Gloria Jones

Tainted Love

Is there a better known Northern Soul record? we think not as Soft Cell's cover version "Hit" in 17 different countries.

Let's face it, Marc Almond was not the only teenager affected to the core when he heard "Tainted Love" for the very first time, allegedly on a suggestion from his local Northern Soul DJ Ian "Frank" Dewhirst he should record this instead of the insipid drivel of his previous indie recording.

Well he went away and did just that - selling literally millions of copies and kick-starting a long and successful career.

Before you today though is something rather special - this iconic 1964 Northern Soul anthem in it's RAREST label design pressed in vinyl, that is 48 years after it's birth in MINT - condition. Straight from America - bypassing all the rigors of the Northern Soul circuit - ready for those of you seeking the pristine NS classics in the finest possible condition.

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The winning bid was £ 388.00

Ty Karim

You Just Don't Know

Just occasionally, a record collecting moment makes your heart race, your palms perspire, leaving you breathless.

For me it's always when I encounter a Northern Soul trophy in unimaginable condition. Not only is this record in any condition a NS prize most will never own in their lifetime but this copy is MINT!

Astonishing truly flawless copy of Los Angeles undisputed Queen of independent soul RAREST 45!

Northern Soul foraging does not get any better than this!

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The winning bid was £ 2,614.00

Harvey And The Jokers

Soul Sound

Harvey's gonna bring you the "Soul Sound" on a raft of mellow horns characteristic of the Carolinas creations that have enriched the British Northern Soul scene for decades.

The haunting lead vocal weaves it's path through complimentary brass and tricky guitar work, blending Northern Soul mid-tempo perfection.

You are viewing a Northern Soul trophy piece, one of only a handful of copies known, seldom seen for sale; especially in this fine clean condition.

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The winning bid was £ 1,112.00

Thelma Houston

Baby Mine C/w The Woman Behind Her Man

Especially for those discerning collectors who seek PERFECTION whilst acquiring the Northern Soul classics.

If your edging towards that magically milestone 60 years of age. This 45 holds the power to catapult your mind back evoking visions of; The Torch, The Cats, Leeds Central, Saturday afternoons in Select-A-Disc, pilgrimages to Wigan Casino, Va Va's or wherever that NS addiction took hold.

Thelma Houston's "Baby Mine" just screams the NORTHERN SOUL GLORYYEARS 1972 - 1975.

So in 2012 to find an UNPLAYED untouched copy is for me a delight. I'm perhaps the most untidy person in the world - but pristine vinyl & labels - just does it for me.

Deep Soul depressionists listen to the flipside and weep...

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The winning bid was £ 188.00

Blues & Soul

Blues & Soul No. 2 - Novenber 1967

the incredibly RARE no 2 in the series that went on for another 4 decades informing Black Music fans of their heroes and their music.

Front cover is a STAX recording studio shot of Sam & Dave. Inside the magazine offers a two page SKA insight to the current top 10 sellers and reviews of new issue albums and singles.

Full page pics & bios on the following artists - James & Bobby Purify,Betty Harris, Mighty Sam, Albert King, Radiants 4 pic full page shots of The Supremes on stage.

Plus all the Soul Charts both sides of the Atlantic. Back page is a full pageEMI advert for Stateside, Tamla Motown, United Artists albums.

No. 2 in the series - very hard to find!

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The winning bid was £ 193.00

Mell Hueston

Searching C/w I Need Some Loving

Now here's a seldom-seen oddity that I'm always pleased to meet up with, because I just adore BOTH sides. So why is it odd?

The label references Los Angeles, this is a solid Detroiter; a Walter Whisenhunt session, the husband of Gloria Taylor; who always delights with his consistently tight precise fluid productions, but the L. A. address and co-producer, a mysterious Casablanca puzzles.

What doesn't puzzle one iota is what's in the grooves - "Searching" is a superb version of Willie Hatcher's Groovesville session - flip it over to be met by a Detroit instrumental that just drips with the City's Sound and era.

