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Here's a video I made of me expressing my opinion concerning the buying and selling of records.

Years ago, I could pick up records just about anywhere for not over $1 for LP's and not over fifty cents for 45's. Often, the prices were much lower. Back then, everyone was jumping on the CD bandwagon and they no longer cared about listening to records.

In recent years, records seem to have gotten "hot" again and many people think that any kind of old record, regardless of artist or condition, is worth big money. Frankly, I get tired of hearing, "These are no longer made and are highly collectible, blah, blah, blah". Actually, they never stopped making records. They may not be as easily obtained from retail outlets as they once were; but, they have always been in production.

Many people like to use ebay, and other Internet sources, as price guides. IMHO, that's a bad idea because most of the records listed on ebay are common everyday records and the clowns who own them think they are worth more than they actually are. Just because you see a Beatles LP listed for $500 on ebay does not mean you will get that much for yours. Also, there's a big difference between what someone is ASKING for a record and what the same record would actually sell for. I can ask a million dollars for Pat Boone's Greatest Hits; but, it likely wouldn't sell. Even if a certain record sells for a certain amount on ebay, that does not mean you'll get that much for yours. You might get much less or you might get more. It all depends on who's looking and how bad they want it. A record that sold for $50 this week may only bring $1 next week; so, that's why it's not a good idea to use ebay, or the Internet, as a carved in stone price. The best advice I can give as far as using ebay as a price guide is look under "completed listings". If you see a consistent pattern in prices for a certain record; then, it's possible that you may get something close for your record. If the selling prices are all over the place; then, who knows what your record will bring. If you see a whole bunch of "not sold" records; then, don't expect to get those prices.

Another issue is the various price guides that are available. I own several such publications; but, I mainly use them for dating of records. IMHO, the prices are unrealistic and if I thought for a second that I could actually get those prices for my records, they would be gone!

A lot of people make the mistake of buying these price guide books, turn straight to whatever album they happen to have in hand, and automatically think they will get whatever the "book price" is for their record. During all this, they fail to read the preface at the beginning of the price guide. In most guides, they make it very clear that the book is a GUIDE only and is not intended as a "suggested retail price" book. When people get stuck on book prices, I remind them that they can't sell their items to "the book" and that they are only worth what someone is willing to pay.

Another factor is the condition of the record and it's jacket. Most collectors are only interested in nice examples that are clean and don't have any serious damage to the record or cover. Such records should play with decent fidelity and there should be no skips, hang-up's, or extreme background noise. The record before you might actually bring good money from a collector; but, not if it's in bad shape.

Remember, condition is the key. A record that might bring $50 in nice shape may not even bring $1 in poor condition.

95% of the records you find at flea markets, yard sales, etc. are common, everyday records that rarely sell for more than a dollar or two (despite some of the asking prices). It's for that reason that I won't pay much for something I know is common. I'll just be patient until something comes along. Several years ago, I found a copy of Grand Funk Railroad's "On Time" at a used record store. They wanted $20 for it because that's what the book said it was worth. I tried to reason with them; but, they were stuck on $20. Within a month, I found a near mint original pressing of the same record at the flea market for $1. The same used record store had a copy of Elton John's "Captain Fantastic" album that they wanted $300 for! They claimed that one sold on ebay for that much and that's what they had to have for theirs. Well, if someone really paid that much for said LP, they need their head examined. That's a common LP and usually only brings a few dollars.

Another thing to consider is rather the record is a first pressing or a later pressing. Usually, this is easiest to determine by looking at the label. A first pressing of "Meet the Beatles" will be on the black rainbow label and this is the pressing that is most likely to get the attention of serious collectors. An '80's reissue of the same LP will be on a purple label and will not be worth as much. Of course, if you're only interested in the music, it won't matter what pressing you have.