Record Store Day 2012: The one that got away & the one that didn’t

In the lead up to record store day, I thought it would be fun to hear about all the records that got away. What is the one record you wish you never sold?  What's the one you're really glad you didn't?

I tell the story often, and I’ll tell it again….my journey to becoming financially responsible started at In Your Ear on Thayer St. When I started working at 15, I would drive with friends to Providence and spend my entire paycheck on records. When I turned 16, I stopped buying records long enough to save $500 to buy a car, then I would drive myself to Providence to buy records. I think my first car ride out of Warwick was to Thayer St to go record shopping. With a car came car insurance, so when the insurance bill came due, I would bring a milk crate full of records to In Your Ear and sell back enough to pay the insurance, then when I got my next pay check, I would buy those records back at a much higher price than what I sold them for. Thinking back on it now, the record store was kinda like a hock shop for the 16 year old me. 

The lesson learned, if I spent a little less on records each week, I could keep my records and pay my insurance at the end on the month.  Vinyl economic.

The one that got away. I really wish I hung onto that Side By Side 7-inch. Not sure why, just wish I did.


The one that didn’t, The Clash City of the Dead.  The last time I sold records was to Fast Forward, when they were on Steeple Street. I brought in my milk crate and they gave me a price for all but 1 record. Judy handed me back The Clash Complete Control / City of the Dead single and said “you don’t want to sell this.” She was right, I didn’t. Thanks Judy!

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