Recordjunkie

Customers are mostly the ones who are unfriendly. They always think you have no idea about music or you try to fool them.
I am working in a store for 22 years mostly some regular customers are friendly. I can write a book about the others. RC is one of the best stores in belgium but not for digging a cheap collectors item. Tell me where you can in these times of Discogs and popsike?????

Written by jo at 2013-04-08 13:28:26

trase.allen@gmail.com or contact me at this number 8764892407, if your interested in buying.
I sell bulk records, 50's, 60's, 70's or 80's. Always willing to negotiate.

Thanks for you time

Written by spider man at 2013-02-25 09:38:19

Visited on Dec 29 th 2012.
Luckily the old vinyl guard was back and he's very friendly and helpful. A huge selection, could spent a week there if you want to dig through all the 7 inch boxes. They know their prices do don't expect to find bargains.

Written by Raymond at 2013-01-04 12:33:02

records way pricey,staff about as helpful as a suspect in a murder case,as for the old dragon behind the counter,she should go back to guard duties at the concentration camp where shes obviously on loan from

Written by john england at 2012-03-21 17:47:25

Reading the comment below, I understand a couple of things, but I think some are a bit too heavy. I'm a regular costumer there and this shop has an incredible choice and you can find a lot of things for reasonable prices. Okay, some are expensive, but they be that in others stores too. Of course one needs time there. The shop assistant is well informed and can really show where to find something in this massive stock. That the communication could be a bit more costumer friendly is true, but on the other hand: if you can't find it here, there's a big chance that you will not find it anywhere. It would of course be nice if the lady behind the counter would say 'thanks' when you leave your hard earned cash there, but I learned to live with that and Antwerp without The Record Collector wouldn't be the same!

Written by Geert Ryssen at 2011-11-23 22:20:01

very pricey,the owner nowhere to be seen,as for the ex wife,she is a complete asshole,the most ignorant human i have ever had the pleasure to meet.

Written by paul from england at 2011-09-19 17:01:11

I visited yesterday and encountered what was easily the most unpleasant record store experience I ever had.

I walked in on an early Wednesday afternoon. The store was empty, apart from the elder lady behind the counter (supposedly the owners ex-wife) and a younger man, who I hadn't seen here before. As always, I started with the pop/rock section on the right side of the left passageway. Those who have visited this store will know that this is a HUGE collection of mostly-quality vinyl and that it takes a while to get through.

At about 1 hour and 15 min I had inspected 2/3 of the pop/rock collection and it was then that the guy in the back (the so-called vinyl guard), approached me and asked what I was looking for. The tone with which he said it sounded aggressive; it was clearly not an attempt to help.
I asked him, did it matter? He then went off, citing my behaviour of "going through everything", "not buying anything', "taking too much time" and "inspecting the vinyl" as highly unusual in his experience and strongly unwanted.
I was flabbergasted, mumbling in between that I felt mostly unwelcome by his tirade.
True, I always do inspect the vinyl quality both thoroughly and carefully. In my opinion, that is an absolute necessity before buying 2nd hand vinyl. Some records here are sealed with a piece of tape over the plastic outer sleeve and I made sure to leave those well alone.

Needless to say, I felt there was nowhere to go but the front door. "Never argue with an idiot; they'll drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
So I left, even though I wanted to buy two albums and wanted to see the remaining part of the collection. I ended up going back later that day to get the two copies that I couldn't get out of my head but with the promise that it would be the very last time I ever set foot on the store's ground. I felt truly hurt by this incident.

By giving you this review, I do not really mean to discourage anybody from going there.
The RC has an awesome selection, hardly ever seen in one place. The prices are not sympathetic but you may well end up finding something you've been looking for a long time.
But be double-warned that when you visit this place on a quiet moment and you find a bald guy in his late 30's glaring at you from the side, you might actually be given the exact same treatment as described here.

