In my experience, the paper sleeves are not worth much, provided you still keep any original inner sleeve where there’s relevant artwork/liner notes/lyrics etc. I chuck away those white paper sleeves and always replace them immediately with anti-static ones. I do, however, always keep any inner sleeves where there’s artwork or lyrics, even if I don’t use them to hold the disc itself. Hope this helps!
Yeah- I was just wondering how you thought I might rate albums where the sleeves with lyrics and artwork are no longer there. Does that mean I should lower the quality rating?
Yes, this should be reflected somehow. You will note there are two separate elements or aspects to grade: Media and Sleeve. I would grade the media objectively (e.g. if it looks and sounds like new, NM; if a bit more “used”, VG etc.). With the sleeve, you can either grade objectively or take the score down a notch or two (if NM, then G) but in any case, I would use the notes section to explain “Original inner sleeve missing”. Hope this helps!
These are great tips! I try to only get M or NM records too, though sometimes if they're priced to move (or if I want it bad enough), I'll grab something with a lower grade.
I've generally had good luck on Discogs. Part of that is down to buying from the same people more than once. Once vendor ships fast. Like, really fast, and I often get things w/in 2-3 days.
Thanks, Kevin! Yes, I agree: buying again from a same seller with whom you had a good experience is great, and I do the same from time to time. Fast shipping is always the best. When buying from within the UK, the benefit of living in a small country means that most shipments arrive pretty fast. I often wondered how long it would take in the states if you were, say, in California, and were buying from someone in Maine. Probably not much faster than buying in London from New York!
That's the beauty of Discogs. While I go, "What? Discogs SELLS?", I'm more than happy to use their site for all but replacing my long-ago-liquidated 2,000-unit LP collection....it's incredibly helpful in my researching albums and singles for FR&B articles, as you well know! Plus, for using photos of the jackets and singles sleeves!
Speaking of selling my albums (on eBay) around the turn of the century, we used most, if not all, of your handy and helpful tips! I reckon some sellers might've brought their experiences and expertise over to Discogs! If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I guess!
Well, kinda both. I miss my collection terribly. If I had it nearby, there are so many things I'd be reminded I used to listen to (and particular rare records I used to have)!
Now, I have to rely on my memory ("hey, I used to have this or that!")....and, when I go to look it up, I can't find it! Mostly, Discogs can fill that hole, but I think my collection was kind of like a "living Discogs," 'cause I might have had promos or limited editions no one's logged yet....anywhere. *sigh*
But, without the previously-made plans to ensure I had a stable house situation (instead of constant apartment moving), I'm glad I don't have those twenty 100-count boxes to lug around anymore. What muddied the waters a bit (although I adored her and our time together) was my taking care of Mom from 1993 thru 2016.
We lived together for those years, and while she was healthy for most of that time (we even took long trips from 2008-2011), assisted living (nearby, so I visited her several days each week) for her became necessary around 2012 (she passed on Christmas Eve, 2016).
I think I did the right thing, overall, in selling my collection from 1998-2003 or so. The sad, "I wish" thing is that I wasn't able to do both: Keep my collection, and have had a stable, better thought-out living situation with more control (and money!) over things like rent, etc! In other words, I needed a paid-for house where Mom could be comfortable, I could comfortably house my records, and live happily ever after (and, ostensibly, still be in that house)! Thank you for asking, Andy....cathartic, to a degree!
Thanks for sharing, Brad, and I'm sorry to hear about your mum. However, I am glad that you have fond memories of your time with her and I'm sure she was very grateful to have your help and support.
I completely understand what you say about living situation/space: records are both an asset and a liability (another beautiful -- yet sometimes exasperating -- contradiction of vinyl). If you find you really miss some of your records, you can always try to get at least a few, if at all, for the nostalgia!
We were best buds, Andy, me and me mum😊.....not many sons can say that about their mother! She was there when I needed her, and I was there for her A) at first to help her bring her entertainment booking agency into the computer age, mid-'90s, and B) taking on more of a care-taking role shortly after the new century dawned.
The neat thing about eBay-ing my collection at the turn of the century, though, is that it almost (now I can see it!) prepared me for writing about it all for now, my Substack years! It was a hugely fun and challenging exercise, creatively writing about each record's (or promo item's) provenance. Plus, I connected with several industry pros....I sold them their own stuff!!!
Just for you, Andy....this may, otherwise, not make it "into print"---I sold a Ramones promo item (can't remember what, exactly) to graphic artist, Arturo Vega (early part of this century...he passed in 2013), the guy who created the iconic round Ramones logo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Vega
I also sold a 1974 7" record (33 1/3 rpm, small spindle hole) called "Playback." "Playback" was either a promo program or subscription model with Columbia (CBS) Records, early '70s: Periodically, they'd send you one of those records, with about 4 songs (2 each side) on it, each featuring an artist with a new album release on a CBS (or affiliated) label. A little promo info booklet accompanied.
It would be interesting to see if Discogs (or anyone) had mention of that CBS "Playback" series! Holler if you wanna pursue that as a possible collab!
