How to Collect Valuable Vinyl Records

Research records and their value. Knowing what is valuable is crucial to attaining a valuable collection. Go to websites such as Cyberguides.com to find up-to-date record prices. Consult record price guides that are released yearly. This information gives an excellent idea of what to pay for a specific record or what to charge if you are selling one. The authenticity of the vinyl, the demand, the year of the release and the condition are all important.

Shop for records. Run an ad in a local newspaper or another publication asking to buy used records. Word-of-mouth is also a way to acquire them. Find records at thrift shops like Goodwill and the Salvation Army. Check estate sales and online auctions as well.

Handle records with care. Avoid touching the grooved playing surface by holding a record by the outer edge. Use thin cotton gloves if possible. Avoid stacking records or placing one on a surface without a protective sleeve. Clean a record both before and after playing by using distilled water and a clean cloth. Apply the water and work the disc in a circular motion in the direction of the grooves.

Appraise records regularly. The only way to know what a specific record, or your entire collection, is worth is to have an appraiser, such as Forevervinyl.com, determine the worth. The record grading scale encompasses everything about a record: playing surface, label, edges and album cover. Mint is perfect condition. Near Mint shows no obvious signs of wear. Very Good Plus shows signs of wear but good condition otherwise. Very Good means some surface noise will be evident upon playing. Good means worth of 10 to 15 percent of the mint value.