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This store reminds me of what Zia's was most like originally. It's funky in a kind of college town type of mentality. They have never been cheap. They have a really interesting selection of used whatever. Truly there is something for anyone who might come in off the street-CD's, magazines, DVD's, videos.... The service is surprisingly good and I always appreciate that. I never get the" you have gray hair and are old" attitude.
To give you an idea of why I appreciate this store in particular was what happened when I was shopping there. There was a college age guy waiting in front of me waiting to pay. Out of nowhere his friend ran up and pulled his pants to the ground. Ever hear of the word commando? The guy who at this point was blushing just slightly lighter than a red light, grabbed them and pulled them up. His girlfriend was laughing so hard I thought she was going to choke. He then paid and the three of them left all laughing. Standing behind me, a man my age-50's-thought what had happened was shocking. I just smiled. I was at the Zia's just off campus in Tempe. I graduated from ASU. I've seen worse.
I like to buy music and be able to hold it in my hand the moment I pay for it. I like to open up the case and pull out a booklet or cover that shows me lyrics and pictures and random shout-outs to people.
I like walking into a record store and being able to get honest and intelligent feedback from the people who work there.
If I say, "Hey, I really like this band and I wondered if you knew of any other bands that I might like?" I want a good response from the employee I spoke to.
And if I have a great conversation about old school bands and decide to buy a few cds, I like being given a bunch of stickers or random ep's from the guy behind the counter. I am a firm believer of: if you are nice to the service professional, they will be nice to you.
This is true of ZIA Records. If you are nice to the employees, you might get a sticker out of it and a kickass new cd.
you cannot go wrong at zia. brought hubs there because he's huge on old school punk and so i knew he would be able to find some gems at zia. good for zia, bad for our bank account-we left there $200 bucks lighter, and that's even with the awesome guy at the counter telling us about some reward program where you get points and it helps you get cds half off or whatever (the guy figured it out for us cuz he was AWESOME). we got like 23 cds or something tho, so obviously it was a good deal oh, i got two of my friends some gifts from there too-zia is a good place for random fun gifts. we had to buy 2 cds new ( i HAD to replace my mudvayne cd for the ride back to cali!) and it was cool they had those in stock.
Aw you gotta love Zia. Gotta support your favorite store. They have old records, a wide selection of hard to find CDs, you can do trade-ins.
I approve.
But only 3 stars worth because they're not cheap. If you want a new released main stream CD, hit up Target.
Realized as I was posting my review of Hoodlums that I've never actually reviewed my favorite place for CD shopping...
You'll find me here a couple times a week when I get bored at work browsing for CDs and DVDs. They've also got VHS tapes, records and video games for all platforms. The selection is incredible, the prices are reasonable and the quality of their used stuff is top notch. Believe me, I've tried to sell them some scratched stuff over the years and they won't take it. The employees are super friendly and I absolutely love their rewards program, which is free. Membership comes with cool discounts - and a wallet card or keychain tag (they give you both - you choose which one to use) that they ring up with each purchase - it's also how they track your store credit if you trade/sell them your used stuff, which I do. All the time.
Overall, Zia is a nice place to get CD's and movies. I've had some negative experiences a few years ago, but nothing like that has happened since. There used to be this air of snootiness with some of the cashiers, but I haven't encountered anything like that in a long time. It was especially the case when trying to sell DVD's. I was broke as shit and needed to sell off some movies and the dude I was dealing with told me a special features disc on a box-set I had was damaged, so I couldn't sell it as a box set and I got less money. I watched the special features, like, ONCE and I take really good care of all of my DVD's, so what's the fucking deal? I think they did it so that they could sell the movies individually and make more of a profit as they'd be easier to sell. I know that's a ballsy claim, but look at my DVD collection. Spotless.
It also used to be that your collection of music or movies would be scoffed at. Don't scoff at me, motherfucker! My taste rocks the shit, it's your taste that sucks, Mr. Avant-Garde-I-Only-Watch-Fellini-Followed-up-by-Jo dorowsky. If I want to be scoffed at, I'll try to sell Wal-Mart jeans to Buffalo Exchange. Anyway, like I said, nothing like that has happened in a long time, so it's a lot more pleasant, less snooty.
Just so you know, this is not a place to buy new movies. Their new releases are outrageously overpriced. I've seen some Hollywood mainstream fare selling for like thirty bucks, when I know damn well at Best Buy it's probably going for like twenty at most. Anyway, whatever, this is a place for used movies.
