Many collectors and fans of the Smashing Pumpkins ask me about where I have gotten my collection and what they can do to start their collection.

First off, you need to decide whether you are going to solely devote yourself to collection vinyl or compact discs or both.  Each grouping has its rare items which you can try and target.  For instance, if I decided to collect only compact discs, then I would try and focus on only the items that were limited in quantity or promo only since they would be the hardest to come by.

Here is a list of the items I feel are currently the rarest in the world for the Pumpkins (in no particular order):

Now of course, once you have decided which direction your collection can go, you then must formulate a plan to target what you want.  Obviously, you will want to start with online auction and directories.  Some of my favorites include:

Ebay
Some of the rarest items will appear here first before arriving at an online store.

Gemm Global Music Marketplace
While GEMM still uses technology from 1994, there are quite a few items by the Pumpkins on there. The only problem is that a lot of the items are not in stock that you find. So be sure you acutally click through to the online stores website from GEMM and search the particular site before ordering.

Netsounds UK Store Search Directory
Similar to GEMM, but easier to use. This site compiles several UK music stores and makes it easy to search.

MusicStack US Store Search Directory
Similar to Netsounds, but just for US shops.

Music 1 Seach
Another US music store directory that you can search.

Now there are many online stores that have a great selection.  Obviously, if I am looking for a rare French item, I would start with French stores and so on.  Some of the stores that I frequently check out include:

Redeye Records *5 STAR MERCHANT*
Excellent selection of Pumpkins items and reasonably priced.

Rockaway Records
The Australian version of the US Rockaway, except this one has a cool stock.

Vicious Sloth Collectibles
Nice website with good selection.

Record Cellar Music
Has some nice Pumpkins items.

Mega Tunes
Pretty good supply of Pumpkins stuff.

Music Selection
Easy to use site with some Pumpkins merchandise.

A&B Sound
Has few Pumpkins items but is reasonably priced.

Diamond Music
Another Canadian source for Pumpkins items.

Scratch Records
Another Canadian source for Pumpkins items.

Into the Music
Another Canadian source for Pumpkins items.

Too North Records
Good vinyl selection of Pumpkins and large bootleg stock also. Fair prices in Canadian.

Compact Music
Another Canadian source for Pumpkins items.

Discovery Records
Another Canadian source for Pumpkins items.

Dr. Disc Music
Another Canadian source for Pumpkins items (Primarily used, the rare items go on Ebay).

Fandom Paradise
Another Canadian source for Pumpkins items.

Penguin Music
Another Canadian source for Pumpkins items.

Jinx Records
Good source for French Pumpkins items.

Vinyl & CD Music *5 STAR MERCHANT*
Good source for French Pumpkins items.

Sing Sing Music
Good source for French Pumpkins items.

Electric Shock Music
Good source for French Pumpkins items.

DJB Records
Good source for French Pumpkins items.

Diaz Records
Good source for French Pumpkins items.

Black And White Music
Good source for French Pumpkins items.

Fun Records
Good source for German/European Pumpkins items.

Poplife Music
Had some rare Pumpkins items that were auctioned recently. Good connections for German and European Pumpkins items.

Tokyo Music
Good source for Japanese Pumpkins items.

CD Gold
Good source for live bootleg Pumpkins items.

Esprit Limited *5 STAR MERCHANT* 
Acquires some of the rarest items in the world. Unfortunately, it knows it and charges you out the ass for it. Some items can be reasonable, while others outrageous. Depends on how desperate you are.

Map Records *5 STAR Merchant*
Another site that specializes in rare and deleted Pumpkins items. Stock is sometimes misleading and e-mail response is slow if they are out of items, but shipping is quick and the prices are average for a UK shop.

Opal Music
Another Rare source for Pumpkins items, stock pretty current and most items without prices listed are either out of stock or require you to "bid" to see if your offer is acceptable.

Vinyl Tap Records
Used to be one of the premiere sites of Pumpkins rarities. Still has good stock and decent prices.

Energy Music
Good source for UK Promo Pumpkins items.

Revolution International Music
Good source for Pumpkins vinyl and CDs, including some promos.

Norman Records
Used to be the main site if you wanted test pressings, now just regular stock w/average prices.

Rock of Ages Mail Order
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Pink Pig Music
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Spellbound Records
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Reckless Records
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases at great prices (also has store in the US).

Record X Music
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Vinyl Exchange Music
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Herbgarden Records
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Track Records
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Malibu Records
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Key Mail Order
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Polar Bear Music
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases with good prices.

Marquee Moon Music (also on GEMM)
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Vinyl on the Net
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Rummage Records
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Fantastic Plastic Music
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Encore Records
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Sweet Memories Music
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Indie Music Records
Another good site for UK pumpkin related releases.

Southland CD *5 STAR Merchant*
One of the best, if not the best, Smashing Pumpkins store on the web. Excellent connections and fair prices on most items.

Gatefold Records
Another good site for pumpkin related releases.

Around the World Music
Another good site for pumpkin related releases.

Music Machine
Good site that specializes in promo related releases.

Connected Music
Website sucks, but they have good stock (radio shows and promos) and frequently advertise in Goldmine magazine. It is usually better to just e-mail them for what they have in stock.

Brouhaha Music
Another good site for promo related pumpkin releases.

Music Selection Music
Another good site for pumpkin related releases.

Music Masters
Another good site for pumpkin related releases.

Streetlight Records
Another good site for pumpkin related releases.

Saturn Records
Another good site for pumpkin related releases.

It's only rock and roll
Another good site for pumpkin related releases.

Smogtown Records
Another good site for pumpkin related releases.

VVMO
Another good site for pumpkin related releases.

Dixon Music
Another good site for pumpkin related releases.

The Finest CDs & LPs
An excellent site for radio shows.

The Old Hippie
Another great site for radio shows.

Obiland Music
Great website for Japanese releases.

Siren Disc Records
Another good site for current and future Pumpkins (and Zwan) releases. Good imports and fair prices.

Yesterday & Today Records
Another good site for pumpkin related releases.

Wynnco Music
Another good site for pumpkin related releases, specializes in record awards.

After checking out theses sites, you can then try the set sale route by purchasing a magazine.  The three best that I try to frequently look at (as most new online stores will advertise that their store is now online) are Goldmine (for vinyl) and Discoveries (for CDs) in the US.  For the UK, I buy Record Collector (usually found and Borders and/or Barnes & Noble, if not request it!) which has some good information and a great set sale (which is now online at www.rcsetsale.com).

Are there some stores on this list that are missing that you visit often that carry good Smashing Pumpkins items?  Do you want me to link my site to your personal website?  Let me know by e-mailing me at [email protected].