Berkshire Record Outlet (BRO)

[Fafner]

If you don't already know about it, BRO (broinc.com) sells overstocks, and remainders.   As a result, their coverage is spotty, but often my grief that an urgently wanted recording is out of print turns to joy, when I find the remainders are at BRO.  Their customer service is notoriously cranky, their shipping is notoriously show, but I have found them absolutely reliable if you are willing to wait. 

Here's my most recent order.

1.    CDA 66589-HYPERION
    Bach, The Goldberg Variations. (Tatiana Nikolayeva, piano...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 117278

2.    CD 1085-BIS
    Sandagerdi {b.1955}, Intermezzo #1 for Wind Quintet; 'Dia...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $7.99 ($7.99 ea.)
    Code: 104709

3.    HMA 1951512-HARMONIA MUNDI
    Mozart, String Quintets, K.515 & 516. (Ensemble 415. Tota...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $3.99 ($3.99 ea.)
    Code: 142554

4.    377767-EMI/ANGEL
    Beethoven, The Symphonies; Overtures to Coriolan, Ruins o...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $49.50 ($49.50 ea.)
    Code: 148353

I've been chasing that Harmonia Mundi recording of the Mozart Quintets for quite a while, and it was waiting for me at BRO. 

I intend to post any BRO orders here, and I invite others to do the same, particularly if you have stumbled over something wonderful.

[bigshot]

Thanks! Their search engine is positively obtuse!

[Gurn Blanston]

Thanks! Their search engine is positively obtuse!

  I used to think the same thing when I first started going there (10 years ago when they still sent out a monthly newspaper), but now using it has become so natural that I don't even think about it anymore.  Skip the basic and use the advanced. Surprisingly it is easier rather than harder.

Since I have several favorite labels, one way that works well for me is to just put in a very basic parameter, like "Haydn", check the box that says "CD", then choose a label from the list. If you are looking for something specific, this search is unbeatable. If you are just browsing, it can be beat, and easily. However, it is a treasure compared to Amazon, the worst search engine in the world! 

[Ataraxia]

However, it is a treasure compared to Amazon, the worst search engine in the world! 

I've never had a problem.

[Gurn Blanston]

I've never had a problem.

It sucks.   

Like most of us here, I use it at least a half dozen times a day. I'm happy with the search results probably once in those.

The best web page is still Archiv. It is so beautifully linear and logical that even I, an Internet naif, can find exactly what I want in no time at all.

[Fafner]

My guilty pleasure on BRO is to pick a favorite label on Advanced Search and leave the keyword field blank.  Then it returns all recordings by that label.  BRO doesn't have much from the majors like Decca, Deutsche Grammophon or EMI, but if you select Hyperion you will get quite a list of gems for as low as 4 bucks each.

[SonicMan46]

My guilty pleasure on BRO is to pick a favorite label on Advanced Search and leave the keyword field blank.  Then it returns all recordings by that label.  BRO doesn't have much from the majors like Decca, Deutsche Grammophon or EMI, but if you select Hyperion you will get quite a list of gems for as low as 4 bucks each.

Hi Fafner - most of us here (at least in the USA) are BRO fans & customers - can't even say how many CDs that I've purchased from them; however, the nature of their service does limit your selection so searching is always an issue, i.e. label, performer, composer, or their 'advanced' options - can be frustrating @ times but the reward of finding a handful of wanted discs @ the prices being offered is great!

[Fafner]

Hi Fafner - most of us here (at least in the USA) are BRO fans & customers - can't even say how many CDs that I've purchased from them; however, the nature of their service does limit your selection so searching is always an issue, i.e. label, performer, composer, or their 'advanced' options - can be frustrating @ times but the reward of finding a handful of wanted discs @ the prices being offered is great!

In my experience, their search engine is among the best.  If they have it, I never fail to find it.  Of course, since they stock overstocks and remainders, if you want a specific recording they typically don't have it. 

In any case, I was hoping this thread would end up full of tips about great things found at Berkshire, not endless commentary about BRO.

