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Thinking about selling Vinyl collection - long

I am a new member, but have been lurking here for over 5 years now. I've been long debating whether or not to get back into using my LPs again - but don't think that I'm really up for the hassle. I am going to catalogue them after we get back from a short trip to NE to see our son in graduate school. I'm not looking forward to the cataloging - if memory serves I have somewhere north of 500 or so LPs. I started collecting circa 1968 - rock, folk, jazz, celtic, fusion - etc.

I went to work after college for Audio Associates in Arlington,VA - had many good TTs - Rabco, Thorens 125w/SME - etc. - Just don't listen to LPs anymore - I doubt if any are below average in condition - some - like Hendrix Electric Ladyland import and French Stones set might have been played once.

So my question is this - what's the best way to sell them after I come up with the list of what I have?

Thanks for the advice - and for all the info and fun I've had over the years reading here!
kencrouch
kencrouch OP
10 posts
 
One last question for you all before I list these - would you suggest an auction or a straight classified? I've not sold anything this way before - so I'm torn as to which way to go on these - what about reserves? Do they put people off? Like everyone I'm looking for a fair deal - one in which both parties a happy with their side of the transaction.

Thanks again for all your help - I've certainly learned quite a bit from everyone here through the years.

Ken
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,333 posts
 
If you are not certain about the actual fair value of items, auction is better. Reserve prices with any real meaning are often a put-off to buyers. I've found it best to start at a price well below value and let it go from there. If everything is done properly, you generally will find a buyer willing to pay a fair market price. Sometimes, a bidding war might bump things up somewhat higher, but don't count on this.

If you auction, start with low risk items of lesser value first to get your feet wet. Do not take risk with potential high value items up front until you get a feel for how things are going.

My comments are based on my experience as both a buyer and seller on ebay. I have no similar experience on this site, so I cannot comment there.

If it were me, I might try putting a few titles that might appeal to avid audiophiles up on A'gon as a test first. Otherwise, I would stick with ebay mainly because I have more experience selling there.
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Ken,

My opinion is that you should list your LPs in small lots, say 5, 10, or 20 at a time, set a price for them and see what happens. You could try to sell them as a lot, or individually, or both. Then you will have a better idea of what moves and what doesn't. The auction may be best to try and sell what it left over.

However you decide to do this be prepared, as Mothra posted, for this to take some time. The only work you need to do is the listing and then the shipping. Be patient and I think you can get a pretty good return.
kencrouch OP
10 posts
 
Thanks for all your advice guys - I guess small lots is the consensus - so that's what I'll do - just have to decide on straight classified listing and auctions - - Guess I'd better get to work on getting the lots together!

Thanks again!
ken
kublakhan
718 posts
 
you're going to need a lot of shipping boxes. i suggest buying them in bulk to save money. i think u-line.com sells them but check around for the best deal.
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