In reference to their movie selection, they don't have a lot of classic movies. I couldn't find The Wild Bunch, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre or Night of the Hunter. Depending on who sells what, some pretty decent shit will roll in. It took about five visits, but they finally had Trainspotting and I snatched it up but quick.
When it comes to music, they've had just about everything that I wanted. It's easy and I've always gotten what I wanted from various musicians. I'm not a big music geek, so I've never looked for anything too obscure. I'm a movie geek. I can't be both, I don't have the time for two obsessions, but I do love my music.
They have what I want, which may or may not satisfy your needs as a music geek. They have T. Rex on vinyl for cheap. I've seen some Tom Waits on vinyl. Basically any artist I enjoy, they'll have their CD. It does the job.
One major complaint: Every time I go to Zia, there's always, ALWAYS some goober who is standing so as to block an entire aisle and won't move his ass. I don't like saying, "Excuse me," I think you should just know better and kindly move the fuck out of my way. I know it's not Zia's fault, but goddamnit... every fucking time.
LOL, this place has been around as long as me! I went in recently to do a trade/sale. It stunk like incense soooo bad! Sorry not everyone can handle it. They have a good selection of oddball stuff. If you want something out of the norm this is a good place to check. Selling items to them can be done, but you will probably get more on ebay or at a yardsale. If you trade for credit you get more. Give it a try!
Zia rocks~!
They always have the CD's I'm looking for and if they don't they will gladly order it. They buy my used CD's and do not scrutinize them with a huffy "my music taste is so much better than yours" attitude. Their rewards program is awesome, last time I was there I got $11.00 off my CD purchase. Woot woot! They also have a cool zine that can hip you to all the new music coming out and they list all the bands coming to the valley on their window in front. Nice!
Zia Records is an awesome valley CD store which carries a wide range of every genre. Nothing is too specialized. They have used CDs on the cheap, they take trade-ins, and the place looks fucking cool.
I have been to every single Zia Records in the Phoenix area, and the Tempe location is by far the best one. They have a very large general selection of music and they carry some more obscure music as well. Much more of a selection than any other Zia, especially for metal. They have all of your metal, from early 80's to the most heavy of death metal. They also carry a good amount of the post rock I listen to, which is good enough for me. But that's not really what Zia is for. New CDs are cheaper on the net. This place is for browsing the used CDs. I always come out with at least one or two.
My CD rack is basically 25-50% used Zia Records albums. You can tell by the Zia Records sticker. Which leads to a complaint. Why do you put such difficult stickers on these things? Zia stickers are not easy to pull off and they are often numerous. They essentially will cost some work to get off cleanly or will ruin your jewel case.
Oh yeah, the staff. They're definitely an odd bunch, but not like the other Zia stores. This location doesn't have the raw punk/metal types like all of the other stores. Instead, it seems to be about 50% hipster 50% punk. They're not super friendly nor are they overly customer service oriented. They'll do their job and help you out, but don't expect someone with a Lamb of God shirt to be ecstatic about helping you find the latest Radiohead CD, or vice versa. On the other hand, if you two are into the same type of music, you now probably have a new friend down at Zia.
The only real negative about this store in specific is the parking. There is a tiny ghetto parking lot with signs plastered all over that you're trespassing on (some other store)'s property. What the hell?
One more thing. Zia stores are open until midnight. No, I'm not lying. It's just that great of a chain.
Zia covers my simple needs for finding Cd's in my era---late 60's through the 80's.
I never have to wait to get help, as there staff is all over the place, and the selection of Cd's is terrific! You can bye new or used Cd's, what's your preference?
Location is easy to get to on University Blvd. and close to the happening Mill Rd district.
If you are looking for DVDs, they have that too and Off-The-Wall Music and Videos for the diversified varied taste.
I might give it five stars if they offered me a latte' as I was shopping....lol
I've been coming to this Zia since I was in the 7th grade. Since then, they've definitely beefed up their CD and DVD collections a bunch and you could literally spend a whole day just looking through different titles. I think they need to tone down the DVD collection a bit because it's JAM PACKED with crappier titles that no one seems to want and could be easily be found at a Best Buy or the likes. However, if you're looking for something particular or obscure, you'll find it here without a doubt. Another plus is that they do the "buy-sell-trade" thing which is always a reason to come back. The staff is always chill when it comes to finding what you need, chatting about different artists, or ordering something if they don't have it. This place is as much a staple of the Valley's music scene as much as any of Phoenix's music venues that have been around for more than 10 years.
