always takes such good care of us! He always will order whatever I need or want to get. Support local businesses like this where you get personal service and they know who you are when you walk in. You can always get good tips on upcoming shows and good new music. read more

They truly know record players and 8-tracks. Simple, helpful advice to fix my old machines.

I've been going to this record store for years, however, recently I've noticed many of their employees are rude and dismissive when I ask them a question. They have a lot of records, and get new stuff in all the time, but don't expect a kind environment or anyone who is willing to talk with you about music. read more

Fantastic record store with great selection and staff, and a knowledgeable owner who is clearly a fan and collector as well.

We've spent a lot of money here, but it's time to move on. My daughter bought a brand new record which was clearly defective, it was visibly warped. Took it in to show Tommy, the owner, and he agreed that it was defective. He then continued to say "I'll exchange it this time, but I can't do it again because I lose money on these". Excuse me?! Are you saying my daughter should lose her hard earned money purchasing defective records? On another visit, we special ordered and prepaid for another record and were told it would be in next week. We've come in twice to pick it up and still no record. Fast forward 4 weeks later - we come in back in to try to pick it up Tommy snapped "well did I call you to pick it up?". He then proceeds to look through he records on the floor and doesn't find it. If we prepaid and ordered it should you have it set aside. I guess prepay/preorder doesn't mean anything here. I'm all for supporting my local business, but not when they have no sense of customer service. read more

Used CDs feel like detritus... unwanted, tossed to the side, discounted. Stuff that people decided they'd heard enough of, and then hoped to get cents-on-the dollar for in return. Craptacular early-90's AAD versions of albums that have since been remastered and re-released three times. Used records, on the other hand, feel like memories. Flip through those bins, and you're sure to feel nostalgic... maybe you come across that Adam and the Ants record you played to death in fifth grade, or the Cure album that got you through high school, or the 12" remix of "Bizarre Love Triangle" that STILL gets played at clubs. Maybe instead it was the copy of "Tapestry" that reminds you of your mom. And then there's the smell: all those record sleeves, turning back to dust. ("For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.") So you enter a store that still sells records -- like Vinyl Solution -- and suddenly you're filled with nostalgia. Either that, or you're: A) A DJ or B) a twentysomething hipster who wants to frame a copy of "Closer" to impress some American Apparel-wearing twentysomething girl who thinks Joy Division were soooooooo cooooool and retro and tragic, like Panic! At the Disco, but old. (I wonder what happened to Ian Curtis? Didn't he, like, start Echo and the Bunnymen?) So these are the thoughts that flowed from my head after visiting Vinyl Solution for the first time in I-don't-know-how-long. I was drawn in by the Social Distortion blasting over the sound system, and then lingered for longer than I'd intended. (HAHAHAHAHA, I should know better of myself!) First up, as I enter, I'm reminded that it's not just a used record store. They have a good selection of decent new releases for sale (and when I say "decent" I mean "for adults," not Selena Gomez stuff), on CD and vinyl. They also have some 180-gram vinyl reissues for sale, records you didn't realize existed (new GBV? where did THAT come from? never mind, it's Bob Pollard, what am I thinking?), and other collectors' recordings. And! 45s, toward the back of the store. They also have some interesting memorabilia items. Some Beatles and Kiss stuff in glass cabinets; old issues of BAM (!), Rolling Stone, and other magazines; posters (a curious collection -- quite a few Elvis Costello and Beck); press photos; promo cards. As others have mentioned, the collection is super eclectic. They do have some jazz, classical, and world recordings. For that reason, I recommend going in to browse -- then you'll be surprised by what you find. But if you're looking for something in particular, they may have it (or, I'm suspecting, be able to help you find it). Speaking of service -- the guys working there were definitely "around," but they left me to myself, which was fine. I think they could tell I was in nostalgia mode -- but they came off as approachable (which, in the past, they were NOT), so I'm sure if I had a question they'd have helped. read more

