Buying a portable 8-track player in Phoenix in 1977

Time-travel with me back to October 16th, 1977, the day that this ad was printed, and let's go buy a portable 8-track player. This will have to be an imaginary journey, although I had moved to Phoenix in August of '77, when I was 19 I didn't have the budget for something so extravagant.

Come to think of it, I wouldn't have bought an eight-track player anyway, and would have probably gone for the AM/FM Stereo Cassette. But I didn't have an extra $99.97 sitting around either, so I guess it's a moot point.

If you've never listened to music on an 8-track player, you're not missing much, it was just awful, and it didn't last very long. I had a Bee Gees album that I got for Christmas, and in between each track the music just faded away, there was a hesitation, and then it resumed. I don't remember how I played it, my parents must have had an 8-track player. It was a clumsy system.

This ad, as you can see, was from the "Arizona" supplement to the Republic. Since I live in Glendale now, I can't help but notice that my town doesn't seem to be mentioned in the ad, just Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Peoria, and Tempe. I wonder if Glendale didn't have a Kmart yet in 1977? By the way, the one in Peoria, which has been gone for many years now, is the one that I used to go to a lot in the '90s, on Grand Avenue. There was also one on Northern by the freeway, but it must have been newer.


Anyway, it's 1977 in our imaginations, and I have $23.88 burning a hole in my pocket, so I'm gonna get the portable 8-track player. Here's the description: A conveniently 'carryable' 8-track tape player for your listening pleasure! Manual channel selector, swivel handle. Earphone jack for listening in privacy. Runs on batteries - not included. Save thu Wed.

Looks like I can use my Visa or Mastercharge, neither of which I had when I was 19. Can I borrow yours?
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