One of them featured a song or two from a new 1974 album by singer/songwriter, Allee Willis, called "Childstar," her only solo album! She, apparently never had hers, or lost it over time, etc! So, she bought MINE!
I AM glad, though, that I was mature enough to accept my situation 25 years ago, and happily moved into, and grabbed the opportunity to make the best of liquidating my collection.
"Sounds like me" dept: I managed to amass about 4 or 5 completely full ledger books of everything I sold (I think they're in storage somewhere!).....if I thought there could ever be a chance of you and I getting together to pore over them, I'd hunt 'em down, Boobie! Can you imagine? You've heard of "pulling an all-nighter"? This would require pulling an "all-week-er"!!😁👍
A drink or three for me! Done and done! Here's a perfect example of the above, and of the exact moment (and if I had my collection, I'd know just where to find it!): I had a Raspberries single picture sleeve (I can't remember WHICH single), and I'd love to feature it in my current article. I've searched thru Discogs (going thru each Raspberries single), and I can't find it.
It was a B&W photo of an absolutely adorable little 2- or 3-year old boy, with blond hair hanging all over his forehead. He sort of had one hand on one side of his head, with a silly grin on his face, like he had just finished one too many juice boxes. In a little animated talk balloon poised just above his head, he's saying: "I think Raspberries is the bananas!" Adorbs x 8!
Such great tips! I haven't bought on Discogs yet. I use it mostly for updating my album database which is a slog with 1500 records. I am pretty sure none, or very few of my albums are mint, as they have been played numerous times.
I'm curious how to price/tag records where the inner sleeve is not the original sleeve? Back in the day I had replaced ripped paper sleeves with clear plastic ones. So the physical vinyl is is great shape but it's not in the original paper sleeve. I do have the original giant Zig-Zag rolling paper that came with Cheech and Chong's Big Bambu though!:)
I always ask for photos of the sleeve and the vinyl. This way I can show them to PayPal if things go awry. Also gives me a chance to view what I'm purchasing.
That's a good precaution, yes, especially for expensive items. I only do that occasionally if I have doubts about a certain item or suspicions about a specific seller.
Thank you, Steve! I’m glad you found it helpful.
In my experience, the paper sleeves are not worth much, provided you still keep any original inner sleeve where there’s relevant artwork/liner notes/lyrics etc. I chuck away those white paper sleeves and always replace them immediately with anti-static ones. I do, however, always keep any inner sleeves where there’s artwork or lyrics, even if I don’t use them to hold the disc itself. Hope this helps!
Yeah- I was just wondering how you thought I might rate albums where the sleeves with lyrics and artwork are no longer there. Does that mean I should lower the quality rating?
Yes, this should be reflected somehow. You will note there are two separate elements or aspects to grade: Media and Sleeve. I would grade the media objectively (e.g. if it looks and sounds like new, NM; if a bit more “used”, VG etc.). With the sleeve, you can either grade objectively or take the score down a notch or two (if NM, then G) but in any case, I would use the notes section to explain “Original inner sleeve missing”. Hope this helps!
These are great tips! I try to only get M or NM records too, though sometimes if they're priced to move (or if I want it bad enough), I'll grab something with a lower grade.
I've generally had good luck on Discogs. Part of that is down to buying from the same people more than once. Once vendor ships fast. Like, really fast, and I often get things w/in 2-3 days.
Thanks, Kevin! Yes, I agree: buying again from a same seller with whom you had a good experience is great, and I do the same from time to time. Fast shipping is always the best. When buying from within the UK, the benefit of living in a small country means that most shipments arrive pretty fast. I often wondered how long it would take in the states if you were, say, in California, and were buying from someone in Maine. Probably not much faster than buying in London from New York!
That's the beauty of Discogs. While I go, "What? Discogs SELLS?", I'm more than happy to use their site for all but replacing my long-ago-liquidated 2,000-unit LP collection....it's incredibly helpful in my researching albums and singles for FR&B articles, as you well know! Plus, for using photos of the jackets and singles sleeves!
Speaking of selling my albums (on eBay) around the turn of the century, we used most, if not all, of your handy and helpful tips! I reckon some sellers might've brought their experiences and expertise over to Discogs! If it ain't broke, don't fix it, I guess!
Thanks, Brad! Yes, Discogs is like some sort of bible or encyclopaedia 😁 I love how it grew (still grows) as a collective project.
Do you ever miss your collection? Or are you happy with the decision to sell (e.g. more space)?
Well, kinda both. I miss my collection terribly. If I had it nearby, there are so many things I'd be reminded I used to listen to (and particular rare records I used to have)!
Now, I have to rely on my memory ("hey, I used to have this or that!")....and, when I go to look it up, I can't find it! Mostly, Discogs can fill that hole, but I think my collection was kind of like a "living Discogs," 'cause I might have had promos or limited editions no one's logged yet....anywhere. *sigh*
But, without the previously-made plans to ensure I had a stable house situation (instead of constant apartment moving), I'm glad I don't have those twenty 100-count boxes to lug around anymore. What muddied the waters a bit (although I adored her and our time together) was my taking care of Mom from 1993 thru 2016.