Two strong sides - seldom seen for sale and another 45 underlining just how much untapped quality is rare but acquirable, for the NS jock to give more than just a cursory turntable outing to.

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The winning bid was £ 190.00

Calif. Malibus

Love In My Life C/w I Stand Alone

Anyone remember the larger than life character Bob Catteneo aka Daly City Bob. A soul-collector turned dealer who's Bay Area establishment Soul Odyssey carved the future of so many fledgling Brit dealers. (Mine included)

Bob would source and dispatch all California new soul releases many of which became UK All-Niter monsters, some which slept for a few years to emerge decades later at purist venues like Soul Essence or The Orwell. Some today still lay in the most complete of Europe's Soul collections having had little or no club exposure.

This example, has over the years visited all 3 scenarios. In the year 2012 this 1976 Daly City immigrant is elusive and loaded with all the ingredients for aNS renaissance.

Take listen, it is instant 70s Soulful dance with a flipside that will delight the Sweet Soul sucker. Potential is frankly obvious...

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The winning bid was £ 148.00

Bill Horton

I Wanna Know

Frank Virtue surprisingly never credited a vocal-group on this Bill Horton rarity, after all from the very first note this Philly Northern Soul stroller is full-on vocal-group Northern Soul in the traditional style.

This recording is essentially by THE SILHOUETTES showing off all the qualities of the "Not Me Baby" monster, this recording too enjoys the booming lead vocal of a man who's career led The Silhouettes to not only local but worldwide success.

What price, I wonder if the credits read SILHOUETTES? as this 45 in our experience is rarer than their highly-valued GOODWAY trophy.

Listen to the impressive soundfile of a sleeper, that has snoozed in obscurity for far too long.

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The winning bid was £ 159.00

Tainted Love is worth nearly £400 now.

I'm giving up and getting a proper job.

PLus I can't get f*cking £60 for a mint Mel Houston! Identical record to the one above, but in keeping with policy when a record fetches a daft price, my £60 copy is now £100.

Norman Johnson & The Showmen

Take It Baby C/w In Paradise

Totally MINT - unplayed as far as we can see - soundfile has been lifted from a USA Swan label release; giving us a long-overdue opportunity to yell the praises of this under-played Northern Soul double-helping from an icon.

You will be amazed that this 45 did not 4 decades ago take the scene by storm because both sides are just perfect Philly created Northern. Showcasing the General's magnificent guttural vocal style welded to a perfect 60s dance production.

Time to shelve "Our Love Will Grow" and air this killer - far, far rarer than his other "Action" release and offering every note and warble as good if not better.

Personally I didn't think it possible to find a genuine MINT 1968 Action 45 in 2012, let alone arguably the finest the label ever released.

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The winning bid was £ 99.00

Brenda Holloway

Starting The Hurt All Over Again C/w Just Look What You've Done

Other than this Los Angeles Princess's unissued "Reconsider" - "Starting The Hurt All Over Again" is by far her finest Motown Northern Soul offering - hidden away on the flipside of an almost as explosive Frank Wilson session "Just Look What You've Done"

This 1967 British DEMO offers two fantastic dancefloor destoyers in their rarest attire. in the type of condition that the Tamla Motown perfectionist seeks.

Flawless TMG 608 DEMO - click the soundfile and dance!

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The winning bid was £ 138.00

Bell Boys

I Don't Want To Lose You C/w Woman I Love

Akron, Ohio does Chicago and how!

Karl Tarleton & Carl Davis's composition for Jackie Wilson is ripped by Pat Sferro's team on this 1968 local session. A record that simultaneously crammed the dancefloors of Wigan Casino & Cleethorpes Pier during the mid-70s. Now considered a timeless but extremely elusive NS classic.

Today there is a different reason to get a little excited about this offering - the flipside is outrageously charged Northern Soul. International DJs Michael Robinson & Keb Darge have been championing "Woman I love" for some time. The first Northern Soul Jock to back it will have a monster on his hands.

Click the soundfile you'll have no problem imagining your combustable-club-dancefloor igniting - no matter which side you drop the needle on.

