I ONLY SHIP TO THE USA AT THIS TIME
SHIPPING IS $5.95 FOR THE FIRST SINGLE LP or $6.25 FOR DOUBLE ALBUMS THEN $1.00 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ALBUM WON OR PURCHASED.
RECORD GROUPS SHIP FOR $5.50 - $6.50.
ANY OVERPAYMENT OF SHIPPING WILL BE PROMPTLY REFUNDED TO YOUR ACCOUNT!!!!
Records will be securely and safely packaged in record
shipping boxes.
Most vinyl 33 1/3 records I have listed on ebay have been
SOUND TESTED by my listening to the album in full, or sample listening
throughout both album sides. Starting bid prices are based on rarity,
desirability and condition of each record, and records may need cleaning.
Paper inner sleeves may have split seams or rips, or may be
bent, misshaped or discolored from age.
I grade conservatively using the Goldmine vinyl record
grading scale (SEE BELOW). I will SELDOM list a record graded below G+, and
rarely a copy that is less than VG. Any exceptions will be noted in
detail in the description and photos. YOUR SATISFACTION IS MY GOAL. Should
you have a problem, please allow me to resolve it. Check my feedback and bid
with confidence!
I use the following grades: NM, VG++, VG+, VG, G+, G.
MINT (M)
These are absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely seen, Mint
should never be used as a grade unless more than one person agrees that the
record or sleeve truly is in this condition. There is no set percentage of the
Near Mint value these can bring; it is best negotiated between buyer and
seller.
NEAR MINT (NM OR M-)
A good description of a NM record is “it looks like it just came from a retail
store and it was opened for the first time.” In other words, it’s nearly
perfect. Many dealers won’t use a grade higher than this, implying (perhaps
correctly) that no record or sleeve is ever truly perfect.
NM records are shiny, with no
visible defects. Writing, stickers or other markings cannot appear on the
label, nor can any “spindle marks” from someone trying to blindly put the
record on the turntable. Major factory defects also must be absent; a record
and label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint. If played, it will do
so with no surface noise. (NM records don’t have to be “never played”; a record
used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the disc is
properly cared for.)
NM covers are free of creases, ring
wear and seam splits of any kind.
VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+)
or
EXCELLENT (E)
A good description of a VG+ record is “except for a couple minor things, this
would be Near Mint.” Most collectors, especially those who want to play their
records, will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if it toward the high end
of the grade (sometimes called VG++ or E+).
VG+ records may show some slight
signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not
affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are
OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the
center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some
very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.
VG+ covers should have only minor
wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than
one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover
may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. Covers with cut-out markings
can never be considered Near Mint.
Very Good (VG)
Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG
record. That said, VG records — which usually sell for no more than 25 percent
of a NM record — are among the biggest bargains in record collecting, because
most of the “big money” goes for more perfect copies. For many listeners, a VG
record or sleeve will be worth the money.
VG records have more obvious flaws
than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss
found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light
scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record has
surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages
and during a song’s intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the
music otherwise.
Minor writing, tape or a sticker
can detract from the label. Many collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG
records in them and not think twice. They remain a fine listening experience,
just not the same as if it were in better shape.
VG covers will have many signs of
human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where
the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some
more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may
appear on all three sides, though it won’t be obvious upon looking. Someone
might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it, too.
Good (G),
Good
Plus (G+)
or
Very Good Minus (VG–)
These records go for 10 to 15 percent of the Near Mint value, if you are lucky.
Good does not mean bad! The record
still plays through without skipping, so it can serve as filler until something
better comes along. But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and
the label is worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious damage
caused by someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing miserably. A
Good to VG– cover has ring wear to the point of distraction, has seam splits
obvious on sight and may have even heavier writing, such as, for example, huge
radio station letters written across the front to deter theft. If the item is
common, it’s probably better to pass it up. But if you’ve been seeking it for a
long time, get it cheap and look to upgrade.
POOR (P) and Fair (F)
Poor (P) and Fair (F) records go for 0 to 5 percent of the Near
Mint value, if they go at all. More likely, they end up going in the trash.
Records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an attempt
is made to play
them. Covers are so heavily damaged that you almost want to cry.