We lived together for those years, and while she was healthy for most of that time (we even took long trips from 2008-2011), assisted living (nearby, so I visited her several days each week) for her became necessary around 2012 (she passed on Christmas Eve, 2016).
I think I did the right thing, overall, in selling my collection from 1998-2003 or so. The sad, "I wish" thing is that I wasn't able to do both: Keep my collection, and have had a stable, better thought-out living situation with more control (and money!) over things like rent, etc! In other words, I needed a paid-for house where Mom could be comfortable, I could comfortably house my records, and live happily ever after (and, ostensibly, still be in that house)! Thank you for asking, Andy....cathartic, to a degree!
Thanks for sharing, Brad, and I'm sorry to hear about your mum. However, I am glad that you have fond memories of your time with her and I'm sure she was very grateful to have your help and support.
I completely understand what you say about living situation/space: records are both an asset and a liability (another beautiful -- yet sometimes exasperating -- contradiction of vinyl). If you find you really miss some of your records, you can always try to get at least a few, if at all, for the nostalgia!
We were best buds, Andy, me and me mum😊.....not many sons can say that about their mother! She was there when I needed her, and I was there for her A) at first to help her bring her entertainment booking agency into the computer age, mid-'90s, and B) taking on more of a care-taking role shortly after the new century dawned.
The neat thing about eBay-ing my collection at the turn of the century, though, is that it almost (now I can see it!) prepared me for writing about it all for now, my Substack years! It was a hugely fun and challenging exercise, creatively writing about each record's (or promo item's) provenance. Plus, I connected with several industry pros....I sold them their own stuff!!!
Just for you, Andy....this may, otherwise, not make it "into print"---I sold a Ramones promo item (can't remember what, exactly) to graphic artist, Arturo Vega (early part of this century...he passed in 2013), the guy who created the iconic round Ramones logo: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arturo_Vega
I also sold a 1974 7" record (33 1/3 rpm, small spindle hole) called "Playback." "Playback" was either a promo program or subscription model with Columbia (CBS) Records, early '70s: Periodically, they'd send you one of those records, with about 4 songs (2 each side) on it, each featuring an artist with a new album release on a CBS (or affiliated) label. A little promo info booklet accompanied.
It would be interesting to see if Discogs (or anyone) had mention of that CBS "Playback" series! Holler if you wanna pursue that as a possible collab!
One of them featured a song or two from a new 1974 album by singer/songwriter, Allee Willis, called "Childstar," her only solo album! She, apparently never had hers, or lost it over time, etc! So, she bought MINE!
Check out HER resume: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allee_Willis Sadly, she passed 4 years ago. Her songwriting credits would make a wonderful Playlist!!
I AM glad, though, that I was mature enough to accept my situation 25 years ago, and happily moved into, and grabbed the opportunity to make the best of liquidating my collection.
"Sounds like me" dept: I managed to amass about 4 or 5 completely full ledger books of everything I sold (I think they're in storage somewhere!).....if I thought there could ever be a chance of you and I getting together to pore over them, I'd hunt 'em down, Boobie! Can you imagine? You've heard of "pulling an all-nighter"? This would require pulling an "all-week-er"!!😁👍
It's great you had such a good relationship with her. Those memories will forever live within you :)
Wow, you DO have an incredible memory!! The amount of details you can retain is impressive -- this never ceases to amaze me.
The all week-er sounds like a lot of fun! I'll need a drink or two, mind you! :)
A drink or three for me! Done and done! Here's a perfect example of the above, and of the exact moment (and if I had my collection, I'd know just where to find it!): I had a Raspberries single picture sleeve (I can't remember WHICH single), and I'd love to feature it in my current article. I've searched thru Discogs (going thru each Raspberries single), and I can't find it.
It was a B&W photo of an absolutely adorable little 2- or 3-year old boy, with blond hair hanging all over his forehead. He sort of had one hand on one side of his head, with a silly grin on his face, like he had just finished one too many juice boxes. In a little animated talk balloon poised just above his head, he's saying: "I think Raspberries is the bananas!" Adorbs x 8!
But, where is it.........now?
Such great tips! I haven't bought on Discogs yet. I use it mostly for updating my album database which is a slog with 1500 records. I am pretty sure none, or very few of my albums are mint, as they have been played numerous times.
I'm curious how to price/tag records where the inner sleeve is not the original sleeve? Back in the day I had replaced ripped paper sleeves with clear plastic ones. So the physical vinyl is is great shape but it's not in the original paper sleeve. I do have the original giant Zig-Zag rolling paper that came with Cheech and Chong's Big Bambu though!:)
Thank you for all the suggestions. i have had good lick with Discogs, and now i have even better tips!
Always my pleasure. Thanks a lot, Terry!
I always ask for photos of the sleeve and the vinyl. This way I can show them to PayPal if things go awry. Also gives me a chance to view what I'm purchasing.
That's a good precaution, yes, especially for expensive items. I only do that occasionally if I have doubts about a certain item or suspicions about a specific seller.