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The winning bid was £ 261.00

Johnny Howard

The Chase Is On C/w I Miss My Lady

Johnny Howard injects a little energy into The Artistics mid-tempo masterpiece, the result is cascading Chicago Northern Soul that just makes you feel the need to dance!

Marvin Smith, Billy Butler & Carl Smith composition is lifted by bongo's, horns and a quickening pace driven by a bank of strings, full choir backing chorus strengthens and already piled-high Kitchen-sink production; then a savage-sax break leaves you thinking - WHAT ELSE!! is Tom Tom Washington & Willie Henderson gonna throw in the mix.

Will those days ever return when a soul recording was crafted by a studio crammed with musicians and real instruments.

If there ever was a record we could point to and say productions of this calibre are now sadly "a lost art" this is "IT"

This copy is a 1969 PROMO in perfect condition, vinyl & both labels are flawless.

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The winning bid was £ 224.00

Jimmy Hughes

My Loving Time C/w I'm Qualified

The temptation of the London DEMO!

Yellow and alluring the draw of vinyl in this format is like Green & Black's chocolate in the fridge; you know yo shouldn't but you just have to.

Fabulous Northern Soul dancer from the Muscle Shoals workshop showcases the Fame Studio's premier artists at his smoothest...

Surprisingly relegated to a flipside this subtle guitar driven mid-tempo offers up an utterly delicious stroller, underlining the skills Rick Hall & Quin Ivy's team. Deceivingly gentle but oh so very addictive...just like chocolate.

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The winning bid was £ 128.00

Inez & Charlie Foxx

Mockingbird

Oh the beauty of British SUE!

This 1964 UK press is in just astonishing condition, a eyebrow raising in fact.

LABELS are PERFECT no sign of a spindle entering the center hole - maybe virgin-vinyl revealing just two incredibly fine blemishes in strong light.

FRONT COVER is as good-as-it-gets BACK COVER has very light shade of 38 years browning, even retains original inner poly-lined inner sleeve.

SUE is the ultimate of all British 60's labels - the labels album are all without exception ridiculously difficult to find - but in this condition - think impossible!

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The winning bid was £ 121.00

At least the Bell boys is down from 600 to 260!

Dont like Mel Hueston so wouldnt even give you 60 quid for it Pete!

At least the Bell boys is down from 600 to 260!

Dont like Mel Hueston so wouldnt even give you 60 quid for it Pete!

Exactly...

Tainted Love is worth nearly £400 now.

I'm giving up and getting a proper job.

thats crazy world of northern soul Pete

At least the Bell boys is down from 600 to 260!

the bell boys are not from ohio, it wasn't recorded there and it was just released on an ohio label. The bell boys are from Aliquippa, PA and are the same group as the three rivers blue band on lion. They went to high school with the El Pooks (who later became the Stringfield Family). One other group from that city was the Soulistics.

Who buys these records at these prices ?

Ty Karim

You Just Don't Know

i will let my mint copy of the above go for 2k if any one lost out on the manship one for 2.6k

Who buys these records at these prices ?

idiots and more idiots

the bell boys are not from ohio, it wasn't recorded there and it was just released on an ohio label. The bell boys are from Aliquippa, PA and are the same group as the three rivers blue band on lion. They went to high school with the El Pooks (who later became the Stringfield Family). One other group from that city was the Soulistics.

Bob,

The Bell Boys were started by guys from Aliquippa and New Castle (yes, two words). PA. Later they added members from Youngstown, OH and played mostly in Y'town and Geneva-On-The-Lake, OH (summers). The bass player, Vic Rangle (sic?) made a 45 as 'Rangle' on in the early 70s.

The Three Rivers Blues Band were a different operation. I can't recall all the details but I think they were based out of Conneaut, PA which is on a lake that straddles the OH/PA border. The 3RBB guitarist, Larry Paxton, was from Youngstown. They made two 45s, one on Lion and a more successful 45 on Buddah. Neither of which are soul records buy I guess the Lion 45 could be played as a 'mod' sound.

