this seems like a fine place for the post.
welcome fastfashion
here are a few store suggestions in nyc:
the thing - junk store in greenpoint, brooklyn filled with at least, i dunno, 100,000-200,000 records. everything is 2 dollars (and usually less if you buy in bulk). it’s fairly picked over but you can find amazing gems there if you’re dedicated and/or lucky (i’ve found things like east wall ‘eyes of glass’ and the facteurs d’ambience ‘essai’ compilation, for instance). it’s on manhattan and huron.
academy annex is great for new synth/wave releases and reissues, and has a decent used section. it’s on n6th and berry in williamsburg.
a1 is great for house, techno, disco, etc, but you can also find good wave, ebm, and postpunk records there. that’s on 6th between first and ave A in manhattan. also just a few blocks away is gimme gimme records, which has a large new wave and postpunk selection - that’s on 5th between 2nd and 3rd.
other music and kims underground can be alright. etherea on ave A and 4th or something like that….an ok store called ‘good records’ right around the corner from there on 3rd between a&b i think….
that should be enough for a start - good luck digging!
EDIT: and don’t forget dope jams, on myrtle ave and classon in clinton hill.
not going to be too great for wave or synth stuff, but easily one of the best record stores around. great atmosphere, super nice people, and by far the most interesting selection of new house and techno in ny.