I know. Amazon is convenient. The prices are often lower. The delivery is fast. And I’m not going to pretend that doesn’t matter, because I’m not naive enough to think guilt-tripping people into spending more money is an effective long-term strategy.

Instead, let me make the practical case for why buying records from local independent shops is a better deal than you think, even when the sticker price is higher.

The Price Gap Is Smaller Than You Think

Let’s look at actual numbers. A new LP that retails for $45 at my shop might be listed at $38-40 on Amazon. That’s a $5-7 difference, not the dramatic gap people imagine.

Once you factor in Amazon’s delivery (free for Prime members, sure, but you’re paying $79/year for that membership), and the fact that Amazon’s vinyl packaging is often inadequate (I’ve seen records arrive in nothing but a poly bag), the real-world value proposition narrows considerably.

At a physical shop, you can inspect the record before buying. You can check for warps, seam splits, and manufacturing defects. On Amazon, you’re gambling on warehouse handling and courier care. Returns are possible but time-consuming. And a warped record that spent three days in a hot delivery van isn’t getting un-warped.

What Your Money Actually Buys

When you spend $45 at my shop, here’s roughly where that money goes:

• $22-28 goes to the distributor, who pays the label, who pays the artist
• $2-3 covers GST
• $1-2 covers credit card processing fees
• $10-15 stays with me, covering rent, wages, utilities, insurance, and hopefully a small profit

That $10-15 that stays local pays for a shopfront on your street. It pays a human being who knows music and can recommend something you’ll love. It pays for in-store events, community space, and the continued existence of a place where you can browse, discover, and belong.

When you spend $38 on Amazon, the equivalent margin goes to a global corporation that will never know your name, never recommend an album, never host a live performance in your neighbourhood, and never contribute to the cultural fabric of your community.

The Expertise Factor

This is the thing that gets undervalued most. A good record shop employee isn’t just a cashier — they’re a curator, a guide, and sometimes a therapist. I’ve had customers come in not knowing what they want and leave with a record that becomes one of their favourites, because I took ten minutes to understand what they like and match them with something they’d never have found on their own.

Amazon’s recommendation algorithm doesn’t do this. “Customers who bought this also bought…” is not the same as a human being who’s listened to thousands of records saying, “Trust me, you need to hear this.”

That curation has real value. It saves you from buying records you won’t enjoy. It introduces you to artists you’d never discover through algorithmic recommendation. Over a year of regular purchases, the expertise of a good shop probably saves you more in avoided bad purchases than the few dollars per record you’d save buying from Amazon.

The Community Value

Independent record stores are community spaces. They’re where you meet other people who love music. They’re where you see posters for local shows. They’re where in-store performances happen. They’re where conversations start that lead to friendships, bands, projects, and shared experiences.

None of that happens on Amazon. And once a community loses its independent record store, that space doesn’t come back easily. The rent gets taken by a bubble tea shop or a real estate agent, and the neighbourhood loses something that can’t be replaced.

The Quality Control Issue

Amazon mixes stock from multiple sellers and warehouses. A “new” record on Amazon might have been stored improperly, handled carelessly, or even be a return that’s been repackaged. I’ve had customers bring me records they bought on Amazon that were clearly pre-opened, with fingerprints on the vinyl.

At a record shop, the stock is handled by people who care about it. Records are stored vertically, away from heat and sunlight. If there’s a pressing defect, we catch it before it reaches you. If there’s a problem, you can walk in and we’ll sort it out face to face.

When Amazon Makes Sense

I’m not going to lie to you. There are times when Amazon is the practical choice. If you live in a rural area with no record shop within reasonable distance. If a specific import title is only available online. If you’re buying a gift and need guaranteed delivery by a certain date.

I don’t begrudge anyone using Amazon when there’s no better option. But if you have a local shop, give them first go. Check if they can order it in. Ask about their prices. You might be surprised how competitive they are.

The Bottom Line

Every time you choose your local shop over Amazon, you’re voting for the kind of neighbourhood you want to live in. You’re supporting a real person doing work they’re passionate about. You’re keeping a community space alive.

That’s worth five bucks.