Sealed Vinyl

Elf73
I simply follow the old adage, if it looks to good to be true, it probably is. Also, if the record is from the 50-70s and has a barcode, thats a pretty good tipoff that your looking at a reissue. Frankly, I rather buy a used record which is in mint or near mint condition than a sealed original.

Elizabeth:
If you are dealing with a reputable vendor, then slitting open a sealed record is not very cool. If you have a local brick and mortar store, you should consider yourself lucky. Mark-up on new vinyl is very slim to begin with. If the vendor has to discount the record further because it has been open, you cut into his profit margin even further. It all seems harmless until the next time you drive by and the shutters are down. I guess if you brought the record to the counter and bought it only to open it in the store to check that there is no obvious defect, that might be a way everyone is protected. I say this strictly as a consumer. I have no affiliation to any store. I only consider myself fortunate that I live in an area where I have a few retail vendors available to me, but I assure you, what is left is only a fraction of what there once was.

Sometimes you luck out.