Your thoughts on selling

I wouldn't try that on ASR. ;-)

Honestly, I think your idea noble, but I wouldn't trust it to work with strangers. It should work if only selling to friends.

IMHE, not many sellers play-grade. When large collections are sold, almost never. So I would visually grade, price fairly based on Discogs median values, and offer a 30 day return policy with them paying shipping, if you're inclined to account for some "pretty, but noisy". Cheers,

Spencer

As a buyer, I would suggest that the best approach is to downgrade the LP's that are not play graded.  If you're selling as NM, it should be play-graded.  If you're selling as VG+, then it's understood to be noisy. 

You might consider taking the time to listen to them as you might find that you're missing out on some music that you've forgotten about, overlooked, or enjoy more with your current system.

I had several stacks of CDs that I was ready to get rid of and after listening to them I opted to keep several of them that I wasn't expecting to enjoy.

This may be unreasonable depending on how many "tons" of vinyl you have and how much time you can dedicate to listening.  My goal was one CD each time that I sat down for a listening session.  If I didn't enjoy it after the first couple of songs I moved on.

If you actually have vinyl worth buying, it should not be too hard to sell. What I did - I put a link to my discogs on Facebook Marketplace. Many people saw the ad, looked through my Discogs, and asked me to put packages together. This made it easier for me to price over time, and you can just have people come to you and meet you outside in your driveway to complete the transaction. Generally the most expensive ones will be sold easily because you are selling them at a reasonable price and they are high in demand. Then, with whatever you don't sell, just sell the rest as a batch to the local record store.

If you are looking for an easy sale just sell them to a record store. They will not give you what they are worth individually but the process will be complete when done.

I would not have the buyer decide what to pay. And unless you really don't mind the headache of selling and mailing them individually, or you need the slightly extra cash (you need to also factor in your time), I'd agree with @bubba12 and sell them to a local store, or else offer them as one big lot on Discogs/Audiogon, you'll get a lot of bids that way. And it's no refunds, no exchanges on the lot. 

One other suggestion, if you have a few records with sentimental value, keep them for 'old times sake'. I got rid of a few that I ended up buying back, but it's not the same. 

 

This reinforces my decision to not go the vinyl route in my audio journey.. I still vividly remember the incredible feeling listening to vinyl in my early teens.. I am with @bubba12 A record store will take it off your hands. I took three big boxes of CDs to a store sometime back and ended up walking out of there with eighty two dollars heavier.. Looking back I wish I hadn't done that. Now with a nice CD player on hand I wish I had kept them.. 

@rman9 Stick with whatever format you are enjoying. I have records and cds coming out of my ears. Too much physical product. They convince you that there is a crazy difference and vinyl is superior. Maybe under the most perfect conditions that you will likely never achieve.

 

Here is the problem as I see it with this whole "hobby"; Unless one dwells with the 1% and can truck in really fine equipment through the years the old used components that I paid top dollar for are worth almost nothing now. At best pennies on the dollar. And I paid too much to just get rid of this stuff so storage space cost mount thru the years, To wit; Tannoy Rev3, Krell 2250 , Original albums water stained and played on 70"s turntables by small children and careless wives. But I persevere with class D integrated and Harbeth as best I can, Namaste Amigos.

@audiodwebe how about a list of what you have, and where you are located?

I believe I have entered the twilight zone once again.

@bubba12 my teen years were in an another country growing up. If I were to pick up the vinyl hobby it would be from scratch.. And with fair amount of advice from here and other places, I just don't see myself doing that.. Quite happy with streaming.. and you are right.. too much physical medium collects dust and occupies space.. 

Is this the case, or is this a REAL query?

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=dwebe

 

DeKay

Here is my advice, if what looks like a NM vinyl to you under a bright light (no hairline scratches of any kind) but it doesn't have a shiny gloss, it has been overplaid and needs to be graded VG+. Selling your records to a record store will get you a dollar or two per record at best. Sad.

As far as the newbies in vinyl, I agree that streaming will be the much easier road. I started collecting vinyl in the 60s so I have a lot of valuable analog records. Anything after 1981, I buy CDs since things went mainly digital then. You would have to spend a lot of money to get vinyl either as used original or new analog releases. Not to mention the much higher cost of equipment for vinyl over CDs or streaming to better them. I do all 3 because I have been at it a loooong time. I can't recommend vinyl to newbies.

I had a ton of Columbia LP sets  of Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Mozart and more, that were my mothers and thought they’d sell in a heartbeat. The vinyl was in great shape and the boxes were as well.  Boy was I wrong. There were a couple hundred acetate 78’s as well, some not even opened. Nope, nobody in the Kansas City area wanted them either. I was able to sell her turntable to a collector.

Hopefully you’ll have better luck than I did.

JD

That’s a terrible idea on how to sell vinyl. I sold all my vinyl and everything analog a couple years ago. It was very easy. I went out and looked on a couple websites for the range of prices people were asking for each piece. Then, I would only sell in lots of 10 or more. I initially asked for a decent price for all of them, but selling them in bundles, I made over $1000 more than as a whole. Nobody asked for a refund or credit.

That’s a terrible idea on how to sell vinyl. I sold all my vinyl and everything analog a couple years ago. It was very easy. I went out and looked on a couple websites for the range of prices people were asking for each piece. Then, I would only sell in lots of 10 or more. I initially asked for a decent price for all of them, but selling them in bundles, I made over $1000 more than as a whole. Nobody asked for a refund or credit.

But if he is running a charity deal, then just giving them to some local young hipsters would be cheaper than scammers asking for refunds on everything including shipping.

or selling them to a local store that peddles LPs.

