How much can I sell this rare record for?
April 13, 2010 8:20 AM Subscribe
I found this record at a thrift store yesterday, and I'd like to sell it on eBay. What's a reasonable minimum (i.e. reserve) price?
I would say both the cover and record are VG+, EXCEPT...the record has a weird defect on both sides that causes the first half of the first song on both sides to skip; those two songs are basically unplayable. Other than that, it sounds great.
So, obviously I'm not expecting $1300 like the guy in the link above got, but I feel like hard-core collectors would still be interested in a record this rare even with the imperfection.
I would say both the cover and record are VG+, EXCEPT...the record has a weird defect on both sides that causes the first half of the first song on both sides to skip; those two songs are basically unplayable. Other than that, it sounds great.
So, obviously I'm not expecting $1300 like the guy in the link above got, but I feel like hard-core collectors would still be interested in a record this rare even with the imperfection.
Response by poster: That's a reissue; this is the original pressing.
posted by The Card Cheat at 8:27 AM on April 13, 2010
posted by The Card Cheat at 8:27 AM on April 13, 2010
2/10 songs unplayable. So at a bare minimum, it has lost 1/5 of its value. But devaluing doesn't really work that way. I would say halve it at 650. Worst case, you don't meet the reserve, and then you can auction it again, right? Also, if the reserve isn't met then people may contact you to further negotiate on price outside the confines of the ebay auction, if they really want it.
posted by molecicco at 8:35 AM on April 13, 2010
posted by molecicco at 8:35 AM on April 13, 2010
It's worth noting that Popsike only indexes the highest recorded auction sales, and shouldn't be used to find an an album's worth. Just because some japanese collector paid $1300 for it once, doesn't mean that it will sell for anywhere near that - especially not for a warped/unplayable copy.
posted by stachemaster at 9:08 AM on April 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by stachemaster at 9:08 AM on April 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: That's an interesting find, and I like the tracks I've heard on a few compilations, but:
1) I find that $1300 auction very suspicious. I have at least one acquaintance with someone who also owns the original (excellent condition) vinyl, and he paid $49 for it last year. It's not nearly that rare a record to garner $1300, at least not normally. So if the auction results are legit, I'd consider it a one-off sort of thing and certainly not the basis on which I'd gauge value.
2) There's no way vinyl which has two unplayable tracks should be listed in anything like VG+ condition. Poor would be more like it. Hard-core collectors generally won't go near records which are unplayable.
3) I'd set a reserve for double what you paid for it and hope for the best.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 9:10 AM on April 13, 2010
1) I find that $1300 auction very suspicious. I have at least one acquaintance with someone who also owns the original (excellent condition) vinyl, and he paid $49 for it last year. It's not nearly that rare a record to garner $1300, at least not normally. So if the auction results are legit, I'd consider it a one-off sort of thing and certainly not the basis on which I'd gauge value.
2) There's no way vinyl which has two unplayable tracks should be listed in anything like VG+ condition. Poor would be more like it. Hard-core collectors generally won't go near records which are unplayable.
3) I'd set a reserve for double what you paid for it and hope for the best.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 9:10 AM on April 13, 2010
I would not set a reserve. I'm a collector in a different are (toys) and I avoid reserve auctions like the plague and know many who do so as well.
Be very honest about the defects and open bidding at a reasonable price ($50 - $99). If its really rare and desirable, it will sell at whatever the market value is.
posted by anastasiav at 9:43 AM on April 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
Be very honest about the defects and open bidding at a reasonable price ($50 - $99). If its really rare and desirable, it will sell at whatever the market value is.
posted by anastasiav at 9:43 AM on April 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Well, double what I paid for it would be $4...: )
Thank for the advice; didn't know that Popsike only posts the results of the highest auctions. This record is on there two other times (1, 2) and both auctions went over $700, so I thought/hoped maybe I could still get $100 or so for it.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:03 AM on April 13, 2010
Thank for the advice; didn't know that Popsike only posts the results of the highest auctions. This record is on there two other times (1, 2) and both auctions went over $700, so I thought/hoped maybe I could still get $100 or so for it.
posted by The Card Cheat at 10:03 AM on April 13, 2010
As a purchaser I do not bid on items with reserves. Just set your opening bid at whatever you would set your reserve at and avoid the theater.
Of course, I don't know what that number would be.
posted by dirtdirt at 10:12 AM on April 13, 2010
Of course, I don't know what that number would be.
posted by dirtdirt at 10:12 AM on April 13, 2010
Best answer: 2) There's no way vinyl which has two unplayable tracks should be listed in anything like VG+ condition. Poor would be more like it. Hard-core collectors generally won't go near records which are unplayable.
I completely agree with Dee Xtrovert here. The record grade (as opposed to the cover grade) is all about playability. You can Google around, but here is a sample of one grading standard. The same is basically repeated in every standard I've read:
posted by OmieWise at 10:27 AM on April 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
I completely agree with Dee Xtrovert here. The record grade (as opposed to the cover grade) is all about playability. You can Google around, but here is a sample of one grading standard. The same is basically repeated in every standard I've read:
VG Very Good - a used, reasonably-priced copy. There will be obvious signs of wear and surface noise between tracks or during quiet passages, but still very playable. Should not contain any skips[...]F Fair or P Poor - The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating.I know it's a bummer, but you should be careful about how you grade this, as you basically want people who put a lot of money into collecting to buy this album.
posted by OmieWise at 10:27 AM on April 13, 2010 [1 favorite]
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posted by box at 8:26 AM on April 13, 2010