Wax Trax Records

If you’re a record collector and you’re in Vegas, you have to go there. Rich is knowledgeable in all genres of music and negotiable with his prices.

Huge collection meticulously organized. But ridiculously expensive. Quoted $ 30 for record purchased half hour later for $ 7 at 11^th Street records.

Wax Trax Records is simply incredible. The outstanding selection and one’s ability to locate his/​her choice with ease really makes up for the cost this store is quite honestly able to ask — their inventory is beautifully maintained and very well cared for.
Here’s my tip for your visit: Go in, be cool, and know that you are going to have to pay a higher price for what Wax Trax carries. But… in turn you get a one of a kind experience, endless rooms of practically mint pressings, and the greatest selection of vinyl in the southwest.
Purchased on 11÷23÷15:
Rolling Stones «Accidents May Happen» 2xLP MINT (never even seen before)
Chuck Berry «Rockin at the Hops» Vogue/​Chess French Press LP
Lighting Hopkins «Los Angeles Blues» LP
Panasonic shoe box tape recorder
I love this place… and their awesome dog, Charlie,
Nick

This is the BEST store for collectors. If your looking for new vinyls this isn’t your store. Bought two records for 50 dollars the owner even paid the tax just cause. It can be a bit confusing trying to track down a record but they are happy to help you find whatever you need. I got some records I have been looking forever for. The rare and collectible vinyls are of course more than you’d pay for a new record at zia but his prices on everything else is about the same. On the way out he let us take as many records as we wanted from the pile missing sleeves (the inside white sleeve) he was just throwing out! We got several great vinyls for free! I definatly recommend this store to every collector!

Went in there the other day and was immediately blown away by the vast collection of records. The workers were beyond knowledgable of even the most obscure of questions about certain vinyls.
However, I couldn’t help but feel a little off when it came to the «check completed listings on eBay and add 10» method of pricing. I myself got some okay prices but my friend ended up paying twice the price for a somewhat cheap vinyl.

The review by Vegas g is on point… tried to buy B.B. KING Indianola Mississippi Seeds album today… nothing priced so I took three copies to the counter and guy tells me 30 dollars for the one presumably in the worst condition. I can buy this record for less than half that from other sources. The place is jammed pack with product so much so you can’t hardly flip through to find anything. Yes, zia or record city or online will yield much better results than what you find behind the doors of the fading mint green building. Oh forgot to mention that upon getting ready to leave the guy offered me records that he had sitting by the trash… keeping it classy. I would suggest he get over himself and go walk his dog.

What a amazing collection thy have. If you appreciate vinyl this sinuous place. I listed some artist they walked me in the direction and even let me play the vinyls before I bought them. Oh and the biggest and best Madonna vinyl collection I’ve seen to date. Love this little gem

This is a store for serious collectors who know what they’re looking for and aren’t scared to pay a premium for it.
If you’re coming looking for new releases, re-​issues, or just to idly browse, head somewhere else as this is NOT your usual record store.
To give you a sense of what I mean, nothing in the store has a price tag on it. Everything is tabulated at the register based on online demand. Don’t be surprised if your bill runs into the hundreds or even thousands (seriously).
For a successful visit, come with a clear idea of what it is you’re looking for, and lots of time to dig around for it. It’s also a good idea to come with a budget of how much you want to spend — This can help when negotiating at the register.
In fact, that is maybe the most important thing; Be prepared to negotiate on a price! Strangely this experience felt more like buying a car than buying records.
After all is said and done however, you’ll be walking out with some unbelievable records that you might never have been able to find otherwise.
Bottom line is if you’re looking for rare records, this is the shop for you. Talk to the owner, be aware that it could get costly, be ready to make a deal, and you should be fine.

I’ve been running around town like a chicken with its head cut off looking for one specific record. Let me tell you I would have saved countless hours if I stopped at Wax Trax from the start! THEY HAVE EVERYTHING. Hold on tight if it’s your first time here because you will be blown away. If I told you Elton John shops here would you believe me? Because he sure does! Love love love, if I could give you 6 stars I would. Everyone is a pleasure to talk to and very knowledgable!
Thank you! My treasure hunt has come to an end.

This place was a complete and utter waste of time. 4 records for 1,000??? The records yes were rare but not to the cost of 1,000. Maybe even 300! Records even were priced cheaper on eBay. Owner is completely delusional and rude. Wanted to disregard the reviews and see for myself, but alas a waste of time. Good thing I was just visiting.

