UHF

Love this store. Great selection of vinyl and other stuff. Everything I could hope for in a record store.

Since originally first shopping at UHF until now they continue to consistently have one of the best if not the best record store in the Detroit area. Scotty is super friendly, they’re consistently bringing in interesting used records that you want in your collection as well as a nice selection of new albums.
One slight gripe might be that they tend to run out of popular releases, but that is probably due to the popularity of the store, as well as scarcity in the area of stores stocking such albums.
They sell some concert tickets as well, which are fee-​free and take cash only for those. Really good store overall.

Very good record store.
UHF is a standard newer record store in the heart of Royal Oak. Although UHF might not impress if you’re swinging by from NYC, LA or Chicago, it’s an outstanding shop for the area.
Their new and used selection is wide ranging, well thought out and they don’t mess around with stuff you don’t want in your collection.
For newer titles, the prices here are pretty standard and for used titles I found the prices excellent. Other reviewers complained that this place was overpriced but objectively, it isn’t. You might slash off a buck or two off a title if you drive all over Southern Michigan but that’s a cost in itself and the prices will be comparable to anything you find on an online marketplace.
One thing that’s neat is UHF’s local music section. If you’re down with Michigan music or hang out at the Royal Oak, check this section out.
Also, the vibe here is great. Friendly staff and a presence that reflects the nearby scene.
If you live in the greater Detroit area and you care about vinyl (and the music scene) stop by this place.

Off topic but some of that one star reviews make me laugh. Other than the people complaining that some records are priced a little high (all record stores have this problem to some extent) I’ve never experienced any of the complaints that are thrown around here. Anyway, new vinyl is a plenty here as well as used, and the used selection is reloaded with new titles pretty much weekly and they’ve been getting some gems in. Oh yeah, I still haven’t seen any hipster elitist anythings in this store working.

Awesome local record store! Great selection, neat and tidy, friendly staff, and plenty of stacks to lose yourself in digging for a while. The focus here is on records, both new and used although there is a smaller collection of cds. If you’re looking for vinyl though this place is for you. They update their new arrivals area regularly and announce it on their Facebook page if you’re itching to go digging when there’s a fresh batch of records in.
Also love the focus on local music. They often have in store performances and also sell tickets to local shows without all those pesky online processing fees (cash only so hit the ATM before you come in).
In this day and age when a lot of record stores go bye bye it’s wonderful to see this one around and thriving.

Hipster elitist time warp. Won’t be returning based on the service.
I came in for the first time today to buy a ticket. The girl working the front counter was pleasant enough and directed me to the back desk. I asked for a ticket which I was anticipating to be $ 15 for early bird; the guy said «$ 25» and when I politely asked about the early bird price, he shrugged disinterestedly and just pointed at his envelope that had $ 25 written on it. I handed him my card and he said «cash only» like it was obvious, when I can’t remember the last place I went that was cash only. Got some judgy stares on the way out; normally I’d think I was just being insecure but my friend noticed too.
Not sure if I didn’t meet their standards or if they’re too cool for customer service. But it’s 2015, get an iPad and a square and at least take a credit card.

Expensive with condition problems.
At first I liked this store. Then prices kept going up up up. And condition down down down. Not only that but the lighting is terrible. You will notice the guy in the back «cleaning» LP’s with a rag? Well I think he’s actually polishing them with something. see a wetvac? Nope you don’t. Because they are not cleaning anything just grinding in dirt deeper into the grooves trying to make albums look better.
Only a VPI type machine cleans records UHF. Wiping them down with a rag does not and polishing them with anything will destroy them. FOREVER.
You can get cheaper on Ebay which says it all. This place wants top $ for lower grade they’ve destroyed «cleaning»
Sorry but I cannot ignore this. Its a shame and a sham. Plus light up the store. Its to dark to see.

I’m a big fan of UFH. Usually I pop i about once a month on a Wednesday to check out the New Used Arrivals bins. The prices are fair in relation to the high quality of the piece and pressing. The employees are very friendly and will help you with any questions you may have. Great selection of used and new magazines and books too.

