Record Exchange

I love stopping by the record store! I don’t buy cards or records anywhere else! Also the shows they put on are fantastic! Buying dvds here is also super affordable and the owners are really great people!

Record Exchange has a huge selection of new and used vinyl that is perfect for beginning a collection, or if you’re already a connoisseur. It kinda reminds me of places like Amoeba in Berkeley, CA (if they’re still open? It’s been years…), just much smaller in scale.
I purchased a turntable for my girlfriend as a Christmas present. She had voiced interest in having one and I have always loved the sound of vinyl, be it a fresh, newly cut record, or an old, well loved LP.
In the age we live, it’s hard to pop down to a music shop and pick up some vinyl. You’d think that, being a somewhat dated technology, records would be relatively cheap and easy to come by. Well, for the most part, that is true. However, you sacrifice variety and quality for the abundance of cheap, second-​hand vinyl. Thrift stores are rife with old vinyl, but it all seems to be Englebert Humperdinck or readings of the bible. Invariably these are warped by heat or look like they’d been put through the wash.
The selection that Record Exchange offers is terrific. Not only are you able to find classics in mint condition, they also have used records and bargain bins. Additionally, they have music from all sorts of genres, though some are lacking in depth (e.g. I could not find more than 1 Bonobo album). Everything I have purchased has been in good condition, even the used albums I got for a buck. it has also allowed me to experience some weird, yet charming, stuff I would have never heard had I not grabbed it from the bargain bins.
There is also a knick-​knack area to the store where you can purchase things like Dr. Who lunch boxes, incense, and t-​shirts. There’s even a little café.
This is definitely a place to stop if you’re visiting Boise, a local spending the afternoon downtown, or just if you haven’t been yet. Even if you’re not looking for anything in particular, it’s a fun place to stop in and poke around.

Finally, and at last, we found our way to the Record Exchange. What a fun, funky shop! I can’t imagine that there wouldn’t be something for every taste here.
The layout of the store is well-​organized and they stock every genre. The also sell non-​music items such as music– and Idaho-​themed t-​shirts and truly weird gifts for that hard-​to-​buy-​for friend.
If you are a music lover, plan on spending some quality time here. The prices are a tad high, but you can’t beat the assortment.

I have recently moved to Boise as of mid August of 2015. But I have been to this fantastic place before, in 1984 and late 1988. In both instances, I was always very impressed by my visits. Hard to find stuff seemed very easy to find here in my first few visits. Since I’ve recently moved to Boise, I have visited twice, and have continued to be impressed by the selection here. If you are looking for something a bit more lesser known than Best Buy, or other generic «cd stores» would never have, try this place out. The prices are surprisingly good, the selection is just as amazing as I remember when they had more albums than cd’s. The greatest thing, is that I only live .9 miles away from it. Then again, that could be a curse. Still, this has to be one of the best record/​cd stores I’ve ever shopped! Keep up the good work!

Record Exchange is like half record store, half gift store. I didn’t really check out the music (I’m one of those online streaming customers now) but I did extensively check out the gift store part, being a tourist and in search of Boise stuff.
They offer a variety of stuff… jewelry gift cards, mini coloring books, merch, stuff for the home, stuff for the office, apparel, Star Wars stuff, animé stuff, nerdy stuff in general, and Boise gifts like shirts and mugs. Some things are similar to stuff you would find in a Hot Topic, and some stuff you would find in the hipster Urban Outfitters fashion area. All were pretty cool and decently priced as well! I got a few magnets, some My Neighbor Totoro stuff, and some Christmas gifts! Also, there was a sale going on at the time I went, so I got to score with that deal too.
There is also a café in the store; didn’t get to try it but their offerings looked good. Thanks!

This place is near heaven for vinyl record enthusiasts of all levels. They have the expected top artists from every decade to suit the needs of entry level collectors, as well as a good selection of turntables and audio equipment for beginners. However, their selection also contains a good amount of rarities and lesser known artists for more advanced collectors. One attribute that makes this store so great is that their used records are actually worth browsing. While in most record stores you might find an exciting find every couple hundred records, at the Record Exchange I find an interesting album within about every 10 records I pick up. Whether you are new to the vinyl collecting hobby or are well established, definitely check this place out.

