I really enjoyed the vinyl selection. The building and location are kind of odd and the employees could be a little more welcoming. Although, my only real complaint is that they wouldn't let me use their restroom. You could spend a lot of time searching through the vinyl selection, so a bathroom would have been great. read more

I would not recommend shopping at Zia's. I have bought two vinyl records from here and both skip. I thought possibly it could be my record player, however, all the records I have bought from other stores work just fine. It is only the Zia records that skip. I make sure to only buy new records from here, not used, so there is no reason they should skip. If you want a working record I would not buy from here. read more

I went to return a DVD my girlfriend bought from ZIA. She bought it for me last night and it turned out to be the wrong one. No harm, no foul - I'll just return it. We hadn't opened it, still had the bar code tag and plastic wrap on it. So I get up to the counter. I would like to return this, here is my receipt, the unopened DVD that was bought by mistake, and her card. The cashier asks me what I want to exchange it for and I told her I just wanted refund because they didn't have the movie. Cashier, "Sorry we don't do returns." Me, "It isn't opened and was bought by mistake. You guys don't have the movie I want." Cashier *blank stare*. Cashier, "Ok, we don't do returns." I tried to explain that the item was in the same condition as it was when it left the store. Call the manager over and he replies with "It's our policy not to do refunds." Me, "Ok, can you give me some store credit?" Manager, "Sure, I can give you 4 dollars store credit." Me, "The DVD was 23 dollars and you want to give me 4 dollars store credit. You would make an even profit of 19 dollars and somehow in your fucked up mind you think that is just hunkey dory." Manager, "You can exchange it for something right now for the same price. But after 10 days then it counts as a trade-in." Me, "I don't want anything you have right now." Manager, "That's our policy." It's not a policy. It's a scam. ZIA didn't care about this customer even after spending nearly 50 dollars with them on this purchase. read more

If making it safely from the shady parking lot to the interior and buying a scratched up used cd for a few bucks sounds like fun then this is the place for you. Such a big store and filled with a lot of just that: "filler". If you dig deep they have a bunch of crap. I asked the mgr to discount a vinyl that had a lot of scratches and he refused, in the way that only a pretentious record store loser could. I am done with ZIA. I can get better quality new and used stuff on Amazon, or if I want the "record store" experience I will go down the street to Stinkweeds. Zia is like Spencers & Hot Topic had a deformed child. Awful. read more

It always surprises me how organized the chaos is. Sometimes it can be a little difficult to navigate and find what your looking for. But the employees always know where to find stuff. Super helpful. The store could maybe use a bit of a redesign, but that's part of the charm. read more

Zia is awesome! I lived in Phoenix for 14 years and had no idea it existed until I came back to visit. I love all the different sections of the store. You can find anything from vinyls to CDs to books to action figures to comic books. The vinyl section was small compared to Amoeba in LA that I usually shop at, but it was a well organized and great prices on new and used records. read more

The only Zia in Arizona that contains a section for J-Pop and carries a decent library of manga. The one in Tucson on Oracle and Prince used to have a J-Pop section, but sadly that place is not what it used to be. The wife and I left with a ton of J-Pop CD's and manga to add to our collection. While it's not in the best area of Phoenix, it makes up for it with its wide variety of products. read more

I've been coming to Zia stores since I was a student in Tucson over a decade ago and have been generally pleased with my experiences there. They have decent prices on new releases, and I always enjoy browsing and looking for less common CDs that always seem to show up eventually. I don't think I had ever tried to sell anything to them before yesterday. It's not in my nature to thin my collections by selling CDs and DVDs but I happened to have such an occasion recently. I was pretty surprised to have the experience there that I did last night given that the past was always quite positive. I had purchased a bundle of all 9 seasons of The X-Files on DVD from Amazon because they had a great deal on them as a package. I did already own the first 4 seasons, but it was still less expensive than ordering the remaining ones by themselves. Anyway, I was left with the problem of having some DVD sets that I just didn't need, so I thought the best solution for that was to get a couple bucks for them by selling them at Zia. I had, after all, seen these exact sets on their shelves for sale recently. I brought the 4 sets in and was told by a girl at the counter that they only buy used items. I'm sure I had a confused look on my face but told her I'd gladly take the packaging off of them if they wanted them that way. She said that I could bring them back tomorrow but that she couldn't buy them then because she had seen that they were new. That was when another employee chimed in that they wouldn't buy them from me at all (maybe I said something they didn't like) because they weren't used (and maybe she was taking a mental note of my appearance in case I tried to come back). Their looks were condescending, and they didn't even bother to offer an explanation of why that policy exists. I had to tuck my tail and leave with the impression that I had somehow done something entirely wrong. I wound up going to Half Price Books down the road who gladly purchased the DVD sets from me. I probably won't stop coming here altogether because I'm unaware of any kind of comparable independent record stores anywhere around Phoenix. But I doubt I'll try to take anything to Zia to try to sell it ever again. I contacted Zia on twitter, but they didn't seem interested in confirming or denying that they wouldn't buy new DVDs. read more

Excellent always willing to get whatever I request. Kool place very friendly great for our community.

