2. music
  3. 189684-132019

Best way to sell a record collection

Hello, last fall I sold my record player and decided to go all in on cds. Now I have a bunch of records that I don’t want that are taking up space. Some of the records are really good finds and according to discogs I have some pretty valuable records as well. My question is, what’s the best way to go about selling? I really don’t want to deal with putting the whole collection on discogs and having to ship out one at a time and dealing with packing and shipping. I’ve never sold records so I’m trying to make it as painless as possible while also getting maximum value out of the records that I purposely acquired for their rarity or value or whatever. Does anyone have experience with this? Thoughts, opinions, advice?

jawillia
dill
2,523 posts
 

" However it’s time consuming, and be prepared to deal with disgruntled customers on the other end.  Some people get angry if the record has normal surface noise, and then there is the real possibility that it might be damaged by the shipping company "

- after 350 records sold, I have not had either problem. As long as one uses a actual cardboard record mailer with a filler piece of cardboard inside with the album / albums, they ship just fine. I just do a visual inspection of the both surfaces, using the Goldmine chart and photos of both sides.

jawillia OP
11 posts
 

Thanks for all of the info and advice. Sounds like I need to get some cardboard media sleeves and get to work. Maybe it’ll be an evening with a stack of cd’s, a bottle of Orin Swift, and a tape gun…

jbs
92 posts
 

I did this a few years ago. I bought the proper shippers and inserts, maybe 50 or whatever was pretty small. I listed carefully on eBay which was the time consuming part. I just listed the most valuable records and then made a few packs of 4/5 (whatever fit in the shippers) and sold those too. Then the remainder I gave away. Mailing is pretty easy via media mail USPS and eBay basically can generate the labels. It certainly takes time to do this.

grislybutter
2,991 posts
 

I never had any complaints either. And I only sent back one album, I realized it's not worth the hassle for $10. Most buyers are sellers as well, they know the nature of the game. I think the trick is to describe them correctly, and ship them the next day, which I try. 

czarivey
5,946 posts
 
dill

2,429 posts

 

Sold my vinyl gear and am in the process of selling my albums now. I use eBay, ordered cardboard record mailers and ship USPS Media Mail. Sold about 350 so far in less than a year and a half and have about 150 to go. I get good prices and the process is easy.

That is one of the reason why ebay would not make sense. Discogs a-bit better, because not spending as much time of listing. Listing 1000 records on ebay may take a couple of weeks of full time labor 40 hours per week. In addition they have draconic fees.

 

More to discover