Joint Custody

Outstanding customer service and a cool, friendly vibe! I called several stores to find a specific vinyl LP. Joint Custody picked up on the first ring, and the sales associate immediately confirmed that there was one copy in stock. He set is aside for me until I could get there the next day. Sure enough, I came in, and he had it. On top of being very knowledgeable, his whole attitude was so genuinely friendly, helpful, and kind. The store has a terrific selection, right on the U Street corridor. Next time I’m in search of an LP, I’ll start here!

Surprisingly well organize and ample selection of punk and new wave records. Another must shop location, near Red Onion and SOM. Good prices too!

I was in DC for a business trip and wandered into Joint Custody based on a suggestion from another record shop owner. I had limited space in the my luggage and had bought (2) records from the other store. I wanted to buy (4) more and asked Ambrose (working at JC that day) if he could ship the records to my home in SF. He said, «No problem.» I then asked him if he could ship the two that I bought elsewhere and he said, «No problem.» A few days later all (6) LPs arrived at my house and I couldn’t be happier. Here’s to great customer service and thank you Ambrose (I hope I spelled your name correctly). \m/

Joint Custody is one of only a handful of record shops in the District, which is kind of disappointing, but of the choices, it’s also my favorite.
The vinyl selection is decent and organized in a way that’s easy to find what you’re looking for but also allows for some exploring. It takes up the length of the left wall of the store, with t-​shirts and consignment clothing also featured prominently.
Prices are ok for DC, but skew a bit higher for used albums that you could probably find cheaper in other cities. Still, there are some good finds to be had. I picked up a used Sisters of Mercy album for $ 12. There’s also always a New Arrivals bin or two that offers the promise of landing a gem.
The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and offer to help without being pushy. For a neophyte vinyl collector who’s looking for album art as well as the audio, it strikes a nice balance for my browsing experience.

Don’t order from them online. I spent way too much on a vintage Corrosion of Conformity short from these guys, I know my measurements and based on joint custody’s «exact measurements» the shirt should have fit me very nicely. Well it doesn’t, it’s way too small and joint custody won’t do returns or exchanges due to sizing issues. I wanted to exchange it for their bolt thrower shirt, I offered to send the COC shirt back and pay the difference for the BT shirt (more money for them!) but it was a no go. They definitely don’t care about customer satisfaction so if you can’t physically go in and try something on don’t buy from them. they’ll screw you over and tell you to go f*uck yourself.

Hands down best record store I have ever been to, and I have been to many. Great selection! Wonderful staff! Not intimidating at all like at some other stores. Just super nice people. Nothing tops their selection. Great variety!

Verbatim dialogue of the Direct Messages on Instagram between JointCustodyDC and I:
Me: DM-​ing you as per your request regarding the white and black Oakland Raiders hat. Is it a fitted? Size? Price?
JointCustodyDC: It’s a snapback if you picking up in store $ 175
Me: $ 175?! Snapback?! Good lawd yall done lost yo mind
Lol
JointCustodyDC: Or you have no actual idea of what it is worth. Just because you can’t afford it doesn’t mean anyone has lost their mind. Why don’t you get back to taking photos of cars you can’t afford either
I shopped here on numerous occasions, but will never give them another dime. I was clearly saying that they «lost yo mind» in a joking manner. but they decided to reply with that condescending tone after obviously sifting through my public instagram page, which has photos of several different Mercedes-Benz’s which were uploaded as a collection of personal reviews of the different loaner cars that I’ve gotten over the course of the past few years of owning my own Mercedes-​Benz. I’m guessing thats where they got the idea to say «Why don’t you get back to taking photos of cars you can’t afford either».
I am stating just the facts and my opinion of the facts at hand. But in any scenario, I don’t think that is a very professional way to reply to any inquiry, regardless of whether or not I could afford it. I felt very humiliated and regret spending any money here. I usually never go out of my way to post any negative press unless I think they really deserve it. I have been blocked on all forms of social media as a result of sharing the screenshots of our conversation.

