Crossroads Records

Crossroads Records in Richmond pushes a simple invitation: take the earbuds out and let the room play. The shop carries new and used vinyl, and its buying net reaches beyond LPs into cassettes, reel-to-reel tapes, music magazines, and musician books.

For sellers, Crossroads is clear about the practical side too: condition matters, some formats fall out of favor, and popular old artists are not automatically valuable.

Interview with Crossroads Records

Crossroads tells people to pull out their earbuds and get lost in the music — how did that listen-first feel become the shop's personality?

I think the reference is more to take the earbuds out and let the music surround you. It is more of a personal connection to the music, hearing and feeling it. Great music has the ability to draw you in and feel the depth of the music in a way earbuds simply can't. Analog has depth and vinyl collectors recognize and seek this in any vinyl experience.

You'll take LPs, cassettes, reel-to-reel, even old Rolling Stone issues and musician biographies — how did the buying net get that wide?

We have a feel for what our customers are interested in and cultivate our buying in those directions.

You've paused buying 45s because of excess stock and never take 78s — how do formats fall in and out of favor for you over time?

We have not paused 45 purchasing but we are more selective than ever based on customer demand and demand on space. 78's has a very limited demand. We started with no intention on selling them - again only so much space. The space needs to generate enough interest and consumer support.

Richmond's scene has real depth — who comes through Crossroads, and what turns up here that wouldn't elsewhere?

Not sure about what you are asking here but if you are asking why someone sells to us vs elsewhere and what shows up; we get anything anyone else in town might get offered. We have a reputation of being very fair and honest about our offers. Everything is divided into amounts being paid so that customers know exactly what they are getting paid for each and can make decisions about selling. If we knowingly come across anything highly collectable we make sure the customer knows so that they can make a knowledgeable choice.

What's the most valuable or surprising record that's come through the door?

Kiss Double Platinum on reel to reel. I actually called the lady selling it back after she was paid for it once I realized it was worth considerably more than I thought at first. It was a really gratifying experience. She would have never known. Wanting to be fair I called her back and said I wanted to give her another $100 dollars total for the reel to reel tapes she sold - the Kiss along with others. She started crying and said she had been praying for additional money somehow the night before. Not sure if record stores, Kiss and God answering prayers ever get linked together often but I was happy to play a part in it all.

Your process is drop-off, receipt, then an offer in a couple of days — what are you actually looking for when you make that call?

Sometimes we can purchase on the spot but typically people drop off at our back door, get a receipt, and we review for quality first and then determine the offer prices. We only sell Very Good Plus rated records - even in our $.99 bins - So a great title in rough shape may only be purchased for the coasters we have made from the centers of records. Every record store wants a steady supply of classic rock, funk, jazz as well as the rare vinyl released during the original demise of vinyl as everything shifted to CD's.

What's the record people are always sure is worth a fortune but usually isn't?

Any extremely popular artist from the past. Popularity meant A LOT of records sold and therefore a lot in circulation aka Elvis Presley etc.

Should sellers clean records before bringing them, and what condition problems hurt value most?

We don't expect sellers to know the condition the way we do; however, water damaged, moldy mildewy, or warped records, records with excessive scratches, or records missing covers etc should not be brought in.

FAQ

How do I sell records to Crossroads Records?

Drop off your records during business hours. If a buyer is not available, you will receive a receipt and the shop will make an offer within a couple of days.

Can Crossroads help with large collections?

Yes. The shop can meet you at the back door with a hand truck so you do not have to carry a collection through the mall.

Does Crossroads buy 45s or 78s?

Crossroads is more selective with 45s than it used to be because of customer demand and space. The shop does not buy 78s.

Last updated: 2026-08-11

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