Voice of Vinyl Record and Jacket Grading Standards

I have been very unhappy with the variation in grading I see between record sellers. While all grading seems to reference the Goldmine grading standards, there are subtle variations in condition that can make a big difference in the sonic enjoyment of a record, especially at the higher quality end of the grading spectrum. As such, I have created my own grading standards for records and jackets that points out these finer differences.

(SS) Still Sealed:  "Still Sealed" is a grade I am reserving for factory-sealed records that have never been opened. This grade assumes the disc inside is undamaged and in "Mint" condition but this cannot be verified until the disc is opened and examined. The jacket will have its original shrink wrap.

(M) Mint: "Mint " is a grade I am reserving for a perfect record. There are no scratches, scuffs, hairlines, fingerprints, spindle marks or other indications that it has been handled or played. The jacket will have its original shrink which is opened. The are no corner bumps, scratches, mars, creases or other signs of jacket wear.

(M-) Mint Minus: A "Mint Minus" record may have one very light paper scuff but no hairlines or other surface scratches. It looks clean and unplayed. I may also use a "Mint Minus" to grade a sealed record that has corner bumps or tears in the shrink wrap.

(NM) Near Mint: "Near Mint" is a record that is virtually flawless, clean and glossy. A near perfect, rarely-played record. May play with some very light and occasional dust or static related light noise that is only heard in the quietest passages. The vinyl and label surfaces show no obvious sign of wear. It looks clean with the factory shine and there may be a very light, barely visible paper scuff or two and a few light hairlines but no scratches. An LP jacket has no seam splits or any other obvious signs of wear but one or two light creases are acceptable. Ring wear should be almost invisible. No punch holes or other discount marks.  Very minimal corner bumps. Artist signatures are the only acceptable forms of handwriting for this grade. Basically, "Near Mint" looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.

(NM-) Near Mint Minus: Same as above, yet shows a few very light hairlines which have no effect on the sonic quality. The record will have its factory gloss and ?rainbow luster? and only light spindle marks. Ring wear is minimal but starting to show lightly at the top and bottom. The jacket may have discount cuts or sales stickers, which will be noted. Artist signatures and minimal owner marks are the only acceptable forms of handwriting for this grade.

(VG++) Very Good Plus Plus: Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show signs of use and may have slight paper scuffs or very light surface scratches that only reveal themselves in the quietest of passages and don't detract from the overall sonic quality. Most factory shine is still present. Slight edge warps that do not affect the tracking or sound quality are OK and will be noted. An LP jacket may have some signs of ring wear and shelf wear and a small corner bump or two these are minimal and acceptable for this grade.  A small seam split is also acceptable and will be noted. Light owner signatures, DJ marks and other forms of handwriting are acceptable for this grade. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be a showcase piece. All but the most discriminating collectors will find a ?Very Good Plus? record highly acceptable.

(VG+) Very Good Plus: Many of the defects found in a VG++ record are more pronounced in a VG+ disc but it is still a keeper. Surface noise is evident upon playing, but does not overwhelm the music. Groove wear will start to be audible and a random click, tic or soft pop may be evident but will not detract from the enjoyment of the recorded material. The jacket may have a seam split or ring wear and labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. A small light stain or some discoloring may be evident. The cover may exhibit a combination of these flaws but they will not overwhelm the piece.

(VG) Very Good: A VG disc will have more flaws but it is still a keeper. Surface noise is evident upon playing but does not overpower the music. Groove wear will be audible along with occasional pops and tics but there are no skips. The jacket may have a significant seam split and the spine may be seriously flaked. Labels and jackets may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. A small light stain or some discoloring may be evident. The cover may exhibit a combination of these flaws but they will not overwhelm the piece.

(G+) Good Plus, (G) Good: ?Good? means acceptable?not completely roached. The grade I usually reserve for listing the rarest of records. A record in ?Good? condition can be put onto a turntable and will play but it will it will have significant audible surface noise. A jacket or sleeve has larger seam splits and there may be significant water stains. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.

Special Note:

(+) Plus: An extra "plus? may be added occasionally to a grade to highlight the finer points of some better grades.

Shipping Cost and Terms

Domestic/U.S.A. Shipping (excluding Alaska and Hawaii)

Domestic Buyers Please Note: Shipping costs to Alaska and Hawaii will have to be based upon actual weight. A handling charge of $1.85 (USD) will be added to the final shipping fee to help cover the cost of the high quality materials I use in the preservation and shipping of my records. Packages over $50 will have to be shipped with tracking and full value insurance. Packages will be shipped only to a confirmed Paypal address.

 USPS Media Mail (Tracking included, no insurance)

International Shipping

International Buyers Please Note: Import duties, taxes, and other Customs charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost unless the auction is using the ebay Global Shipping Program. In that case the buyer pays the import duties, customs charges etc. up front. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying. I declare full value for customs- this is a US and International government regulation.Tracking is included now in all shipments. Insurance is required for packages over $50. For packages under $50 the insurance and tracking is optional but, I will not refund payment for damaged or lost items without insurance and tracking.

Shipping Cost Calculate by Exact Weight: USPS pricing is constantly changing for almost all international locations. In order to provide a fair international shipping cost (to me as well as the buyer) I calculate all shipping charges by exact weight rather than a flat ?per LP? rate as I do for domestic USA shipments.

First Class Air Mail (Tracking included, insurance optional)

Allow 2-4 weeks delivery time depending on your country's customs. First Class Air Mail International includes online tracking. If order is over $50 it will be shipped Priority Air Mail. Packages weighing more than 4 pounds will automatically be shipped by USPS via Priority Air Mail at a roughly $10-15 increase.

Priority Air Mail (Tracking included, insurance included)

Allow 5-14 business day?s delivery time depending on your country's customs. Packages over $50 or over 4 pounds will be shipped via Priority Air Mail.

Ordering Multiple Items, Double LP?s and Boxed Sets

If you are ordering more than 1 item, please wait to submit your payment until you receive a combined invoice to ensure you are charged the exact amount of postage. All international orders over $50 or over 4 pounds must be shipped USPS Priority Air Mail with tracking. Double LP?s, boxed sets, etc. are heavier and will incur additional shipping costs.

Customer Service and Return Policy

A five star rating is important to me and I will work with a reasonable buyer who is not satisfied. You can buy with confidence because I provide a thorough assessment of a record. In a case where a buyer feels that I have provided a record below what has been described or I missed a major fault, please contact me through Ebay within 2 weeks of receiving your item, explain your problem and If we agree, the I will take the item back and provide a full refund. Buyer must pay return shipping. Sealed records must be returned still sealed to be eligible for a full refund.