You forgot to mention the Hi-Fidelics (sp?) who had a funk 45 that goes for a lot of money when offered, not that it's worth it.

weird place to be talking about this but I think that it's good to correct Manship's erroneous information.

The Bell Boys 45 was recorded at Akron recording and got airplay and probably sold a thousand if not more copies. They appeared on the Upbeat show in the summer of '68 performing IDWTLYN. However, I don't think this footage was not included in the syndicated version of Upbeat so it's apparenty lost (same as the Explosive Dynamiks and other regional soul or soul related groups)

my info came from someone who went to high school with the group or may have been in the group (it's not clear in his emails). He specifically said the Bellboys were from Aliquippa and that the 3 rivers blues band was based in Ambridge, PA. He gave me memberships, etc. but you seem to have much more specific details plus info more directly from the source so it's not like I can argue with you other than to copy and paste his emails. However, he did send me these photos which are kind of cool:

He also specifically said this about the temptations ad:

"PS: on that Temptations Ad I attached, there is a group called the Reverbs (from Aliquippa, PA) They recorded a song in Ohio with a group called the Fraternity Brothers called "I Could Care Less/Speak Your Name", ever hear of it."

George, do you know what record he's talking about? I'm assuming it's rock, which I know little about.

also, as long as i'm naming random pa cities, i think the most famous blue eyed soul group from that area was the Jaggerz

A few years ago someone paid £215 for an import copy of These things will keep me loving you by The Velvelettes on a SOUL demo off JM's site

a week later one sold on Ebay for £20

i just don't understand why people pay so much over the odds unless JM's are all unplayed condition?

also, i just looked at the info he gave me and there was at least one common member between the two groups, Pat Sferro. So obviously it's not the same group (sorry) but there was a connection. I'm pretty sure the lion 45 is in the northern guides btw.

i guess they are extremely wealthy busy people who do not need or have the time to spend hours searching through various sites...business people or even those famous soul fans who get mentioned from time to time,i mean i cant see the likes of paul weller sitting on ebay and esniping to save a bit of cash...with jm's auction they know they will get the best condition and good service...

dean

i guess they are extremely wealthy busy people who do not need or have the time to spend hours searching through various sites...business people or even those famous soul fans who get mentioned from time to time,i mean i cant see the likes of paul weller sitting on ebay and esniping to save a bit of cash...with jm's auction they know they will get the best condition and good service...

dean

Sorry but they'd get the same condition and service off most of the professional sellers off here for half the money.

also, i just looked at the info he gave me and there was at least one common member between the two groups, Pat Sferro. So obviously it's not the same group (sorry) but there was a connection. I'm pretty sure the lion 45 is in the northern guides btw.

The Bell Boys members in the pic should be Pat Sferro (guitar) Vic Rangel (bass) Joe Merando (drums) Sam Marcitulio (guitar) Joe Rock (lead vocals). The horn players were from the Dana School of Music which was part of Youngstown State university. I don't have their names handy.

The guys in the Three Rivers Blues Band were Larry Paxton (guitar) Dave Freeland (drums) Pat Leone (guitar) George Magura (keys?) and others....according to Larry the band had nine members with horns, there were several personnel changes as Larry and Dave left to join a Youngstown based band, Brainchild. Dave is on the Buddah 45, he has a writing credit. Leone is credited on the Lion 45. The members were from all over, but they were booked out of Pittsburgh and the 3 Rivers is a Pittsburgh reference. Dave was from Conneaut.

The Jaggerz played the same clubs as the Bell Boys. The Gazebo, and the Sunken Bar at Geneva-On-The-Lake as well as others. Their 1st 45 (as the Jaggers) was recorded and pressed in Cleveland (it's garage, not soul). "The Rapper" song is really not indicative of what they sounded like. I still like the song even though it's pretty stupid (I was 9 when it came out in the spring of 1970). It is true that they were the biggest band of their kind in the Pittsburgh/Youngstown/GOTL triangle.

All these bands were part of the same scene, it's likely that a couple people moved between bands, but they were distinct groups with their own sounds.

