Resale value is a hot topic among collectors and vinyl lovers, so here's an overview of the main factors you should look at if you want to sell at the best possible price
“Autographed records (especially when non-personalised, and once verified) are sought after.” Maybe this can be a topic for a future post? I am curious as to how autographs are verified. Some sort of handwriting expert? Does the owner of a signed record need to provide details as to when and where? I had thought signed records might be worth less. Also, what is the thought around price stickers literally on the front or back cover? Best to leave them on at risk of damaging the cardboard? I would imagine there are special tools to remove them.
Thanks, Steve! Autographs can be verified typically by means of a certificate of authenticity, issued by specialised companies. How they verify autographs and on what data they rely on will vary depending on the company and the autograph in question, but there are so-called "autograph experts" who do this professionally. Typically there are a set of minimum criteria that must be met for them to be comfortable issuing a certificate, and the client (usually the person who obtained the autograph and now intends to sell the item at a premium) can cooperate by providing evidence such as photographs, videos, etc. The item is analysed in special light and compared with tons of samples of verified signatures of that very same artist.
Some signed records are worth less when, for example, they are not signed by all members of one band, only by some, or when the autograph has been dedicated to a certain person (e.g. "To Debbie, lots of love, John Lennon"). Typically "empty" autographs (e.g. John Lennon) are more valuable than personalised ones.
Regarding stickers, it really depends. Some stickers push the value of the record up, especially if they are unique to that specific album. A generic price sticker from, say, 1991, with only a random price, which could have been stuck on the front cover of ANY record, tends to be seen as an incovenience. In contrast, a sticker made for that record in question (e.g. "Mariah's new smashing record, includes the #1 hits so and so") will definitely increase the value of the record, because it is seen as part of the artwork. Some collectors are really adamant they want certain "hype stickers" to be there and when they are not, sellers have to reduce the price otherwise the item won't sell.
Stickers and autographs both push value up or down, and work in opposite directions (generic/unique). Hope this makes some sort of sense! Happy to expand on a future post. Great to know there's interest in the subject as it gives me ideas :) Thanks again!
Thanks, Charlotte! Yes, in hindsight I can understand the way you feel. Still, it’s never too late to start (or rebuild) a collection 😉 Thanks for reading!
Great read! I have seen that grading is the crucial item after artist, album, year, and pressing. That seems to be the needle that moves across the spectrum of pricing. Many of the vendors I follow seem to base it on the price available on Discogs now but it makes me wonder if we are creating a pricing bubble within Discogs now.
Thanks, Kadrian! Yes, grading affects prices massively. That's also why I talked about wear and tear. Also as grades are subjective, some sellers manipulate the grading interpretation to inflate prices (on Discogs and eBay predominantly, but also sometimes in physical stores, although less so).
Totally agree. Even the grading spectrum you link out to on Discogs is vague enough to interpretation. Def an interesting case but also what makes buying records so fun. You have to investigate and ultimately the experience is subjective to you
Caught a Walkmen show a few weeks ago and was 5-10 minutes behind in the merch line from picking up a copy of Bows + Arrows. Didn’t realize it was such a hard vinyl to find. Only option is shelling out a $100 on Discogs.
Thanks for your comment. Of course I realise (if you haven't already, I invite you to read this post, where I talk about briefcase-style turntables, among others: https://vinylroom.substack.com/p/your-vinyl-setup-and-collection-the). The picture was chosen purely because of the coloured disc, as that's what I was discussing in that particular section. I also invite you to read my posts on vinyl styli, lest you think I'm a Crosley fan (I can't believe I have to clarify certain things, but there you go...). Happy Sunday, in any case, and thanks for reading.
“Autographed records (especially when non-personalised, and once verified) are sought after.” Maybe this can be a topic for a future post? I am curious as to how autographs are verified. Some sort of handwriting expert? Does the owner of a signed record need to provide details as to when and where? I had thought signed records might be worth less. Also, what is the thought around price stickers literally on the front or back cover? Best to leave them on at risk of damaging the cardboard? I would imagine there are special tools to remove them.
Thanks, Steve! Autographs can be verified typically by means of a certificate of authenticity, issued by specialised companies. How they verify autographs and on what data they rely on will vary depending on the company and the autograph in question, but there are so-called "autograph experts" who do this professionally. Typically there are a set of minimum criteria that must be met for them to be comfortable issuing a certificate, and the client (usually the person who obtained the autograph and now intends to sell the item at a premium) can cooperate by providing evidence such as photographs, videos, etc. The item is analysed in special light and compared with tons of samples of verified signatures of that very same artist.
Some signed records are worth less when, for example, they are not signed by all members of one band, only by some, or when the autograph has been dedicated to a certain person (e.g. "To Debbie, lots of love, John Lennon"). Typically "empty" autographs (e.g. John Lennon) are more valuable than personalised ones.
Regarding stickers, it really depends. Some stickers push the value of the record up, especially if they are unique to that specific album. A generic price sticker from, say, 1991, with only a random price, which could have been stuck on the front cover of ANY record, tends to be seen as an incovenience. In contrast, a sticker made for that record in question (e.g. "Mariah's new smashing record, includes the #1 hits so and so") will definitely increase the value of the record, because it is seen as part of the artwork. Some collectors are really adamant they want certain "hype stickers" to be there and when they are not, sellers have to reduce the price otherwise the item won't sell.
Stickers and autographs both push value up or down, and work in opposite directions (generic/unique). Hope this makes some sort of sense! Happy to expand on a future post. Great to know there's interest in the subject as it gives me ideas :) Thanks again!
I wish I’d kept all my big sister’s albums including her collection of Beatles! Back in the 90’s I gave them all away! 🎶 🙈
Thanks, Charlotte! Yes, in hindsight I can understand the way you feel. Still, it’s never too late to start (or rebuild) a collection 😉 Thanks for reading!
Great read! I have seen that grading is the crucial item after artist, album, year, and pressing. That seems to be the needle that moves across the spectrum of pricing. Many of the vendors I follow seem to base it on the price available on Discogs now but it makes me wonder if we are creating a pricing bubble within Discogs now.
Thanks, Kadrian! Yes, grading affects prices massively. That's also why I talked about wear and tear. Also as grades are subjective, some sellers manipulate the grading interpretation to inflate prices (on Discogs and eBay predominantly, but also sometimes in physical stores, although less so).
Totally agree. Even the grading spectrum you link out to on Discogs is vague enough to interpretation. Def an interesting case but also what makes buying records so fun. You have to investigate and ultimately the experience is subjective to you
Absolutely. Especially VG can be treacherous. But yes, it is ultimately a very subjective experience, and that’s part of the beauty of it all!
Caught a Walkmen show a few weeks ago and was 5-10 minutes behind in the merch line from picking up a copy of Bows + Arrows. Didn’t realize it was such a hard vinyl to find. Only option is shelling out a $100 on Discogs.
It's so annoying when that happens!! Next time it will be yours, I'm sure. Good records come to those who wait. Good luck!
You do realize that the pictured Crosly portable turntable is not a very good piece of equipment to play a record with any real value right?
Perhaps a photo of an average good quality turntable would be more appropriate for this post IMHO.
Thanks for your comment. Of course I realise (if you haven't already, I invite you to read this post, where I talk about briefcase-style turntables, among others: https://vinylroom.substack.com/p/your-vinyl-setup-and-collection-the). The picture was chosen purely because of the coloured disc, as that's what I was discussing in that particular section. I also invite you to read my posts on vinyl styli, lest you think I'm a Crosley fan (I can't believe I have to clarify certain things, but there you go...). Happy Sunday, in any case, and thanks for reading.