Mint: Factory sealed, unopened, may have slight or small tears on the shrinkwrap but the cover has no flaws and the vinyl has not been removed.

Near Mint, NM: Vinyl plays all the way through, no jumps or skipping with no noticeable background noise. Vinyl is near perfect, very shiny like new,  with no scratches or scuffs,  may have very few minor "paper rubs".

Very Good Plus Plus, VG++, (Excellent): Vinyl plays all the way through, no jumps or sticking with little or no background noise, may have very light noise between tracks. Vinyl is very shiny with very few very light scratches, very light scuffs and or "paper rubs". 

Very Good Plus, VG+: Vinyl plays all the way through, no jumps or sticking with very light occasional background noise. Noise is only a couple of light pops or very occasional crackle, does not affect enjoyment of the record. Vinyl is shiny but does show some light dulling from use, not as shiny as when new. Vinyl may have some light scratches, scuffs and  paper rubs but is not covered  with scratches and the scratches look like they will not significantly alter the sound.

Very Good, VG: Vinyl plays all the way through, no jumps or sticking, although anti-skating adjustments may have been used to prevent this.  Plays with light background noise. Noise will be light pops or consistant light crackle. The record will still be very listenable but noise will be  apparent. Vinyl will have dulling, scratches and scuffs. Scratches will cover a significant  part of the vinyl. Scratches are not very deep but they look like they may cause some background noise.

Good Plus, G+: Vinyl plays all the way through, although anti-skating adjustments may have been used to prevent this. Plays with moderate to heavy background noise. Noise will be very apparent,  pops and crackle will be audible during play and affect enjoyment of the record. Vinyl has significant dulling, may be covered with scratches and scuffs. Some scratches may appear fairly deep and will look like the sound will be significantly affected.

Good, G: Vinyl will play although there may or may not be jumps or sticking. Plays with loud background noise, the sound quality is significantly affected, to the point it is not enjoyable to listen to.Vinyl will look like it will barely play, with scratches covering the surface, many very deep. I will not list any records in this category unless they are the rarest of rare.

COVER VISUAL GRADING:

Mint: Factory sealed,  vinyl has not been removed from cover.

Near Mint, NM: Cover may or may not have original shrinkwrap. Shrinkwrap may have slight, small holes or tears but the cover itself will show only the very slightest of wear. The cover will look as is it was just removed from the shrinkwrap.

Very Good Plus Plus, VG++: Cover will still have the original sheen. It may have very light rubbing and/or ring wear, but will not affect the graphics. Edges and spine will have very light if any rubbing, corners may have a little very light scuffing. May have stickers but no writing. Slight yellowing if it is a lighter color. No moisture or other stains. May have cut-out.

Very Good Plus, VG+: Cover may have rubbing and ring wear, with some light scuffing. Scuffing, stains and spots  may be noticeable but not overtly obvious. May have some writing but fairly unobtrusive, does not have large or heavy writing. Edges and spine may have some rubbing and scuffs. Will not have split seams unless the front and back covers show very little wear. May have some slight wrinkles and scuffs from storage. May have very faint moisture stains, but not heavy or obvious. May have cut-out.

Very Good, VG: Cover will have very noticeable rubbing, scuffs or ring wear. Graphics may be  affected by scuffs, but the overall graphic will be only moderately affected. May have writing, stains, spots, moisture stains, stickers, wrinkles and creases. Edges and spine may be split, but at least one edge will be intact. May have unobtrusive tape.

Good Plus, G+: Cover will have moderate to heavy  scuffs, rubbing, ring wear, spots, stains, writing or moisture stains. Edges and spine may be split or have tape.

Good, G: Cover will show heavy wear, with all of the above, only worse. I do not list records in this condition unless they are very rare.