McDonald And Giles ‎– McDonald And Giles

Label:  Cotillion ‎– SD 9042

Format:  Vinyl, LP, Album, Specialty Pressing 

Country:  US

Released:  1971

Genre:  Rock

Style:  Prog Rock

 - - -  first US pressing, gatefold cover  - - -  

cover:

VG, used, shelf and ring wear, a few stains, no splits, rough edges and corners 

record:

both sides VG, USED, surface marks (including pressing flaws [bumps]) and numerous light scratches and sleeve brush, 

side 2 surface noise is more noticeable because the music is quieter 

………………………….

I always use USPS MEDIA MAIL for shipping media unless it’s an expensive item 

- it will be stated in the listing that I’ll be using different shipping in that case

The item(s) pictured are/is the item(s) you will receive. Taking photos of LPs with shrink wrap is like photographing a mirror so most albums are photographed on an angle.

 >> I never lay the record flat on a dirty surface. All discs are photographed on a small riser. <<

I play grade about 98% of what I sell unless its sealed or obviously unplayed.  

Many eBay sellers don’t take the time to wash their albums and only give them a visual grade, not me.  BUT, I’m only human and many of the records are OLD.  If I think Side 1 of a record from 1969 sounds EX and you think it’s only VG+ sorry - I’m trying my best here.  If a record sounds incredible but has one rough patch I’ll drop the grading and usually make note that it’s a NM side except for whatever.  

Even SEALED albums can sound terrible.  

If you like records then prepare to hear surface noise, the occasional pop, and some stuff an MP3 doesn’t have.

If the album is in a small lot or sold separately rest assured I have washed and rinsed the disc using my lazy-susan / vacuum set-up (or, if I cleaned a year or two ago, in my two “Spin Clean”s.  I use “The Groovinator” record cleaning solution in distilled water for bath #1 and straight distilled water in bath #2 to rinse the disc.  I wipe down all spin-cleaned discs with soft 100% cotton clothes.)  All cleaned discs are placed into thin round-bottom poly inner sleeves - sometimes something else but never straight paper.  I’ll give some of the covers a light cleaning if they need it.  I try my best to eliminate dirt and/or mold- I will not sell an album with living mold on it, ever. 

If a record is inexpensive due to its condition I won’t sell it.  A very, very scratched up Led Zeppelin album has no place in my eBay listings or apartment.  A “M-“ album by some unknown band from the early 80’s that belongs in a dollar bin might make it into a lot.  Just because it sells for dirt cheap doesn’t mean someone out there wouldn’t want a pristine album in their collection. 

Vinyl Grading System: 

(this is visual and play-grading - play-grading is the important part)

Mint (M) : Absolutely perfect in every way. Never been played and usually sealed

Near Mint (NM) : The record has been on a shelf between other records. The vinyl looks glossy and clearly has only been played a few times. There are no marks on the vinyl and the whole package is complete.

Excellent (EX) : Same but I’d tolerate light marks where the vinyl has been in and out of the inner sleeve a few times, or small signs of use generally.

Very Good Plus (VG+) : A few further faults are acceptable, but nothing that really compromises the record visually or audibly too much. A little rub, light audible marks, a little background crackle.

Very Good (VG) : It’s seen a bit of life, but is still usable. Light pops and clicks, maybe an edge split, light visible scratches. You can still listen to it and enjoy looking at it, but it is visually and audibly USED.  Most opened (old) albums fall into this category.

Good (G) : To be honest you’re making trouble for yourself here, as Good means Bad. I’d only be selling something really desirable in this condition, with a bargain price and a full, no holds barred description to match.

Poor (P), Fair (F) : Attempting to listen will be a disturbing experience. Expect major noise issues, skipping or repeating. The record itself is cracked, badly warped and has deep scratches. The cover is also approaching death.

I’ll also use M-, NM+, NM-, EX+, EX-, VG-, etc. record grading is kinda tricky and NM might be too high but EX isn’t doing it justice, hence, EX+ or maybe NM-

I TEST-PLAY MY RECORDS LOUD.  

All records sound quiet and clean if you can barely hear them. I crank up the volume so I (and you) can hear the defects - scratches, cracks, dirt, pressing flaws, etc.

If the record is worth $25, $40, $50+ I won’t step away from it when I’m grading it.  The cheaper the album the more likely I’ll get up to go to the kitchen or whatever.  But, like I said, I play the records loud so not to miss the pops and stuff. Remember, most eBayer sellers only visually grade their albums. A shiny clean album may look like it sounds nice only to find out it’s a hot mess. I’ve found this out the hard way on more than one occasion. 

I use LP mailers.  If I can, I’ll place two, three… up to six LPs into a mailer so as to lessen the chance of one getting lost.  Sometimes records are placed outside of the outer sleeve/cover to avoid splitting the cover unless the album is sealed but I found packing multiple LPs into one sleeve makes it virtually impossible for them to move around and cause cover splitting or damage to the vinyl. 

>   ALL SALES ARE FINAL.   NO REFUNDS.   NO RETURNS.  < 

NO INTERNATIONAL SALES unless you have a U.S. mailing address!!!!!  --->  I will only ship to U.S. addresses and will CANCEL any orders with foreign addresses.

Once an item is purchased I do not consider it to be my item any longer and I do my best to move it along to its proper owner as quickly as I can. I mail out items as soon as I am able. Sometimes items go to the post office in less than 30 minutes from payments received, other times I have to wait until Monday morning or after a holiday to ship.  

Once the item is dropped off at my local post office it’s “out of my hands” and I can not make the item appear at your doorstep any faster than the USPS can.  

Please do not ask for refunds or replacements when I have clearly mailed your item (I will always add the tracking number the USPS provides me with.)  

  

PLEASE LEAVE POSITIVE FEEDBACK IF YOU ARE HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE (OR CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK) - IT REALLY HELPS,  THANK YOU!

I buy a ton of stuff on eBay so I know how I want items to arrive (fast and as described) and I’m just an email away if you have a question or two.

Thanks for looking!