Red Devil Records

A fantastic old school, independent record shop. Tons of vinyl. Friendly, helpful service. Great location on scenic Main Street.

I’m never giving this guy another dime. He has always been an enormous douche bag to everyone for no reason whatsoever. This is not normal record store snobbery. Instead of coming here, why don’t you support another record store that actually deserves to stay in business.

Glad this place is here they bring a lot to 4^th street. This is 2016 and you don’t need a record shop to find the title you are looking for– you can get anything you want via your phone. Well you don’t even need to buy a record cd or cassette it’s all there to be streamed. A record store to survive needs to change how they do things– in case of these guys it’s not give the customer what they want– it’s introduce them to something they need. You can walk into Red Devil– you won’t find that copy of December’s Children you were looking for, you’ll walk away with three or four other titles instead. Also the shop promotes/​idolizes Radio Birdman, which for me puts them at the top of my list.

One of my favorite Bay Area record stores since first discovering it about five years ago. Well-​graded vinyl and lots of quality used records coming through on a regular basis. No complaints about the prices, and definitely no complaint about the customer service. Barry has never been anything but friendly, enthusiastic, and helpful since the first time I set foot in his shop. Scott is a class act, as well. Wonderful place for vinyl lovers.

Same as others have observed, I find it uncomfortable to go into this store. I’m not a regular, but the few times I have been in there I couldn’t get out fast enough. Weird dude.

He has a sign that tells you to put away your phone. The other reviewers that didn’t follow directions shouldn’t complain about others’ rudeness when they are being rude to others in the shop.
Owner was really helpful when I was perusing the place for some records. He labels the conditions of the vinyls so you know you’re gonna be getting good quality stuff. A regular customer who happened to be there told me that he’s been shopping there for the condition of their vinyls vs other stores’ vinyls.
Ended up grabbing 4 records: Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Amy Winehouse, and Dr Dre. Looking forward to going back again!

The last few times I stopped in, the customer service has been much better. This is the kind of shop where you don’t get taken care of unless they figure out that you’re actually interested in records and not just in there to poke around and bullshit with friends. I would give it more stars, but I have found better deals elsewhere. This guy definitely cross references online and gets what he can for his records, and even though I respect that he has to pay his ridiculous San Rafael rent, I have found so many immaculate records for 99 cents at thrift stores that it’s hard for me to shell out $ 14.99-$ 34.99 for a record I can get online for about the same price, or possibly find cheaper in the city from some other crate sifter who scored it at a Goodwill like I could have with a bit of luck and fate.

Good selection, I don’t have any qualms with no frills exchanges, but inaccurate hours of operation is frustrating.

Attitude. When the industry is going out of business, being nice to customers might help. Give it a try and maybe those that love shopping in a record store actually would. PS: This was my second time in, was hoping things had changed. I guess not.

Small but interesting record store. Worth a stop if you’re in the area. Pretty decent selection of punk vinyl if that’s what floats your boat. Yes, the proprietor is a curmudgeon. But my recommendation is to look at it as just part of the fun. :)

This is a real jewel of a record store in downtown San Rafael. Great selection of new and used Jazz CDs and vinyl (only thing I’m really interested in). The staff is super-​knowledgable (yes, even the owner, everybody just get over yourselves) and willing to help guide you through their collection. They’ll even help with questions over email.
Really glad this place is a local fixture and it’s part of my regular beat when looking for music. I’ll continue to shop here as long as it’s around.

Selection is just ok but the bald owner seems like he is mad at the world. I would be too selling $ 4 records in a marginal store
Pathetic prick… don’t go here

This place is an excellent, convenient, local alternative to amoeba records in sf.
Sure, the owner, Barry, seems a little grouchy, at times, but he’s very knowledgeable and he will order anything that he doesn’t already have in the store for a reasonable price. San Rafael needs this store.

