How It Works
FAQ
Volver is steps from the intersection of Dundas West and Sorauren Avenue in Toronto. Because it’s an appointment-only business, the exact address is provided once you’ve booked an appointment to make a purchase. There is nothing to browse in-person that is not on the site so “drop-ins” are not available.
Yes. New items are priced using Manufacturer’s Suggested Prices. Used items are firm and fair and I do not haggle. If you plan to come in person and offer me an amount that doesn’t match what’s listed on the site, not only will I decline your offer but I’ll walk away and bar you from future commerce for wasting my time. This isn’t Kijiji.
Volver’s address is in a commercial building zoned for live / work.
No.
Though I understand the lure of online shopping, I do not like what the online economy has done to local businesses. As a consumer, I appreciate the flavor independently-owned shops bring to a neighborhood — and I miss both the social aspect necessary for in-person commerce and the interaction with knowledgeable merchants.
I disagree. True, it’s not as convenient as having something arrive at your door hours after surrendering your credit card info — but it’s more convenient than traditional brick-and-mortar shops as you choose the operating hours for both browsing and pickup.
I have managed or owned some of the city’s best-loved stores (Art & Trash Video, Vortex Records, and Good Music). In fact, I worked retail / customer service for almost 35 years, but in 2016 I experienced a TIA (a small stroke) which, though unrelated to owning a shop, caused me to reconsider what was important to me. Owning a store wasn’t at the top of the list so I sold out to a competitor and took time for myself and went travelling.
Volver is a Spanish word meaning “to return,” “to go back,” or “to do again,” all of which are appropriate for my return to retail. Colloquially it can also mean “to turn or spin around,” or “to turn over,” which of course ties in with records.
In Spain, it’s pronounced bol-behr (bol-βeɾ). To anglicize the pronunciation, you’d say vol-vair, with the emphasis on the second syllable.
Most people do, but — no, that’s not a word. But it doesn’t matter how you pronounce it.
Notes On Inventory
Notes On Records
Each record is accurately described on its info page. I strive to offer only issue-free records and state any problem clearly on the listing.
In today’s world, those terms are useless. I see things for sale all the time described as “Near mint… except for one skip” or “Cover is VG+ except for a split bottom seam,” etc. As a result, I do not use those terms.
I am always in the market for quality records and I do offer more in trade than I do in cash — even though I give 50% in cash! In short: I pay 50% of the resale value in cash and another 20% above that amount in trade. So, if you’re selling me a record I plan to sell for $100, you get $50 in cash or $60 in trade.
- Add my phone number to your contacts so you can text quickly. 416 556 6278.
- Check the website daily at 7 PM sharp.
- Send a brief text indicating your desired title(s) as quickly as possible.For example: “The Cure Kiss Me” or “Coltrane” are great texts. “Hey Lincoln it’s me again. That Mingus looks great and I don’t have it. Can you put it aside for me please?” is way too long. Someone beat you to the record you wanted while you were typing that out.
Sometimes, a record sells so fast that I do not have time to mark it sold before someone else texts me about the same title. (I mark them sold as quickly as possible). Though this is unfortunate, it’s always best to assume the record is still available unless marked Sold. If you message me, “Is record X still available?” someone else could commit to buying the record seconds later — before I’ve had a chance to respond to you — and they would get the record because your asking me if it’s still available is not a commitment on your part. Just text “I’ll take X” and if you’re too late, I’ll let you know.
Because the majority of people who ask this question follow up with “Okay, gonna think about it,” or “Thanks — I can’t remember which pressing I have. I’ll get back to you.”
No.
I do. But I prefer a time-rich life to a money-rich one and post offices are anti-time.
That is not a service I provide. Believe me, if the record is sufficiently rare, you are not the first person to ask me for it. If I did offer a reserve service, you’d have to be put at the end of the line behind everyone who’s already asked for the same title. Offering such a service would therefore decrease your chance of getting the record.
My current system means absolutely everyone has the same opportunity to purchase my records by checking the site at 7PM each night. New customers will not lose out because of favoritism or lists.
Though many people have suggested this, I have an aversion to any process which exacerbates the imbalance between the haves and have-nots.
Yes.
My prices are firm and fair. Some of my competitors get discounts on the used records they buy because they offer low-ball prices to sellers because they’re “taking them all”. I pay the same high 50% of resale value for every record I buy regardless of the quantity. Discounting for you is not cost-effective for me.
You’ve made it to the end. Congratulations!