This is no ordinary record store or record store for everyone, you can find I think almost anything you are looking for, the store has a extraordinary huge collection of rare records of every genre, I found a record I have been searching for years! Rich the owner does not label his inventory, you pick the record you find on three floors/​rooms of shelves after shelves of records, and he’ll price it for you, most of the time he would check online for the current market value, you can see he hates it and gets annoyed when you ask to match the price for a record you see on eBay. the store is not for bargain hunters record collectors, this is a store for serious record collecting who value a rare find than his checking account. although my wallet was lighter, I was so pleased with what I took home.

place is a mess and a joke, but does have great stuff.
pulled 4 rare records, was expecting the pay around $ 200-​$ 250, I was quoted $ 1,000!!! I wasted an hour of my time there. I didn’t wanna believe the past reviews but they’re true. guys out of his mind, his help had a great attitude and was friendly though.
don’t waste your time. there’s better record shops in LV.
p. s. it’s almost a week later, I’m still upset and have let NUMEROUS of record collectors in Southern California to not go! a waste of everyone’s time.

–10 Stars
When I walked into this record store I was amazed at the quantity, I went into the «rare» section and pulled out a copy of Metallica’s Whiplash probably worth about $ 40-​$ 45 and he priced it at $ 100, I just figured he thought it was rare and moved on. Then he guided me to a room full of heavy metal records and I was even more amazed. My dad and I started sorting through quickly and found about 20 records that I wanted to buy. The value of the records varied from $ 8 to $ 50. The average real value was probably $ 15-​$ 20 per record, the most valuable being Metallica’s …And Justice for All at about $ 50 in the condition it was in. All in all I had about $ 400 worth of records (if they were all in NM-​/​NM the price would be $ 600 AT THE MOST). So I decide to try to shoot him a lower number so we can bicker and land around $ 400. I say $ 200 and before even looking at the records he says no. He looks through and keeps stalling and talking and talking and, finally, my dad said «Just give him a price.» He came back with $ 1000 (an average of $ 50 per record). Wait… What?! Needless to say, we left after a little bit of arguing and I tried making another deal but he obviously had no clue what the records were worth. I left empty handed. Side note: he thought that the most valuable record in the set was Slayer’s Live Undead, about a week after this encounter I picked up the very same record for under $ 30.

The Big Kid’s Playground for Vinyl Collectors
Amazing collection of vinyl records that I have never seen, ever. It appears that the owner has converted a house into an up and downstairs plethora of musical heaven only actual vinyl record collectors would understand. You will notice dozens of pictures with celebrities that have visited the store and will give you a sense of appreciation of what the owner has done. I don’t know how long this shop has been in business but it does seem like he put much time, effort, and pride into his work. This was my first visit and I was almost interviewed when going in about my music preferences– this made sense because he has stack of vinyl which would take more than a day to even go through. I can sense sarcasm in the tone of the seller, «this is the rare section, you don’t want to go there». Really? As a big vintage vinyl collector, I kinda took offense and decided not to dish out money for that butcher cover because of that remark, no matter what condition it is. But then again, if I had such a collection as he, I probably would be protective of that section also.
Pros: amazing selection of vintage vinyl from the 40’s to 2000; rare records for sale (can you say Beatles butcher in both first and second states? Clash? Metallica?); Master recordings for sale from $ 50−200+; nostalgic feel;
Cons: don’t expect the best customer service (talking on the phone while customer purchase?); items are priced at the front (no price tags; need to go to front to price items individually); small space to roam with multiple diggers; poor lighting in certain areas; can someone say cigarette smoke?; items are priced accordingly (almost pricey!) to owners judgement and not market price
This store is for you, IF you are a serious record collector. Don’t expect market value pricing for vinyl records, so do your homework. All the records I visually inspected are of VG+ to EX condition. Great store if you know exactly what you want. Don’t expect to roam around because you will end up spending $ 100’s in one visit (I believe there is handicap parking but I cannot imagine that this store is wheelchair accessible)
4.5 stars for an amazing vinyl collection.

