2. Finding things you never knew you wanted - you might walk into a record store with a purpose in mind, but rarely would you come out with it. The charm is that you will find about ten other things that you just can't resist, even if you're never sure why...
3. Touch and feel - there is an engimatic charm to leafing through a batch of vinyl. You can spot a regular by their nimble figures and speed of shuffling.
4. The 'expert' - rarely will you go into HMV and find an employee who can name the entire Frank Zappa back catalogue, or drag the name of every Bob Dylan B-side from their memory. Often the owners and workers in an independent record store live and breathe music, and will happily dispel your music tastes and fill you in on everything you should own.
5. Vinyl - you should listen to the old diehards on this one, they are not just being difficult - vinyl does sound better. There is a raw and rusty charm to the sound of a vinyl that has been lost in the polished sound of the CD and the MP3.
6. The History - every record store has a long standing history and they wear it with pride. From the signed posters covering the walls, to the rare memorabilia in every nook and cranny, to the stories of when the owner met the drummer from Rush, there are plenty of tales to be heard in a record store.
7. Haggling - found that vinyl you've always been waiting for, but a couple of quid short on the asking price? Well this is not your average high-street store, the person who decides the prices is probably stood right in front of you, and chances are they might knock a chunk off for you.
8. Getting to know you... - go to a record store enough times and the employees will remember you, after all, you're one of them now. This means when that record comes in they know you will love, they'll hang on to it for you, or if some gig tickets come in that you'll be desperate for, maybe they will give you a text. Now you don't get that on the high street...
9. Trading - ever tried taking a CD into HMV that you have got a bit bored of and vainly asked the cashier if you can swap it for another one? Chances are you would be laughed out of the store. Give it a go in your indepedent record store and you would have a shot.
10. Rarities - you will find things in a record store that you would certainly never find in a high street music store, and you would never think to look for on the Internet. Otis Redding B-sides that even he forgot he did, Abba covers by 80's glam-rock bands, or the work of hip-hop collectives that never saw the light of day, you can find it all and more.
Think we've missed something off the list? Is there another reason you go to your record store of choice? Perhaps your favourite store has a particular charm we should know about?
Comment below and maybe we'll add it to the list.
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