I love 2nd Avenue Records. They're a Portland icon and have an amazing selection across numerous genres. There are some complaints about the CDs being inaccessible, which is somewhat true. They are behind the counter and you do have to ask to see them, but I've never had anyone be rude about it. The true value of this store is actually the vinyl and the great selection of band tees. I can't speak to anyone's bad experience here, but I just haven't had the same experience as they have. The staff is knowledgeable and can be pretty excited to talk about various genres, special releases and rare finds. I do agree that they're not an overly bubbly bunch with wide smiles and fake customer service friendly communication. I think the staff is just real and chill and very interested in music if you actually wanted to converse about it. Definitely take a look if you're into vinyl, you won't be disappointed.

I've been going to 2nd Avenue records going on two years now. EVERY time I've gone to their establishment its been a joy! Wonderful people on the other side of the counter who are always able to help when needed. The selection of records are always priced extremely fairly, and in great condition! The store definitely caters to certain niches that other record stores don't, but there's also a good variety of genres to browse. Amazing selection of vinyl records, cassettes, CDs, and even T-Shirts! 2nd Avenue Records is an all around great place to find some wonderful music!!

I've collected records for a good while now, from a variety of stores both inside and outside of Portland. Since my first visit, 2nd Ave. has been near the top of my list of favorites. Their selection is nice, and they're usually able to keep most artists in stock (Phil Elverum being an exception, come on guys!). Even still all the records I've gotten have been in top shape, with the exception of my most recent purchase. This brings me to the reasoning behind my negative review. August 2nd. At long last, I track down the 2018 reissue of Godspeed You! Black Emperor's Lift Yr. Skinny Fists... at the fated establishment in question. All seems calm, the staff is in their usual drowsy, unenthused state, as if they had just come off a Xanax/The Smiths binge. Fair enough, it's hot out and work can drag. I return home, enthused about my new find, and am quick to snap on my Audio Technica LP-120, Onkyo receiver, and AT M50x headphones. Mind you, I only care to point out these specific details to emphasize the fact that I own quality equipment and have THOROUGHLY made sure everything meshes perfectly. Granted, I know as much about audio equipment as any RYM frequenter you could find, but I like to think I'm able to put all the pieces together well when following a guide. Technicalities aside, I was bummed to find a fair amount of surface noise on the 2nd and 4th side of the album, as well as a couple skips on the 3rd side. August 4th. I make it my mission to return the record in the state I was given. I enter and locate the first employee at the counter I can, a man who appears to loathe the fact I've brought back a record from the second I snatch eye contact with him. I note in my standard socially awkward yet friendly tone that I had difficulties with the record, stating the issues I've written above. He seems... disdainful? Frustrated? It's hard to say. He inspects it and scoffs, I don't SEE any damage. Seeing how the word damage never came out of my mouth, I'm beginning to doubt his listening skills. Strange considering you'd think the opposite of someone who works at a music store. Y'know, somewhere where you, I don't know, LISTEN a lot. He smugly asks for my receipt, a smirk appearing, ready for me to be unprepared. I provide it however, his face dropping, thus calling me to the back to test the record out on a turntable. Then things get sketchy. He cranks the volume down EXTREMELY low, and throws the needle down on the third side. I can barely hear whatever music may be coming out of the thing, and judging by the fact he's zoned out on a nearby wall, possibly deciding on what type of scowl he'll greet the next customer with, neither can he. After around 30 seconds of listening he tunes back in. Well, uh, I don't hear anything. I remind him that the two skips are within a five second period somewhere near the middle of this 22 minute song. I estimate about ten minutes in because, surprisingly enough, it's difficult to estimate a time frame on a record. I'm not here to take notes of exact time stamps of the record's flaws, I just want to jam to some post-rock. He carelessly tosses the needle toward the center of the record, I wince in response, and he breathily emits About there?. Sure. is all I can respond with. Another 30 seconds pass and the man says sounding as if I've sucked out all his might by asking a simple question Yeah I don't hear it. It's perfectly fine. So to recap, listening to an album at high volume with studio-grade headphones and half-paying attention to one minute of listening on a turntable cranked all the way down is the same in this man's eyes. Perhaps he has some sort of sonar hearing I didn't get the memo on. He shoves everything back in their places and hands it to me. He demands I come back with some more specific issues next time as if I didn't lay out EVERYTHING for him. I just wanted to trade a record. 2nd Ave. put every obstacle in my way to prevent this. And was condescending and elitist the whole time. So yeah, big yikes. Go to Music Millennium or Jackpot instead.

I came into the front door and approached the front counter, to leave a bag I already had with records from a different shop. Before I could ask to leave the bag a guy comes over and almost snatched the bag from my hand. I still purchased two items, the same guy was extremely rude when charging me at the register. Didn't say thank you or anything. Believe me I'm not a needy person but this guy just made you feel unwelcome. I'm from Chicago and generally like to support local small shops. This guy's attitude makes it hard to support a place like this. You should appreciate people coming into your business.

This record store was bordering on trendy, only displaying vinyl and some cassette tapes (as this is becoming a retro trend). If you wanted to look for CDs, you had to ask an employee as they were all behind the front desk. Then they seemed irritated that they had to do this. When paying for our purchases, even that seemed like a burden. The music ended and he left in the middle of the transaction to change the disc, which was not a quick activity. Never said excuse me, thank you, never smiled once. I left feeling like I was not welcome. It would've been great if they appeared happy that you took the time to come into their store to support their business.