Might As Well Face It, You’re Addicted To Collecting Records | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Might As Well Face It, You’re Addicted To Collecting Records

A self-help guide.

340
Might As Well Face It, You’re Addicted To Collecting Records
Jon Linskey

Some people jumped back into collecting, some never stopped collecting and others are just starting down this path, but for some reason all vinyl collectors soon become addicted. Vinyl collectors live for the high of digging through crates of vintage records at stores or flea markets, searching for new vinyl finds online, going through their parents collection, and finally sitting down to listen to the unique sounds of vinyl. Any vinyl record collector knows the feel of that rush when they run across a particular collectible they have been searching for for years. But, how do you know when you've gone too far?

Six warning signs that you too may be addicted to vinyl record collecting:

1. You bargain with yourself to justify purchasing another new vinyl.

You tell yourself that you will put money in your savings next month. Or you convince yourself that buying vinyl is an investment so the 401k can wait. Maybe you say to yourself, “I’ll sell some of my least favorite vinyl that I really don’t listen to anymore.” No matter what, buying vinyl will always win over practicality.

2. You could teach a class on eBay auction sniping and record flipping.

Anyone who has purchased collectibles on eBay knows the feeling of being outbid at the last second, as well as the feeling of not being able to find a BRAND NEW RELEASE because all the copies have been purchased by flippers who will attempt to sell these copies on eBay and Discogs. This is a sad, sad feeling we will all feel at one point or another, but know that you will get the last laugh when the record label decides to repress the album.

3. Your local record store knows you by name.

Your record store is like a vacation destination. You actually get ready and prepare to visit the store. However, if the staff greets you by name when you come through the front door, this could be a strong sign of addiction. Do they hold vinyl for you or even call you when something special comes in? This is when you know you’re really in trouble.

4. You assume it’s acceptable to sit at home every day and night listening to vinyl.

What's the point of spending a substantial amount of money on vinyl record collecting if you're not going to listen to them? And no, this decision has nothing to do with the fact that you've been living on ramen and PB&J for a month to fund your latest purchases and have no money left for going out.

5. You are willing to spend hours of your time alphabetizing your albums, and it is the focus of your home decor.

Your collection must be perfectly organized, flawlessly arranged and in a special storage area in the main room of your home, assuming that your listening room is your main room.

6. You spend at least $1,000 a year on audio equipment and records.

Most new releases are going to run you around $15 to $30, but every now and again you feel like splurging on that mint first press of Joy Division’s “Unknown Pleasures.” And you seem to do this more often than you should…maybe like once a month.


But of course, in the end it's all worth it. You know that your record collection is not just for show, it's there because your passion is buying, listening to, and collecting the music you enjoy, and maybe you don't have enough money for a $200 album, but that's fine, buy the cheap repress! What matters most is that you enjoy the music.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

10 Signs You Work In A Restaurant

There's always chaos in the restaurant business.

996
10 Signs You Work In A Restaurant
Brisanis

Working in the restaurant industry is possibly the most fundamentally challenging occupation I have ever experienced when it comes to hospitality and customer service. When you go to a five-star restaurant you expect the time of your life, a two hour getaway, a walk through another time period (rustic Italy, France, Spain, etc), or simply a honeymoon undergo. What you don't see are the behind the scenes scut work: carrying trays, polishing glassware and silverware, kitchen chaos, the list is endless. Now, I'm not saying being a host, server, or bartender is the worst thing in the whole wide world, there are definitely worse things. But the fact of the matter is that it isn't always sunshine and rainbows. In the two years that I have spent in restaurant and customer service, I have spoken my share of expletives, yelled at kitchen staff, and dealt with not-so-happy guests. It isn't easy to keep a bright and shiny smile on your face when all you want to do is choke every person who walks near you. Anyone who has spent even two weeks working in a restaurant understands the rigor and stress that comes with it. Restaurant culture is a tiny world in and of itself that operates on its own principles and creates its own society. It even has its own language. The sayings "runner", "corner", and "on a bus" wouldn't make sense to anyone otherwise. My mother and I both work in a restaurant and the best advice I can give someone going out to eat is to treat us like people. Yes...believe it or not we are people, people. Say "please" and "thank you", or stack your cleared plates before a busser gets to the table. Trust me, the gesture goes a lot farther than you may think.

So, if you work in a restaurant, you can relate with the following points. If not, check out how the brain of a restaurant service (or any customer service) worker actually works. See if you can identify any crazy weird habits your friends have a tendency to partake in.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

11 Things I Learned My Freshman Year of College

Not everything you learn in college can be found in a textbook.

703
Breanna Vogel
Breanna Vogel

One of the scariest things we will ever face in our life is going to college. Many of us move away to a new town, join new organizations, and make new friends. We are expected to study, have a social life, relationships, maybe work, and be healthy. It seems pretty easy to do, and in high school all we wanted to do was graduate and move on to this next chapter of our lives. If you are in high school, here are some things that you can learn from before you get to college. If you have already been through your freshman year of college, hopefully you can relate to the things I have learned in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
how to get away with murder
Tumblr

It's about that time where we are too tired to do anything productive, too cold to leave bed, and too lazy to find a new show to watch so we result to re-runs.

For all of you home-bodies, for all of you cold weather haters, here are my suggestions for this holiday break. Let the binging begin!

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

12 Long-Term Relationship Milestones

You've got a keeper if you've made it to any of these milestones.

990
couple on the beach
Pexels

You've been together for so long. It's great. And as the time spent in your relationship grows, you hit certain milestones where you know it's real. These can be make-or-break moments, or just little things where you finally realize that you're both doing it. Everybody hits these milestones, no matter how long it takes; they're inevitable.

You know you've made it when you hit these long-term relationship milestones.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 Of The Best Shows To Binge Watch Over Winter Break

As the semester is coming to an end, most of us are going to have more free time on our hands. This calls for binge watching a new show on Netflix and really using this break to relax from the stress of school. Here are some of the best shows on Netflix that you should be watching.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments