Sold Date: December 4, 2019
Start Date: November 6, 2019
Final Price: $26.00 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 2125
Buyer Feedback: 129

Before we go further, let me be clear, the subjective record grade IS NOT the sole determining factor when considering the item description. Take everything into account when determining the "item description." NOT just the record grade

Vinyl is shiny with good grooves. Showing numerous surface scuffs (pictured) and some light scratches and hairlines. Test played all three records. It looks worse than it sounds. Most of those nasty looking long scuffs are only on the surface and for the most part do not effect playback. However, there are some hairlines and light scratches so expect some occasional crackle and ticks/pops. The cover is showing minor surface wear and general aging. The edges are showing minor wear with nicks and dinged corners, no splitting. The spine is clean and solid. Be sure to read the detailed record grade definitions below if you are unfamiliar with the Goldmine Record Album Price Guide. I use a slightly modified version, explained below. Please look at all the high resolution pictures carefully using the magnifying tool to inspect the cover, inner sleeve, and label for visual flaws that I don't necessarily call out. 

Priority Mail includes insurance up to $50. If you do not request Priority Mail or request full insurance coverage prior to checking out (request an invoice first) only you are responsible for any damage or loss during shipping. Once I drop it off at USPS and it is scanned into the their system, it is out of my control and no longer my responsibility. Please read my 100% positive feedback and you will see I package every item very securely, but with the USPS, you just never know, so if its an expensive item, you should request more insurance, if you decline, then the responsibility for loss or damage by USPS is on you, not me. By making this purchase you agree to these terms.

Packaging Your Records

All Priority Mail records are double boxed with reinforced corners. Media Mail records are boxed in record album boxes with sufficient extra packing material.  I take every reasonable precaution to securely pack your records. For older sleeves I will pack the vinyl in a separate sleeve to avoid splitting during shipping. Unfortunately though, once it is out of my hands, the USPS is sometimes careless in handling the package. Unless you choose Priority Mail, your package via Media Mail is NOT insured for loss or damage and any such claim would have to be made through the eBay Buyer Protection  Plan with the USPS listed as AT FAULT.

Combined Shipping Discount

For Media Mail, first record is $4 or $3.75, second record $2, .50 each after that. One business day turnaround. Keep in mind that shipping fees include packaging materials and handling time. Due to USPS damaging two recent deliveries via Media Mail, even though the records were double boxed with reinforced corners, I have recently changed most records over $25 to Priority Mail instead of Media Mail so that the records are insured up to $50 by the USPS. When shipping Media Mail there is NO insurance coverage for damage or loss even when USPS is at fault. Priority Mail rates are calculated as actual cost based on weight and your address so combined shipping does not apply. If you prefer cheaper Media Mail, please contact me before completing your transaction and I will make the adjustment.  But be advised, any damage or loss due to USPS mishandling is not covered by USPS Media Mail and you will have to seek a refund from eBay with their Buyer Protection Plan with USPS listed as "At Fault". 

International Shipping

International buyers take note, please do not email me asking what I charge to ship to your country because I use the eBay Global Shipping Program and they handle the invoicing not me. You will pay the initial shipping to have it shipped to the eBay International Shipping Center in Kentucky, and an additional amount to get it to you over seas. eBay calculates the entire cost and adds it to your purchase before checkout. Be advised, once it arrives at the Shipping Center it is completely OUT OF MY CONTROL and I will not cover any loss or damage after that.

Returns

I accept returns if you are not satisfied with your record purchase. See the "Returns" conditions on your packaging slip for details. I do NOT refund any portion of the shipping, either direction. You are paying the USPS for this shipping, not me. On some occasions I will not accept returns for a record that is very rare. I cannot take the chance that someone will buy it, swap out the vinyl and then ship it back. Sorry, that happened once and I cannot allow it to happen again. Records listed as "No Returns Accepted" fall into this category. So please look at the pics carefully before you purchase it and contact me if you want me to play test  expensive records before you purchase them.

Record Grading

In the end, record grading is a subjective process, so please take everything into account: the description, the pictures, and the grade before making your purchase. I make every attempt to grade accurately but one man's VG+ might be another person's VG. Please read the grade definitions carefully below.I use a slightly modified version of the Goldmine Record Albums Price Guide, I added an EX grade between NM and VG+ and I expanded on some of the grade definitions to make them a little clearer. 

All records are cleaned with Disc Doctor Miracle Record Cleaner and inspected and graded for condition using modified Goldmine Record Grading System (see below) before being listed. I do not have the time to test play every record, but if you are seriously interested in a rare or expensive record please contact me and I will play test it for you first. I try to include pictures of potentially penetrating scratches and spot check playing the worse looking ones. I also include pictures of scuffs and light scratches and test play the ones that might cause some noise and I will make a note of it in the description.

I have an excellent feedback rating and many people comment that my record grading is very accurate. If you receive your record and disagree with my description please contact me prior to leaving feedback and we will work out a return or partial refund if you decide to keep it.

Mint (M)   

Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed. Should be used sparingly as a grade, If at all.

Sealed(S) 

Sealed but that does not mean Mint because there may be hidden damage to the vinyl that will only be known if you open it.

Near Mint (NM)   

Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly)that no record is ever truly perfect. In layman's terms, a Near Mint record means it looks like you just bought it at the record store new but it may have one or two very minor flaws. Don't forget the word "near" in "Near Mint." Its not supposed to be perfect.

The record should show no obvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling. 

An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like. 

Basically, an LP in near mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap. 

Excellent (EX) 

I include an EX rating for records that overall look NM, that is they look like you just bought them new with original sheen and luster but they may have a few minor surface "marks" or surface "scuffs" or even one or two surface lines but DO NOT effect playback. The covers also look new but may have a few very minor flaws such as a ding on a conner, or very very minor ring wear but otherwise looks almost brand new. These records and covers fall in between VG+ and NM.

Very Good Plus (VG+)   

A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. 

Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and will have some slight scuffs or very light "hairline" scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences other than an occasional pop or tick. There may be some crackling especially during quiet passages and in between tracks but generally does not over power the music, it may be reduced after professionally deep cleaned. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK". 

The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play. 

Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. 

In general, if not for a couple things wrong with it, this would be EX. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.

Very Good (VG)   

Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise and crackling will be evident upon playing and persistent during soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, and will sometimes overpower the music. Groove wear will start to be more noticeable, losing most of the original sheen and luster, and with numerous light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will occasionally affect the sound. There may even be one or two deeper scratches that cause pops and minor skips.

Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers, showing more pronounced ring, edge, and corner wear and ding, and shelf wear which looks like "snow" on the front and sometimes even the back cover. There may be a seam split as well.  However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time.

Good (G), Good Plus (G+)   

Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without major skipping. But it will have significant surface noise, crackling, and scratches and visible groove wear with most of the original sheen gone and the overall look of the vinyl being flat and dull.

A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Ring wear, shelf wear "snow" and other defects will start to overwhelm the object, its a VG grade but with all flaws that define VG, not just a few of them. 

If it is a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But, if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it...but keep looking to upgrade.

I only list items that have a G or G+ rating for either the cover or the vinyl but not both. It is intended for people who are seeking to replace just one of these, but not both. You have a fine record but you need to replace the cover or vice versa.

Poor (P)  

The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and writing. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, crinkled, and written upon. 

Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each. 

I only list items that have a P rating for either the cover or the vinyl but not both. It is intended for people who are seeking to replace just one of these, but not both. You have a fine record but you need to replace the cover or vice versa.