Resignation Records

Resignation Records in Troy, Ohio is a vinyl-focused shop built around in-person digging: no holds, no online sales, and a strong emphasis on depth of catalogue rather than only obvious greatest-hits titles. The store buys used records, but sellers should understand what the shop carries and how condition affects value.

In this interview, Mark talks about leaving a corporate career to open the shop, why Troy made sense, what sections have been strong, and what sellers often underestimate.

Interview with Resignation Records

Resignation Records is a name with attitude. What's the story behind it?

I made the decision to open the shop as COVID was winding down in late 2021. I was 20+ years into a career and burnt out with Teams meetings, emails and instant messages and spending every day in my home office surrounded by thousands of records I couldn't enjoy. I was fortunate enough to be at a stage in my career and financially that I could walk away and take a chance on my dream job. As I thought of a name I just asked myself "where am I right now?" "The Great Resignation" was already a part of the popular lexicon by then and I liked the alliteration so it was a pretty quick and easy determination. Quit doing something you don't enjoy. Life is too short.

Troy is a small Ohio city between Dayton and the farmland. Who actually comes through the door?

We get a variety of customers from all over. There is certainly a loyal base of local walk-ins by now but we also have regulars who drive from all over - Dayton, Cincinnati, Piqua, Wilmington, Sidney, Greenville - as well as some regular cross-state commuters who drop off of I-70 and I-75 during their work trips. When I was a record shopper, living near the Dayton Airport north of the city, I noticed I always had to drive south to shop - there was nothing north in under an hour's drive. I looked in Vandalia, Tipp City and Troy for spots but settled on Troy due to its very walkable and vibrant downtown, its proximity to the interstate and the fact that its population (25,000-ish) doubles during the workday. I think dedicated record shoppers seek out new stores so we get new customers every week.

What do your regulars hunt for - and does the shop's taste lean somewhere specific?

Regulars always hit the New Used bins first. We are extremely analog by design. No Holds. No Online Sales. It's in every social media post. I sold on Discogs for years before opening the shop and it's no fun. You sell a record, you box a record, you ship a record and then one out of 100 sales someone complains a VG+ is actually a VG and you refund and get annoyed. I bought from Discogs, too, and there's no magic in that transaction. No hunt, no discovery, no memory made. Our customers can walk in, browse the bin and nab that rare grail because Jane Doe in Denver doesn't get to be the first to click and buy. The shop stocks everything but Classical (and that just because our space is limited). Rock and Pop are focused on late 60s and forward, Jazz from the 50s forward. Regardless of genre, though, we specialize in depth of catalogue. You won't find just Ziggy Stardust and Hunky Dory in the Bowie section but instead over twenty titles from all phases of his career. And we replicate that among all significant artists of all genres.

Which section has been quietly strong lately?

Jazz. And I have worked really, really hard across several years to make it so. I am by no means an expert and I don't speak all the subgenre lingo but I know what I like. I think it's an intimidating genre but also offers the most promise for record collectors because once you've accumulated all your rock, rap, whatever favorites you sometimes look for what's next. Jazz is connected to all and offers literally tens of thousands of new possibilities. I just try to play it A LOT. I find that when people hear something they like they're more willing to take a chance. I don't pretend to be an expert and speak with my limited vocabulary without throwing out a bunch of fancy terms. It's just music. They're just records. If it makes you feel good when you hear it, it's good.

Is there an Ohio punk or DIY thread that runs through the shop - the state has more of that history than people realize?

We're definitely Brainiac fanatics and we're definitely loyal to all things Dayton. That said, I can't pretend to be the hub for regional punk. While there's still a fantastic music scene in the region, there was a kind of peak in the 90s and in that early internet era being geographically removed made a big difference. I think Dayton shops still wear that crown and rightfully so. That said, we maintain a healthy alt and punk section and try really hard to stock and promote local artists, be they on big labels or totally indie. I've run a label in the past (right into the ground) and would kind of like to do so again but I need a little more liquid cash. Another shop owner said to me just last week something along the lines of "this is the most fun way to lose money" and that about sums it up.

If someone wants to sell records, what's the best first step - and what makes a collection an easy yes?

Know what the shop you're selling to carries. Every third stack that comes in is full of Anne Murray, Andy Williams, Neil Sedaka - stuff that just doesn't move anywhere anymore in any volume and that we cannot buy. Take a few minutes to clean up your records. And remove the Half Price Books and Goodwill price tags. It's hard for me to want to offer you much of anything on a dirty LP I know you paid a dollar for. An easy yes is a repeat seller who is also a customer. They know what we carry and we get to know the quality of what they bring in.

What condition problems do sellers most often underestimate?

Long-term storage. Especially in those giant plastic storage tubs that are narrower at the bottom. I have had to turn away hundreds of records that would have been fantastic but that were jammed into those bins and quickly all dished and warped due to their weight versus the shape of the bin. Buyers have also lost a lot of patience for records with names written on them. I know this trend died out in the 70s but we get classic rock with a giant name sharpied across that beautiful art and our offer (and sell price) drop a VG record to a F price.

First visit to Resignation - what should someone know going in?

We're primarily vinyl. Only single digits of CDs or cassettes, if any. We don't grade used vinyl and we price based on our evaluation at intake. Buyers are welcome to examine any used album and request play tests. We welcome diggers and explorers and lovers of all music. We're here to have a good time and help you find something that will make you happy. You won't find twenty copies of the latest pop sensation but you'll probably find one along with nineteen other slabs of Fela Kuti, Big Star, Betty Davis, Charlie Rouse, Yaeji, Joe Ely, The Future Sound of London and more.

FAQ

Does Resignation Records buy used records?

Yes. The shop buys from individuals, and offers are based on title and condition.

What genres does the shop buy?

Resignation Records buys rock from the 1960s forward, R&B/soul, jazz, hip hop, soundtracks/scores, metal, alternative, punk, and electronica.

What records does the shop generally avoid?

The shop generally does not buy easy listening, swing/big band, pop vocals, classical, most country, 78s, or most 45s outside punk rock.

What condition issues matter most?

Records should not be warped or scratched to the point of skipping, and jackets matter. Damaged jackets, missing jackets, names written on covers, and poor long-term storage can reduce or eliminate value.

Last updated: 2026-07-23