I mean an independent record store. The kind where the money you pay stays in your hometown. Obviously, if you have no such establishment, then you're on your own. I have a number of good local stores who are often cheaper than the big chains for everything (except the platinum-at-first-pressing CDs, probably). I think that everyone should try to support local establishments of all natures and try to avoid big corporate empires wherever and whenever possible. But, in most cases, the local store is about a hundred times more likely to go out of their way for you than Amazon or Record Bar is, which is a practical consideration you might also want to take into account. But I'm not saying that you should drive 50 miles out of your way to do it. But, then, Tony lives in San Diego, doesn't he? I can't imagine that there are no good local shops there.

But whatever floats your boat.