Talk about overpriced? THis is the mecca for stealing from a customer. Not worth going as well for stock. You will NOT have any FINDS here unless you want to really pay double for anything you «may» find

Annoyed. Annoyed. Oh Annoyed. Small collection. Nothing impressed me about this place and I won’t return. Even the music they play in the store is very bad.
NOPE, NO AND
NEVER AGAIN

Here’s the thing about UHF: You’re probably going to find what you’re looking for, but you’re probably going to pay out the wazoo for it. I’m a lady who loves a bargain but it’s hard to come by here. Otherwise they have an impressive inventory!

My conclusion is that I can no longer trust these folks, and I’m pretty sure they do some sort of buffing process on some of the higher priced used LPs.
Basically any used LPs approaching $ 20 or more that I’ve been interested in, when cracked open and examined under the light, show evidence of being futzed with. A 25−30+ year old record that has been played a fair amount isn’t going to have a thin layer of gloss on it with a bunch of surface scratches (or deeper scratches) underneath. It would look duller and you’d hear the surface scratches when you play it. This is true even for records that have been properly cleaned.
Now, if you buff a record by lightly sanding the grooves down with a buffing wheel or some other process, it can deceptively make it look like it’s a nicer record that it really is. You can cover up surface scratches, and in a poorly lit store like UHF that LP that would have been graded «fair» or G– at best is now looking like a VG+ record to the untrained eye. It also means a higher profit margin on used records.
Now, the reason why buffing is bad is because it flattens the grooves and will take away musical information on the record permanently. It also deposits debris in the grooves and will make for a record that sounds horrible with a whole lot of noise obscuring the actual music.
A couple weeks ago I purchased a stack of records from this place and I just got around to listening to one of the more expensive ones (a $ 20 LP) today. Despite looking clean and in nice shape, it plays with same of amount of noise that a 50 cent thrift store LP that has been treated like a frisbee plays with. Yuck.
Lesson learned, and I won’t be shopping here ever again. There are too many other choices, both brick and mortar as well as online, to bother with this place.

Super cool store! Wide variety of genres.
Also a great place to buy concert tickets for several local venues.

If you’re looking for the typical straight, white, male rockist type of record store then UHF is for you. They focus on classic rock, indie rock, punk and metal. If you’re looking for rap/​hip-​hop, electronic or experimental music then selection is pretty thin. Great for readers of Rolling Stone and Pitchfork but that’s about it. The staff isn’t particularly friendly or particularly snobby, one or the other would be nice. The one young lady who works there is very nice and when she’s there is the only time you won’t hear some garbage frat boy indie rock or metal coming out of the speakers. I am a huge maniac music collector with a very wide-​ranging taste and I rarely can find anything interesting at UHF. I pretty much only go there anymore to buy concert tickets. Their prices on pretty much anything the slightest bit rare or collectable are a bit much too. If you love paying internet prices in a physical store then UHF is the place for you!

I am very happy to have been initially wrong about this place and I’m overjoyed to change my review. I have never been compelled to change a review for the positive like this so I’m over the moon.
I would like to share that I celebrate record store day every year. this year, UHF made it MUCH easier for me by posting their RSD list online on time on facebook, ahead of time. because of that, i knew which store to go to without the stress of wondering what would be where.
even though they ran out of the records i wanted, i was really glad they published the list.
the real surprise was that two days later, UHF posted that they had leftover copies of the record i wanted on facebook. i was at work almost a half hour away and was willing to take off to go get the record. i called them to tell them i was going to be on my way, but they gave me an option to put the record on hold (at no extra cost!)
they really worked with me and compromised. i was super grateful. my whole record store day was saved and i got the one thing i wanted most. i want to thank UHF for making that possible and working with my situation.
best of all, UHF accomplished all of this through social media. by being very specific online about their releases and arrivals, i’m able to keep up with absolutely everything. if not for the social media interaction from start to finish, i would not have thought of going to UHF for record store day nor would i have known that they would have the record i wanted. they are prompt to answer you on facebook and answer ALL your questions specifically. the fact they show that dedication online to work with you even when you’re not in the store is absolutely wonderful. more stores can take after this, it’s the future! a lot of record stores can’t keep up with modern technology but UHF makes use of it and keeps up wonderfully.
sometimes it’s not about how many records, what price, and all those things– sometimes it’s just about that incredible customer service and being treated with respect and priority.
thank you UHF. you’re doing it right!

