All Records individually listed for sale have been cleaned prior to grading. Records are shipped in an separate new inner sleeve outside of the jacket in an outer sleeve. Though the records have been cleaned, its recommended you always clean your record with whatever approved methods meet your demands prior to playback.
Grading is done visually, unless otherwise mentioned on the specific item. I grade under a 2,300 lumen LED bulb, I usually see everything, I may miss something, but if its there - then I should see it, and try to grade accordingly. Photographing record surfaces can be tricky, and often not very informative. I rely more on photos of the jacket to give an idea of its condition. When it comes to grading the records, I trust my eyes more than the lens
Grading break down, on a side note grading is obviously the most important, and hardest part of the job. Its also the most subjective. I do use Goldmine Grading as a standard, or as close as I can interpret it. The gap from NM to VG+ seems miniscule, while the distance from VG+ to VG feels oceanic. A VG+ record to me, like nearly all vinyl in existence will probably at some point present some form of surface noise. Whether that happens to be a bit of static build up, some particle of dust that just dropped from the curtains, or a few faint sleeve scuffs that crackle during the lead in, or for a brief quiet stretch. I do not believe that a VG+ record is pin drop silent. To me a VG+ record should be an absolutely rock solid piece of vinyl, NOT perfect, but darn near. If you want Mint vinyl, buy brand new and hope that you dodge the dozens of landmines that current pressing plants have to offer, with quality control, non-fill, warpage, etc.. I buy used vinyl on eBay as well, and more often than not when I buy something NM/NM-/EX/VG+ Im left feeling dissatisfied after Ive opened that package. I know a lot of buyers feel the same way. If you ever buy from me, and feel this way, please reach out - let me know about it, I never want someone to be left feeling disappointed with their purchase. If I have a VG album and its priced higher than most VG, or VG+ (or my VG+ to their EX/NM), its because I feel strongly about my grade and pricing that reflects it. I feel pretty confident my VG+ is often times stricter than the majority of peoples EX/NM, based on the items Ive purchased in the past. On a side note, the amount of 40-60+ year old vinyl being advertised as Near Mint is astounding to me. I must not have luck when buying record collections, because the amount of truly EX/NM vinyl from those eras, that I ever come across is miniscule, no matter how wide eyed Id like to view my inventory.
I think most 60s-80s era vinyl falls in the VG to VG+ range, and more so towards VG. Its how the music was consumed and enjoyed, before cassettes, before cds, before streaming. Some signs of use are to be expected, because people bought music to be played and enjoyed, to be used. A lot of people may drag VG as basically landfill bound. And it may be by some people's standards. Whether thats the grader, and how loose they are with the metric, or the listener, and how high their particular standards may be. VG means Very Good, not Very Great, and not Vile Godawful. Very Good, should be a nice listen to my ears. If you enjoy playing vinyl as a passive activity, IE; while working, reading, cooking, playing games, socializing, surfing the web, casually, VG should be a Very Good listening experience. If however, you consume your vinyl experience by sitting in a chair, dropping the needle and doing nothing but listening to every note that comes out of your speaker. Perhaps, actively trying to listen for an audible defect, VG is probably not going to be a very good listening experience for you. Both forms are acceptable, and I dont think one is better than the other, or the right way over the other. I do think the faster you can identify which version you are, the better your journey with vinyl will be. For me, I enjoy VG on most all genres, some exceptions exist, but I also listen quite a bit, often while Im working and multitasking, and if there is the occasional light surface noise beneath the music volume, perhaps a stretch with a few light ticks, some soft noise between tracks, I personally can look past that and still enjoy the music for what it is. I think VG is enjoyable, but wouldnt look at it as a collectible commodity, or heirloom, but as something that can be played and listened to.
A few side notes Ive gathered from buying on eBay over the years. If someone grades an item as "Vintage - Used"/"Good for its Age"/"Used as Is", understand you are choosing to gamble. I gamble from time to time in all facets of life, sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesnt. But understand you are taking the risk of being disappointed, and out of pocket/dealing with a return when you get delivered a chewed dog toy. If someone says "They are selling a family/friend/storage units/their own, old collection" and/or they are "Not a professional grader", you are gambling, not to say it cant absolutely work out beneficially for you, but you are certainly gambling. If they sell dozens of other goods, one of which is vinyl records, chances are they are not great at grading, and not likely that accurate. They are a jack of all trades, and a master of none. At least, not likely when it comes to grading vinyl. It does not take a special set of eyes to grade, but it does take honesty, integrity, and lots and LOTS of exposure to all sorts of records. Those who grade occasionally vs. constantly, are going to typically be looser with their grading. That 50 year old record looks like its in similar shape as that 50 year old toy doll, lets call it Vintage, Used, but looks good for its age. Thats a gamble. It could be a stone mint heirloom, it also could have been used as a hockey puck. I dont really sell anything other than vinyl, so I take it seriously, I cant afford to burn a buyer. If I burn that bridge, I cant recoup that loss. So while I want to sell you a record today, I also want to sell you a record 10 years from now, and hopefully every month or two in-between for all those years.
Vinyl Grading
Mint (M) - Still in original sealed shrink wrap. Period. Nothing opened is Mint. (no returns on sealed items, if opened)
Near Mint -I do not grade anything NM or NM- (with the exception being that I myself opened the it). Its been my experience that next to nearly no vinyl is ever truly NM, or NM sounding, even on brand new albums I myself purchase and clean prior to playing. Its so rare, Im not going to bother anyone with that. Furthermore what plays perfectly on my system, may not on yours. So if you only buy albums graded NM, I wish you luck and good fortunes in your quest!