I'm a wannabe audiophile trying to set up my Pioneer PL-50 turntable and Luxman L-480 integrated amp with no clue how to operate a record player. I brought my turntable to Vinyl Solutions today because it wasn't working. Tommy took a look at it and said it's because the belt was broken; it's been sitting idly for 30 years so it had turned into this sticky, tar-like substance. He cleaned it up with rubbing alcohol and was able to find a suitable replacement belt for me. I'm waiting for him to replace the stylus too. Hoping it won't be too expensive! A few weeks ago, I bought 25 LPs from the clearance classical section 5 for $1.99. If you go now and you're looking for Debussy, you're out of luck, because I bought them all. Hey Yelpers, please go sell some Satie LPs to Vinyl Solutions? I can't wait until my turntable is in working order and I can finally listen to all the LPs I bought. :) ----- The stylus took longer than expected to come in, but the maintenance, parts and labor were $40 just like I was quoted over the phone. I'll definitely be back for more LPs and will bring my turntable here for any repairs in the future. read more

I've had nothing but good experiences here. I've always found the owner and staff helpful, and they've made good recommendations, turning me on to new (to me) stuff. I guess I've never been gushingly greeted as I entered the store, but I don't know why anyone would want that. Ask questions, and they're always answered. They have a great range of new and used records. The new stuff is expensive, as some have pointed out, but new records are expensive everywhere. It's not 1985 anymore. I believe it's due to something called inflation. I live 150 miles away, but when I'm in the Peninsula, I always try to stop by. The only downside of a visit: I walk out cash poor. Upside: I walk out music rich! read more

I've been coming here since I was a teenager, this is a fantastic store and likely has whatever you're looking for. Huge selection of vinyl, tapes, dvds, and more. The owner, Tommy, is really helpful as well. He can answer any questions you have and he's probably seen most of the music in his store in concert. Not sure if they still do live music nights, but they used to and that's a lot of fun too! read more

I've been coming here for my vinyl fix since I was a teenager. I remember when Tommy first took over the store mid-80's, and he's always run one of the most amazing independent record stores around. The Vinyl Solution has always been a friendly place for music lovers to get their geek on. It's not pretentious, just full of people who respect and love music. They have a big selection of used as well as new music, and it's always a treat to troll the used bins and find a cool gem at a bargain price. In my travels over the past 25 years I've visited countless independent record stores all across the country. The Vinyl Solution is still one of my favorites. It ranks up there with the best of 'em! read more

Let me be clear: the ONLY reason I'm giving this place 3 stars is the size and selection of new and mostly used records in this store. The owner/manager is rude and impatient (especially with female customers) and I have had 2 experiences with this. I was hoping to find a record store that was going to have a specific re-release LP on Record Store Day, so I called ahead and the owner said that he had ordered 5 copies. So a few weeks before RSD, I went to scope the place out. Lots if old and collectible vinyl, chill atmosphere, small town vibe. However, when I asked about the particular artist, the owner seemed impatient like he didn't want to be bothered with me. I just looked around by myself after that, bought a few used LPs and left. On RSD itself it started out great, not a huge line and everyone was polite. I was one of the 1st in and didn't find my artist anywhere. Once again, when I tried to ask about it, the owner brushed me off as he was walking away, stating it must have already been bought. I left with nothing. And later I find out that there were dozens of officially delayed RSD releases and my artist was one of them. Which means he DIDN'T have a copy of the album I was looking for and pretty much lied about it so I'd stop talking to him--or had no idea what he stocked in his own store! Very unhappy about this treatment. I called Rasputin and 1-2-3-4 Go! Records in the City and they both were super friendly and even went and looked through all there bins and gave me the update on the missing LPs over the phone. I will be going to one of these establishments to buy my album when it does finally come in. read more

Love this place. Cool, friendly people. Tons of records. They have plenty of new vinyl which is always nice. Fair prices on records. For a smaller, local place it rocks. But that's my kind of record store. Even if they haven't had a record I wanted (which is rare, and they're usually OOP) they've offered guidance as to where to find it, or offered to order it. I've also found plenty of good stuff in the back of the store that had just arrived. The store is not overwhelmingly big so you can browse it all. Good import CD section as well, especially rare Nirvana stuff. I always wind up spending more than I intend, but I walk out with a five pound bag of stuff. Give this place a visit. read more

