Have discussed this with a few people recently, so just wondering what Soul Sourcers think... have noticed that some people (especially on eBay) aren't that bothered about condition of records - have seen copies of various at VG or less, or even with cracks, going for a bigger proportion of the 'full' price than I would expect. Was just checking prices on eBay for finished auctions on something I was thinking about selling, and there is a VG copy which has sold for £10, and a VG+ (but with considerably more label damage than the other one) for £50.

(Oh yep and Manship's standard price for VG seems to be half of mint price plus two pounds).

I know there are some people who can't stand a damaged label, others who will buy mint vinyl only if they can, and upgrade to 'better' copies if they get the chance. I'm not all that fussy, will buy the best I can but have had some great bargains by going for lesser condition. But I've also lost out on what I was hoping were going to be great bargains because people have outbid me to almost 'mint' price on fairly knackered records.

So how much do you take condition into account when deciding what you'll pay? Or do you just want THAT TUNE whatever it takes....?

Edited June 14, 200520 yr by rachel

With me I'll take a gamble on a vg if it's cheap or if its something I have never heard.. I quiet often buy VG's that I don't know then replace them if I like them, and label damage isn't a problem, as I dj with all my records so, a couple of marks don't really matter.. If I collected then it would be different I expect.

What annoys me is when a Vg is rubbish people use to many grades in my opinion on records.

Mint it mint

But when you start getting

M=

M

M-

VG++

VG+

VG

VG-

VG--

G++++

G+++

G++

G+

G

G-

And so on and if you buy one in a rush last minute say a VG- it has more scratches on it then Streatham Ice Rink...

It really makes me laugh the terrible conditions some people have the audacity to put up on ebay. It’s not long ago when you wouldn’t bring back stuff like that because the risk of paying import duty which would be more than the record was worth! (Taking into account that even cheap records (really worth a fiver) are now 3 + times what they should be in mint condition.) I believe that paying anything near to the going rate for a record in G &VG record is a silly thing to and a false economy; admittedly you lose money on buying a brand new car, but who’s ever made profit on reselling a second hand one that needs an MOT? Maybe exceptions to the rule are the truly rare big ticket items where you have to make the choice on how you want to spend your money and the risk / chances of the record coming up again in better condition for the same price. Crappy labels can be put up with, but worn, chipped and cracked ones don’t get better and ‘heal’ with time. Also, buying records in bad condition for inflated prices, just leads to increases in the prices of the decent ones regardless of transient fluxes in the popularity of the record. Playing them knackers your needle which then knackers your pristine stuff!

Quote of the weekend...think it came from Andy BB about someone selling a f****d record at high price

seller...."yeah but the labels mint"

and the reply

"I don't want to play the f*****g label"

Edited June 14, 200520 yr by chalky

Lately on Ebay, I've just been buying off people I've bought from before. Also I tend to only buy if there's a picture, unless the records very cheap. the lowest grade I buy at is normally VG+. Marks and writing on labels don't really bother me.

Usually find that the condition stated by the US sellers is usually better than most Brit dealers stated condition.

Usually find that the condition stated by the US sellers is usually better than most Brit dealers stated condition.

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I agree.

Usually find that the condition stated by the US sellers is usually better than most Brit dealers stated condition.

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have found that too

pisses you off when a list says every thing mint - other wise stated, you buy the record and its fucking scratched to bolox :angry: noticed that on a lot of major UK lists.

For me im not to bothered on condition of the lable as long as i can play it . Bought twinkle little star and the lable has been miss placed, sticking on to the grooves of the vinyl hence having to fade it out ten seconds befor the end, but hell got it for a fraction of the price and its still great for DJing have a few cracked records to boosts the collection and a bit easyer on the pocket

Just bought a record from uk seller on Ebay- The guy said VG+ I was in shock when it arrived - I think the V should have been removed. I did want the record quite bad and it was a fraction of the guide price but the record looks shagged and it if it werent for the loudness of the record it playes shagged.

He also advertised semi known Northern record in M- condition. Yep the condition was ok but both sides are slow ballad- how can he say its nothern it aint even midtempo! ARRRGH!

Usually find that the condition stated by the US sellers is usually better than most Brit dealers stated condition.

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Ye!but our heads are in better condition than there`s,anyway whats a brit dealer,he probberly lives in the US anyway?,i sell records and i aint no two bit brit dealer,just humble English man born in Germany(forces),which make me nearly european?,thats if bliar dont fukc it all up!......

Ye!but our heads are in better condition than there`s,anyway whats a brit dealer,he probberly lives in the US anyway?,i sell records and i aint no two bit brit dealer,just humble English man born in Germany(forces),which make me nearly european?,thats if bliar dont fukc it all up!......

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I didn't say all Brit (British for you Kenny ) dealers

I didn't say all Brit (British for you Kenny  ) dealers 

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Whatcha!!Chalkie....

Quote of the weekend...think it came from Andy BB about someone selling a f****d record at high price

seller...."yeah but the labels mint" 

and the reply

"I don't want to play the f*****g label"

 

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Interesting answers so far, haven't noticed that much difference between US and UK dealers myself.. had a few under- and over-graded from both.

I'm after a mint copy of "Sweeter" The Valentinos and i'm happy to pay £100 for it...I saw a copy in a box at a local do about a month ago...no representation was made about condition but it was well and truly f**ked-label and vinyl...I wouldn't pay £10 for it let alone £100 being asked.

Usually don't go below VG+, but I risked a VG copy of Billy ShaRae "Pitfall" on Rapid..... well I couldnt leave it there for $5.......

WOOOOF!

Usually don't go below VG+, but I risked a VG copy of Billy ShaRae "Pitfall" on Rapid..... well I couldnt leave it there for $5.......

WOOOOF!

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I am the same but sometimes I will take a punt at stuff for the states and pocket money and have not done badly so far.

I always put a full description of my gradings on each listing so no probs with buyer. No bad feedback yet, so I must be getting it about right.

QOF

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