WORKING -- JAMES ROBISON

-- STORY BY TORUS TAMMER, PHOTO BY SEAN HILLER

HE IS

The guy who buys your used CDs.

DISC TRADER

James Robison, 28, is the assistant manager of Moby Disc, a music and

video store in Huntington Beach that sells everything from movies,

cassettes and vinyl records to new and used compact discs.

Robison, who has been an avid music fan since his early teens, said it

is important to have a decent knowledge of bands and music, especially

when you are trying to assist customers.

“It helps to love a variety of music because when people come up and

ask you specific questions, then it’s easier to help them out,” he said.

As far as judging the price of a used record or compact disc, Robison

said he relies on popular knowledge and economics.

“Basically, when buying back discs from the public, you make the

decision based on popularity, the music or the artist,” Robison said.

“But also from a business standpoint, we look at whether we think we are

going to sell it in a reasonable time.”

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Robison said it is impossible to know every disc that has been made,

but when the occasion arises, he has been fortunate enough to turn to

fellow employees for assistance.

“There have been times when someone comes in to the store and has a

compact disc that I haven’t heard of,” Robison said. “But I will ask one

of the other guys in the store, and they will usually have some idea.”

CHANGING PERSPECTIVE

Robison, who has been at the Huntington Beach store for more than a

year, said working in his profession has allowed him to be around music

all day long, which has given him the chance to expand on his music

knowledge and discover new things.

“My idea of what is good has changed since I’ve worked here,” Robison

said. “I never liked the Grateful Dead before, but I listen to them all

the time now.”

BENEFITS OF THE JOB

Among some of the things he enjoys most about his job are the

unexpected surprises.

“Someone bought in a record of a band called Exploited that I had

owned 15 years ago,” Robison said. “My mom had thrown it away along with

my Smiths records, and that time at the store was the first time I had

seen it since.”

Robison said he enjoys working at the store, and the flexible hours

allow him time to do other things. But what it all boils down to is that

music has and will always play a large role in his life.

“I’ve tried to learn music but can’t because I’m not inclined that

way,” he said. “So I end up spending a lot of my paycheck here at the

store. My wife gets mad at me, but a big part of my life is dedicated to

music.”