They have an amazing selection of used LP’s. I can usually go into UHF and come out with a gem. Have a question about the quality of an album, they have a listening station set up to tickle your ears.
I would definitely recommend going out of your way to shop here.

They have an amazing selection of used and new records and the staff are really friendly. Laid back, and friendly. I always manage to find what I’m looking for.
I also really appreciate their relevance in the local scene and how they’ve got all the promotion flyers near the entrance. From time to time they have in-​store performances which is great considering how cozy the setting is – it’s a pleasant change from the ruckus that can evolve from a ROMT concert.
It can get costly but the huge selection makes up for it.
Lastly, I really appreciate how often they post updates on their facebook page, which means I can just drop by when I feel like it or when I see something up for grabs on short notice.

Customer service matters.
My experience with UHF has been great so far. The biggest reason I’m writing this review is because of a good customer service interaction. On my second or third trip to UHF, I purchased a bunch of used 12″ LPs and some 45s. I started playing everything as soon as I got home and noticed there was a serious flaw with one of the 45s. My bag and receipt had already been tossed but the UHF tag was still on the 45 sleeve so I figured I might as well set it aside and see if they would exchange it.
About a week went by and it slipped my mind to contact the store but I thought «You never know til you ask» so I sent them an email explaining the situation. I received an email right back saying it was no problem and to bring the record in for exchange. I was back in the Royal Oak area a few days later so I brought the record with me. I brought it to the counter, explained the situation to the young lady working and barely got through the whole thing before she said «No problem, I’m sorry that happened, did you want a return or exchange?».
I grabbed a couple used LPs and finished up the transaction. I was extremely pleased with the whole operation from top to bottom. Myself and a friend just recently had a terrible service issue from another Michigan record store so it was nice to see a different Michigan business pick up their slack and in return, their business!
Great selection of used and new vinyl, fairly priced and almost all used records are in plastic sleeves which is cool.

Why UHF make’s me happy.
1) Organization
I mention this before selection because I appreciate presentation and order. Yes, the thrill and allure of record shopping stems so much from the «hunt,» but the hunt is so much sweeter when you have a little direction (especially when you come prepared with a shopping list).
2) Selection
Wonderful selection, both new and used, and I love the little industrial section. Quality is key here. I always leave with what I’m looking for + new and old find’s in excellent condition that I don’t think I have (or maybe I do, but I’ll buy it anyway because it doesn’t hurt to have two copies…) + once in awhile, something I’ve longed for.
3) Friendly staff
I haven’t chatted up the staff too much, but they’ve always been cordial and will greet you with a smile. You know, how you expect good people to act. ;-)
4) In store concerts
Granted, I’ve only been to one, but I had a great time and still had room to shop. Nice stage set-​up in the back.
Great addition to the handful of record stores I frequent in the area. I’ll be back for more!

I just stopped at UHF the other day and I was really impressed. UHF is the vintage vinyl store concept from the same owner of Lost & Found Vintage, located next door.
UHF is a modern, swanky store. It’s a long space with records on the walls and in the middle. I’m not a vinyl connoisseur but it seemed like they had a really big selection. It certainly has the most vinyl recordings that I’ve seen in many moons. I also saw a section dedicated to just 45s if that’s what you’re into. In the back of the store was a type of makeshift stage. It seems like it would be a great venue for local bands not seen in the area since Record Time in Ferndale closed. There are also some vintage record players, headphones, a typewriter and other similar paraphernalia. One of the best ideas was a rack of CDs by Local Bands at the front near the cash register. I think it’s a great idea to be a destination to find local music since it can be difficult at times.
The store has a really cool aesthetic. The staff seems to be some of the same people who work at Lost & Found. That’s great because that means they are very nice and very knowledgeable. If you’re into vinyl and/​or local music make this your first stop.