So here is my previous order (embarrassingly large).   You can see I snatched the complete string quartets of Simpson, as well as some other treasures.  Previously I got the complete Symphonies of Simpson at a better price and any Amazon marketplace seller was offering.

1.    CDA 67373-HYPERION
    Mozart, The Two Piano Quartets, K.478 & K.493. (Paul Lewi...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 151175

2.    CD 1579-BIS
    Bacri, Nicolas [b.1961]: Concerto Amoroso 'Le Printemps' ...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $7.99 ($7.99 ea.)
    Code: 147318

3.    CDA 67534-HYPERION
    Schnittke, 'Madrigal In Memoriam Oleg Kagan' & 'Klingende...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 138096

4.    CDA 66626-HYPERION
    Simpson, Quintet for Clarinet, Bass Clarinet & String Tri...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 117328

5.    CDA 67571-HYPERION
    Bloch, Baal Shem Suite; Suite hebraique; Suites 1 & 2 for...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 138100

6.    EVERCD 004-EVEREST
    Ravel, Bolero; La Valse; Rapsodie Espagnole; Daphnis & Ch...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $3.99 ($3.99 ea.)
    Code: 149704

7.    CDA 66695-HYPERION
    Simpson, Horn Trio; Horn Quartet. (Richard Watkins w.pian...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 13330

8.    9818-CHANDOS
    Leighton, Kenneth [1929-1988]- 'Piano Works': Sonatina #2...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $5.99 ($5.99 ea.)
    Code: 143412

9.    CDA 66419-HYPERION
    Simpson, String Quartets 1 & 4. (Delme Quartet)
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 19014

10.    CDA 66503-HYPERION
    Simpson {b.1921}, String Quintet {w.Roger Bigley, viola};...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 117263

11.    CDA 66376-HYPERION
    Simpson, String Trio {Prelude, Adagio & Fugue}; String Qu...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 117385

12.    CDA 66885-HYPERION
    Schnittke, Piano Quintet; 3 Madrigals for Soprano & 5 Ins...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 124101

13.    CDA 67399-HYPERION
    Szymanowski, The Complete Mazurkas. (Marc-Andre Hamelin, ...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 126467

14.    CDA 66127-HYPERION
    Simpson, String Quartet #9 {'32 Variations and Fugue on a...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 117491

15.    CDA 66117-HYPERION
    Simpson, String Quartets #'s 7 & 8. (Delme Quartet)
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 122597

16.    CDA 66386-HYPERION
    Simpson, String Quartets # 2 & 5. (Delme Quartet)
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 122785

17.    CDA 67572-HYPERION
    Dvorak, Piano Trios, Opp.21 & 26. Suk, Elegy, Op.23. (The...
    Format: CD, Qty: 1, Price: $6.99 ($6.99 ea.)
    Code: 148896

[kishnevi]

Well, I just tried every combination I could think of to locate that 50CD Beethoven box you mentioned as being listed at BRO for $50, and could not find it.

[Fafner]

Well, I just tried every combination I could think of to locate that 50CD Beethoven box you mentioned as being listed at BRO for $50, and could not find it.

In this set, he is listed just as Heidsieck (no first name).  I searched for Heidsieck and it came right up.  If you search for Eric Heidsieck it doesn't.  I guess there is an art to BRO searching afterall.

[kishnevi]

In this set, he is listed just as Heidsieck (no first name).  I searched for Heidsieck and it came right up.  If you search for Eric Heidsieck it doesn't.  I guess there is an art to BRO searching afterall.

Well, your suggestion on the other thread led me to it, so it's ordered.  Thanks.

[cjvinthechair]

Sorry - can't add to 'great things found at BRO', but just a word as a UK enthusiast to say thanks for highlighting its existence !

[eyeresist]

I've never had a problem.

The Amazon UK site is much better than the US, in my experience. The US advance search never remembers criteria like "sort by date" or "format". And then there is no way to exclude all the dodgy seller entries and streaming versions from the list.

The UK advance search, by contrast, remembers my display criteria, which also includes "Only offers from Amazon.co.uk", thus eliminating the dead entries.

[mc ukrneal]

It sucks.   