The Insights, Shaddows, and Hi-Guys (recording as the Loading Zone on Columbia) were the competition, along with other unrecorded bands like the Ovations and Soulsations.

Edited June 7, 201212 yr by George G

We always thought they were Freddie Bell's group! How did they get away with calling themselves the Bell Boys if there was already a group of that name?

my info came from someone who went to high school with the group or may have been in the group (it's not clear in his emails). He specifically said the Bellboys were from Aliquippa and that the 3 rivers blues band was based in Ambridge, PA. He gave me memberships, etc. but you seem to have much more specific details plus info more directly from the source so it's not like I can argue with you other than to copy and paste his emails. However, he did send me these photos which are kind of cool:

"PS: on that Temptations Ad I attached, there is a group called the Reverbs (from Aliquippa, PA) They recorded a song in Ohio with a group called the Fraternity Brothers called "I Could Care Less/Speak Your Name", ever hear of it."

George, do you know what record he's talking about? I'm assuming it's rock, which I know little about.

I have a Reverbs acetate, I don't remember the song titles but both sides are good garage. It has a Gateway label. I also have a copy of an old newspaper article about them. As I said, they were a garage band with little/no soul influence. They were pretty well known in the area.

Sorry but they'd get the same condition and service off most of the professional sellers off here for half the money.

im sure they would pete,ive never had a problem with condition off of any 'pro' sellers on here inc yourself...i just think those who pay twice as much from manship are probably extremely rich so saving money is not on their minds...and if they are too busy to search through various dealers aswell they would stick to him which is why he continually gets higher prices for tunes week in week out..IMHO

dean

Sorry but they'd get the same condition and service off most of the professional sellers off here for half the money.

John Manship is the highest profile professional soul seller, given the brand he has been able to build up. He wrote the price guide that everyone uses. How would a rich casual collector learn about Pete Smith for example? They might know one or two other dealers that they deal with regularly that they interacted with randomly, but in general, I agree with spacehopper that it's not worth their time / money to find dealers let alone records on the internet.

Pete, what you should do is find a way to reach out to wealthier collectors via what they interact with. I have no idea who these people are, but say they all read a certain magazine or something. You could take out a professional looking ad.

im sure they would pete,ive never had a problem with condition off of any 'pro' sellers on here inc yourself...i just think those who pay twice as much from manship are probably extremely rich so saving money is not on their minds...and if they are too busy to search through various dealers aswell they would stick to him which is why he continually gets higher prices for tunes week in week out..IMHO

dean

I dunno, I just don't get it, the Solomon Burke thing is still fresh in the memory...£500 for a £20 record...

John Manship is the highest profile professional soul seller, given the brand he has been able to build up. He wrote the price guide that everyone uses. How would a rich casual collector learn about Pete Smith for example? They might know one or two other dealers that they deal with regularly that they interacted with randomly, but in general, I agree with spacehopper that it's not worth their time / money to find dealers let alone records on the internet.

Pete, what you should do is find a way to reach out to wealthier collectors via what they interact with. I have no idea who these people are, but say they all read a certain magazine or something. You could take out a professional looking ad.

I could do lots of things if I had the money Bob.

I could do lots of things if I had the money Bob.

if you had rich buyers you would have money. you can do things for free, like reach out to some of the people and ask for leads on their friends, etc.

also you said you have a 1500 person sales list. Aren't there wealthy people on your list? I just started and I have a 100 person list and there's at least a couple wealthy collectors. The problem for me is that if they are actually serious collectors they will already have everything except the ultra-rarities. A different type of wealthy collector is paying a lot of money for common records -- a more casual type of collector.

I dunno, I just don't get it, the Solomon Burke thing is still fresh in the memory...£500 for a £20 record...

yeah thatsa big difference and just plain stupid!....but then again theyre are on ebay too i supose with the tempests boot recently so maybe they dont just stick with him...i guess we'll never know as no one will come on here an admit to being one of the buyers and jm rightly will not tell...but every week you do wonder again WTF!

if you had rich buyers you would have money. you can do things for free, like reach out to some of the people and ask for leads on their friends, etc.

also you said you have a 1500 person sales list. Aren't there wealthy people on your list? I just started and I have a 100 person list and there's at least a couple wealthy collectors. The problem for me is that if they are actually serious collectors they will already have everything except the ultra-rarities. A different type of wealthy collector is paying a lot of money for common records -- a more casual type of collector.