I'm amazed this place still survives when no other independent record stores can! Walking in here is like walking back into the 80s; I doubt it's changed much since it opened. Even when I used to come here back in the mid-90s in high school it was dated. Not that I think this is a bad thing. In high school I bought a lot of my old vinyl here - I remember picking up a bunch of Simon and Garfunkel and John Lennon. I also remember buying the first U2 single here (U2-3) which is rare, for only something like $10. I had my mom buy The Velvet Underground box set for me here when I turned 17. That was a turning point in my young life! I've been in sporadically over the last 10 years since moving back from college, usually buying used CDs. I should probably go in and drop some dough to support a local business. It's been a while. read more

I'm surprised to find so many 5-star reviews for this place. It's not that great. Like another reviewer said, it's time to move on. I've had a love-hate relationship with this store for a while now. I've been a customer for years and usually have mixed experiences when I go in. Sometimes I'm bringing in used vinyl or stereo equipment to trade or sell, and usually get very little money for any of it (to be expected--I don't blame them because it's hard to make money running a record store). Sometimes I'm shopping for used LPs or CDs, and I usually do not find what I'm looking for, even if I bring my wanted list. I find most of the music overpriced. My best deals are usually the dollar clearance bins, because I mostly just want to clean up and record those records instead of keep them as some sort of cherished items for my permanent collection. And I often find something in those bins worth taking home, even if it's not Grammy-winning material. I agree the owner can me moody, dismissive, disinterested, uncaring, and more concerned with his bottom line than good customer service. His staff, on the other hand, tend to be more upbeat and helpful and make you want to return to do more business. But most of the time I simply feel like I'm forcing myself to buy music and music supplies there because it's too impractical to search out other stores farther away. I actually have some used LPs I want to donate but now feel like giving them to another business who will appreciate them and the gesture. read more

I just got a record player so I was in need of some vinyls. I was going to go to Rasmutin but I'm glad I decided to find a record store closer to where I live. I yelped and came across this record store. They have a huge selections of cds, vinyls, cassettes, and other things. I was just in one part of the store because I was only in search of vinyls so I didn't really explore the other sections. The only thing I was disappointed in was that the staff didn't ask if I needed help or anything when I walked in and was browsing for a good 40 minutes. The store was pretty empty and there was only like 3 customers including me browsing. The only time I was spoken to was when I went to purchase the vinyls and asked if he (Tommy or Robert I forgot who I spoke with) recommended mono or stereo for The Beatles' Revolver vinyl. He was extremely helpful and friendly then. I also asked which other vinyls he recommended for The Beatles and he walked me over and showed me his choices. I made small talk when I was purchasing the vinyls and he even gave me a free cloth record bag since it was my first time there. I definitely will come here again but I wish vinyls were cheaper. They also have used vinyls for a really cheap price like 50 cent, but when I was browsing through them, I didn't recognize any of the artists. Anyways I will for sure come here but probably not for a couple more months. read more

This place has it!!! Not only is this place, where you get some really good, classic, vintage and new music, but it's serves more than that. This place sells old VCRs and has one of the biggest collection of posters as well. The store is 60 % made up with records, you can be surprise how many different kinds of music is there. There is even records for newer set album. I was in shock. Then there are the CD's in the back of the store, where you pit it in the disk player and play it. This place plays really cool background hits. If you enter the cassettes area, you will find a sign that shows very rare CD's or music. A good example would be Nirvana. Closer to the near of the door, you will see new CDs that just got out. If you don't anything, it's still worth checking if you want to see history. read more

By far the best record store on the peninsula. I've been going to Vinyl Solution for the last 3 years and Tommy and the staff are passionate about music, helpful, give great deals, straight shooters and host the best Record Store Day I've ever been too. Vinyl records are their speciality, but they do have a ton of cassettes and CDs as well. Vinyl Solution usually has a good selection of new and used gear like turntables and speakers for sale as well. read more

Great lace. Lots of good finds. A mix of a little bit of everything both new and old.