Formerly very cool spot is branching out too much. Used to have very solid selection and now that’s mostly gone and what is there is considerably overpriced. I know Amazon is a challenge, but I don’t think the best way to beat it is to respond by being worse than it.
I get their idea; people don’t buy CDs, so if they come in, why not burn enough incense so they can smell like patchouli for the rest of the day after they go? Why not put in a bunch of weird crap and a little coffee shop? Cool for them to try out new stuff, but losing the focus to that extent makes them no longer necessary and only barely handy.

I love record stores. Genuine record stores that are more than just 300 copies of Beyonce on CD priced at $ 18.
But the Record Exchange is much, much more than just a record store. Sure, they have the best, ever-​changing, selection of vinyl and CDs in the Treasure Valley. But they have a great coffee/​drink area next to their souvenir-​esc shop. The seemingly «trendy» décor and ambiance is misleading. The staff is helpful, approachable, and knowledgeable. It is a welcoming environment whether you’re the most knowledgeable about music/​trends or you’re new to the whole thing. They even have starter kits if you’re looking to get into vinyl.
Great value, honest value, and an accepting place to browse. They also have live music regularly!

Every time I come to this place I wonder why I bother. The staff doesn’t seem to care if they have your business. I wanted to special order a vinyl and the cashier/​manager acted like it was such a hassle and said it may or might not come in. They are over priced on the things they have, yet never seem to have the music I like. I long for the days of virgin mega store or tower records where you could get imports and friendly service. It’s just easier to stay at home and order from Amazon these days.

Stopped-​by today and discovered a great record store in Boise! Lots of new vinyl with a great rock, jazz and country selection. Grabbed two 180 gram Coldplay and The Cure albums in mint condition flipping thru the New Arrival bin — lots of great finds in there. Also got Bjork’s first album which is very hard to find at home in San Jose. Wish I could shop here more often. Would give them a 5-​star rating if they had a listening station but this place still kicks butt and I will return when I am back in Boise.

This is the first record store that has had Broadcast on vinyl, which is my partner’s favorite project, so that was very exciting. We check every record store we visit and finally found it.
Prices seemed slightly lower than average, and there was a lot of cool old vinyl. We picked up a Donovan record.
The place also functions as a chill spot and a café, which we didn’t really take advantage of since we were in a bit of a hurry, but I loved the idea of inviting people to sit down and hang out.
I’ll make a point to go back next time I’m in Boise.

The Record Exchange is one of my favorite places to shop in Boise. I love looking through the selection of records and they’re usually reasonably priced. I had fun shopping there on Record Store Day and definitely like the t-​shirt I picked up during the event.
The only complaint I could possibly have is that the space feels a little cramped, however this normally isn’t much of an issue. On crowded days during special events (i.e. Record Store Day) it makes navigating the place a little difficult, but it’s cool to see so many people checking out records.

*mother earth is pregnant for the third time, for ya’ll have knocked her up* sound familiar? If not, do yourself a favor and get to the Record Exchange in beautiful downtown Boise, ask for Ben, and recite those words. He’ll know exactly what to do. The Record Exchange is home to the best music selection, the fairest prices, and the friendliest staff in the Ada County, and beyond. Whether it’s coffee, music novels, DVDs, novelty items, vinyls, tapes, turntables, or clothing, The Record Exchange has got it. I’d hugely recommend checking out their discounted recent used arrival sections, both vinyl and CD. Can you say bang for your buck? On my most recent trip I grabbed a Strokes LP, Miles Davis Legacy edition CD, John Coltrane live CD, and Buena Vista Social Club, all for a staggeringly low price. The only thing I wouldn’t recommend is coming here on payday, unless you enjoy being broke. Whether you’re into Mozart or Modest Mouse this place has what you need, at a price that will have you walking out the doors with a bag full of tunes and a hop in your step.