How would I know if people are wealthy, it's none of my business

Bob I've managed to keep my business running for 14/15 years, just about, I've sold thousands and thousands of records, but I've never sold a £20 record for £500.

How would I know if people are wealthy, it's none of my business

Bob I've managed to keep my business running for 14/15 years, just about, I've sold thousands and thousands of records, but I've never sold a £20 record for £500.

I bet you would have if you had a fancy website that had an auction. Two people bidding against each other takes you out of the equation. You can't honestly put up a 20 pound record for 500 but if you do an auction that the people are looking at (and exclusively, separate from ebay) that might happen. THAT costs a lot of money to have though.

Also, I don't understand the hating on Manship or his buyers for ridiculous prices. He just acted successfully as a businessman and built up his brand so that lots of people trust him as an expert (e.g. via writing a price guide). Anyone dealing records is running a business and wants to make money. I guess you could be mad at the overcommercialization (or mad at him for other reasons) but that's not what people complain about. It often comes across as jealousy.

This is not an endorsement of him or anyone else, I'm just saying that if people are gonna criticize they should have a more focused criticism on something, most of the bashing comes across as just jealousy. Also, I'm sure someone who paid 500 pounds for a solomon burke 45 doesn't care what a bunch of people on a message board think of him.

Also, I don't understand the hating on Manship or his buyers for ridiculous prices. He just acted successfully as a businessman

Don't want this to turn into a political thread, but "acting as a succesful businessman" is frowned upon by a lot of people. In many of these threads I get the feeling that you should only be a "good enough business man" and not take advantage of people (even though no one has been taken advantage of). There could be a deep discussion about this.

Don't want this to turn into a political thread, but "acting as a succesful businessman" is frowned upon by a lot of people. In many of these threads I get the feeling that you should only be a "good enough business man" and not take advantage of people (even though no one has been taken advantage of). There could be a deep discussion about this.

I don't disagree with you. That's what I meant by "overcommercialization". But that's not what people are complaining about. Also people do need to acknowledge that dealing records is a business. Sebastian, you are a very good example of someone who has built up a brand and gets much higher prices on certain things on ebay because you have regular bidders. Are you being unethical getting those high prices?

Sebastian, you are a very good example of someone who has built up a brand and gets much higher prices on certain things on ebay because you have regular bidders. Are you being unethical getting those high prices?

Well, *I* don't think it is unethical. I can't help what the auctions end at. I hope that all records go as high as possible. As you say, this is a business. Records are luxury goods. I put things up for auction with $14.99 as starting price. What happens after that is up to the bidders.

Well, *I* don't think it is unethical. I can't help what the auctions end at. I hope that all records go as high as possible. As you say, this is a business. Records are luxury goods. I put things up for auction with $14.99 as starting price. What happens after that is up to the bidders.

I wasn't calling you unethical, just questioning what unethical practices you were referring to since your auction seems similar. Also, you do sometimes have hyperbolic descriptions. But that's standard marketing, I think it's called "puffery". Manship does the same thing and people always make fun of the dusty groove website (probably the biggest offender). I don't think that's unethical as it's pretty standard practice and I'm sure your buyers are not stupid.

I actually write really verbose descriptions, but only because I like to talk about records too much. I try to only sell records i like and if there is a record i don't like i'll actually say so in the description which is probably not the best business practice...

Also, I don't understand the hating on Manship or his buyers for ridiculous prices. He just acted successfully as a businessman and built up his brand so that lots of people trust him as an expert (e.g. via writing a price guide). Anyone dealing records is running a business and wants to make money. I guess you could be mad at the overcommercialization (or mad at him for other reasons) but that's not what people complain about. It often comes across as jealousy.