Class I can charge what ever I feel like today joint since the CD’s have NO prices on them. We asked for 4 discs which the «librarian» helped locate for us. Then he was attempting to leave because it was his day off and all of a sudden the owner showed up and told him he needed to work for another 2 hours. When we approached the counter to pay for the used CD’s the owner said «thats $ 80.00. We laughed and said I don’t think so to which he replied OK $ 70.00 inculcating tax and thats my final offer. We said you know there are a lot of used record places in town whats the deal and he simply said «that’ how I roll». Well we rolled about 6 blocks away to
ZIA RECORDS
Sahara Westlake Center, 4503 W Sahara Ave
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 233‑4942
Where we purchased the same 4 discs for under $ 20.00
And that’s how we roll!!!

Wax Trax Records has 21 One star ratings. Now lets up the number! The truth is Rich,(the owner) is about as weaselly as record weasels get. Now I don’t mind paying top dollar for a record when it’s the market value but he just comes up with random prices which are 1000% mark ups. Seriously, what collector or dj is going pay $ 10 for Princes– «Raspberry Beret» 7 inch? Anyone who even has slight record knowledge wouldn’t pay more than $ 2 for that 45. He obviously doesn’t care about making money or maybe he just relies on suckers and simps to pay his rent. It’s too bad because he has a decent store and would actually make more money if he ran it right. Typical stubborn old man. Don’t waste Your time. Really, don’t waste it.

You can tell when the owner writes his own reviews. The language and attitude seems to be something the owner cannot control and comes out in spades no matter what.
This is a fair size store but no means huge or even large. By Vegas standards its probably the best selection. I’ve been to much larger stores in smaller towns and far larger stores in most cities. Not that bigger is better, just putting things in perspective.
Most of the reviews here are on the mark. Nothing is priced. Their excuse is they are so huge and have to much stuff to price in ever changing markets. That gives it all away right there. The store is not that big. Much larger stores have everything priced. Priced to market? If you hold on to albums so long the price might change significantly then you must not sell much. Albums don’t shoot from $ 10 — $ 20 under a decade.
Anyway, I have met this kind of guy 100 times at record shows. Dealing with them is easy. If they get to abrasive you just walk away. Its his store and he can do whatever he wants with it. Getting upset about it is pointless. I found his prices indeed high. I told him what I would pay and that was that. Yes he comes out with the sales tactics and he will even border on getting personal. I simply don’t take things personal and didn’t go away empty handed. No screaming deal nor did I overpay. Which is fine as its a retail store after all.
There were other items I would have bought but the prices were so ridiculous that making an offer was pointless. One other guy was there when I looked and he got a ridiculous price for his stack of common albums. He walked. Which tells me the owner sizes people up. I don’t think that’s wise as you never know who someone is. But again its his store and if he wants to judge people then so be it. That guy walked whole the owner asked him to make an offer. To the customers credit he just said «at your prices there is no point but thank you» and off he went. Which is the choice we all have.
I would say if you visit try a few selections before wasting to much time. See how he prices them and decide is you want to continue looking. I would also warn to take a close look. As other reviewers mention, he has reissues selling as first press and mismatch covers. For instance I found a few albums still in shrink but with promo saw cuts. The shrink however was in tact. Shrink was put on after the saw cut obviously.
To his credit conditions seemed pretty good on most. A few albums I looked at were a little worn/​lighlty scratched for me. But I didn’t see any basket cases.
If you are going to shop here you must know your prices. I didn’t find anything particularly rare so the no pricing thing in my opinion is just laziness. Here is my guess — he’s done alright and this business is how he fills his time. He doesn’t care who buys what. Chip on his shoulder? You bet. Not the way I choose to live my limited days but again — its his life, his business. There are lots of record stores and record shows all over the country. I have yet to want an album I could not find within 60 days and at a decent price. Its just records. I choose to have fun with it. Some give themselves heart attacks like this guy.

As the other Unilocal have said… This owner is a pathetic tool. Nothing has prices because he will try and rip you off. The price he quoted me was probably 10 times what it’s worth in mint condition. Its obvious the owner is preying on newbies to record collecting. If you are a long time collector or rookie Don’t even waste your time going here. Cause that’s all it will be… A huge waste of time. Unless you want to go grab 100s records get a quote and laugh in his face then have a good laugh knowing he has to drag his old ass putting all those albums back that you had no intention of buying.

