Used Classical LP seller who grades by listening


Can any of you tell me if you have found any sellers who grade by actually listening to the albums and have had a good experience. I'm aware this may cost more but I believe there is absolutely no way of grading an LP correctly by observing under light. Thanks in advance!
don78498
Hi Don78498, I have a friend named Doug in Bolder, Co that does grade by listening. We have been trading since 1992 or 1993. Try emailing him at fortherecords@cs.com .
Thanks for your response Jazz. I do understand that the previous life will have a dramatic effect on the condition of the album and this is specifically why I am searching for a seller who does listen to the album before grading it. You can take a record that appears perfect visually and put it under a SEM or 400X steroscope and reveal the catastrophe that your ears hear only through listening.

I'm not referring to whether the recording is well done but rather; has the vinyl sustained damage through dirt or excessively heavy or light tracking weights, etc.
Play grade if the sellers offers that option accompanied with the visual grading is in my opinion the best way to purchase. As stated already the condition of the record can be very misleading and in the end how well it plays and sounds is the part that can make a purchase unpleasennt or pleasing. I have noticed quite a few sellers on here that offer it. Best advice is find a few different sellers and realize you have to spend the money to get the LPs and the quality of the purchases will help you build a good relationship on trust and what to expect for future purchases in regards to the subjective terms used for grading. Purchasing from someone who knows about proper set up and play not just someone who knows the value they can obtain for the used LP's is important, to me anyway. Cheers.
I play Grade the Classical LPs that are sold on eBay .

I sell on eBay because the records command a higher Price than can be attained here on AudiogoN . 85% of my sales are from Europe and the far East .

My User Name on eBay is the same as it is on AudiogoN . There are some Auctions that end in the Morning.
Don...I deal only in classical, though I'm not offering anything for sale at this time. I too have sold before on both Audiogon and eBay. I listen for surface noise and check for warps on each record before I put it up for sale. I'm only doing what I believe is fair, and could not do it any other way. So far, my experience has differed somewhat from Tubeo's with regard to what interested buyers are willing to pay, with Audiogon members keeping pace with those on eBay.