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How Much Surface Noise is Too Much?

Just curious as to a range of opinions here. At what point is an LP unworthy of being played with your stylus/cartridge? Should one expect a used record store to give refunds on LPs which turn out to have more than a certain amount of surface noise/warpage and, if so, how much damage/defect should be criteria for getting one's money back? Any other thoughts along this line?
lg1
rlxl
92 posts
 
When it interferes with your listening pleasure.
lg1 OP
199 posts
 
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?
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
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!
Post removed 
jlc76
37 posts
 
I don't know which stores you are shopping at but where I live all the stores give some type of guarantee for defective new records. Usually this involves exchanging it for another copy. I took an LP back to one store this week and swapped it for the CD as the pressing was just unlistenable. As for used vinyl, most stores will give you at least an in-store credit.
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