If you look at enough ebay listings you will see that most are not 'play graded' but 'visually graded' only. There are many sellers that have absolutely no clue on how to grade records. I always knock them down a notch or two from what the seller states. I'm selling my 4K plus collection to augment my paltry SS benefit. I started buying records at 14 and that was many years ago. If you do a visual and don't like what you see, then play them. I know where my LPs have been and who's handled them. I clean a few but not many. I offer 100% money back guarantee. Very few are returned, less than 1%. Many are sold at Near Mint condition. Check out sellers with a more precise grading scale, Goldmine in my opinion is too vague. As long as you're offering a money back guarantee, you should be golden. Make sure your pics are good and notate trail-off info. There are some trying to send back different discs. My grading scale example;
(M) Mint: Mint is a grade I am reserving for a perfect record. There
are no scratches, scuffs, hairlines, fingerprints, spindle marks or
other indications that it has been handled or played. The jacket will
have its original shrink which is opened. There are no corner bumps, scratches,
mars, creases or other signs of jacket wear. There are really no
"Mint" records. Even those sealed from the factory commonly have some
detraction. I assume a sealed record to be mint. However, I cannot be in any
way responsible for what exactly is inside the sealed jacket.
(NM) Near
Mint: Near Mint is a record that is
virtually flawless, clean and glossy. A near perfect, rarely-played record.
May play with some very light and occasional dust or static related
light noise that is only heard in the quietest
passages. The vinyl and label surfaces show no obvious sign of
wear. It looks clean with the factory shine and there may be a very light,
barely visible paper scuff or two and a few light hairlines but no scratches.
An LP jacket has no seam splits or any other obvious signs of wear but one or
two light creases are acceptable. Ring wear should be almost invisible.
No punch holes or other discount marks. Very
minimal corner bumps. Artist signatures are the only acceptable forms of
handwriting for this grade. Basically, "Near Mint" looks as if you
just got it home from a the record store and removed the shrink wrap.
(M-) Mint
Minus and (NM-) Near Mint Minus: A
Mint Minus or Near Mint Minus may have light paper scuffs or have a light
hairline scratch present, but will have no effect on sonic quality. Light
spindle marks may also be present. Looks clean and unplayed. The record will have it's factory gloss and
luster. The jacket will not have ring wear or seam splits. No 'cut out' marks
or any writing or stickers. May show some signs of light use but nothing that
would constitute a distraction. This grade will present as "near new"
having been properly handled and cared for. Again, little or no sign of
handling or use, any detractions will be noted.
(VG++) Very
Good Plus Plus: Shows some
signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took
good care of it. Record surfaces may show signs of use and may have
slight paper scuffs or very light surface scratches that only reveal
themselves in the quietest of passages and don't detract from the overall sonic
quality. Most factory shine is still present. Slight edge warps that do not
affect the tracking or sound quality are OK and will be noted. An LP jacket may
have some signs of ring wear or shelf wear and a small corner bump or two,
these are minimal and acceptable for this grade. A small seam split is
also acceptable and will be noted. Jacket may have a sawcut or punch
hole, light owner signatures, DJ marks and other forms of handwriting are
acceptable for this grade. In general, if not for a couple of minor things
wrong with it, this would be a showcase piece. All but the most discriminating
collectors will find a 'Very Good Plus Plus' record highly acceptable.
(VG+) Very
Good Plus: Many of the defects found in a
VG++ record are more pronounced in a VG+ disc but it is still a keeper. Surface
noise is evident upon playing, but does not overwhelm the music. Groove wear
will start to be audible and a random click, tic or soft pop may be
evident but will not detract from the enjoyment of the recorded material. The
jacket may have a seam split or ring wear and labels may be marred by writing,
or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. A small light stain or some
discoloring may be evident. The cover may exhibit a combination of these flaws
but they will not overwhelm the piece.
(VG) Very
Good: A VG disc will have more
flaws but it is still a keeper. Surface noise is evident upon playing but
does not overpower the music. Groove wear will be audible along with
occasional pops and tics but there are no skips. The jacket may have a
significant seam split and the spine may be seriously flaked. Labels and
jackets may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue)
attached. A small light stain or some discoloring may be evident. The cover may
exhibit a combination of these flaws but they will not overwhelm the piece.
(G+) Good
Plus, (G) Good: Good means acceptable, not completely trashed. The grade I
usually reserve for listing the rarest of records. A record in 'Good' condition
can be put onto a turntable and will play but it will have significant audible
surface noise. A jacket or sleeve has larger seam splits and there may be
significant water stains, tape, writing, ring wear or other defects that will
start to overwhelm the object.
Special Note: I
am human. I grade conservatively, however on occasion I may miss something.
There are always exceptions to the rules. If you have ANY issue with the piece,
please contact me first. I will make it right. Again, please do not initiate a
return request or an item not as described thru ebay until you give me a chance
to rectify the problem. Also, before leaving any neutral or negative feedback,
I will deal with you professionally and respectfully. Thank you.
