How Much Surface Noise is Too Much?

I'll put up with more noise if the record is a hard one to find or if the underlying sound is especially good but Tvad is right, everyone's tolerance differs. Digital sensitized many to this more I think. The longer you play vinyl, the less a little noise seems to bother.

When it interferes with your listening pleasure.

I'm surmising that styli/cartridges are pretty tough versus most run-of-the-mill record surface issues from an old brochure on the Linn LP-12 I remember reading ages and ages ago which said something to the effect of "even your battle scarred old discs will take on a new life...", but is there a point at which most of you reject the idea of playing a record out of fear of damaging equipment? How bad does a scratch have to be from this standpoint to relegate the LP to the rubbish bin?

I agree with Tvad, that you probably won't be getting a refund on a used record. I am sure the record store's response will be, "Hey, why didn't you inspect it before you bought it?".

(Even getting a refund on a brand new sealed record is no sure thing anymore. I've had more than one record store balk at refunding me money on obviously damaged vinyl.)

Good Luck!