This is not an endorsement of him or anyone else, I'm just saying that if people are gonna criticize they should have a more focused criticism on something, most of the bashing comes across as just jealousy. Also, I'm sure someone who paid 500 pounds for a solomon burke 45 doesn't care what a bunch of people on a message board think of him.

I've never seen anyone 'hating' John Manship as you put it, I don't think I've ever sad a bad word about him, I like him very much and admire what he's done and what he does.

He's always been good to me and vice-versa.

What I moan about are the ridiculous auction prices he gets. And I'm not jealous, because I'd never have those records to sell anyway, I"m just baffled.

Where do you get this stuff from about people criticising John?

I've never seen anyone 'hating' John Manship as you put it, I don't think I've ever sad a bad word about him, I like him very much and admire what he's done and what he does.

He's always been good to me and vice-versa.

What I moan about are the ridiculous auction prices he gets. And I'm not jealous, because I'd never have those records to sell anyway, I"m just baffled.

Where do you get this stuff from about people criticising John?

people are criticizing his buyers though (which was part of the same sentence). I was also making a generalization about the frequent posts about high prices, not saying that you specifically dislike him. There are also lots of posts about people bidding too high on ebay and calling the buyers idiots. So I guess you're right in that the focus is more on hating on the buyer. Also, sometimes (again this is not directed at you) criticizing his buyers or calling them stupid is indirectly criticizing him as it implies he's taking advantage of people. But the criticism comes across as jealousy when people could be making more specific criticisms (for example, "he should not be auctioning that item because it is common and has a fixed price") rather than just ranting.

Edited June 7, 201212 yr by boba

It's called empire building. Mr Manship has created his own price guide (based on what?), and then sells records accordingly. I'm guessing he lets people know continually, what has been sold, and how much for. It just snowballs. Right or wrong, it works.

you're criticizing his buyers though (which was part of the same sentence). I was also making a generalization about the frequent posts about high prices, not saying that you specifically dislike him. There are also lots of posts about people bidding too high on ebay and calling the buyers idiots. So I guess you're right in that the focus is more on hating on the buyer. Also, sometimes (again this is not directed at you) criticizing his buyers or calling them stupid is indirectly criticizing him as it implies he's taking advantage of people. But the criticism comes across as jealousy when people could be making more specific criticisms (for example, "he should not be auctioning that item because it is common and has a fixed price") rather than just ranting.

I've often asked why certain things get put up for auction when they are common records. There's no right answer, even the common records fetch good prices in the auction, but here comes the big problem I have, just because it fetches a big auction price doesn't turn it into a rare record overnight, yet other people immediately up their prices to the auction price. That is the thing that makes me angry/mad whatever.

you're criticizing his buyers though

You have to stop singling me out because this will get reported back second hand and I'll be accused of God knows what.

EVERYONE comments on auction prices, whether they are JM, Anglo, Brady, Ebay.

Not just me.

When a record goes for a daft price, people talk about it.

I've often asked why certain things get put up for auction when they are common records. There's no right answer, even the common records fetch good prices in the auction, but here comes the big problem I have, just because it fetches a big auction price doesn't turn it into a rare record overnight, yet other people immediately up their prices to the auction price. That is the thing that makes me angry/mad whatever.

I agree with you, that is very annoying. When stuff goes lower than the average it's a "bargain" but if stuff goes super high, that's the new price. And what makes it worse is that there's a lot of buyers who for some reason only want expensive records, so increasing the price actually increases the demand, which can up the price even more.

You have to stop singling me out because this will get reported back second hand and I'll be accused of God knows what.

EVERYONE comments on auction prices, whether they are JM, Anglo, Brady, Ebay.

Not just me.

When a record goes for a daft price, people talk about it.

I'm am not trying to single you out. In the same post I said I was making a generalization and not targeting you specifically. I apologize for writing "you" in that sentence, I should have written "people" or something similar. Sorry.

