SS...Still sealed in original factory shrink wrap (never opened), any wear or tears in shrink will be noted in description. Bent or dinged corners, creases, drill or punch holes, saw cuts, ect. will also be noted.

MINT...An opened record with no noticeable flaws whatsoever, generally this grade is applied only when the record is known to be unplayed. If I do not know it is unplayed, I may grade it as NM and looks unplayed. Cover jackets will appear like new, shrink wrap may be removed but there will be no noticeable flaws.

NM...Near Mint condition, vinyl looks like new or may show only the slightest evidence of having been played, will have a nice glossy shine, labels will be clean or just one or two light marks near the spindle hole. Cover jackets will be nearly flawless showing only the slightest signs of wear (slight edge wear, very minor dings, ect.).

VG++...Very Good Plus Plus...Just a bit more wear than NM. Vinyl may have a few extremely light scratches or paper scuffs. Cover jackets may show the slightest signs of ring wear (just barely noticeable), or minor edge & corner wear. VG++ records are very nice and quite collectible, especially for first issues or rare recordings.

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. Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, not effecting the actual playback as a whole.  Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences. 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.  Spindle marks may be present.  Picture sleeves and 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, and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation, or cut corner. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. ..

VG..Very Good....Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. 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. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time.

G or G+....A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be played through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present. While the record will be playable without skipping, noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainly accompany the playback. I may rate a record that is otherwise VG or better, but skips as G+ and state it as such.