Zia, Eastside and Bookmans are the Trinity when it comes to record stores and its kinda funny and convenient that Zia and Eastside they are like 100 feet away from each other. An AWESOME selection of used CDs and good selection of new. They have tons of DVDs and vinyl. This is your stop for any CD/DVD needs. The Vinyl selection at Zia is better for your new vinyl needs and not so much for used classic vinyl. Although the back ally parking is kinda sketchy and I can't get my wife to go with me. Plus its lock that there will be a bum out front asking for money. But its worth parking in murder alley and getting hustled by bums. Still 5 stars.
I love Zia, used to work here when I was like 17, but the one in Phoenix. You can find pretty much any band, and possibly used for cheap. If it's not there they can order it.
I hear a lot of people complain about zia. Mostly people that live by all the record reviews on pitchfork. i do not like pitchfork. i do not like these people that complain. zia is a record store. they may carry a lot of really shitty music, but its not their job to cater just to my tastes, because drunk metal dudes and jocks need their music just like i need my music. i love this zia location because i love the staff here. if you want to be schooled, find yourself a young asian gentleman that goes by the name of "Ed" and he will try and convince you that R. Kelly is a genius, while also introducing you to wonderful music you haven't heard of (maybe). But besides Ed, most of the staff is awesome, funny, and totally helpful. I love them.
The Tempe Zia is the best one around. The problem I have run into at its other locations is their inconsistency. Used CD's are cheap, but sometimes hard to track down. They have a good selection of posters and LP's, as well.
In a city without much in the way of independent music stores, Zia is a lifesaver. Trade in your old CD's for cash and keep your ear out for good local bands, too.
Coming out here from NYC, I was shocked to not find more record stories in a large college town. I thought that Zia would be more of a speciality store on first look and on seeing the pierced, punked-out, and gothed-out employees. True, the music on when I've been in the store has often been of the punk and black metal variety, but the store is well-stocked with all genres of music. I've gotten some pretty good deals here on music as well as on DVDs.
My heart has never really warmed to Zia, however. Maybe it's because the selection is not as ecclectic as the store's image. I've rarely found a great deal there on more underground music or found rare albums. Coming from a music fanatic, Zia is a good record store, nothing more or less.
Zia will always have a soft spot in my heart.
When I was a poor college student living off oriental flavored top ramen, I'd sometimes find that I was having a problem making my monthly rent.
Not to worry, I would simply pull out my box of CD's and make a pile to try and sell at Zia. On a few separate occasions, I made around $80 from doing this. I did make my rent, but I had no CD's left at all.
Pretty cool though that I was able to count on peddling my CD's to make the rest of my rent. Ah. The good old days.
Purchasing CD's at Zia is awesome too. You can buy new or used and you'll always get a good deal. Plus, Zia is a big supporter of local music, which is cool and they often will sell albums and carry flyers for AZ bands.
There are only a few Zia's in Arizona, but if you happen to drive past one, be sure to stop in- you'll love it.
Although I stopped buying CDs a long time ago thanks to iTunes, I will always think of Zia in a fond way. I spent most of my college years purusing the aisles after class looking for hard-to-find classic records, box sets and new albums that I simply must have. I love the variety of the store and I'm always amazed at how knowledgable the staff is. They will talk to you for hours on end about music. And the store is great for selling your old CDs when you want to make some extra money for that next road trip or for books for next semester or for some drinking money for the weekend even!
Good place to trade in all your useless cds. I remember hawking a couple of my NWA and Wham cds for dope....
pretty good place to buy or sell used books, CDs, movies, etc.
i haven't really been since the advent of downloading, but i always favored Eastside over this place for atmosphere, authenticity of "record" shop and staff.
I love Zias. I walk in there with the intention of buying one cd and leave with a handful. The staff is pretty helpful but I rarely ask them for help. The music they play is often too loud to shop but I won't give them bad marks for that.
Please. Is there anyplace else to buys CDs in the Valley? Its proximity to 50,000+ college students makes for a very good selection of used CDs.
i love their selection of tapes, records, cd's and books! their prices are very reasonable and the people who work there were always friendly. it's one of the only places that has survived that area, which makes me sad. the other cool thing is they buy from the public, so if you have stuff you want to trade in or sell, this is your place.
Tempe, AZ
Category: Music & DVD's
Tempe, AZ
Category: Music & DVD's
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Music & DVD's
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Music & DVD's
Phoenix, AZ
Category: Music & DVD's
I lived near this strip for five years, and…
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