I've found good music, and good movies for cheap each time I go into this Zia... They also have a lot of cool toys! And the staff has always been really friendly to me. Thank you Zia! read more

Good prices, mostly.cool staff, just shady location. But they do have tons of awesome items, from retro games to new games to DVDs and BluRay. I love all the zia locations. read more

Have loved this place since i first started shopping there years ago. The employees are very nice, the trades go for fair prices and they have a great selection of everything from movies to comics. read more

I don't get ou to this one as much as I amon the east side of the valley. The Pros: great hiphop selection on cd and wax. I usually find out of print rock singles cheap ( the part of town makes them worth less because of the strong hiphop crowd.) $2.99 used cds ( these can be found at all zais) Tons of jazz vinyl at Okay prices (headhunters for $3.99) Cons: Vinyl (this is an issue at all zias) is priced incorrectly most of the time. they mark up to the highest list price with no regard to pressing, condition, etc. ALWAYS CHECK CONDITION ON USED LPS! Basically they are looking for a sucker. Kinda hood sometimes in the parking lot. Basically, If I'm in this partof town I'd stop and see what they have. Staff is the most helpful here out of the Zias. read more

Okay this place has aggressive business tactics they take a lot so you will feel good about trading but they don't give much but that is why they are so busy they sell what they take cheap like barely what they gave you for it. It appears they are the new place to shop as their prices can only be described as "I have buy it" low. The "take in" people were super busy but friendly. This Zia exchange is crushing the competition. Also they have the best star wars collection of stuff Ive seen so far. read more

We dont have this store in Chicago and its very sad! I discovered this place while on vacation. It has amazing variety, books, cds, games, merch, pretty much anything you could ask for! The employees were very helpful and friendly as well, and I just loved the vibes in there. Would go back again if I could, amazing store chain!!! read more

Chain-store atmosphere - Not really my bag. Digital medias not really my preference, and what little vinyl they did have (way less then some of the other places I checked out) was filled with scratched Doobie Brothers and Kansas records. Pass. read more

Amazing customer service! Good prices. I can spend all day here with my family. I extremely recommend it to everyone! Love it!

I like that there are many selections, including lots of local music, most at a reasonable rate. I'm all for local promotion so they got my vote there. Otherwise, the staff is particular on who they will help and the store had aged. I'd go back. Maybe next time will be better read more

I've been a fan of Zia's for a very long time. They have a great selection of movies, music, games, and toys. I usually swing by there once a week or so looking for cool old games and new toys. The big con: you cannot return defective games or game systems, only exchange. I recently bought a Sega Master System, and it wouldn't play card games. When I tried to return it, I could only get store credit. That wouldn't be a problem if they had another one, but they didn't. So I could only get store credit. A big flaw in my eyes. Otherwise, a great store. read more

Zia records on Camelback is a great store. It has all the essentials that any great record store needs. Sure it doesn't compare with some of the greats such as Amoeba, but it is still a quality place selling quality merchandise. One can get lost in all the store has to offer from the obvious records, to video games, dvds, cds, random paraphernalia, and anything else in between. I even once bought an iPhone mount for my car their once. The store does have it's flaws, just like any place, but it is still well worth it. read more

I used to love the Virgin Records inside the AZ Mills Mall. I could spend hours there browsing through the books, magazines, and CDs. Even though it was pricey and there was no used stuff (not to my knowledge at least), I loved the store. When it closed down I could not find any place that would replace the feeling I had at Virgin Records. I passed a few times by the old location (19th Avenue and Indian School Road) but never stopped by. Finally, when they moved down the road to Camelback Road, I finally checked it out and was pleased with the selection. What I did not like was some of the overpriced stuff. I was looking for The Rainbow Fish book for my daughter and found a used copy that was pretty beat up for only a couple dollars less than what it costs new at Barnes & Noble! It is in a bad neighborhood full of drug abusers, transients, and sketchy looking people. Other than that, it is a good place to spend some time going through old and new treasures of music, books, movies, and novelty gifts. read more

There seems to be some improvement with prices. At least the common stuff is reasonable now. Maybe it all depends on who's working that day.

Zia is my go-to for vinyl. They have a good selection of both new and used and are getting new titles all the time. Though I'm usually there for vinyl, the cd, movie, and book selection is pretty impressive as well. Even get a band tee from time to time. Very welcoming environment right in my neighborhood. I have never traded anything in however, so I can not speak to that aspect. read more

This place has almost everything you could want for entertainment...music, movies, books, games, etc. The prices are fair enough and it's easy to find rare items you cannot find outside of online stores. The staff is friendly, helpful, and trustworthy. read more

I went to the one on Thunderbird at about 26th Ave. The people were very friendly. I ran an errand while they looked at 60+ CDs. When I returned, they gave me more than I expected (they bought all but ~6 of them). I was very happy. I'll continue to shop and sell there. So happy to find them. read more

I frequent most of the PHX area Zia locations pretty often, less often now that I have a child, but still often. This one is pretty much my favorite. Size and location aren't my only reasons, for the most part the staff is fantastic, and knowledgeable, and most importanly for folks who frequent record stores, leave you alone. Buying entertainment is a leisurely activity. I hate when looking at records, and clearly doing fine, to be bugged with offers of assistance, over and over. I get it you work here, you have the ability to help, I'll find you if I need any. For the most part the prices are very reasonable, the LPs are well organized, and set up well for digging. To be honest I haven't dug around a lot in the singles, as it seems to be a bit organized, but that's okay, part of the fun for some. Very well spread out, making great use of the space, clean, well lit, have found many a gems here... read more

To be honest, this is a location I've never had a good experience. The selection often doesn't deliver, even with somewhat common releases, it feels like most of the shelves are stuffed with circumstantial placeholders and rather inconsequential unpopular music. As far as the atmosphere- it feels like a beehive, I constantly feel like there is someone next to me looking for something exactly where I am, there is a lot of space in the center of the store that is unused and would be beneficial to occupy with the cluster of shelves from elsewhere around the store. read more

prices are never correct, Items in the 2dollar bin ring up at 3.99 or more. Store credit left at the store is never the same when you go back to use it. oops wrong location. This location is great, do not go to zia on Mill road, you feel short changed when you leave, and believe me you probably were. read more