Excellent (EX) - Ill next to never use this. These are beautiful copies, should show little to no signs of use aside from being opened. Perhaps a paper sleeve mark noted under bright light. I really try to avoid this grade. It will look nearly new. Should not disappoint. What I would consider a "Top Copy" Candidate, Im not saying there are not possibly cleaner copies out there, but you may go through a dozen to find one better.
Very Good+ (VG+) This is a record I would be totally content to keep as a final copy in my collection. Records in this grade will have light sleeve marks, very few/if any - very light "hairline" scratches, certainly nothing that can be felt. Very minimal surface noise, nothing that takes away from the music. Usually only noticeable at the lead in or run out, between tracks or softest of passages, if at all. Played and enjoyed previously, but carefully and not recklessly.
Very Good (VG) - The majority of my collection is made up of VG. Records in this grade were well loved and well played - but not abused. Usually when I play grade, Im working while listening, something that is VG should not distract my ears, I can enjoy the music thoroughly, and sometimes forget about it because nothing is catching my attention, but some surface noise is expected. It should not ruin the listening the experience. Will have some light surface noise, nothing too distracting, and does not overpower the music. The vinyl will have more obvious marks visually, generally surface scuffs/sleeve marks, surface hairlines. Typically these will be surface only marks, and usually not something that can be felt with a fingernail. Usually if something can be felt with a fingernail its ticks will be more audible and more noticeable, and possibly skip, I try to catch any of these defects and spot test to verify, and notate. This is not a perfect record, but should still be a V.ery G.ood, enjoyable copy.
Very Good- (VG-) - Records in this grade will have many more marks, scratches, will have background noise/ticks/pops, but not completely distracting, again as a casual copy for the background and I dont feel like spending up a nicer copy. It should be decent copy at a decent price.
Good/Good+ (G/G+) - Lets be honest, Good in the world of vinyl is really not that good at all. These records will definitely show wear and tear, ticks and pops will be present, and quite possibly skips, I usually try to play test anything in this area to see how it sounds, but every turntable will have different playback, mine from yours. Sometimes G records despite their appearance will play far nicer then youd assumed. This is not a final copy, but perhaps a decent place holder. Typically only will sell on harder to find albums due to scarcity. Or for a cheap substitute. Not for the faint of heart.
Jacket Grading
Near Mint - Again, no use here except on modern pressing. I deal mostly in vintage vinyl, if you see a truly NM 1960s jacket, take a photo and send it to me, Id love to see what that looks like.
Excellent-Ill nearly never use this one. Jacket shows really nicely, should have perhaps the very faintest signs of wear, be it on the corners, seams, spine. Like new or close to it. I would rather grade down to VG+ and let you decide based on the photos.
VG+ -Should look very nice, perhaps some faint seam/spine/ring/corner wear, sticker residue, writing. It wont look perfect, but it should still look darn good.
VG -Should still look pretty nice as well, but will have more pronounced seam/spine/ring wear, and possibly some splits on the seams/spine - which will be notated in the description. Might have light water damage, which would be listed in the description. This is a jacket that shouldnt be an eye sore, but what looks like Mom or Dad used to enjoy listening to often, 30-60 years ago.
Fair/Good/Poor - These are all varying degrees of beat up. Extensive splits, wear, water damage, the damage thats been done to it though will be noted in the description.
I typically do not factor in stickers/writing on labels or jacket, more often than not they should be visible on the pictures of the actual item for sale. I do not grade inner sleeves either. If an original custom inner sleeve is present - I usually try to notate if it is, but I am not always familiar with what came with an album originally. If you have a question whether the original is with the album, and its condition, please ask. If you have any questions you can always reach out.
Records are shipped in LP Mailers specifically designed for shipping records, with the record outside the jacket in a new plastic outer sleeve, and the vinyl in a new plastic inner sleeve, to try and avoid damage to spine/seams. Records are shipped with Pad Inserts between the records. New sealed records are shipped still sealed, with pads on either side, if youd like me to remove the record from a sealed LP but leave the shrink wrap intact, I can do this, just send a message at time of checkout.
Shipping via USPS Media Mail,
If youd like to upgrade to Priority, please reach out and I can get a quote. Media Mail remains the lifeblood of this marketplace, and while still modestly affordable, every year they raise the rates. Shipping adds up, and unfortunately, I am not Amazon. Generally speaking I lose on shipping costs. When you factor in the price of Mailer/Inserts/Labels/Ink/Tape/Gas, there are no real profits there. I try to keep shipping as affordable as I can, but like everything in this world, this price is never coming down, and we are all at the mercy of the price setters. You can buy more and save though, combined shipping applies to all orders. Add items to the cart and once complete simply check out. Ebay will automatically apply all shipping discounts as well as bulk discounts for multiple items if applicable.
I usually ship within 24-48 hours, sometimes that same day. Local post office is closed on Saturdays, so if you order Friday depending on the timing, or Sat-Sun they will ship on Monday.
Free Return Shipping if you are not happy with my grading of a record. I always try my best, but from time to time I may miss something, I will always try to make things right. So please dont hesitate to reach out if you feel I wronged you. Im here for the long haul, so your satisfaction goes a long way towards my happiness, please let me know good, bad, or otherwise, Im always trying to improve.
