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Grading records is always subjective! Therefore, it's important that you understand how we apply the standards and in accordance with what record guides. Most vinyl records listed on UsedRecordAlbums.com have undergone a visual examination, to determine their condition and to be assigned a grade. Each grade listed below includes our interpretation of condition: in accordance with; "Rockin' Records; 1998 Edition", "The Official Price Guide to Records 2000 / 2002" and "Official Price Guide To Movies/TV Soundtracks And Original Cast Albums; 2nd Edition". All 4 guides are from Osborne Enterprises. Also included is a short narrative description of the Vinyl surface and how it's expected to play. However, all vinyl records are brush washed, vacuum cleaned, checked and play tested prior to shipment. If a skip or stick condition is found, you'll be offered the record for free; but you must pay the shipping charges. NOTE: To better describe fitness; seven (7) inch (45 RPM) records are graded on "condition of vinyl only". Defects on labels are reported only if applicable. Mint: The standard from the record guide identified above is: "A mint item must be absolutely perfect". Therefore, other than sealed; the highest grade listed by UsedRecordAlbums.com is Near Mint. We do not use Mint condition; because, even brand new vinyl records can easily be flawed in some manner and not qualify as mint. Sealed: Applies only to records that are still sealed (never opened). You can not assume (no guarantee) the disc inside a sealed cover is in Mint condition It may be flawed in some manner; therefore, not qualify as mint (e.g. tiny blemishes or production flaws induced during manufacturing). Vinyl: (Sealed) no known surface defects; expect no adverse affects during play.Near Mint: No visible flaws: imperfections of any kind on the play area are very hard to detect without visual aids (e.g. marks, scuffs, scratches or track wear) and disc has no visible warp. Groove surface should be bright and appear as new. Label is defect free. Vinyl: (Near Mint) has clear sound with no adverse affects during play.Excellent: Very light wear: may have few very light surface scuffs and / or scratches (appearance only); not physically cutting into any grooves, may show little track wear and disc has no visible warp. Groove surface should still be bright and appear as new. Label may have few imperfections: e.g. have writing on it, very light spots or stains; but absolutely nothing that would offset the flatness when rotating: e.g. no tears, peel-off, stickers, etc. Vinyl: (Excellent) has clear sound with no surface noise during play.Very Good Plus: Light surface wear, may have some light scuffs and / or scratches; they may be appearance only, but could be physically cutting into the grooves and may show some track wear: but has no imperfections altering the sound during play and disc has no visible warp (still fully enjoyable). Gloss on groove surface may not be as bright as new. Label may show little wear, and have a noticeable imperfection or two. Vinyl: (Very Good Plus) plays with very little surface noise; nothing that impedes the sound.Very Good: Shows surface wear, may have some scuffs and / or scratches, physically cutting into grooves; slightly altering the sound during play, show track wear and disc has no visible warp. Gloss on groove surface is beginning to appear dull. Label may show wear, and have some noticeable imperfections. Vinyl: (Very Good) plays with some surface noise; but does not overwhelm the sound.Good Plus: May have some scuffs and / or scratches, physically cutting into grooves; altering the sound during play, have heavy track wear and disc may have a slight warp. Gloss on groove surface may appear dull. Label may be faded or discolored, show heavy wear and have many imperfections. Vinyl: (Good Plus) surface noise is noticeable; may include popping, cracking and snapping sounds. Good: Plays without skipping or sticking. The vinyl and label will show definite signs of wear and tear, probably evidencing that no protective care was given the record. Even so, records in good condition will likely play noisy, but should play all the way through without skipping or sticking. They may have many scuffs and / or scratches, physically cutting into grooves; more than noticeably altering the sound during play, deep track wear and disc may have a warp. Gloss on groove surface may appear very dull. Label may be faded or discolored, show heavy wear and have many imperfections. Vinyl: (Good) play is affected; little to no protective care given to this record. Key Notes (Vinyl): Few: Not more than 2 on either side, but not more than 3 total. Some: Not more than 4 on either side, but not more than 7 total.Many: 5 or more on either side.Covers and Picture Sleeves :Because, the covers and picture sleeves are often used for display; it is vital to know more about its condition. Therefore, to better serve our customers, UsedRecordAlbums.com provides a short narrative description of the obvious defects on the cover or sleeve; rather than assigning a grade that would: generally describe the condition at best.
Key Notes ( Cover & Sleeve): Very, very little wear - hard to detect any defects without visual aids Very little wear - hard to detect any defects Little wear - a few defects are visable Some wear - defects are noticeable Shows wear - defects are more than obvious
Price Range :With some exceptions (e.g. Soundtracks, Various Artists, Est. Value and etc.); all list prices referred to on UsedRecordAlbums.com are the near mint list prices, from the price guide identified above. Although, an absolutely pristine mint, still sealed item or promotional copy carries a slight premium above the near mint price; our prices never exceed the near mint listed price, found in the record price guide. We try to keep our vinyl prices for the Sealed, Near Mint and Excellent condition about 20% less than the list prices. For the lesser graded copies, we use the following formula (percent of value) to determine a record's price or value (these prices may very five to ten percent): Mint: Not used on UsedRecordAlbums.com's site Sealed: 90 % of listed value Near Mint: 80 % of listed value Excellent: 70 % of listed value Very Good Plus: 60 % of listed value Very Good: 50% to 40 % of listed value Good Plus: 30 % of listed value Good: 20 % of listed value
Other Key Notes: Die cut corner, die punch hole in cover and drilled hole through record label: In most cases (not all) having any of these features indicate they were distributed by the recording studio as promo's; issued for store stock copies (being played as you shop) or provided to D J's (to play on air). These records are known as "Designated Promo's" (having no other method to identify it as a promo) and not to be confused with "Promotional or Demonstration Issues" (having "Not For Sale", "D J Copy" or etc. printed on label or cover). Designated Promo's will usually fall into the same price range as the original commercial release, but at the higher end. Whereas, Promotional, Demonstration or Test Press Copies will demand prices above (sometimes well above) the original commercial release.
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