Joint Custody is a great record store located in D.C.‘s bohemian, and gentrifying U District. They have a meticulously curated selection of both new and used records across a variety of genres; everything from gritty 60s soul music by artists such as Anne Peebles to proto punk artists like the Stooges, to avant free jazz from the late 50s and early 60s, to more commonly found, but still high quality releases by the likes of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, and of course, DC area hardcore bands like Fugazi. Like other independently owned record stores I have patronized, Joint Custody also has a modest collection of vintage clothing and accessories such as shoes, so you can look the part of the retro loving hipster that you probably are if you shop here. The store wins extra points from me for always playing something interesting and obscure every time I visit. My only complaint is that they are such a small business, they never seem to be hiring.

I consider myself spoiled because I have lived in two cities, which have two of the best record stores in the world (no, seriously, look up and list of «best record stores» and these two are consistently listed): Glasgow (Mono Records) and Ft. Lauderdale (Radio-​Active Records). So, my review may be a bit out of the realm for anyone not so spoiled.
The selection was decent, not great, but decent. The size is small, but nothing wrong with that. Definitely has a good local record store vibe — small and open to digging through to find just want you want. Unfortunately, I did not find anything I wanted and was shocked by the prices. However, the guy behind the till was super sweet and helpful and seemed very knowledgeable about his stock. When I asked about this or that record he would immediately reply with a «sold out» or «it’s over here.» The selection of rock and roll (pre-​1970s) and blues is top notch. I spotted loads of Bo Diddley, which made me infinitely happy. However, again, the prices were wayyyyy out of range of worth, but I guess someone will pay it, right? I’ll continue to go here, it’s my local, but sometimes I can find a better deal on Discogs and while it pains me to shop there, I do need to be conscious of my pocketbook.

Large selection of many types of records. Even found one record that my dad had been searching for for over 30 years. Staff is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. If you are looking for records this is a must stop shop. They also have a lot of vintage clothing and other items which are worth a look.

What a great shop! A fine selection of punk, alternative, new wave, indie, classic rock and psychedelic… Knowledgeable friendly staff. Well organized clean shop. All the vinyl is clean and in VG-​VG+ condition. I Found quite a few gems for my collection. Prices are slightly on the high end… But not to the point of gouging by any means… And if you pay a little bit more to keep a place like this around its well worth it. Highly recommended…

This is definitely the best record store that I’ve been to so far in the DMV. It’s not listed as a record store, so it didn’t show up on my initial Unilocal search. I actually found out about it after reading someone’s bad review of Red Onion Records.
I thought this place had opened up recently based on the stock. I thought they had recently opened, so it hadn’t been picked through yet and they still had all their good stuff. They have a REALLY good selection of records. They have a lot of the standards at really good prices (Zeppelin, etc). They also had TWO copies of The Smiths’ «Meat Is Murder», which I rarely come across at all. Some of the prices here made me raise my eyebrows, but for the most part everything here is very reasonably priced (if not under priced).
What I really liked about this place is the have a bunch of different records in different conditions. Most stores will pass over records with a busted jacket etc., but Joint Custody sold them. I really like that, because I don’t care for the condition of the record so much as the actual musical content on it. They also have everything alphabetized within the genres, rather than using those place-​card things. I actually like this system way more.
In addition to being a record shop, they also sell used clothing and music equipment. Don’t let this fool you, though. This isn’t the kind of thrift store that sells records on the side (ie, a single box of records pulled from a Goodwill). The content of the shop is pretty evenly divided between the two. There are a lot of records to go through, and there’s also a lot of clothes to look through too! The clothes were just okay for me. I thought they were a bit expensive and not particularly fashionable, despite being «vintage».
Overall, I really had a good experience here. The owners (workers?) didn’t greet me and they seemed kind of bro based on their conversation on Vietnamese food, but they weren’t mean or anything. I really liked their vinyl stock and the fact that they carried tapes (though their collection was very limited). This is definitely my new first stop vinyl shop in DC, usurping Red Onion Records. I can’t wait to go back!

Best record store in the Washington DC area. Cheap and the staff is super friendly! The music selection is so diverse that any collector can come in and find something they have been looking for a decent price. Also their selection of used vintage t shirts is incredible. It reminds me of the record stores that I loved as a teenager in the 80s and 90’s.

Disclaimer: my review is based on the vinyl collection: Excellent collection, I always had great finds every time I go there; the attendants are nice and helpful; and very knowledgable (tend to be on the punk, hardcore stuff). I did not pay attention to the vintage clothing but it seems they have wide array of selection.

Great little record store. Picked up a used Sanyo TP626 turntable along with four mixed used/​new vinyls of various genres at reasonable prices.