EDIT: I edited the post you responded to not say "you"

Edited June 7, 201212 yr by boba

in my opinion as pete said its more baffled than hating or jealousy as most of us are buyers and sellers...if someone wants to pay 10 times the value for something i dont care, its up to them if they can afford it but as i buy on a budget i cant help but think WTFthats stupid...im not calling them stupid per se,they must be good at something to be in that position!... doesnt make me jealous either...im not jealous of anyone...inc JM fair play for his sucsess

i even like tesco..another great british sucsess story

dean

I wasn't calling you unethical,

I know, I didn't read it that way either.

just questioning what unethical practices you were referring to since your auction seems similar.

I didn't refer to any unethical practices in my post. At least I didn't mean to.

Also, you do sometimes have hyperbolic descriptions. But that's standard marketing, I think it's called "puffery". I don't think that's unethical as it's pretty standard practice and I'm sure your buyers are not stupid.

Yes, I'm guilty of shall we say "enthusiastic" dscriptions... But I am enthusiastic about records and music in general and like yourself, I like talking and writing about records. Sometimes people need to be told that a record is rare or hard to find or, more importantly, if it's good and worth spending time listening to the soundclip. People have a very short attention span these days and you have to grab their attention right away and make it as easy as possible for them to make up their mind.

I'm always baffled when people in this day and age put really good, really obscure records on eBay without soundclips, without any description of the music and without advertising the auctions on forums, mailing lists etc. It just doesn't make sense to me.

Edited June 7, 201212 yr by Sebastian

Customer database stands at over 26,000 members on the auction 11,000 +

Auction mailshot in individual mail boxes 6 times twice a week for 3 weeks..exposure on Facebook & YouTube. 42 years selling vinyl - MONEY BACK if your not delighted + your return POST

EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE!

with over 15million hits on the website a MONTH. That's how he gets better prices..

I'm always baffled when people in this day and age put really good, really obscure records on eBay without soundclips, without any description of the music and without advertising the auctions on forums, mailing lists etc. It just doesn't make sense to me.

I would agree, except instead of saying "baffled" I would say "pleasantly surprised". That's what I live for on ebay, obscuro stuff that may or may not be good. It's like gambling except you are also making an informed choice. The people selling that stuff often can't even judge what is good or not anyways, and they're often junker dudes so you're gambling on condition, packing, etc.

What pisses me off is when real record dealers put up one side of the record (say a mediocre funk side) and refuse to put up or even answer questions about the other side.

Customer database stands at over 26,000 members on the auction 11,000 +

Auction mailshot in individual mail boxes 6 times twice a week for 3 weeks..exposure on Facebook & YouTube. 42 years selling vinyl - MONEY BACK if your not delighted + your return POST

EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE!

with over 15million hits on the website a MONTH. That's how he gets better prices..

I like how you turned the thread into an ad

I would agree, except instead of saying "baffled" I would say "pleasantly surprised". That's what I live for on ebay, obscuro stuff that may or may not be good. It's like gambling except you are also making an informed choice. The people selling that stuff often can't even judge what is good or not anyways, and they're often junker dudes so you're gambling on condition, packing, etc.

What pisses me off is when real record dealers put up one side of the record (say a mediocre funk side) and refuse to put up or even answer questions about the other side.

I also have a huge stack of failed gambles -- e.g. people selling hard rock, country, or other music not even remotely soulish as soul

Customer database stands at over 26,000 members on the auction 11,000 +

Auction mailshot in individual mail boxes 6 times twice a week for 3 weeks..exposure on Facebook & YouTube. 42 years selling vinyl - MONEY BACK if your not delighted + your return POST

EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE!

with over 15million hits on the website a MONTH. That's how he gets better prices..

This has all been turned on it's head, it's not a criticism of John, Paul, it's trying to understand why certain records get crazy prices, I guess the above explains it

Customer database stands at over 26,000 members on the auction 11,000 +

Auction mailshot in individual mail boxes 6 times twice a week for 3 weeks..exposure on Facebook & YouTube. 42 years selling vinyl - MONEY BACK if your not delighted + your return POST

EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE!

with over 15million hits on the website a MONTH. That's how he gets better prices..

Just a point on the above, when I"ve done multiple mailouts I've had people actually complain that I'm doing too many mailouts, you can't win.