This is a WONDERFUL record store! Vinyl Solution has a great selection of new and used records, cd's, and movies. The staff is extremely helpful and their love of music is evident. I have never had a bad experience here. Some people are giving this store a poor rating because of the lack of selection. This couldn't be farther from the truth. What happens most of the time is that the vinyl never makes it to the shelf because the regulars go through the records while they are still on the floor near the rear counters. The racks do contain all of the staples everybody should have in their collection, but the more obscure and offbeat stuff goes very quickly. It is not the owners fault that it gets snatched up quickly. Another thing Vinyl Solution has going for it is the used audio equipment in the rear of the store. The prices are extremely competitive considering the quality turntables and amps that are on display. I oftentimes see Thorens turntables at a great price, much cheaper than eBay. The main reason for coming to the store however is to deal with Tommy. He knows music and is always good for a suggestion or two. As long as I have been going there has been extremely fair and honest, and he sticks behind what he sells. Sure, Amoeba has a larger selection, but I cannot tell you how many times I have had to return things there because the albums were warped. EVERYTHING at Vinyl Solution is in good shape. I guess it all goes back to the fact that they actually CARE about what they are doing. Don't be swayed by those who do not take the time to explore the store. There are a TON of gems just waiting to be added to your collection. Take your time and ask questions. They always steer you in the right direction. Oh, and don't forget to check the records on the floor! Why buy from Amazon when you can support a real person who actually loves music as much as you do? read more

Good collection but service could be better. None of the employees were help with our questions, they are good as a cashier. Just go in there buy and leave :) read more

Great record store! Excellent selection of used LPs. They even have new release LPs. I like their selection of other odds & ends such as stylus cleaners, turntable accessories, used laser disc, 8track tapes, reel to reels, 45s, posters and betamax players. Every time I've gone inside this place, I end up buying something I didn't expect to find. read more

It's too bad this is the only game in town, as far as a walk-in CD/record store goes, now. I used to bounce between this place and the Tower Records at Hillsdale. Once Tower closed, I would frequent this place to order CDs that you couldn't find at retail music/movie stores. Anyhow, you could order whatever your heart desired at the front counter; they have a big, thick catalog, and they could look up and (attempt to) order a CD. I should have learned my lesson after the first couple of times I did this. I always made a down payment for each CD that I ordered, but I had to wait for an inordinant amount of time for them to come in. It wasn't a hassle for me, so I would check in the store weekly to see if my order came in, and the clerk would always insist that they would call me if it ever came in. So, after that not happening a couple of times, I didn't think much of it and I continued to do business with them. The second-to-last time, I ordered an "import" CD that cost me $25 + tax, which I later saw somewhere for the normal $13. So, I got screwed on that one. Then on my last order, I made a $10 down payment for 2 CDs. After a couple of months of them telling me that the first distributor was out and they're getting them from another supplier and they're on the way, and they promise they'll call me when they're in, I got fed up and ordered them online for $12 apiece, and got them in 3 days. I imagine the CDs never came in, and I never got a call either way. I still have the business card which shows my down payment that I never cared to go back for. I doubt they would honor the payment or refund it after a couple years--they don't keep track of the orders that they make, and you have to keep visiting the store to track your own order. The vinyl selection is ho-hum, and don't expect to find anything special in their new/used CD section. And don't forget: availability is NOT an issue!! Aside from that, the storefront always has tables of VHS tapes and other cheap shit sitting outside. VERY cosmopolitan. read more

Cool vinyl record place! They have such a great variety of selections for various genres from old day music to current music. They sell record players here as well. Definitely will come back here to buy more vinyls. read more

Vinyl Solution is the best. They have the best selection (so much music + DVDs, VHSs, TV series, posters, etc)., nice employees with a good taste in music, amazing prices (with sales on top of that), they'll order in anything they don't already have for you, they're fine with you going in and looking around without buying anything. What more can you ask for in an off-beat record store? read more

Wow! I didn't think music stores like this existed anymore. The store is a big, spacious room filled with records, CDs, some DVDs and cassettes, random music store paraphernalia -- even some 8-tracks. It's full without feeling cramped, and there's interesting music playing without blasting. It is very possible that shopping at a brick & mortar music store is a lost art, but if you still have it then this is the place to do it. You might find a few specific items cheaper online or at a thrift store, but it won't be as much fun. read more

