How do I get to your store?
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We are located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, just a few blocks straight west of the Iowa Capitol building. Our address is 424 East Locust Street.
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Can I take the bus to your store?
MTA routes 1, 4, 5, and 7 all travel within a block of Zzz Records. All other routes end up in downtown Des Moines, so you can transfer onto one of these buses, and it will take you the final 1/2 mile.
Do you buy records, tapes, or CDs?
Sometimes. We are now getting to the point where we are running short on space, so we are a little more choosy about what we accept these days. The most desirable items for us are punk, alternative, new wave and unusual records & CDs from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s. We will certainly consider other items, too, but again -- the days where we are buying common titles are numbered.
Prices vary quite a bit depending on condition, demand, and what kind of mood we are in. LPs can fetch anywhere between a few cents to a dollar, although there are certainly exceptions that can command higher prices. We usually pay 25 cents per full-length cassette, and CDs typically get $1-$2. Again, there are exceptions to these rules. We strongly suggest that you call us before bringing anything in, as all buying is done by the store owner: there are times where he may not be in.
How many vinyls do you have?
Vinyl.
What?
The plural of "vinyl" is "vinyl".
To answer the previous question, though, we have about 15,000 LPs in stock, as well as a few hundred 12" singles.
When did they stop making records?
Record production has NEVER halted. It only seems like it, since you don't see them in the big stores any more. Not everything is pressed onto vinyl, of course, but we try to carry a large selection of records by new artists.
Do you sell DVDs or video games?
We do not carry video games at this time. We do not typically stock DVDs, either, although we do have a small selection of about 50 titles, and have the ability to order many titles. If you are having trouble finding something, we may be able to get it for you. If you are looking to rent DVDs, we highly recommend the excellent Best Place Ever.
So, why don't you carry XXXX?
It's nothing personal. Keep in mind that we do not have unlimited space, or funds for that matter to stock everything. We try to keep a decent variety of titles in at all times, but we can't carry everything that we'd like. If you are looking for something that's not in stock, let us know & we'll special order it for you. Special orders usually can be shipped to us within a few days.
Where can I get a turntable, or parts for my turntable?
Brand new turntables can still be purchased from many electronics stores. Some local shops carry high quality turntables, and cheaper models can be found at the chain stores.
Parts are a little tougher to find, but we highly recommend both Audio Labs in Des Moines or Mid-State Distributing. (Audio Labs also has an experienced service department if you need repairs!) Out-of-towners may want to contact Needle Express or Needle Doctor
Where can I get a used turntable?
Garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army, DAV, etc.). Panorama Casual, which is right next door to us at 426 E. Locust also carries them from time to time.
What are my records worth?
You're not going to like this answer, but they are only worth what somebody is willing to pay for them. As we have found out time and time again, book value is usually quite different than real-life value. Some records that are supposedly worth $100 or more will only sell for $5 or $10. Our best advice is to frequent E-Bay or GEMM to see what the going rates are for your items. If you still prefer to look at a price guide, our favorite one is "The Official Price Guide to Records" by Jerry Osborne. There are also lots of other price guides for specialized interests... such as soundtracks, 45s, and jazz records. Most of these books can be ordered locally from shops like The Book Store or East Village Books.
Can I sell my record/tape/CD on consignment?
We only sell items on consignment for local artists. If you or your band has a recent release that you would like us to sell, give us a call at (515) 284-1401 or email us. See our Local Music Home Page for more information.
Can I post my flyer or advertisement there?
Sure! We have plenty of room to advertise upcoming shows or festivals. We also have a bulletin board inside the store for people wishing to sell items or advertise services.
Would you be willing to let my band play an in-store performance?
We would like to say "yes"; unfortunately, the city of Des Moines has demanded that we stop hosting concerts. We held occasional shows in our store in 2002 & 2003, but will not be having any in the near future.
Are you hiring?
We have a very small and stable staff, so openings only arise occasionally. If you do want to nominate yourself, though, you can come by and fill out an application.
Are you also a record label?
No. There does seem to be a Russian punk label called Zzz Records, but we are not affiliated with them. There also seems to be a European label called Zzz Records, but from what we can tell they have only released one reggae single. We are merely a record store.
Why did you pick "Zzz" as the name of your store?
When we were trying to choose a name, somebody suggested "A-1 Records" so that we could be first in the phone book. Unfortunately, there are so many businesses that start with "A-1", "AA", "AAA", etc, that we decided to go the opposite route and be listed dead last in the phone book.
Where's your MySpace page?
You're looking at it.
Do you buy or sell on E-Bay?
Not usually, for two reasons. First, we don't have the time to mess around with selling on E-Bay. In addition, we feel that part of the fun of record (or CD) shopping is being able to see, touch, and listen to the music on the shelves. We want to preserve that experience for you.
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