Poo-Bah Record Shop

Definitely not what it used to be. Once upon a time, it was one of the best record stores in SoCal. Not anymore - no decent used CDs or LPs in the store (anything decent is put on ebay at exorbitant prices) and the staff is rude, arrogant and dismissive of anyone and anything that they don't personally like. The LPs and CDs that they do allow the store customers to buy cost at least twice what anyone else charges. Really - the bins are filled with stuff that looks like the dollar rack at Amoeba.



It all started several years ago, when they moved to their current location. The longtime staff that was both friendly and knowledgeable were all fired and the shop was turned over to this little twerp who thinks he's better than everyone else and knows more about records - even though he doesn't know the difference between an original and a cheap re-issue (which may not make any difference if you're just trying to fool people with crummy re-issues and dollar records). I guess this is what happens when you have a hip-hop "label" (big deal - my dog can have a record label - that doesn't make him better than his customers).



With Pasadena City College's monthly record swap meet (first Sunday of every month) literally a few blocks west on Colorado Blvd, don't waste your time with Poo Bah.

The old location was better. The staff were these cool- more mature white dudes that actually knew every type of music that they sold. The used vinyl selection was a little better and much cheaper. There hiphop selection now is a little better - now that they sell cds. But, my biggest gripe against this Pasadena icon is that they sell used and the new CDs for way over the suggested retail. And the new people that work there are those music elitist/critics that will talk down to you if you happen to ask them to search for a person they do not like. Hey buddy, I did not ask for your opinion in music, just find the damn cd for me....okay? If this store was still at its old location with the same customer service they had back then, I could have easily gave this a 5 star rating. But, due to the uppity customer service and the overpriced hiphop selection on both used and new items, I give it a two star rating. Too bad, cause they have a chance to sell a lot of underground hip hop if they lowered their prices and carried more titles/selections. With most cd stores closing, this would give them a chance..... All hell, I guess I will waste my money and put gas in my car as I head to Ameobas in Hollywood.