Earwax Records

I haven't purchased any analogue equipment yet, but the proprietor was very accommodating and knowledgeable. He was willing to spend time with me as a perused his stock of vintage turntable decks and amps.

The prices are a bit above market on these items, but the store has overhead, so this is to be expected.

Good vibe.

Great record recommendations for unknown artists. These two records are excellent and they also had a good assortment of stuff I was not familiar with. Mostly new stuff.

I went to Earwax today hoping to exchange a record my husband bought new for my birthday. The first track skipped horribly and after cleaning the record with no improvement, I thought an even exchange might be warranted.

When I explained the situation, the clerk immediately began asking questions about my setup. I have an AudiotechnicaLP60, and when I told her this she immediately launched into a speech about how this is not a good turntable and educating me about what a counterweight is (which I already know). She told me that she had bought the same turntable for a friend thinking it was good and it wasn't. (Not relevant to this situation) She played the record at the shop and it played well with no skips so she said they were unable to exchange the record. She again insulted the turntable I own, and I shared that none of my other records skip like this but she insisted that I should upgrade my setup. I understand the policy of 'if it plays here, we won't accept a return or exchange' but insulting my knowledge was a step too far.

Although I may not have the most quality turntable on the market, I do posses knowledge about how to take care of my records and how a turntable and audio setup works. I happen to be unemployed after a layoff, so I don't exactly have the money to buy a new turntable or really even a new copy of this record. So honestly, this just made me feel bad.

Earwax is in my neighborhood, and I have spent at least $200 here since I started collecting my favorite albums on vinyl. (BTW all of those records play perfectly on my setup!) I always think to patronize local businesses first. Unfortunately, after this interaction I will be avoiding this shop and visiting other shops in the neighborhood or online retailers that offer better customer service. Honest advice, please just stick to your policies when dealing with these situations, Earwax. Insulting and patronizing me really wasn't necessary.

Very good collection for all genres of music and even some cleaning material , but the staff here are disrespectful and they get easily mad over simple questions

Staff should not be so confident on pressing info if they aren't sure. I was told a used record off the wall was a first press without them actually checking online for me. I always double check with Discogs to make sure before I buy but there is zero internet service in there if you have AT&T so I was relying on what the salesperson told me. I was told wifi is not available for customers. Why not? This place is fine if you're a casual collector, not if you are a serious collector who wants to make sure they know what they are buying (maybe if you're have Verizon it's not an issue).

EDIT: seeing the owners response made me realize that I didn't add the fact that two of the records I bought there were not accurately described by the salesperson. I asked if one of the records was a first press, I checked Discogs when I had internet access and it was def not a first press. I was told a different record was limited to 500 but again after checking Discogs myself, it's limited to 5,000. As a serious collector I cannot shop here.

It's Feb 2022 and they have a mask requirement and a 5 person limit. The world is opening up. NY Governor stopped mask requirement. I was in Brooklyn Bowl earlier today and it was full of families with kids and no masks. It was... normal. As someone who literally danced in the streets when Biden won, and who is a "socialist" as well as a scientist, I have 0 tolerance for Earwax's extreme position. I'm taking my money elsewhere. No hard feelings... just no.

Guy at the counter wasn't wearing a mask and was coughing all over the place.
Records seemed good but the guy poses a health hazard. This is supposed to be a record store, not the white house.

This is a really charming store but all the good stuff is decoration. The selection is pretty much all new pressings of records. It's a longtime Williamsburg holdout but I'm not really sure why it exists. There are ten much better record stores within walking distance. Record Grouch, Academy, Captured Tracks, Blue Sun, Human Head, Rebel Rouser, etc. I hate shutting on a record store but it's kinda galling to see a bad one in an area that has such a high condensation of great ones. I want this store to be good but instead it feels like a bad dream about record shopping I hope they can turn it around and find a way to make it special or valuable in some way.

Piss poor shop no evidence of grading of overpriced used records. In fact was asked to not "touch the grooves" on the records I had an interest in. Inspecting the records they were found to have significant scratches across the tracks more than likely affecting play quality.
As a former multi shop owner and one of the largest collectors in the east coast I was insulted by the obvious inexperienced staff member who felt it necessary to ask me to not touch the grooves. If the clerk would of been paying attention she would of noticed I handle vinyl as any audiophile would.
Needless to say I ended my visit.. did not purchase anything.
The shop is small with over priced represses and a small selection of used, I believe after the staff learn how to treat customers .. they should probably have a lesson in the alphabet as the organization in this shop would not allow you to believe that the person with the responsibility of organizing the stock is familiar with the English alphabet.
I would guess the shop does not have more than 1500 records in stock and the pricing scheme does not reflect current market price in any form.
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If you ever visit this store, the guy behind the counter will make it clear that he does not want your money. So don't give it to him.