The absolute worse record store I’ve ever been to in my life. Over the past 30 years, I’ve have shopped at record stores and online dealers numbering over 500 and this owner is the worse.
If you read the reviews and are wondering what exactly happens, I will give you the shorten version. The owner (Rich Rosen) will not show much warmness towards you, you get the impression that he doesn’t want you even looking at his collection. He will ask you what you are looking for and if you are not quick with a reply he will sorta have a bit of scorn. He will tell you his records are for collector’s and are very expensive. He will tell you that as many as two to three times. He will then tell you if you want any records, bring it to him (he sits behind his desk) and he will price it for you.
The last stop I made this year ends it for me. I grabbed some Mobile Fidelity records, 2 different Marty Robbins gunfighter records, Pearl Jam’s RearViewMirror and Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream. I gave it to him to «price it» For people who want the gospel truth on how he prices, he will look it up on
find the highest price it ever sold at (regardless of pressing!!!) then charge that and may even ask for more. Now, you heard people say he charges two to three times more than average. Well, actually, that’s not the case, many times he charges 10+ times the value. He will also flat out lie to your face about pressings and literally just make things up. If you are a person without a strong personality, he will walk all over you and try to dupe you into buying a record he picked up for $ 3 and wants $ 400.
So, you want to know the prices quoted me: Pink Floyd MFSL pressing of Dark Side in VG+ condition = $ 450. Marty Robbins Gunfighter Ballads = $ 80 (he said it was a 1^st press, it was not but could cut me a break an do it for $ 60) More Gunfighter Ballads = $ 50. Pearl Jam RearViewMirror (new) = $ 4,000. Yes, you read that right not $ 400 but with the extra 0, before I asked him why that insane a price, he told me it was sealed it could be a «white variant vinyl» and that’s worth $ 4,000! Finally for a 1^st press of Siamese Dream I was quoted $ 325.
I am willing to pay fair market value which to me would have been a total of around the $ 550 range and a normal dealer would have thrown in the Marty Robbins records. His fair market value was a touch more than $ 4,900. Do the math people, that is 9 times the market value.
If you are interested in seeing the store out of curiosity, I would tell you to stay away. It’s not worth it. Wax Trax is closed sometimes when it is suppose to be open. The place does have a top 5 record collection in a store in the USA but we now all know the reason why, the stock does not move. His collectable record section has basically remained unchanged for years (for example: Pearl Jam Riot Act new sealed has been there for over 8 years! because no one has jumped at his cheap price for it at $ 800). You will not have anything remotely near a positive record buying experience and leave feeling disrespected and just be wasting your time.
Many people who collect records know of this seller for over 30 years. He is deeply disliked by many and I have run into people in Las Vegas who used to do business with him who will never do business with again. Sometimes someone wants something really bad an would buy a $ 20 record from him for $ 60 and you would think he would appreciate repeat buyers and maybe be fair with them for once. Not this guy, you could drop your life savings at his store and next time you are there, you are still a nobody to him.
A word about other stores in LV for people looking to buy. Zia is solid but very hit and miss for records, both their locations stock tons of new records and I would say they specialize in that format. Moondogs is sorta pricey for rarer stuff, however, you can strike deals with owner who is friendly and if you lowball him, he won’t get offended, he will just say he can’t do that but let’s see what else you interested in and he will strike a fair deal. Moondog’s has the best collection in town for rarer records priced to find new homes.

Unbelievable selection but Rich, the owner, is extremely difficult to deal with. His knowledge in punk and hardcore is completely non-​existent, yet he asks for double the market price for all of his records. Nothing is priced in the store so he just wings the pricing by only looking at Popsike, an extremely inaccurate listing of eBay auctions that have ended. He refuses to look at Discogs, which is way more accurate and up to date. He also refuses to use eBay, which at first was very commendable but I quickly realized why. Enjoy the store, enjoying looking at the vast amount of records that are a part of history, but know what things are worth before checking out. I went back and forth on pricing for almost an hour and ended up saving $ 175 off his original price at the register. I spent so much time arguing about price that I ended up not enjoying my experience at all. With that said, check out Moondog Records in Vegas instead.
In Vegas, you get ripped off just about everywhere you turn. This place is no different. You have been warned.

Well, I enjoyed all the little shop had to offer. We were greeted by Rich (the owner) at the door. He was honest and said I have lots of records and music collector memorabilia but, its not cheaper.
Once I was in the store, I thought oh my I could literarily be here for days and not get through everything. He has everything, and its well organized. His records are in good to excellent condition. This shop is for someone wanting to add quality to their collection. I will be back on my next trip to Vegas.