I don’t know if this is literally the only place in town with a vinyl selection, but I know it is the only place I care to go. They recently reorganized the store and that was a great call, it really opened the place up, it seems twice as big. Fantastic selection of new and used vinyl, helpful and knowledgable staff, and tons of cds, dvds, audio accessories and assorted tchotchkes. Protip: Become a member, it is free and gives you money back for purchases.

Always enjoy visiting this lovely rabbit hole
…I get lost. But on this last occasion I was unable to find music for my road trip… not because this place lacks music but because my search was for a more mainstream vibe… can’t apologize for my need at the time for musical choices… but I did enjoy java and some fun goodies.

Just like my personal policy of visiting libraries in unknown territories I have one for visiting vinyl shops in unfamiliar areas, as well. We were staying near by and I was referred to this place by my GF’s uncle. He said it was cool and I should definitely check it out.
We hit the spot up and it’s a very tiny version of Amoeba Records but would beat anything around my neighborhood to a pulp. It’s also as indy as it can get and they have deli/​coffee shop/​stationary/​odd gif store attached to it called The Edge, I believe.
Me and the GF spent some time going through their vinyl selections and they do have some good stuff. I ended up buying the Gone Girl soundtrack by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross on vinyl and she bought me Incubus’s S.C.I.E.N.C.E album for me as a B-​day gift. She also bought some vinyl for herself.
The Tree Fort Festival was going on and one of the bands playing that night at The Knitting Factory was going to play a free show at The Record Exchange’s stage. We left before they started, though. I would also like to point out that for those that are getting into vinyl out there in the Boise area and are unsure — they offer a $ 299 vinyl starter package. It includes an Audio Technica Automatic Turntable (I have the very same one), two speakers, and an amplifier. It’s nothing fancy but you’ll be in the world of vinyl in no time. They also sell vinyl crates to store that precious vinyl.
I was talking to a friend of mine who is from Cleveland and he mentioned that there used to be several Record Exchange’s in his state but they all went out of business, so I cannot confirm if this location is the sole survivor of the chain. On the receipt it said The Record Exchange #1, so I don’t know if that means it was the first one or just that it’s the only one still standing. In any event — if you’re out here in downtown Boise then get your ass over to The Record Exchange for your vinyl/​music/​movie fix.

They have some cool stuff, particularly nice selection of vinyl and a neat gift shop. Friendly staff, too.

YES YES YES! Each city I venture to, I have to find the local CD store. They seem to be dwindling but Boise is lucky to have the Record Exchange!
They have a ton of great gadgets and gizmos. I found some «Dirty A**» soap that made me giggle. They had various band garb. They had holiday items. They have a little bit of everything, really. I literally spent an hour just roaming that side of the store!
The selection in music is decent. They blasted Fleetwood Mac as I was browsing which totally added to my excitement. The staff did not seem to be the «judgy» type either. Their used section is a bit small but that is understandable with nobody really buying, let alone selling their music.
And they have coffee. WHAAAT! I felt bad for already having my cup of ‘joe but the variety looked great! I could literally spend days in there AND not get hungry!

Fun vintage record store — also have a selection of gifts, t-​shirts, cards. Good place to explore. Reminds me of Waterloo Records in Austin, TX.

Been shopping here for years and to me it seems obvious they cater to their own tastes much more than local demand. Just go look at the employee recommendation chart… But yeah for a variety of reasons, particularly the mixing of punk and metal (call me shallow, but whatever), I’ve decided to no longer do business here.
I mean there were many long stretches I would come in once a week and pick up one, two or even three plus pieces but I noticed they never seemed to restock (my particular genres at least) and what they did well didn’t really seem too appealing. But yeah all that hipsteresque stuff, including 150−200+ used record players was always there in spades.
Just not my bag, I like supporting local and I love physical music but when I feel like an afterthought as a customer I’m not going to come back.
I also liked a few weeks ago standing in line to get rang up, I think 3 cds that time when the guy who seems to be the owner/​manager answers the phone and just walks away while me and my SO just stand there.
It’s obvious they don’t want my business. But they may want yours, particularly if you have a beard, trucker hat and a taste for infantile rock. Also if you are into rap/​hiphop you got it even worse than the punk heads. Really seems they want a particular type of music listener here…