I just went through this process in selling my collection. I hadn’t been playing my records and wasn’t going to move them again. I looked at trying to sell them like you are considering but ultimately decided that was way too much work and brain damage. I sold them to a record store (1000 plus) for 7k win win they picked up and I was finished

done haven’t looked back

 

I think it is a bad idea and inviting more work for yourself. These days even a local record store will cull through and pick what they can resell. That is what happened to me at 3 different stores. I am 67 been collecting since I was 15. Rock and jazz, with a focus on guitar. Lots of ECM and instrumental music that fits no category. So I started culling my collection and started selling as a vendor at record shows. Not play graded at all, but if I knew an lp had an issue, I would not sell it. Never sold something I would not keep myself. Did 4 shows in and out-of-state. Lots of fun. I want my lps to be appreciated by music lovers, and not sitting in some storage for a relative that knows not what they got. Another show coming up in the fall. Price em slightly below Discogs median, box em’ up, and sign up for a vinyl convention. That right there is plenty of work. Plus the decision to buy or not buy is totally up to the face-to-face buyer. I would never do play grade, package and sell. The transaction even then is not complete as it can come back if your VG+ is a buyer’s VG-! I also give customers my card with my email so they can contact me for a full refund if not satisfied.

I don't think this is a good idea. You're assuming MOST people are honest and will do the right thing.  If you are willing to take the risks then I say fine, however it's not something I would do.

I’ve yet to cull my collection.  Not sure of the numbers, but I’ve got 24 IKEA Lack slots filled with audiophile, imports and WLPs, 30 IKEA Lack of domestic vinyl and 20 1x1.5 feet small boxes filled with vinyl.  How many thousands that ends up being, I haven’t a clue.  The collection is not catalogued as there were way too many to do that with.  I’ve probably gotten rid of about 30 boxes or so over the last 15 years.  

I’ve tried selling to a record store in the past but if I took a box in I’d literally get $.05 to $.10 per record.  If I took in four or five records, they’d give me a buck or two each.  I think they figure if you’re bringing in boxes at a time you’re just trying to dump the vinyl and they pay you accordingly.

If I go through with this, I’d have my teen son do all the listing and pay him 10% or so of the profits.  He’s not employed so it might be a way for him to earn a few dollars.

I’d like to reduce the number of records I have in my collection to a reasonable number, which for me I’m leaning toward less than 500 for now and reduce those numbers even further at some point in the future to my favorite 100 or so.  

I bought many thousands in the late 90’s/early 00’s while recruiting in the Los Angeles area.  Back then, the selections were still pretty good and prices were ok.  I was there for three years and from year one to year three, I noticed the selections available (all used vinyl, BTW) were diminishing and prices were starting to go up.  I have no idea what used records in record stores go for nowadays as I’ve not bought used vinyl in many years.  

Back then, I thought I’d have the time to listen to all the records once I retired.  But now that I’m closer to retirement age, I’m thinking I don’t want to spend my days listening to that many records.  Weird how that happened.  

Plus, and most importantly for me, is the fact that although I have a pretty nice rig (VPI Aries extended with AR PH3SE) I’ve listened to, like, only a few records this year.  I’m 99.9% streaming.  So nice rig and lots of great records that goes pretty much unplayed.  Hence, my thoughts of getting rid of them.

Thanks all for your thoughts and suggestions.

I would rethink this idea. If it was me, I would take the time to grade. When you find the time, just do a few at a time so it is not a choir, but one last listening session. Let buyer know you did your best at grading. If buyer is not satisfied they can return, but are responsible for shipping both ways. 

I get the angst here…

 

Discogs makes sense as they have a solid rating system for vinyl and sleeves. 
however, mistakes happen…

I purchased and received a 2LP recording rates at VG+,
and one disc was nearly unlistenable, and had hard skips on one side. 
Rhe seller is offering to refund and pay return shipping. 
I know the condition but of my own collection as I have taken gear care of them in storage, handling, and cleaning. 
 

however, selling as a broker would be a greater challenge. 

My guess is that just as you have a difficult time judging the value of each record, the buyer will have the same issue.  If  it sounds “OK, but with flaws”, what’s it worth?  And if a buyer pays shipping to receive a record which is ruined, they’re not going to be happy either.

Visual grading requires time and experience. Can you teach your son how to do it?

You may have expensive records, so unless money means s*** to you...

As a buyer, I personally would pay you a fair price if I knew it !

Anyway, it pains me that you must abandon analogue. I never will.

@audiodwebe  I'm exactly in same position as you, 3.5+k vinyl and can't figure out how to cull the heard. To sell in large lots not going to happen with me, in the small amount of culling I've done found a few hot stampers worth some real money. So, it seems I need to spend extreme amount of time and effort to go through most of collection and get money's worth, or sell in large lots, lose money.

 

I also have equal amount of cd's, physical media becomes a burden with time. I have sold cd's in lots of 25 to 30, much easier to get rid of vs vinyl. I still maintain vinyl setup, so l'd like to keep only the best vinyl, the other 2/3rd's could go.

 

Like the idea of paying someone else to do the grading, take a percentage of sale price. Other than visual grading, not a chance I'm playing all this vinyl on my system, wear and tear on my all tube setup and cartridge. It would be nice to find someone providing such a service.

If you have any valuable records worth over $25, I would sell them myself, so long as you know they are in excellent condition. That way you can be sure the buyer will not complain, or if they do, you have a leg to stand on.

For the bulk of the records (not sure what "tons" means), if they look clean, a record store will give you the max they will give, but that is probably 40-50% less than Discogs because they have to make a profit. Each record store is different. Ask them how much they give relative to Discogs. You may want to go to multiple stores if convenient for you as they may want different titles.

As stated before, letting the buyers decide what to pay you is crazy unless you don't care how much you get for them.