Like most of us here, I use it at least a half dozen times a day. I'm happy with the search results probably once in those.

The best web page is still Archiv. It is so beautifully linear and logical that even I, an Internet naif, can find exactly what I want in no time at all.

How strange. I find the Arkiv search engine the most bizarre search engine ever invented. I find it terribly frustrating and lacking in logic. You need to take multiple steps where others take fewer steps. Amazon is no great shakes either, but I can usually hone in on what I want more quickly. None of them are super duper, but Arkiv is among the worst in my experience.

Here's an example at Arkiv:
Searched Nevsky ancerl (tells me there is none)
Searched Alexander Nevsky after switching to title (not in the list of 4 pages!! Huh?)
On targeted search (which was not an option before) I searched Nevsky ancerl and I got 4 pages of stuff! It was on page 3 (why it was here and not on previous search makes no sense to me).
Alternatively, I could have searched Prokofiev and then chose Alexander Nevsky from a list (but why it was here and not on the 4 pages earlier also makes no sense to me). But this has limited alternatives. Imagine seaching for a popular piece! Oi!

With mdt, presto, and amazon
Enter Nevsky Ancerl and poof! Comes up first in all. That Arkiv cannot do this quickly is a major weakness for me.

[Opus106]

Here's an example at Arkiv:
Searched Nevsky ancerl (tells me there is none)

The Supraphon vol. no. 36?

[mc ukrneal]

The Supraphon vol. no. 36?

Yes, volume 36.

[Sammy]

How strange. I find the Arkiv search engine the most bizarre search engine ever invented. I find it terribly frustrating and lacking in logic. You need to take multiple steps where others take fewer steps. Amazon is no great shakes either, but I can usually hone in on what I want more quickly. None of them are super duper, but Arkiv is among the worst in my experience.

Here's an example at Arkiv:
Searched Nevsky ancerl (tells me there is none)
Searched Alexander Nevsky after switching to title (not in the list of 4 pages!! Huh?)
On targeted search (which was not an option before) I searched Nevsky ancerl and I got 4 pages of stuff! It was on page 3 (why it was here and not on previous search makes no sense to me).
Alternatively, I could have searched Prokofiev and then chose Alexander Nevsky from a list (but why it was here and not on the 4 pages earlier also makes no sense to me). But this has limited alternatives. Imagine seaching for a popular piece! Oi!

With mdt, presto, and amazon
Enter Nevsky Ancerl and poof! Comes up first in all. That Arkiv cannot do this quickly is a major weakness for me.

Interesting.  The way Arkiv is set up, I've never used the search engine; there's no need to do so. 

Concerning Ancerl/Nevsky, I got there in less than 10 seconds, not having to type anything.

[Opus106]

Yes, volume 36.

It's right there at the top of the results.

[mc ukrneal]

Interesting.  The way Arkiv is set up, I've never used the search engine; there's no need to do so. 

Concerning Ancerl/Nevsky, I got there in less than 10 seconds, not having to type anything.

You mean you click to get there?  That is not my preferred method. It hadn't occurred to me to try clicking only. That is not an advantage for me, but I could see how others might think so.

It's right there at the top of the results.

I get a 'cannot find what you are looking for' with your link. One cannot enter 'nevsky ancerl' to get there. Nor can one enter 'prokofiev alexander nevsky ancerl' and get to the disc in one try. One must take multiple clicks and/or text entered to get there, while any of the competitors I listed get it in one try.

[Opus106]

I get a 'cannot find what you are looking for' with your link.

Any chance that the browser you're using has a script-blocker installed (and enabled)? Arkiv uses Google to search their website, so you must let
the googleapis.com(?) domain have its way for the search to work.

One cannot enter 'nevsky ancerl' to get there. Nor can one enter 'prokofiev alexander nevsky ancerl' and get to the disc in one try. One must take multiple clicks and/or text entered to get there, while any of the competitors I listed get it in one try.

Except for the way its formatted (Amazon's own vs. a Google result), there's no difference. It's just a single click from the results page to the disc page in either case. At my end, at least.