Cameron Records

Cameron Records in Billings is unusually open about how it buys collections, including the cash and store-credit percentages sellers can expect. TJ says that transparency helps regulars understand the offer before they walk in, while Discogs, condition, demand, and local sell-through still shape the final number.

Interview with Cameron Records

TJ, you're "always buying collections" and completely transparent on pay — 35-40% cash, 50% store credit off retail. How did you decide to publish those exact numbers?

I think being transparent on our pricing builds trust with our customers. When people know what we are reselling their records for, it makes the purchase negotiations much smoother. Most understand that we have to make a profit in order to keep our doors open. Having kept these margins consistent, many of our regular customers continue to sell or trade for credit, and already have a ballpark idea of our offer, especially if they are familiar with Discogs.

Billings is the biggest city in Montana but still off most record maps — how's the scene there, and who comes through Cameron?

While we are the biggest city in Montana, we are still 8-12 hours from another major city. We get our fair share of tourists passing through, and visiting the record store, just like I do when I travel. There is a great, dedicated record buying community in this city and we are honored to be part of it. The scene is all eclectic, we have new collectors in their teens to longtime collectors in the 80s. Some assume that because we are in Montana people are mostly looking for country but our biggest sellers, for new inventory, is hip-hop, metal and punk.

You lean on Discogs for pressing and value, then factor how well something sells in your shop — how much does local Montana taste move the number?

Not much. Discogs is the great equalizer, a snapshot of the current buying market, and it's such a trusted source for collectors. I rarely, if ever mark anything different based on the local market. If items are in little demand locally, or very obscure, I tend to list them on Discogs, but 99% of what we buy goes in-store.

What's the most valuable or surprising record that's come through in a collection?

We are always on the hunt for odd records, especially limited run psych records. I think allot of obscure bands played in Billings at small venues and some of these odd records found their way into a box of frequently discarded records. We found a copy of Hunger "Strictly From Hunger" in the trunk of an older woman's car. That sold for $2,000. Recently we found a copy of Instant Orange "Five Year Premiere" in a stack of beat up kids records, and that sold for $1500.

Running a serious record shop in Montana, do collections come to you from across a wide rural area?

Yes. We knew when we opened the shop here that we would have to travel, and while there has been a steady stream of collections in-town, we have had to travel plenty. Every year I advertise in a couple of the bigger cities in the state and hit the road buying collections.

That cash-versus-credit gap (35-40% vs 50%) — how do you counsel sellers on which to take?

I just gauge of the seller. Obviously the credit option serves our bottom line better, and most collectors opt for that. However if the seller is not a collector, we default to the cash offer.

Roughly what does a common record fetch versus something you're genuinely excited to buy?

Common records are usually sell anywhere from $5-$10, for older vintage records. For most of these I usually offer 35%. For records that I know are big sellers, especially fast sellers, I generally pay more, between 40%-50%.

Do you buy 45s and 78s, or is it LP-focused?

We buy LPs and CDs. CDs are hot right now. We do not buy 78s, just not enough of a market. We used to buy 45s, however last year we bought a storage unit with over 10,000 45s and I will be sorting through that well into retirement so we stopped buying 45s.

Should sellers clean records before bringing them, and what condition problems most affect your offer?

We clean our used records before they go on the floor so thats not super important. Split seems, torn jackets and water damage are the biggest red flags for me. If I smell water or mold, sometimes I will pass on the whole collection.

What do people most often overestimate about their records — and what quietly sells better than they'd guess?

Allot of sellers put huge emphasis on the popularity of the artists. Many think artists like Elvis still have a huge resale, and that market is not very hot. The Beatles are another one. We love buying Beatles records, but so many people assume every reissue is far more valuable than our selling price. Its difficult, but in these situations sometimes its better to pass. I would rather the seller keep their records than think we lowballed them. I really like buying records of affordable frequent sellers. I have plenty of back stock for the Beatles but I would gladly take a box full of .38 Special and Bob Seger records.

Last updated: 2026-07-31