I’ve lived in Marin County for almost two years and have been coming here regularly ever since. I’ve been to a lot of shops in Marin and San Francisco, but Red Devil is my favorite.
There’s a strong emphasis on used rock, punk, blues and jazz LPs at Red Devil — but there’s a solid selection of everything, new & used, from stoner metal to country to Dr. Dre here. The store’s e-​mail updates are a great way to hear about the notable new stock without having to be in the store every day, and the owner is glad to special order albums for customers.
The store’s not huge, but that’s to its benefit — you’re not going to be digging through stacks of $ 1 Barbara Streisand albums here. Barry, the owner, only buys quality records. He has an eye for condition, and prices them accordingly. He knows his stuff. Yeah, a pristine Parlophone pressing of «Revolver» probably isn’t going to be priced at $ 8 — but I’ve gotten dozens of good condition records by Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Fats Waller, Miles Davis, etc., for well under the median price.
I think the negative reviewers are way off base in their assessment of the store. Barry is super knowledgable and glad to make a suggestion, should it be needed — but this is not some corporate store, there’s no rehearsed spiel to hear when you walk through the door. This is a real, good, old-​fashioned record store for people who love music. Be respectful and this place will be heaven for you.
If you want to overpay for the latest Arcade Fire album, this isn’t going to be your store. But when was the last time the clerk at Urban Outfitters remembered your name or musical taste?

I really don’t get all the whiny people that say the owner is rude. Ever been to a small record store before? He’s a record store owner and music collector, he knows a lot more about music than you or I, and just like everyone else he has an opinion on what’s good music and what’s not. That doesn’t stop him from selling stuff he doesn’t like, and every question I had he answered. Maybe I send off a record collector vibe (?) and he thought he could relate to me more than some customers but I found absolutely nothing wrong with his manners or demeanor. I actually found him interesting and engaging we talked about several bands I had never heard of and he played me their music.
That being said, I found the selection to be pretty wide considering the small space. The store covers many genres and also had a good amount of new reissued vinyl, lots of stuff from my youth has been re-​pressed that could lead to empty wallets.
As far as the prices I didn’t find them outrageous, things certainly weren’t on the cheap side but this guy knows what records are worth and charges according to what people will pay. What do you expect rare, out of print records to go for $ 1?
Maybe if you are new to record collecting the vibe of this shop is a little off putting but if you continue to buy vinyl I think you will come to appreciate this store. Take it from someone who has been buying records for over 25 years, it’s really a gem there aren’t many independent stores left out there.

This is an instance when you need negative stars. Lowlife dick of an owner. Miserable guy, miserable business … Felt sick after walking out.

I think the prices are okay, plus since I tend to buy a stack o’stuff every time I go in, I always ask if I can get a discount. They’ve always taken a percentage off or thrown in a few things for free. It isn’t a huge space so they can’t have everything you might be looking for but I always find things I want and things I didn’t know I wanted.
With regards to the friendliness of the owner, I’ve never had an issue with him, but then again I’m not walking around the store gabbing on my phone. I don’t think he is alone in finding that kind of thing completely annoying. Any questions I’ve asked have been answered directly and quickly, and I haven’t seen any evidence of him being rude or abusive. I’m a big guy with a military demeanor, so I guess this commands respect, but I’m not there to become best friends with the guy. I’m there to appease my rather serious music addiction. I’m a complete music junkie and I don’t let nobody interfere with my high. No way, no how. Regarding the retail experience: It doesn’t harsh my mellow if a shopkeeper isn’t always all warm and fuzzy. I think it is high time that we all stop expecting happy ending experiences in retail. Efficiency, politeness and respect – yes. Someone slobbering on themselves in their quest to make each trip there AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE for me – no. This ain’t f’n Disneyland. Plus, I couldn’t care less if anyone approves or disapproves of music I am buying and, Dear Reader, you should not care either. Okay, rant over. I haven’t seen the owner in there for quite awhile, but have instead interacted with his other team member, who is perfectly nice and helpful.
I recommend checking this place out! Let’s keep small record stores alive! Start collecting vinyl!

I went to pick up a gift for my brother at Red Devil Records in San Rafael and the salesman, Barry Lazarus, was HIDEOUSLY rude… at Christmas. I will never darken the doorway again and I will let everyone else know that there are other places to get vinyl where people are actually polite and WANT your business more than they feel like they need to be a «cool hipster». I wish I could give this place a LOWER review.
Barry, maybe just let your patrons know about your in store policy on cell phones rather than cranking up garage rock so they can’t hear themselves think… just say, «I’m sorry, this is our policy.» It’s so easy to be polite if you just TRY. There is no excuse for rudeness if you are running or working in a sales business.

This guy was a dick.

This guy is rude. If you like being verbally abused give him your business.
i go record shopping regularly and know what records are worth. the prices here are what you’d find on line, if you were paying top dollar. for the selection you are better off going to a store that has some shelf space.
true, he has some very hard to find vinyl… BUT he is a dick and it’s demoralizing to give a dick your money.