Testimonials

Real reviews from real people.

When it came time to sell our entire record collection, my wife found Lincoln online and we arranged to have him come by. Right away he struck me as a kind, knowledgeable, and experienced professional. It was a pleasure chatting with him as he worked his way through the collection. He diligently checked the records and neatly organized piles. By the end, he told me how much he would be giving me for the collection. I was pleasantly surprised! To be honest if he had offered me half the amount, I would have been happy and we would have parted ways. So I asked him, “How could this little collection be worth that amount?” I was even more shocked by what he told me. Lincoln went out of his way to show me different records that were special releases, etc., that were worth way more than I ever would have known. It was right then and there that I knew Lincoln was a man of great integrity. I feel like many other dealers would have never told me. I appreciate Lincoln’s services and highly, highly recommend him to anyone.

Shahir Massoud
Chef / Host, CBC’s The Goods

For the most part, the business of buying used LPs and CDs is a bit shady, a half-step up from a scam…Then I found Volver [and] we got much more money than we expected, thanks to the honesty and integrity of Lincoln Stewart… He arrived when he said he would, brought his own canvas bags to transport the LPs, and was very organized and efficient… I was amazed to learn that we owned several LPs that were actually considered valuable! The top-earning LP was a pressing of some promotional Metallica album, that we didn’t even know we had, worth $185! … We earned a pile of cash. We lightened our load. It required minimal effort. It was fair to both buyer and seller. And now other people will have the opportunity to enjoy those LPs. All in all, a very good deal.

Laura K.
You can read Laura’s take on the experience on her blog.

If you have records and you want to know they are going to someone who cares about them get in touch with Lincoln. He won’t buy all of your records, but what he will do is look at them one at a time, carefully evaluate their condition, and give you a fair price for them. We had about 800 or so records at our condo. Lincoln showed up when he said he would, went through them all in one afternoon and was a pleasure to deal with. Not only did he give us a fair price, but he emailed us a few days later to let us know he had made an error and owed us more money, which he promptly delivered! He also suggested other stores that we should deal with based on the type of records we had in our collection–one of which we went with and they bought our remaining records. I’d be happy to deal with Lincoln again, any time. I only wish I had more records!

Julie & Russ

I’d been thinking about selling my record collection for some time, but I put it off for the usual reasons. But the most important reason was that I didn’t know who to trust. I’d looked at the websites of a few record shops in Toronto, most of which seemed to imply they would be doing me a favour just to look at the collection. And then offer me pennies for the lot.

But then I got lucky. A new Google search brought me to Volver. This was different. Lincoln outlined his experience as a former manager and owner of two well-known Toronto record shops. His business philosophy is stated upfront — “Quality records bought and sold. Fair prices in and out”. So I followed his instructions, took a brief review of my collection and sent him an email. He got back to me the same day — within a couple of hours. He came to see me that day and spent a couple of hours meticulously reviewing, inspecting and sorting the collection. He then explained to me what he would buy, for how much and why. I was amazed to see what some records I’d thought were worthless were worth! I got twice the money for just his selection than I expected to get for the whole lot. And he gave me advice on where to sell the rest, and what I might expect to get for them.

Many record collectors don’t want to sell their records, even long after they have stopped playing them. I understand this. But if you decide to sell yours, be sure to let Lincoln look at it first.

John Kjarsgaard

I’ve been buying and selling records with Lincoln for the last five years. There’s no one I’d rather do business with. When he says he’ll pay 50% of what he’ll sell a record for, he means it. And his payouts are always fair. I’ve never walked away from a deal feeling cheated or with seller’s remorse, which is a common experience I had before I started selling to Lincoln. The guy knows his records, from pricing to grading. His previous shop, Good Music, was a go-to destination for collectors and crate diggers to get amazing records at reasonable prices. It was Toronto’s best kept secret. Volver, operated out of Lincoln’s loft, is picking up where Good Music left off. Inventory is priced to move, unlike the dusty wall pieces that hang around most Toronto record shops for months. There’s always fresh things coming in, which keeps me coming back. Roll by the loft, hang out with Lincoln and his dog, and see why Volver puts other shops to shame.

David Lipson
Writer / Producer 

I have been buying collectibles from Lincoln longer than I can remember. Whether it was my Criterion LaserDisc of Coppola’s Dracula from Art & Trash or recent Beatles in Mono vinyl boxset from Good Music. Two things matter to me when buying collectibles: honesty and integrity. When Lincoln says he offers fair prices in and out you can believe it. Buying and selling is a hassle-free experience. I’ve sold and bought records all around and I can say without doubt, Lincoln will give you the best price.

Derek Ambrose

Lincoln is my go-to guy when I have top-shelf records to sell. I stress quality because he is picky — he will only buy records in terrific shape. In exchange, he offers the best prices in the city. My time as a record seller to stores across Toronto reinforces this claim. When he makes you an offer, he is as transparent as possible and is always willing to give you a breakdown of his offer. I used to go to others, but now it’s just him. When I have records in which he’s not interested, he’s willing to refer me to a dealer who he thinks will be.

I’ve said it to peers in the record world and I’ll say it again here: no one really does it like Lincoln does.

Marc Calabretta
Here he is on Instagram

Lincoln is unique among record sellers (and buyers). Not because he only sells online and then you have to pick it up yourself. He’s unique because he’s a record business guy who cares about music and the people who listen to it. Start with his website—photos are super clear, descriptions are sober and accurate, and prices are fair. Plus the fact that his stock is lovingly selected in the first place. Then, when you buy something, you embark on an excursion to Lincoln’s secret lair to pick it up. This is the best part. This is when you discover that he’s nice—and so is his dog—and he cares about records, he cares about music, and most of all he cares about his customers.

Paul Ruta

I’ve been been dealing with Lincoln for a few years, and I’ve had nothing but positive experiences. He charges fair prices, and goes out of his way to stock quality records in good condition. There’s nothing else you can really ask for as a buyer.

Lincoln is also the only guy I go to when I have some records to sell. My experience leaves no doubt that he offers top dollar, and he’ll tell you straight what your records are worth. If you have records to sell, you can’t do better than Lincoln. In fact, the reason he has such great records for his customers to buy is probably because he’s such a pleasure for people to sell their records to. Highly recommended.

Peter Cimino

His prices have always been beyond fair and I appreciate his no-nonsense demeanor. Visiting him at his loft was simple and added a pleasant personal touch to the exchange.

Matthew Cosgrove

I’ve been dealing with Lincoln since I first met him in the early 90s at Art & Trash and then at Vortex Records, Good Music, and now Volver. He has great taste in music and under his eagle eye, I always manage to find a record I’ve been on the hunt for — and always in the best condition! It’s comforting to know there’s a reliable record source in Toronto.

Danko Jones
Musician

I really loved my experience buying records from Volver. I enjoy getting the daily record texts, not just in the hopes to find something that I’m looking for, but because I’ve had the chance to find out about a lot of stuff that I didn’t know about, or that I’ve somehow forgotten.

My experience buying was amazing as well. I expected it to be a typical Kijiji sale with him walking to the door and us doing a simple exchange. but Lincoln invited me in, offered me a drink and we listened to the record while we chatted about music. It was wonderful and I’m looking forward to buying more!

Andrew Wyatt

Get In Touch

If you’ve sold records to me, feel free to send in your own testimonial. Please include a link to your social media or website so I can show people that you’re real. Thanks!