I'm not going to take too much time on this friendly neighbourhood store. A place like Vinyl Solution must be taken at face value. Its a small store, located on a long street of mom-and-pop shops in San Mateo. The kind of store that you would expect in it's location. Their jazz and classical vinyl sections resembled the bargain used bins and most Amoeba and Rasputin stores, but seeing as how there are no other stores in a close proximity, this will have to suffice for people living around it. They do have a CD section, though a small one at that. One rack for jazz and one for classical and both carrying the cutouts from the stores mentioned above. To put it bluntly, I would probably visit this store a few times a year just to see what is going on. read more

tommy is still charging like $7.99 to $9.99 for used CD's. Get real and be thankful they are still making record players cause you would have gone the way of the dodo (er.. tower) if you had to rely upon something other than vinyl... I dont know how he's kept that place open thru the years. Either he owns the building or has extremely low overhead. How much are you paying the 5 dudes working there? They must have sold their souls to you long ago... now that tower and warehouse are gone there is nothing to stop Tommy's empire from taking over the music world. read more

Great selection, owner knows his stuff, the staff was helpful and very friendly. Walked out with a couple of great finds, both used and new.

It's crazy how things come full circle. Think of all theifferent audio formats that have come and gone and yet vinyl somehow has stood the test of time. I guess it's back en vogue again. When you see the cd for $10 and the vinyl version for $19.99, you gotta wonder. However this place is cool for keeping the nostalgia and format alive. Lots of crazy weird stuff you'd never find anywhere else plus modern stuff being put out on vinyl for collectors. read more

I'm so bad when I find a used vinyl and CD shop. I can't help it. First I start with the clearance bins. Second I'm lugging about 30+ vinyl records and CD's around the shop. Third I'm realizing that the longer I keep looking around, the more my arms and debit card are screaming... "STOP ALREADY!" Prices: Kind of expensive compared to Rasputin's Sells poster boards from the record companies: Yes Listening stations for both records and CDs: Yes Well organized music categories: Yes, except for the clearance bins. You spend most of your time digging around. Vinyl clearance bins: 99 cents each or 20 records for $9.99. Sells 45's? Yes. It's always a joy to remember what it was like to put these nostalgic records on a turntable. Special note: If you're looking for a turntable that connects to your computer (turn your vinyl into MP3s), they sell the Audio Technica turntable for less than $100.00. http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/turntables/8b88447e3530f153/index.html read more

Ahhhh, the smell of dust and vinyl. It's a comforting smell to quell the addiction for those thrift store / record shop junkies in need of fix. And Vinyl Solutions, while not Amoeba in grandeur and scope, has that "smell" firmly entrenched in the racks and racks of used (and some new) cds, tapes, vinyl, dvds, vhs, import singles, and whatever else for the music lover. This neighborhood record shop is a rarity, and a damn fine one at that. I wasn't expecting big things when I entered the store, such as a diverse selection or new-ish releases. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the store had a nice, organized layout, it wasn't dirty and cluttered, and the sales associates were NOT snobby! And their store name is no fluke-they sell all things record related: plastic and paper record sleeves for 12" records AND 45s, as well plastic sleeves for laser discs (for a price waaaay cheaper than Streetlight. They don't even carry the 45 and L.D. sleeves), record adapters, records players, vinyl cleaners (how long have I been searching for that???), dividers, and who knows what else. All for a decent price. Music-wise, Vinyl Solutions is the place you go as a destination, not with a set list of musics to buy or if you want to sell your used cds. If you're willing to spend a decent amount of time rifling through the racks, then you're set. Other than that, going there to get the newest Nickelback release isn't a good idea (though the may have it used. But why would you be there if you love Nickelback??!!). As for me, I look for easy listening, lounge, and pop vocals, which usually exists in the cheapie bins. Here, the cheapie records are $0.50 or 5 for a $1!! Overall, Vinyl Solutions is a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon. Open everyday 11 to 7, check it out and have fun. P.S. Did I mention I found a lot of Chuck Mangione??? Him and his flugelhorn! On vinyl! read more

I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS PLACE STILL EXISTS!! I used to hang around here when I was a no good teen after high school. Of course, we had no money and would rarely buy anything but we'd look around alright. Ahh.... good times. Selection's pretty good and it makes me happy that a place like this has survived through all the shit that's happened to record stores. It really doesn't deserve 5 stars, not nearly as good as Amoeba or anything. But for San Mateo, it kicks ass. Support this business. read more