Tips for Buying Vinyl Records On eBay

When it comes to buying vinyl records on eBay, you have to look out for some factors. It is easily the largest and most trusted online marketplace. The assigned reasons are possibly the high degree of policing that sellers have to undergo, the feedback system is quite transparent, and purchases have a guarantee in case of issues. However, everything is not fair and excellent.

So how do you purchase your favorite vinyl records on eBay, whether you are a one-time buyer or a collector?

The Record Cover

The record cover can often tell what you can find inside. While minor tear and bent corners shouldn’t be concerning, a highly battered cover can be a red signal. On the other hand, if something seems to be well taken care of, then it indicates that the disc has also been similarly taken care. A good example is an outer cover having a plastic sleeve. If there are not many tears in the inner sleeves, it means that the record has not been pulled out and placed back too many times.

Go Beyond Gradings

The grading of records can range from mediocre to mint based on their condition. However, there you can see a world of difference between how a seller grades their vinyl records and how you may do so. You can even go wrong with impeccable photos. That sheen on the product may not mean much.

You can use Photoshop to check scratches on a record by playing with the different levels of the image. It can show any divots or scratches hidden in the darker areas of the picture.

Seller Details

Consider the following factors related to the seller to prevent any pitfalls when buying vinyl records:

• Location:

When looking for record sellers on eBay, prefer sellers from within your country. Among other benefits, this helps you avoid lots of taxes and charges. It also means cheaper and quicker postage and fewer hassles if there are any issues. When it comes to rare and high-demand records, it may, however, be required to buy from other countries.

• Seller Experience:

When it comes to seller experience, there are multiple points to be considered. Check their feedback, the volume of sales they generate, and the other products that they may be selling. Most vinyl sellers make the bulk of their revenues from 60s pop and rock music. If that is what they are selling, it makes sense. However, if the seller is actively selling some entirely different product line, that doesn’t count as experience in vinyl records.

• Ratings:

You will undoubtedly want to purchase your records from a seller with 100% rating on eBay. However, it can also be ideal if the score is slightly lower. But, make sure to check the neutral and negative feedback. Look for signs of poor communication, high postage charges, and over-grading. But, then some buyers have unrealistic expectations.

eBay auction provides the option to ask a question from the seller. We suggest you follow these tips when asking questions:

Make sure to ask questions long before the auction closes
Make sure to thank the seller in advance
If there is no response, look elsewhere
Keep in mind that questions send a signal to sellers that their records have more value than they thought
Sellers have the option to make answers public (to demonstrate the cost and increase the price)

So you should be careful with the kind of questions you ask if you want to make a bargain with a high-value vinyl record.

About the Record

You should also evaluate the information about the record before purchasing it. Check the description and find out whether it is the ‘original’ release. A recording is going to have multiple versions over the years or decades. There is going to be the only one that is the original release and of the most exceptional value.

Keep in mind that even if you get everything else right when buying your vinyl record, failing to get this right can render everything else to be meaningless. So what is the ‘original’ release?

Key Points for BUYING VINYL RECORDS ON EBAY:

Original refers to the first pressing or first release of the recording in the country of origin
Original records from the early 1950s can be in a 10-inch format that is mostly recompiled into a 12-inch size
Then there is the first original that is a factory sample and doesn’t have more than a dozen copies
There can be a few hundred promotional copies that are sent out to radio station jockeys, in mono format
The first commercial release will have a few thousand copies

Once the first releases become commercially successful, more conies can be released. Besides, earlier pressings also sound and ‘feel’ better. They usually have details that the following issues drop to keep the costs low. Later pressings also don’t always carry the vital lyric information. It is good to get as close as possible to the source to have an authentic experience.

Many times label owners reissue their records within a few years. These releases are known as second pressing. It uses the same original master metalwork. The only difference is in a change of label information, usually without the mention of ‘original’. However, many still consider such second or later pressing to be ‘original’. So you should find out what kind of original the vinyl record is.

Be Wary of Incomplete Description before BUYING VINYL RECORDS ON EBAY

When reissues are released, one of the most common problems in the description is ‘omission’. Many times reissue sellers don’t provide any clues whether it is a reissue. Sometimes, you can see it in outstanding print. Keep in mind that eBay supports disputes only when you can show that it was a deliberate misrepresentation.

You cannot always trust sellers with their word about when the recording was made. If someone is selling a reissue from 30 years after the release of the original record without giving information, it is strangely not against the rules.

