The oldest record store in Los Angeles is also the lowest rated online because of its owner who admits he is an intimidating figure.
Sanders Chase has run the Record Collector for more than 50 years and musicians including Michael Jackson, Notorious B.I.G., Frank Sinatra and Quincy Jones have walked through his doors.
His store is filled with 500,000 classical and jazz records with another 300,000 in storage.
But Chase’s store is the city’s lowest rated record store with 1.9 stars on Google reviews due to his management style.
‘Of course I’m intimidating,’ he told SFGate. ‘See, this is my problem. They’re curiosity seekers. Curiosity killed the cat.’
Chase becomes frustrated when customers do not know what they want and aimlessly browse through his extensive record collection.
‘Make a list and come back, because that’s basically how we do it,’ he told one man who said he was just looking around.
‘We make sure you get some direction and then seriousness of purpose. We work from that.’ The customer nodded and quickly walked out.
The Record Collector, which opened in 1974, is the lowest rated record store in the city with 1.9 stars after 262 reviews on Google.
‘Total nightmare experience,’ one user wrote. Another said: Honestly the worst record store on Earth.’
Most of the complaints surround Chase and his rule that people should not just browse the records but know what they’re looking for.
‘If you went to a doctor or a lawyer or a mechanic, or any professional, you’re there for a purpose. If they come here, I’m not here to entertain people,’ the owner said.
Asked if his behavior is a barrier to some people, he responded: ‘Well, I don’t care.’
He gets really annoyed when he asks customers what their favorite genre of music is and they do not know.
‘They give me the deer in the headlights look, like: “I don’t know,”‘ Chase said.
‘That’s why we’re here. This is to serve you. You don’t want to help me help you.
‘It’s like going to class and taking a test. You don’t take a test without studying. So when you come in here, be prepared.’
He purchased his current location for $500,000 in 1999 so does not struggle with the rising rents in the area.
Chase developed an interest in records aged 12 and briefly played the violin with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra in North Carolina.
He believes everyone should have a record collection but that companies are taking advantage of the interest.
‘[Companies are] taking advantage of the demand for records without having the proper engineering and the proper methodology of making them the way they did before,’ he said.
‘So older records sound better. Vintage vinyl, that’s the way to go.’
Despite putting more than 50 years into the business, Chase is ready to sell and put it on the market where he is looking for just under $5million.
This figure does not include his records or the business and is just for the property.
‘I’ve been doing this for over 50 years. I’m not going to do it for another 50,’ he said.
‘It would have to be transferred to a logical entity or persons that had a similar sensibility to me. I don’t want to take a wrecking ball to it.’