Written by M. van de Berk at 2011-09-15 21:23:02

all you guys had me on edge when i visited this store! haha. i was sensitive when digging cos' i felt i was being watched, but the guy asked if he could help, showed me to a spot. and when the time came to listen they were chilled about it. even wondered what i was playing... no wonder - i've never been to a store with so much stock. records packed tight and on big shelves. hard work but worth it, i got some nice things for nice prices. some serious old school diggers in there at the time. i recommend visiting.
note. you'll be in great need of a refreshing belgian beer afterwards!

Written by gordy at 2011-08-18 18:34:07

I never been in touch with the owner Twan, but from entering the store and passing the counter, you can already expect a very basic and unfriendly treatment. The lady at the counter isn't friendly and gives you looks as everybody is a crook! :)
I don't mind that, as long as I can find records that are very underprised, because Twan doesn't know the value of it. lol. This is true for a certain genre of music, am sure he, (Twan), knows his business, for the rest of his store.

Written by Peter at 2011-08-10 09:20:33

Agree Tune Up is a better store. Whilst the selection here is impressive. The prices and very unpleasent and actually 'bigotted' owner - I understand some dutch and the comments he has made whilst there are quite ignorant - make it missable indeed. Another thing record shops are not supposed to be museums, there needs to be a constant turnover of stock. Nothing worse than going back to a store after a year and finding the same stock. Unfortunately the ownership structure is not very 'savvy' on running a profitable business and creating repeat custom...

Written by Matt at 2011-05-09 18:41:57

The owner is weird. Indeed I saw many times how he treated customers. Indeed like shit. He knows his grading. Also knows about 1st or later pressings. Don't think he made a mistake when he sells a second or third presing for the price of a first release.He just does and gets away with it many times

He seems to change his prices too. Increase after increase. Twan thinks he is the king of all stores. Sadly he forgot who learned him the trade. Some Brighton record dealers. But gratitude was never Twan's biggest virtue. Only bad remarks about jews, arabs and africans.

If you look for rare stuff go there. But have your cash ready.

Written by hk77 at 2011-05-08 15:55:25

As already noted, this store has an incredible selection but prices are on the high side. You do have to look carefully here for what you buy, because the listening facility is absolutely worthless (speakers are tucked away somewhere in the back & no headphones) and the light is fairly low.
The owner may be a tad grumpy but I didn't find him unreasonable when I returned a couple of records once that weren't up to my liking.
Expect to be occupied for a couple hours when visiting this shop. There's no such thing is a quick visit to this place.

Written by M. van de Berk at 2011-01-19 11:46:54

check out the 1 euro records if you are up to some recorddigging, you might find some gem or two.

Downside: owner is a very nervous, rather unpleasant guy, customers he doesn't know personally get often treated like shit.

Written by at 2010-12-27 15:23:30

Jawdropping selection of records but heavily overpriced.
Also not very customerfriendly when you can't pay with an ordinary bankcard.

Written by Mark at 2010-10-31 20:11:07

Beware of this place. He asks ridiculous prices for ordinary Latin American Beatles
records (third pressings for € 100). If you're not an expert on this, you're bamboozled by this guy. He sells records in poor condition for enormous amounts.
His comment on this is, that you are responsable, you should have looked better. Pay a visit to Tune Up, a few hundred yards further on. Much more friendly and quality for money.

Written by P. Brans at 2010-09-10 00:28:18

I fully agree with Matt. I will only add that the owner is really unplesant

Written by Phil at 2010-08-04 15:47:06

De record Collector is de best gesorteerde en uitgebreidste Vinyl zaak die ik Internationaal ken(en heb er aardig wat bezocht)...Tevens een toffe gast de eigenaar (D'n Twan)
Aanrader voor eenieder die Antwerpen bezoekt,en van LP's/Singles geen genoeg kan krijgen!
Trek er wel een dag voor uit (of meer)...Het is werkelijk waar echt heeeeeeeééééél veel.

Groet uit Holland!

Written by Nils Jansen at 2010-04-23 19:22:05

Massive collection and nice advice, even sometimes a special look in new arrivals.

Written by Luk Sponselee at 2009-08-13 00:35:59

Probably best selection I have seen in europe. Three downsides: expensive, no discounts on multiple purchases and owner somewhat grumpy!

Written by Matt at 2009-08-09 13:26:32