Do you have a lot of old records that you would like to sell? There are many business looking collectors who want old vinyl from years and years ago. Maybe not all of them will be worth much, but some will be: read carefully and find out if you have something that is worth gold.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Find and Sell Your Vinyls
Step 1. Study A, B, C ie search in Cabinets, Trunks and Cellars
You could not only make money but also make space for other purposes. LPs (long-playing 33rpm) at 78s and 45s can be worth a lot.
Step 2. Collect any vinyl you would like to get rid of and prepare to make a profit from your past
Step 3. Consider supply and demand
Is the disc you have available on the market? If it initially sold in millions of copies, it is likely to be easy to find in thrift stores, music stores and private collections. The scarcity factor must always be considered. There must be a certain demand for that particular record (from an artist who for example died young before being able to make many), for the label that recorded it (the original and not the reissue) and for other amenities regarding the disc itself (for example a state or government recording made during the war, an original colored disc, a 25cm LP, etc.). This factor can also be influenced by the fact that a record is "out of print" (ie no longer produced or even available from whoever published it) and therefore a rarity. "Bootlegs" (illegally produced discs with recordings of concerts or radio broadcasts) are invaluable among collectors.
Step 4. Check the condition of the vinyl
If it is "untouched" (perfect) or "almost untouched" it will have a very high value. Vinyl in "very good" condition should not produce distorted sounds. "Good" means it has some imperfections but can still be heard. "Fair" implies that it still works but the sound has deteriorated and the listening will not be clear which will be at the expense of the price. Vinyls with scratched surfaces are practically worthless. Some collectors may have different rating scales.
Step 5. Think about the contents of the disc
Typically, there is more interest in music than in speech or recorded comedy, so music discs will have a higher value. Certain types of music recordings raise prices. Jazz and original Broadway soundtracks have greater value and a more active market. Early blues records and "doo wop" are also very valuable among collectors. Among the most sought-after recordings we find orchestral performances, instrumental solos, chamber music and concenti, solo vocalizations and operatic arias, finally complete works. For some collectors the fact that a vinyl is mono or stereo affects the value. See the Tips section for emerging trends.
Step 6. Find the right buyer for your treasure
Records are bought by collectors, online shoppers, used record dealers and ordinary people (sometimes nostalgic or artist lovers). Some audiophiles believe that vinyl is a better sound carrier than CDs and other formats. The best deals on truly rare records are obtained from specialist retailers who know the market and know how much they can resell the purchase. Collectors and nostalgics are emotional and border on fanaticism about the music they love. They can go as far as paying insane amounts for some particular passions. It is not uncommon to get big sums for a rare record from a "general buyer", just because of the inestimable value of performance and not for commercial purposes.
Step 7. Do your research before starting the transaction
Careful research, as well as knowledge of the music industry and its artists, is essential in determining the value of a particular vinyl. It is thus possible to establish the value of a "rare" registration after having ascertained that it really is. To find out more about pricing, see the Recommendations section.
Step 8. Catalog your discs
Make a list of the artist, title, LP, 45 or 78, catalog number and conditions.
Step 9. Find Buyers
Find out about the prices of rarities and the most popular offers by searching online or at a record store to get a better idea of the music market. Talk to friends and colleagues about it. Advertise what you have in catalogs and publications. Go to record shows, thrift shops, flea markets or bazaars. Use the Internet: There are many auction and classifieds sites, such as eBay, where you can sell what you own.
Method 2 of 2: Shipping and Payment for Online Sales
Step 1. Thanks to the internet, most transactions happen without the parties meeting in person
It is therefore very likely that you find yourself having to ship without ever having seen the person who made the purchase. Using an online bank like PayPal is more convenient: credit cards and electronic checks are accepted, plus you have the option to include shipping costs. Do not ship until you have received full payment, which usually happens within a few minutes.
Step 2. Transport damage can destroy vinyl, but it is difficult to damage if it is well packed and placed away from too high temperatures
By taking out transport insurance together with the normal rate, the sender will eventually be reimbursed for the lost or damaged disc and will in turn be able to reimburse the buyer. The seller is not responsible for the loss or damage of the package if it is perfectly packaged, insured and shipped with acknowledgment of receipt. Today it is normal for buyers to pay for postage costs. Never ship items with cash on delivery. Many sellers do not offer refunds if they have accurately described the condition of the vinyl and / or cover and package everything well. Some allow 3 to 30 days for a refund, but only for transactions with similar items or in exchange for a credit.
Advice
- Learn that most records are not "rare" and can do little to you. Rare discs can range from € 1 to € 50. There are many guides published, but the values shown are usually inflated or based on a single sale. Obviously collectors and those who do business want to see high figures. Online marketplaces such as ebay can be a source of information regarding the possible prices of a record.
- A market for vintage rock records has recently begun to develop, especially those of cult figures such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. There are also collectors of 45s, especially the 50s, rhythm and blues and the dawn of rock. There is a lot of interest in rare and unusual (foreign etc.) records, from Elvis to the Beatles. Discs complete with posters or other gadgets arouse much interest.
