Gang Starr - 1994 UK 1st Hard To Earn - Vinyl Record LP Album Hip Hop Sleeve hanging in there with some wear/rubs/bumps, creasing, pics.   Wax is VG(+) on record 1-2 and EX on record 3-4.  Very solid player to enjoy.  
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I try to grade very conservatively.  If I say VG+, most others would say EX and so forth. I use the Goldmine grading standard.  If you are unfamiliar with that, please see below.  If I rate a vinyl VG, and you receive it, hear background noise, and question the quality, I will point you back to this standard. Please read my shipping process and discount policy below before sending questions.   If payment is not received within 4 days after auction, I will relist - Unless you communicate with me!
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US PayPal Media Mail only.  I pack and ship with thoughtfulness at least twice a week.   $5 for the first record, then $1 each additional in the same week on shipping (it should auto calculate that discount, but if you see an issue, please let me know.)

All used LPs are VPI cleaned, all new LPs are kept sealed unless directed otherwise.  

Pictures are part of the description.  We are all human.  If I make a mistake, please alert me and I'll make it right.  There is never any ill intent on my part.  Any issues, just let me know and I will work with you to resolve it.

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Packing:

I use all new materials.  Every record will get a new outer 3 mil sleeve, anti-static inners if the originals are missing, and I will pack vinyl outside of sleeve unless directed otherwise.  Every package has a "Fragile, handle with care" sticker and a "Keep away from heat" sticker.  Most will be your standard white LP mailer with the record sandwiched between two cardboard record stiffeners.  Combined orders over $100 will get an upgrade to a Whiplash Mailer.  Again, all new materials.  

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Goldmine Grading Standard

MINT (M)

These are absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely seen, Mint should never be used as a grade unless more than one person agrees that the record or sleeve truly is in this condition.

There is no set percentage of the Near Mint value these can bring; it is best negotiated between buyer and seller.

NEAR MINT (NM OR M-)

A good description of a NM record is ?it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time.? In other words, it?s nearly perfect.

Many dealers won?t use a grade higher than this, implying (perhaps correctly) that no record or sleeve is ever truly perfect.

Near mint records are shiny and free of visible defects. No writing, stickers, other markings or spindle marks appear on the label. No major factory defects are present; a record and label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint.

If played, an NM record will do so without surface noise. Near Mint records don?t have to be ?never played?; a record used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the disc is properly cared for.

NM covers have no creases, ring wear or seam splits of any kind.

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) OR EXCELLENT (E)

A good description of a VG+ Record is ?except for a couple of minor things, this would be Near Mint.?

Most collectors, especially those who want to play their records, will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if it is toward the high end of the grade, (sometimes called VG++ or E+).

VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that don?t affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, so long as repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.

VG+ Covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. Covers with cut-out markings can never be considered Near Mint.

VERY GOOD (VG)

Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ Record are more obvious on a VG record. That said, VG records ? which usually sell for no more than 25 percent of a an NM record ? are among the biggest bargains in record collecting, because most of the ?big money? goes for more perfect copies. For many listeners, a VG record or sleeve will be worth the money.

VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail.

When played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a song?s intro and ending. But the noise won?t overpower the music otherwise. Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. Many collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG records in them and not think twice. They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape.

VG covers will have many signs on human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover, where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious; it may appear on all three sides, thought it won?t be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written on it or stamped a price tag on it, too.

GOOD (G), GOOD PLUS (G+) OR VERY GOOD MINUS (VG-)

Lower-grade records go for 10 to 15 percent of the Near Mint value, if you are lucky.

Good does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along. But it has significant surface noise and groove wear. The label is worn and exhibits significant ring wear, heavy writing or obvious damage caused by trying to remove tape or stickers and failing miserably.

A Good to VG- cover has ring wear to the point of distraction, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have even heavier writing, such as huge radio station letters written across the front to deter theft.

If the item is common, it?s probably better to pass it up. But if you?ve been seeking it for a long time, get it cheap and look to upgrade.

POOR (P) AND FAIR (F)

Poor and Fair records go for 0 to 5 percent of the Near Mint value, if they go at all.

More likely, they end up going in the trash. Records are cracked, impossibly warped or skip and/or repeat when an attempt is made to play them. Covers are so heavily damaged that you almost want to cry.

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Hello friends,

I have been mostly buying and occasionally selling vinyl for over 25 years.  Very rarely have sold on eBay, and not in a long time.  Typically sell on a couple of other platforms.  Nonetheless, I've received nothing but positive feedback over thousands of transactions over that time, never a negative piece of feedback (knock on wood.)  If you ever have an issue, I will always work with you to reach an amicable settlement.  No questions asked on returns, etc.  We recently moved, and the magnitude of my collection really hit me - I'm collecting and not enjoying.  So, it's time to start enjoying again, and shedding off either duplicates or items that don't bring me particular joy.  So, please bid with confidence and know that you are buying from a true vinyl lover like you.  Check my other postings, I will try to be clear and transparent.  Thank you!