Record High

Record High in New Bedford stocks records across genres and has added CDs in response to customer requests. In this interview, the owner discusses buying used collections, the local community, and advice for new collectors.

---

Interview with Record High

Record High — where does the name come from, and what's the shop about?

Even before I could talk, I was listening to music. I associate many of the highs, lows, and in-between moments in my life with artists, songs, and albums. I think we all do. So the name represents that emotional response that everyone gets when they’re jamming out. We can all relate to a “record high” from music.

You're in New Bedford, an old coastal whaling city. What role does the shop play locally, and who's coming through?

New Bedford has a long history of being many things to many people. Whether it’s whalers and merchants passing through in the early or days or tourists and immigrants keeping the city thriving today, that “melting pot” identity has always been true. I wanted to create a record store that doesn’t lean too hard into any one space, genre, or style. I wanted to reflect the diversity of the community and also music as a whole.

What are you deepest in — the genres and formats people come to you for?

We don’t lean into one genre or another. I think that is a mistake. When we first opened, I brought in things that I liked and as we’ve grown I have refined that to reflect our customer base. We have a suggestion sheet in-store and I source what we order from that. It is a big reason we have started carrying so many CDs in addition to records – people kept asking!

What's the first tell that a box of records is going to be a good one?

I am assuming this means used and I would say I know it’s going to be good if I can see record spines that aren’t completely mangled. If they are still visibly sealed, then even better. Jackpot!

Do you take the whole lot, or cherry-pick the best — and how does that work?

We have really refined our buying process after buying several dud lots in our early days and getting stuck with stuff that’s really beat up or just doesn’t sell. We now have a really good sense of our customer base and what will sell. If someone brings a lot of records for sale, we will usually look through it on the spot and then make an offer on what we think we can find a new home.

What do sellers most often overvalue — the record they're certain is a payday that isn't?

The mistake that a lot of people make is thinking that because vinyl sales are up overall so is the value of every record ever. The reality from where we sit is that most used records today are not worth more than $30 in great condition. People are buying music not marks in the wax. There are plenty of record stores to buy “grails” or collector items, but we are just not that shop right now.

Cash or credit — what's the one thing you wish more sellers understood before they pick?

We typically just pay cash for records, so this doesn’t matter much. If a regular customer brings us records, they will typically ask for store credit to get something else.

Coastal New England is damp and salty. What condition problems do you see most, and what would you tell a seller to do differently?

Do not stack records on top of each other and do not leave them in basements or attics. This pretty much ensures the collection is worthless. Rodents also love to nibble at the spines and once I can see that, I’m not even going to look further.

What's a record that turned up here that you never expected to see?

Back in February, we had a guy bring us an incredible collection of mostly-sealed classic 80’s rock and folk records. I am a huge Springsteen fan and amid the collection was a completely sealed copy of ‘Nebraska’. It was one of the only original copies I didn’t have. I was absolutely shocked even though it is not the most valuable record. Let’s just say, that one never made it to our bins.

For someone just starting to build a collection, what's your best piece of advice?

Pace yourself! You’ve picked an expensive but important and worthwhile way of enjoying music, but you don’t need to collect every record ever in the first few months. Make a mental or physical list of things you are looking for and work your way through it as you explore different record stores. Make yourself a budget and stick to it. And, on top of that, share your record wishlist with family and friends around holidays and birthdays! It makes you very easy to shop for.

Last updated: 2026-10-28

Store owners

Add a VinylPackman badge

Use this small badge on a Press, About, Links, or News page to point visitors back to the feature.

Show badge code

Need to fix store details?

Owner or staff? Send a correction for review.

Correct this listing