Choosing Between Buy-it-Now & Auction

You can find high-value records usually in auctions, where the sellers pursue the best possible prices. On the other hand, instant buy-it-now options are provided by sellers with an extensive collection of records. Such sellers use eBay as their permanent storefront.

You are more likely to find records with minor flaws in buy-it-now offers, especially when the fixed price is lower. It is like making compensation for the fault in the form of the lower price. At the same time, you can come across occasional sellers who put up a high-value record in the buy-in-now section at high prices. Such products have very few takers and keep getting re-listed.

Consider the Reserve Price

Many times, auctions have an undeclared reserve price. It is there to prevent the record’s worth from becoming too cheap. The only way to find what the reserve price is to place a bid. If any bid meets the reserve price requirement, then it automatically confirms it as a purchase bid. You will ‘buy it’ unless another buyer places a bid over you. It is not conceivable to determine whether the reserve price is too high and not putting the request. The only preferable option you will have is to retract your bid, and it is going to show on your profile.

eBay Bidding Tactics

While following these tips for buying vinyl records on eBay, it is equally important that you know the best bidding tactics on the platform. It is not just enough to find the product you want to purchase. You have to know some of the basics of the bidding process as well.

However, we suggest you do some research on the record and determine its worth to you. Allow others to place the first bids. Check the current price before the close, as it is likely that it would have overtaken your request. If the record is worth you more than the current cost, you should place your bid.

Another strategy is to place a high bid from the very beginning to increase your chances of winning. It is usually the approach that most wealthy vinyl collectors practice. If you don’t care about the costs, then you may follow this method. Otherwise, there is not much point in placing such a bid on eBay.

It increases the risk of being targeted by ‘shill-bidding’. Bidders can push up the price while colluding with the seller. On the other hand, there may be another significant bidder, and you may enter into a competition with them. The result can be that the record is sold for a price it is not half worth.

Follow the simple rule when bidding on vinyl records on eBay: never offer more than what you are happy to pay at the end of the day.

Basic Principles of BUYING VINYL RECORDS ON EBAY

We suggest you follow these basic principles when buying vinyl records from anywhere, including eBay:

i. Buy Originals

The process of obtaining records on eBay is another thing, but it is usually preferable to choose first pressings over reissues. Reissues are generally made of recent versions of the album. It is because the record label is less likely to own the original analog master.

ii. Choose the Classics

If you intend to build a collection of some great value, we suggest you choose the classics. Look for vinyl records of the latest albums of all time. Without a great list, there are endless options, and you will not be able to make much sense with your collection.

From Bob Dylan to Bob Marley to the Beatles, you can never go wrong with their originals. Also, keep in mind that finding their first pressings can also be a challenge in itself. But it will be worth having such a list.

iii. Create a Collection of Your Favorites

It is not essential for everyone to build a collection of the greatest. You should also collect what you love. Most importantly, you should purchase vinyl records of albums that make you happy. Choose albums that you will play, enjoy and treasure. Just because an album is a big collectible doesn’t mean that you are going to listen to it often.

Determining the Worth of Vinyl

It will also benefit if you can find out what the vinyl record is worth before you purchase it on eBay. But, it can confuse most vinyl buyers when it comes to determining the price. One simple rule, as already mentioned above, is to pay what it is worth to you. However, you should be able to determine a vinyl’s actual value.

A simple equation can help you in this regard:

Price of a vinyl record = (Pressing + Demand + Rarity) x Condition

It should help you get a tangible value of a record and determine whether you should be paying for it. When it comes to original pressings, demand and rarity are the big factors that increase their value and price.

Collect a Vinyl Theme

Another excellent strategy is to collect a vinyl theme. Ask any experienced collector, and they will tell you the truth – it is not possible to have all the records you desire. A smart tip is to track down and collect records from a particular genre or band. It is much simpler and allows you to find new music from the same style that you already love.

Originals are not an option for most collectors. Many original albums from the 50s and 60s can be worth hundreds or thousands. When building a theme-based collection, you can also consider later pressings.

Records Continue to be Good Investments

Records will continue to be excellent investments. They are valuable antiques. So far, it has been so, and collectors have only benefitted from their hobby or practice. It is a different type of collection if you compare it to stamp or other collectibles. You can also listen and enjoy them, unlike other forms of collectibles that don’t seem to have any additional value except in terms of monetary terms. So follow all these tips when buying vinyl records on eBay.