A&E | Vol. 24, Issue 11 | 3

Is Record Store Day Worth the Economic Hassle?

Is RSD a Cash Grab?

Ever get the itch to drop $60+ on an album with a random colorway? Or feel the strong desire to wait in line for hours just for the chance to get your hands on a numbered record pressing?

Are you looking for the humbling experience of realizing that you actually can’t get anything off your wishlist, so you waited in line for nothing? Well look no further than the wishy-washy world of Record Store Day, held at your local record store!

While not an official holiday, the world of physical media collecting treats it as such.

Record Store Day (RSD) began on April 19, 2008, as a way of celebrating the distinctive heritage and community impact of the thousands of independently owned record shops around the world.

This event occurs twice a year, on the third Saturday of April and Black Friday in November. Most of its popularity comes from RSD-specific releases, whether it’s vinyl, CDs, figurines, or other exclusive merchandise.

RSD music releases include a combination of mainstream and lesser-known artists, but the process of actually releasing specific pressings is a collaborative effort between artists, their record labels, and RSD organizers.

In recent years, the release lists have gone on to feature over 300 different media releases, so there’s almost certainly something for any kind of music taste. Some recent examples of RSD-exclusive releases include Siamese Dream (1993) by the Smashing Pumpkins, The Powers That B (2015) by Death Grips, and Jazz Impressions of “A Boy Named Charlie Brown” (1964) by the Vince Guaraldi Trio.

Admittedly, while there are hundreds of different items to choose from, RSD is not without its pitfalls, the first of which is the music selection. Yes, the selection process is collaborative, but, like most things in this world, money-hungry executives are behind a number of these pressings.

According to the Recording Industry Association of America’s end-of-year report, vinyl sales crossed into the billions in 2025, so why wouldn’t RSD organizers take advantage of this opportunity to pick out the albums and artists they think would bring in more revenue? RSD has been known for choosing major label releases, stifling the opportunity for the economic growth of independent record labels and big artists alike.

Another issue comes from actually being at the event itself. Imagine waking up early to get in line for your favorite music store, with a clear list of every single special release you want from this year’s RSD drop.

You walk to the store and wait in line for hours, with little to no shade or ability to leave the line, just for your picks to be sold out by the time you reach the front of the line. This is the reality for many RSD goers, since each event has a limited amount of each release to give out to the public. Granted, part of the magic of media collection is the rarity of the albums in your collection, but the rise of resale culture has turned this attitude on its head.

Remember when people would camp out for Supreme drops, arriving at least five hours before doors opened? There are people who will do this for Record Store Day, too. Not only are people there to purchase these low-quantity releases, they’re there to profit off of those who were unable to afford or even access said releases.

The headache of RSD doesn’t end at the consumer level; let’s not forget about the hundreds (or even thousands) of unsold RSD-exclusive media that independent shop owners must now prevent from rotting on their shelves and taking up valuable space for releases that customers might actually want.

Certainly, RSD must have some things going for it. A lot of the memorabilia sold are actually repressings of older works or albums that just never got a large production, creating an opportunity for older and younger collectors to network or get into the same music together.

Moreover, some releases come in specific colorways or with special packaging that other people may not have.

In short, RSD can connect generations of fanatics, make older and lesser-known music more accessible, help diversify someone’s collection, and build rapport between record stores and their communities.

Is it worth it? Kind of. It just depends on what you’re looking to get out of it. Just be prepared for long waits, high prices, and the potential to go home empty-handed.

At its core, Record Store Day is great for media collectors who want to diversify their hobby and for the independent shop owners who seek community engagement and support.

Regardless of whether you participate in this year’s RSD, make sure to support your local record store and any other independently owned businesses. They say money can’t buy happiness, but if your money can be put towards the music that you love and connect with, by all means, throw it at the record label executives who could care less about your hobby.