Iconic record seller looking to retire and sell store

Sandy Chase turned what started as a record collection into a successful business, becoming the go-to seller for rare and hard to find vinyl. He's now looking to retire and sell his store and collection of at least 500,000 records to a new generation. Carter Evans has the story.

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[dano-jafo]

I've been ti this store. Never went back because the owners prices were nuts. In 2005, went thru and picked out about ten records. Should of been no more than $50. Wound up leaving with 6 for $42 after a crazy round of haggling. This was before the vinyl resurgence in collecting. He would say every record is rare because it was not being made anymore. It was U2 War, I said to him, they pressed huge amount if these. Nope, he said thats one if a kind because they don't press anymore. That's why he never sold much. I talked to many collectors, and they all said don't go back to that place.

[chambersstevens]

I hope he sells the store to a nice person. He is by far the rudest store owner on Melrose Ave. If you ask more than 2 questions he throws you out. It is joke among my friends how many times we have been thrown out of his store. He has by far the best collection in the city. Please God...sell it to a nice person!

[biffboffo]

This place has been picked over since at least the 90s, when I was living in LA and pretty heavy into records. I never found anything there. Aron’s was the sweet spot.

[machiel]

You can tell the guy doesn't respect or take care of these records. The filthy record he is playing in the store, the lack of sleeves on records over half a century old, etc.

[BlueSky...]

All I can say is, read the Yelp reviews. They tell the tale of a store owner who is often abusive to his customers.

[sGuy.]

I'll probably buy it and turn it into a cafe that sells $15 avocado toasts and $22 Kombuchas, oh and records as a side-order. Wait, is it in L.A.? Perfect!

[badassbenny]

Could this be an historical place and keep it that way? So many records i love to go to this place to check it out. Wow

[davidellis]

Nothing is priced so check to make sure you are paying fair value for your records.

[writerconsidered]

I hope he's discriminating on who he sells it to. It's not just a store its a living museum. The new owner needs to see themselves as a caretaker.

[matstarcher]

Who paid someone off for this national advertising

[chauncygardiner]

That place has been there for years. In the 70's I used to buy records at the original Aron's. I went in there once. Nothing but scratched up Mitch Miller, Perry Como and junk that nobody wants. They just took whatever no other store would take. Good luck trying to sell 500k junk records. Maybe someone will give him a low-ball offer to melt them down.

[ralphseewald]

One man's trash is another man's treasure

[tonyrolando]

guy thought Steve Miller was gonna be the record they didn't have?

[wretchro]

a lot of people hate the guy who owns this store

[raygarafano]

Workers, Herb Alpert! He knows what to do w, a trumpet. Got My Turntable up n running last fall and now have 50 some odd albums.
Platinum records w cerwin vega SL-15s and an SX950 from Pioneer u get some damn good music.

[bltvd]

The guy is insane if he thinks someone should pay him 5 million for that store. He is essentially asking someone to take over storing thousands of unsellable records. Yes certain records are valuable but I would guess the majority of the stock of that store would be what you would find in Goodwill. Oh and it is not organized either? Lol

[djalioop]

Wow, collecting records since the age of 12. I won't be able to sell it if it was me, every record has a story towards my life as a collector. Wishing you the best Sandy.

[-zx]

This was a long time coming. Owner is really disrespectful and pretentious. Sure many of his records have real value (although many also don't), but boy is it unpleasent to go in there when you just wanna browse and he's nearly breathing down your neck, questioning you to see if you are "really serious" about records. The new owner should respect the valuables, but ALSO the customers

[buffalobraves]

How do you not have labels indicating where artists are? That's nuts.

[True_And_Livin]

I wish I could have the blessing to take over his shop. My life is all about music and right here is living legendary business