Purchase Street Records

Purchase Street Records sits inside a New Bedford scene shaped by punk, hardcore, metal, folk rock, and local hip-hop. The interview below feels direct and practical: what the shop leans toward, how collections get evaluated quickly, and what the owner hopes people feel when they walk in.

Interview with Purchase Street Records

What's the story behind Purchase Street Records and how it became part of the New Bedford scene?

New Bedford scene for music is more of a punk/hard-core/metal scene, but it does focus on folk rock as well as local hip-hop artist. The scene is very cultural, as well as artistic. A story behind Purchase St Records I have Been around the Music industry. My entire life I perform with a band called all Sinners and my uncle was the original Drummer to Billy Squier's band and a big influence in the 80s rock.

What kinds of used records are most useful for your bins right now?

We have a pretty big metal selection, but in all honesty in truth if I could figure out what sells the best I would be a millionaire at one time I sell a Billy Joel Record, to a Michael Jackson record, to a Metal Church record.

When someone wants to sell a collection, what should they send over before showing up with boxes?

I truly try to have them send photos over due to time restraints and scheduling, but usually if a person names off a few titles of what they have for a collection, I know what they have.

Do you buy full collections, individual titles, or does it depend on the records?

I have bought 10,000 records to 10 records. If I think I will be able to sell it I will purchase it all.

Are there genres or local or regional records you pay special attention to?

We're mainly a modern/Metal store. I stay away from Jazz blues and contemporary classical due to the age of the clients that come into the store mainly are looking for more modern titles.

What condition problems do sellers most often underestimate?

It's hard to check everything but how I do that I look for a more popular title in a collection and if that one's clean, I usually know the entire collection is clean. As for a problem, it's usually moldy cases.

What's the most memorable collection that's come through your door?

The most memorable collection was a 90s rock/grunge collection that walked through the door that I had to pick up on a hot August summer night third floor, but it was amazing.

What would you want a first-time visitor to Purchase Street Records to expect?

I hope we make everybody happy in my mind. I wanna make everybody happy but in actuality people are looking for prices, deals, and can price check anytime nobody's perfect, but we try to be.

Last updated: 2026-07-26