Hobbies And Interests
Condition Is Everything
As with everything in the collectible market, the condition of vinyl records is the key to their value. A rare vinyl recording in pristine condition, complete with a crease-free record jacket and tear-free sleeve, will be worth far more than the same record whose sleeve and record jacket are in poor condition. Of course, the condition of the record itself is of the utmost importance.
Vinyl records should also be free of scratches and other blemishes, and they should play flawlessly. While there is still a market for collectible records with these kinds of flaws, the value will be greatly diminished. Record dealers grade the merchandise they sell according to a very specific scale, with the top condition being mint. Mint condition records look like they just came out of the record store, even though they may be 50 years old or more. Mint condition records can be hard to find, especially for rare titles, and that is why they tend to fetch higher prices on the open market.
Rarity Is a Real Plus
The laws of supply and demand play a big role in the value of vinyl records. Records that were originally pressed in smaller quantities tend to be more valuable simply because there are fewer of them on the market. Age can play a role as well, because as time goes by, fewer and fewer of that title will be available in mint or near-mint condition. The relative value of rarity means that special edition records-- such as records designed for fan club members, limited release records and recordings never intended for public consumption--can be quite valuable.
The popularity of the artist plays a big role in the supply and demand equation as well, although this part can become a bit tricky. Vintage recordings by timeless bands such as the Beatles tend to hold their value quite well, especially when there is a sudden spike of interest in the group. For other groups, popularity--and the value of their old recordings--tend to go in waves. One year, old vinyl records by 1970s British punk bands may be in vogue, while the next year may see a rise in the value of jazz records from the 1930s. When collecting vinyl records for fun, it is often best to simply buy what you like and let the value be a secondary consideration.
Check Values on eBay
If you have a closet full of old vinyl recordings and want to gauge their value, you have a number of options. If the collection is a large one, you may want to look for a local record shop in your area. Record dealers can be quite skilled at determining the value of a collection quickly, and you may be able to get cash on the spot if you decide to sell. If you have the time and the patience, you can check the recently sold items on eBay for similar records. This is a good way to quickly weed out the low value records in your collection. If you see the same record selling over and over again for a couple of bucks, you can be fairly certain it is more valuable to you than to the public at large.