Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Select Rare Punk Records
Go for depth rather than breadth, as the rare albums will often be from more obscure bands. Some options for areas of focus include no wave, art punk, West Coast punk, British punk, hardcore punk, early punk and riot grrrl punk. You can also focus your collection on a specific city known for punk music, such as London, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago or even Minneapolis.
Develop an understanding of the rare punk records market through online resources. Websites like We Got Records feature current prices for rare punk albums in a variety of grades (see Resources below). These sites provide a good indicator of the amount collectors can expect to spend on an album.
Browse through online radio and MP3 websites for punk music. Collectors who want a rare record that has been brought back on CD can find MP3 tracks to preview a particular musician. Uncertain collectors can listen to punk rock stations on online radio to hear the full range of the genre.
Seek out rare punk records at auction houses or estate sales. Collectors who have a significant collection budget can find records and memorabilia up to the higher bidder. Casual collectors can determine the potential return on punk records by attending these auctions.
Inquire about the quality and history of a particular record from a dealer or seller. You should always seek as much information as possible on any punk record you select. Your questions should focus on details about previous owners or additional materials included with purchase, like memorabilia from a live concert of a particular band.
Ask a dealer with a rare punk record to play the item before completing a transaction. The record should play smoothly without any irregular skipping caused by damage. Collectors should also listen for the clarity of music and decide if the record is worth the financial investment.
Inspect the surface of the record carefully for any defects, including nicks and scratches. If you find an imperfection, point it out to the seller so you can renegotiate the price.
Pay attention to the album art. In many cases, the covers of rare punk records can be valuable in their own right.
Read books and magazines on punk rock to gain an appreciation of specific musicians or albums. If you want to select the right albums, you need to be able to put each record into context.